How to Do French Knots (Step-by-Step)

Finished French knots embroidery showing small raised knots used as textured dots.
French knots create small raised dots, perfect for flower centres and textured details.

French knots are small, raised knots stitched on the surface of the fabric. They are brilliant for flower centres, tiny berries, scattered texture, and anywhere you want a little dot of detail that sits proud of the stitch.

French knot step-by-step embroidery diagram showing thread wrapped around the needle and pulled through to form a knot.
French knot step-by-step illustration.

How to do French knots (step-by-step)

  1. Bring your needle up through the fabric.
  2. Hold the needle horizontally above your hoop, and wrap the thread around the needle twice in the direction shown in the diagram (1).
  3. Apply gentle tension with your thumb and finger to slide the wrapped thread down the needle (2).
  4. Position the point of the needle back into the fabric, making a hole right next to where your thread comes up from the fabric (do not use the same hole). Still keeping the tension, push the needle through to the back.
  5. A small, tight knot will form on the surface of the fabric (3).

If your knot feels loose, it usually just needs a little more steady tension as you slide the wraps down and push the needle through. Once you get the feel for it, it becomes a quick and satisfying stitch.

French knot stitch in progress showing the thread wrapped around the needle.
French knot in progress: wrapping the thread around the needle.
French knot stitch in progress showing the wrapped thread being held under gentle tension.
French knot in progress: insert the needle into a NEW hole.
French knot stitch in progress showing the wrapped thread being held under gentle tension.
French knot in progress: keep the top thread under gentle tension.
French knot stitch in progress showing the wrapped thread being held under gentle tension.
French knot in progress: keep the tension until the loop is very small.
French knot stitch in progress showing the wrapped thread being held under gentle tension.
French knot in progress: completed knot.

More about French knots

French knots are a great stitch for adding texture without filling an area completely. A few scattered knots can add interest to backgrounds, and a cluster of knots makes an easy flower centre that looks lovely alongside outline stitches.

You can change the size of your French knots by adjusting the number of wraps or the thickness of your thread. Two wraps creates a neat, classic knot, but you can experiment once you are comfortable with the technique.

Ready to practise French knots?

If you would like some projects to try French knots on, I have a range of beginner friendly embroidery kits and patterns that include floral details and textured stitches like this one.

Shop embroidery kits Browse patterns Get the free sampler

Tips for French knots

  • Keep gentle tension on the thread as you slide the wraps down the needle.
  • Do not go back down through the same hole, go down just next to it for a neat knot.
  • Wrap the thread in the same direction each time so your knots look consistent.
  • If the knot looks loose, slow down and keep the wraps snug as you pull through.
  • Practise a small cluster first, it helps you find a steady rhythm.

More embroidery stitches to learn

Once you are comfortable with French knots, you might like to try these stitches next:

Next steps in your embroidery journey

If you would like a relaxed project to put your new stitches into practice, you can explore my range of modern embroidery kits and patterns below.