5 Knotting Techniques for Embroidery Beginners

Mastering embroidery knots can add texture, detail, and dimension to your designs. This guide introduces five beginner-friendly techniques: French Knot, Colonial Knot, Lazy Daisy Knot, Bullion Knot, and Seed Stitch Knot. Each technique is broken down into simple steps, tips, and common mistakes to avoid.

Quick Overview:

• French Knot: Small, raised dots; great for flower centers.
• Colonial Knot: Secure, figure-8 knots; ideal for long-lasting designs.
• Lazy Daisy Knot: Loops for petals and leaves.
• Bullion Knot: Raised lines for stems and rosebuds.
• Seed Stitch Knot: Scattered tiny stitches for texture.

These techniques are perfect for adding detail and depth to your embroidery projects. Start with shorter threads, maintain steady tension, and practice on scrap fabric for the best results.

How to do a French Knot

1. French Knot

The French knot creates small, textured dots that can add depth and detail to your embroidery designs.

"This stitch is notorious for being a little bit challenging when people first learn it." - Amanda, Hand Embroidery Teacher and Artist, Crewel Ghoul

Here’s how to make a French knot:

• Bring the thread up: Push the needle from the back of the fabric to the front.
• Wrap the thread: Hold 2–3 inches of thread and wrap it around the needle 1–3 times.
• Insert and secure: Push the needle back into the fabric, just next to the hole where the thread came up.
• Form the knot: Pull the thread through while keeping steady tension.

Steady tension is key for creating even knots. For beginners, start with 1–2 wraps and use additional strands of thread if you want larger knots.

Common mistakes to avoid:

• Pushing the needle back into the same hole you started from.
• Wrapping the thread too tightly around the needle.
• Losing control of tension.
• Using threads that are too long, as they can tangle easily.

French knots work beautifully for flower centers and other decorative touches in your embroidery.

Pro Tip: An embroidery stand can free up both hands, giving you better control while practicing this stitch. It’s especially helpful for beginners aiming for more consistent knots.

2. Colonial Knot

The Colonial knot is a textured stitch similar to the French knot but offers better stability, making it ideal for long-lasting designs. Many embroiderers prefer it because the figure-8 structure is easier to master and stays more secure on the fabric.

Steps to Create a Colonial Knot:

• Bring the needle up: Pull your needle through the fabric from the back to the front.
• Position the thread: Lay the needle under the working thread.
• Form a figure-8: Twist the thread over the needle tip in the shape of an “8.”
• Insert the needle: Push it back down through the fabric, right next to where it first came up.
• Complete the knot: Pull the thread through gently, keeping even tension.

How It Differs From French Knots

Where to Use Colonial Knots

Colonial knots are perfect for adding details to your embroidery projects. Some common uses include:

• Flower centers
• Tiny floral accents
• Soft toy eyes
• Bunny tails
• Berry clusters
• Candlewicking embroidery

Tips for Success

• Keep tension steady to ensure uniform knots.
• Experiment with thread strands to adjust the knot size.
• Practice the figure-8 motion on scrap fabric before starting your main project.

Troubleshooting

If your knots are loose or uneven, double-check your figure-8 wrap. Ensure the thread twists in opposite directions to create a tight, compact knot.

The Colonial knot’s secure design makes it especially useful for projects that need durability and precision.

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3. Lazy Daisy Knot

The Lazy Daisy stitch, also called the Detached Chain Stitch or Single Chain Stitch, adds a soft, textured touch to embroidery. It's commonly used to create loops that work beautifully for flower petals, leaves, and other delicate details.

How to Create a Lazy Daisy Stitch

Follow these steps to master the Lazy Daisy:

• Bring your thread out at point A and insert it back near the same spot to form a loop.
• Pull the needle out through point B.
• Wrap the working thread around the needle.
• Gently pull the needle to tighten the loop.
• Secure the loop with a small anchoring stitch.

This technique blends effortlessly into a variety of designs.

Where to Use It

The Lazy Daisy stitch is ideal for:

• Flower petals
• Leaf accents
• Circular borders
• Strawberry seed details

Tips for Success

• Tension Control: Keep your tension relaxed but consistent to avoid uneven loops.
• Even Spacing: Use a washable fabric marker to plan your stitch placement.
• Avoid Tangles: Work with shorter thread lengths to reduce knotting.
• Adjusting Loops: Before securing, gently pull the thread entering the fabric to fine-tune the loop.

Design Inspiration

Designers like Wandering Thread frequently incorporate the Lazy Daisy stitch into their patterns. Examples include the Alaska Flower Pattern and Wildflower Meadow Pattern.

Advanced Ideas

• Spider Web Daisies: Create overlapping loops radiating from the center.
• Color Blending: Use multiple thread colors for a layered effect.
• Size Adjustments: Experiment with varying loop lengths.

4. Bullion Knot

Bullion Knots add raised, textured lines to your embroidery, making them perfect for stems, rosebuds, and intricate accents. Like French and Colonial knots, they bring depth and detail to your designs.

What You'll Need:

• Milliners (Straw) needle: Ensures smooth wrapping due to its consistent eye-to-shaft width.
• Embroidery floss: Beginners should use 3 strands for easier handling.
• Tightly hooped fabric: Keeps your work steady and tension consistent.

With these tools ready, you're all set to try your first Bullion Knot.

How to Create a Bullion Knot

1. Set Up Your Stitch
   Begin with a ¼-inch stitch length and secure your fabric in a hoop to keep it taut.
2. Wrap the Thread
   For cotton threads, wrap counterclockwise. For rayon threads, wrap clockwise.
3. Master the Wrapping Technique
   Wrap the thread from point A to point B, adding one or two extra turns for a fuller look.

Common Challenges and Fixes

"Bullion knots is probably one of the trickiest stitches in hand embroidery... I also struggled with this stitch, getting one messy bullion after another and thinking that something must be wrong with me, my hands or my brain because it looks so easy in diagrams or pictures, but why couldn't I get it right??" - Amina

If you're having trouble, you're not alone! Here are some tips to make it easier:

• If the needle gets stuck, gently swivel it while pulling.
• Hold the wrapped thread firmly between your thumb and finger as you pull it through.
• For uneven coils, check the underside of your fabric and loosen the threads as needed.

Taking It to the Next Level

Once you've nailed the basics, Bullion Knots can be used to create:

• Flower centers with intricate details
• Textured borders for a striking effect
• Raised stems for added dimension
• Miniature rosebuds that pop off the fabric

Pro Tips for Advanced Stitchers:

• Stick to ¼-inch stitch lengths for better control.
• Secure each knot individually to keep them neat.
• Maintain even tension throughout.
• Use the blunt end of your needle to adjust the coils.
• For more complex designs, try 15 wraps using a size 9 Milliners needle and 12 wt. floss.

With practice, you'll be creating beautiful, textured embroidery using Bullion Knots in no time!

5. Seed Stitch Knot

The Seed Stitch is a simple way to introduce a scattered, textured look to your embroidery projects. It’s perfect for creating a pattern that mimics the appearance of seeds scattered across fabric, making it a go-to technique for adding texture and depth.

What You’ll Need

• Embroidery floss (6 strands recommended for full coverage)
• Embroidery hoop
• Standard embroidery needle

How It Works

The Seed Stitch is all about tiny, straight stitches placed randomly. As Mary Corbet explains:

"Essentially, seed stitch is merely tiny straight stitches."

Adjusting Density

• Stitch closely together for full coverage.
• Space them out for a lighter effect.
• Use varying distances to create shading or gradient effects.

"Seed stitch is simply a scattering of straight stitches." – And Other Adventures Embroidery Co

Creative Uses

The Seed Stitch is ideal for:

• Adding background textures.
• Creating gradients by adjusting stitch density.
• Incorporating delicate accents into your designs.

Expert Tips

• Keep your stitches consistent in size.
• Work in multiple directions to avoid forming an unintended pattern.
• Plan your stitch density based on the overall design.

Real-Life Example

In one project, seed stitching brought a leaf design to life. The leaf’s outline was done with a whipped stem stitch, while the interior texture was created using seed stitches and coton a broder #30. The result was a subtle yet effective textured look.

The Seed Stitch is a versatile technique that works beautifully in both classic and modern embroidery styles, making it a must-know for adding depth and interest to your work.

Next Steps

Start practicing these five knotting techniques and work on incorporating them into your routine. This will help you sharpen your skills and address common mistakes.

Practice Strategy

• Work with fewer strands initially for better control, adding more as you become comfortable.
• Use a milliner's needle for easier handling.
• Keep your tension consistent throughout.

Pay attention to these areas as you practice to avoid common errors.

Common Mistakes to Watch For

When tying knots, focus on these key elements for each technique:

• Proper thread tension
• Correct needle placement
• Accurate wrapping direction

Organization Tips

Set up your workspace to stay organized. A craft apron with pockets can be a great tool for keeping everything within reach. For example, Cosmic Aprons offers options with adjustable straps and multiple pockets - perfect for storing needles, embroidery floss in various colors, small scissors, needle threaders, and extra hoops.

Troubleshooting Guide

Advanced Practice Tips

Once you’ve nailed the basics and worked through common issues, take it up a notch. Try blending techniques in your projects. Experiment with different thread types, but steer clear of metallic, rayon, or silk threads until you're confident. Keep a close eye on tension - too loose can make knots floppy, while too tight can make them stiff.