French Knots

For practice, thread a needle with a large thread such as pearl 3 and use a practice piece of good fabric so that you can see what's happening. Please note that all references to "thread" in the following directions mean the thread that is being held in the left hand.

1. Bring your needle to the front of the fabric.

2. Take the needle in your right hand with your second and third fingers on the top of the needle and your thumb underneath, holding the needle firmly.

3. Take the thread in your left hand, with thumb and first finger, about 2" from the fabric where the thread emerges.

4. Place the needle against the "north" side of the thread about 1/4" from the place it comes out of the fabric.

5. Wrap the thread away from you, three times around the needle, keeping it firm with the left hand.

6. Keep thread taut, pulling toward you and simultaneously lowering the point of the needle into the fabric next to , but not in, the hole where it came out of the fabric.

7. Push the needle into the fabric. Keep the thread firmly against the fabric while you reach under and grab the needle from the other side. Twist the needle counter-clockwise as it progresses to keep the character of the knot intact.

Pull all the way through, releasing the thread from the left hand as the knot is completed. This will make a perfect French Knot.