Can anyone give me DETAILED instruction on how to do a french knot in embroidery?

Question

I am currently working on a huge tablecloth on which has many different kinds of needlework (cross stitch, satin etc....) however it calls also for a french knot. I have no idea how to do this, please help.

Answer 1

Basically the french knot is the thread wrapped around the needle and then pulled back through. Some good pics:

http://inaminuteago.com/stitchdict/stitch/frenchknot.html\

http://www.cross-stitching.com/kh_page.asp?ID=256

If you don't do it just right you can pull the entire thread back through the fabric ending with nothing so some people substitute seed beads for the knots.

I like to to the Colonial knot as I have better luck with it staying:

http://www.cross-stitching.com/kh_page.asp?id=203

Whichever you decide it sounds challenging and pretty.

Answer 2

This may be kind of hard to explain without drawing a picture but here goes: Knot your thread and bring the needle up from the bottom of your fabric, then with your embroidery floss towards the left of the needle wrap it over once on top of the needle and bring the needle point very close to the entry hole where you started, pulling it all down. If you put the needle in the exact hole you began with, you'll pull everything out. Like I said, it's difficult to explain but hope I helped a little. Try practicing on scrap fabric and soon you'll be a pro!