Embroider a french knot
Learn to embroider French knots on fabric using a needle, embroidery hoop, and thread, practicing small stitches to make neat textured dots.
About this activity
Learn to embroider French knots on fabric using a needle, embroidery hoop, and thread, practicing small stitches to make neat textured dots.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Loosen the screw and place the fabric inside the embroidery hoop and tighten the screw until the fabric is pulled smooth and taut.
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Step 2
Use the water-soluble marker or pencil to draw a line of small evenly spaced dots where you want your French knots.
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Step 3
Cut a 24-inch length of embroidery floss.
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Step 4
Gently pull out two strands from the floss so your thread will be thinner and easier to knot.
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Step 5
Thread the needle with the two-strand thread.
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Step 6
Tie a small knot at the end of the thread to stop it from slipping through the fabric.
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Step 7
Push the needle up through the fabric from the underside at the center of your first dot and pull the thread until the knot on the end stops at the back.
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Step 8
Hold the thread gently taut with your non-sewing hand near the fabric.
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Step 9
Wrap the thread around the needle two times for a small neat knot.
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Step 10
While keeping the wraps tight, insert the needle back into the fabric very close to where it first came up (but not the exact same hole).
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Step 11
Hold the wrapped thread with your finger and pull the needle and thread down and through the fabric slowly until the little knot sits snug on top.
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Step 12
Trim the thread close to the fabric underside if needed and re-thread the needle to make more knots along your dotted line.
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Step 13
Practice making more French knots on each dot until your row looks neat and textured.
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Step 14
Take a picture of your finished French-knot practice and share your creation on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I teach my child to embroider French knots?
To embroider a French knot, secure fabric in an embroidery hoop and thread a short length of floss through a sharp embroidery needle. Bring the needle up through the fabric where you want the dot, hold the working thread taut with your non-dominant hand near the fabric, and wrap the thread around the needle once (or twice for a larger knot). Keep the wrap tight, then gently push the needle back down close to the entry point while holding tension, and pull through until the knot sits neatly on th
What materials do I need to embroider French knots with kids?
Materials needed: an embroidery hoop to keep fabric taut; a needle sized for embroidery or crewel work (embroidery needles size 7–9 are good); stranded embroidery floss or pearl/cotton thread; a small pair of sharp scissors; a washable fabric marker or pencil to mark dots; a scrap of cotton or linen fabric for practice; and an optional thimble or finger guard. For young children, use blunt plastic needles and felt for safer practice.
What ages are French knot lessons suitable for?
This activity suits children aged about 6 and up with adult supervision; kids around 8–10 can usually manage French knots independently once they have basic fine motor control. For younger children (4–6), adapt with felt, plastic needles, and larger yarn to build hand-eye coordination. Always supervise small children to prevent needle injuries. Progress at the child’s pace and offer short practice sessions to keep frustration low while building skill and confidence.
What safety tips should parents follow when teaching French knots?
Keep safety first: always supervise children using sharp needles and store needles when not in use. Use blunt or plastic needles for younger kids, and start on felt to reduce slips. Cut short lengths of thread to avoid tangles, teach proper finger placement so fingers aren’t in the needle’s path, and use child-safe scissors. Ensure good lighting and take breaks to avoid fatigue. Have a basic first aid kit on hand for minor pricks.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have an embroidery hoop, water-soluble marker, or embroidery floss?
If you don't have an embroidery hoop, stretch the fabric over a small picture frame and tape the edges tight; swap the water-soluble marker for a sharpened pencil or tailor's chalk to draw the dots; and replace embroidery floss with thin craft thread or crochet thread if needed.
My French knots are slipping or sinking under the fabric—what should I try?
Make sure the screw on the hoop (or tape on your frame) keeps the fabric taut, pull the knot at the back until it stops before wrapping, hold the wraps tight with your finger, insert the needle very close to (but not in) the original hole, and pull the needle down slowly so the knot sits on top.
How can I adapt this activity for different age groups or skill levels?
For younger children, use a plastic blunt tapestry needle, leave all six strands of floss or use thicker yarn and have an adult pre-thread and tie the starting knot, while older kids can use the two-strand thread as instructed, practice tighter two-wrap or three-wrap knots, and work on closer dot spacing for finer texture.
How can we extend or personalize our French-knot practice after finishing the dotted line?
Try changing floss colors between knots to make a gradient, form simple shapes or letters by following new dot patterns, sew a bead onto the needle before pulling it through for jeweled knots, or frame your finished practice and upload the photo to DIY.org as the instructions suggest.