How to Make French Knots

French knots are a pretty common embellishment in cross stitch patterns that might be used for eyes or to add texture like polka dots or stars on a project. If you delve into other genres of needlework you’ll find French knots coming up in all sorts of ways, and you can even stitch up whole projects that are just made out of French knots!

It’s worth it to take some time to explore French knots, how they’re made and how you can get a different look based on how many threads you use and how many times you twist the thread around the needle to make the knot.

Generally the pattern you are working on will tell you exactly how they made their French knots so you can make yours look the same. If the pattern doesn’t specify, use the same number of threads as you were using to stitch the rest of the project.

I have always defaulted to wrapping the thread around the needle three times to make a French knot, but you can play with it too see how changing your technique changes the look.

I actually did this and shared the results over at Our Daily Craft. I used from one to six threads and did from one to five wraps so you can see how petite or how bold your French knots can be. I still think I like the ones with three wraps the best, regardless of how many threads are being used. What do you think?

And if you want to take your French knots beyond cross stitch, I also collected some ideas for using French knots in different ways. From little accents of texture to the focal point of projects, to full designs, there are so many different things you can do with French knots!

Tips for Stitching Perfect French Knots

French Knots or Candlewicking Knots Video

Book Review: Free Spirit Stitching

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How to Railroad Your Cross Stitch

I’m primarily a knitter, and in the knitting world the “emotional support chicken” has been a big trend probably for a couple of years now (I don’t know how long something has to be popular before you can stop calling it a trend, but whatever).

There are chicken crochet patterns that are popular as well, and now I’ve found a cross stitch chicken pattern that might just become the newest iteration of the emotional support chicken theme.

The Funky Chickens pattern from Satsuma Street are three-dimensional, triangular chickens embellished with felt to make their facial features and tail feathers. The bodies include stripes, curves, speckles and other little designs to mark different parts of their bodies. They’re super cute and not any more difficult to stitch than any other pattern, though of course there’s more finishing than you would normally expect.

The pattern includes designs for three chickens, which are actually a rooster and two hens. The rooster is slightly larger, at 120 by 60 stitches, or 4 by 4 inches/10 cm when finished. The hens are 100 by 50 stitches and come out to 3.25 inches/8 cm when finished. These measurements are for stitching on 14 count fabric or 28 count over two.

The patterns use 13 colors, and if you want to make all three, one skein of each color will make all of them. In addition to your regular cross stitch supplies you’ll need three or four little pieces of felt of different colors to add all the details.

These chickens would be great to use as pincushions, or you could put something heavy in the bottom and use them as pattern weights if you do sewing. They’d also be fun gifts for anyone who likes chickens or needs a little emotional support if you explain it to them.

The pattern is available from Satsuma Street on Etsy.

[Photo: Satsuma Street]

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