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Hi, I just got the Christmas Sweater and am having issues trying to do a French Knot. I have watched videos on youtube, so I know the "how to" but I don't understand about the end of the thread. I was told a FK is the easiest to do, which I can tell it is. But can anyone please tell me what to do with the tail? None of the videos I have watched, show you! When I do my FK, all the thread comes back through. Again, I know how to do it, but the tail is confusing me.
Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thank you. (And I have never sewn in my life. I've only threaded needles, but I know this is easy).
Hi, try having a look at this blog, she gives really clear instructions for you. It says Part One, so I assume she has more posts there on the subject. I did see another item on my Google search, that said to return the needle through the fabric a couple of threads away from where it came up, as otherwise the whole thing will just pull through if you go back down the same hole.
shazsilverwolf, thank you so much for the link. I will check that out. What you sent is very helpful and I appreciate it. I think, for me, I may end up having to have someone show me this in person. It's hard to understand the mechanics for this. I'm going to save that link and see what I can do. :-)
Hi ChrisO. I'm left handed (I write with my left hand), but I cut (use scissors) with my right hand. I don't think; though I may be totally wrong, being left or right handed would matter. Again, I may be wrong. I thread a needle with my left hand, but shoot a gun, using my right hand. I will keep trying. As frustrating as it's getting, I'll just try to remember: Practice makes perfect! Haha! Thank you for your comment! :-)
Lamborghini Gal, you aren't alone. Before I became obsessed with paper-crafting, I was an avid cross-stitcher. I HATED French knots. I even had someone show me how, but mine either completely fell apart, or just didn't look right. Honestly, I tried to find other alternatives - anything, just so I didn't have to make those silly knots, LOL.
Sorry, I have no advice. I just wanted to tell you that it's not you - it's the knots.
__________________ ~ Kitty ~ "If you can dream it, you can do it." - Walt Disney
BashfulStamper, you are so kind. Your words made me feel SO MUCH BETTER! They really did. I feel like sometimes, things that are so easy for others to do (and understand) are very difficult for me. I'm glad I'm not alone. Thanks again for your very kind and compassionate comment. <3
Shaz is right, you do have to put the needle back down a couple of stitches away from where it came up when sewing. But since paper has less "give" (usually a big pain when sewing on it) I do find it possible with care (and so long as the knot has a couple of twists) to pull it back down in the same hole. Is this a die that has holes for you to stitch through?
Hi Cook22, yes. This particular die does have holes you can stitch through. Here is a link to the video (and the die I got). Thank you for your comment.
I also *used* to do a lot of embroidery. French knots. Colonial knots. All those beautiful Brazilian stitches. Looks beautiful. There's some tricks to French knots.
The BIGGEST deal is that you have to have your needle point the right direction on the thread. If you don't you won't get a knot.
fionna51, I bet your embroidery was beautiful. Thank you for the tip on the direction of the thread. The video was a huge help. I put that under my favorites on youtube. Thank you so much! :-) Beth
My tail keeps coming out. I've seen videos where they say you do go back through the same hole, as well as other videos where they say you go right near it, but not through it. I guess it's a personal preference. I've only been working on this all day, and still can't get it. But I just started today. I see why I never bothered with sewing and quit home economics in school now!! LOL Not sure if this is my forte'.
Are you cutting your thread after you do each knot? Carrying the thread over to the next stitch will help. Also, before you do the first knot, after coming up through the hole, tape the tail of the thread to the back.
You can also use more strands of thread, or use thicker thread.
When I do French knots, I use a foam pad underneath my work. After I wrap the needle and start back through the hole, I park the needle in the foam. This allows me to take my right hand to the back of my work, and gently pull the thread so you won't end up with tangles.
And the milliner's or straw needle recommended in the video Diane linked is key for me.
__________________ Linda E
Caution: You are entering an artistic zone. This is not clutter - this is creating. These are not pajamas - it's my work uniform.
Last edited by uncbballfan; 12-30-2018 at 03:20 PM..
Hi uncbballfan, yes I am doing all that. I don't cut the thread and I do tape it on the back. I have a foam pad. Since I am left handed (for me), I use my right hand for the needle and pulling it through. I saw that kind of needle, recommended. Thank you for your tips. I'm going to try again today. I have done two, really good FK, yesterday, but then I had issues. I just have to try to remember two things: Practice makes perfect and everyone was a beginner at one time! :-) <3
Check out the video on this tutorial - I explain french knots in there, and Chris, I am left handed, so maybe this explanation will work for you! That section starts at 2:28.
That video is freezing, except for the talking. I'll check back later. I look forward to watching that. Thank you Dini, for sharing your video with us! :-)
FYI, I'm wondering if the freezing issue is a YT thing. I was having the same issue last night when I tried to watch something from my news feed. Try clicking on the YT button so that you actually go to YT to watch it. That worked for me last night.
I have never done a french knot for paper crafting but I am a leftie & have never had issues when sewing. A french knot and tying off the end of a thread are the same thing, for me at least. As long as I keep that in mind, easy peasy - basic sewing skill.
I did French knots when I was cross stitching and had a problem with them till I learned to hold onto the thread after wrapping the thread around the needle while pushing the needle thru the fabric or paper.
one way to get a pretty, dimpled knot - after wrapping the thread and before going back down a thread or two from the original hole, hold the thread against the base fabric with your other thumb as you draw the thread down slowly. This keeps the thread from twisting and you get more consistent shapes. Try to keep your strands of thread flat. If you are using DMC etc., separate the strands and smooth them together before stitching. (Strip it, stroke it, and lay it flat.) lol.
I see you're in Raleigh. I tempted to drive 3 hours just to show you in person.
Have you tried practicing on a piece of cloth? Practice on a pair of jeans. If you get the hang of it, you can cut the knots off easily.
Go to a fabric store; I'll bet you will find someone there who can show you how to do the French knot.
Something just clicked - you keep saying that the tail keeps coming out, or that you don't know what to do with it. If you're finished with the French knot, just tape the tail down to the back of your work and snip the thread.
__________________ Linda E
Caution: You are entering an artistic zone. This is not clutter - this is creating. These are not pajamas - it's my work uniform.
uncbballfan, LOL!!!!!! Thank you for the tip on the tail. As it turns out, I did figure out to have more of a long tail. The problem I'm having is, well, who knows! I know you can't do a French knot the first time and it takes a lot of practice, so hopefully, eventually, I'll get it. I may try on a piece of cloth or fabric, like you mentioned. I will probably end up asking a neighbor to help me. While they do look easy and are, to a point (no pun intended), they are anything but. Loved that comment on being tempted to drive to Raleigh. That made me laugh. Thanks again! :-)
Hi Cook22, yes. This particular die does have holes you can stitch through. Here is a link to the video (and the die I got). Thank you for your comment.
I wrap my needle 2 or 3 times when using embroidery thread depending on the size of the needle. Thicker threads usually only twice. I watched the video above and I think she is actually not putting the needle back down through the hole she came up through but slanting the needle a bit and almost tucking the point under the hole in the top piece of cardstock to insert it into the lower piece of cardstock and then pulling the knot tight against the paper. If you absolutely have to go back through the hole you came up through, then your knot needs to be larger than the hole so it won’t slip back through. You can make a larger knot by wrapping the thread 2-3 times around the needle but sometimes the knot ends up sitting up too high.
Last edited by robshop; 01-05-2019 at 10:40 AM..
Reason: Auto correct words
I need some advice on doing a French Knot.
