How to make a French knot
A small raised dot of thread for eyes, flower centres and texture.
Step by step
- Bring the needle up where the knot should sit.
- Wrap the thread round the needle once or twice, keeping it taut.
- Put the needle back into the fabric right beside where it came up, never into the same hole.
- Slide the wraps down the needle so they sit on the fabric.
- Keep holding the thread taut and pull the needle through to the back.
Pinny's tip
For a bigger knot, add a strand rather than more wraps: past three wraps the loops come out loose. A milliner's needle slides through the wraps more easily.
For a bigger knot, add a strand rather than more wraps: past three wraps the loops come out loose. A milliner's needle slides through the wraps more easily.
Watch
How to stitch a french knot | Beginner Embroidery Techniques (5:32)
By Clever Poppy · Open on YouTube
Chosen from its title and channel: a 5-minute video from Clever Poppy on the same topic as this guide. Embedded from YouTube with credit; we don't host it. It only loads when you press play.
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Sources
All checked 1 November 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.