Take a stitch Tuesday Challenge week 24

This week I am going to suggest every explores French Knots for the Take a Stitch Tuesday Challenge . Try it out with threads of different thread weights or fine silk ribbon. It is also terrific in combination with other stitches. So this week I am going to suggest people take any of the stitches that have been featured in the TAST challenge so far and combine them with French knots.

Some people have problems with this stitch. What I have found is that there are two major problems when people create French knots the first being that the knot disappears through fabric and the second a loose a loop appears on top of the knot.

With French knots use a milliners needle as a milliners needle is the same diameter from point to eye and this means the thread will slide along the needle easily also use a hoop as this will help with any tension problems.

When you put the needle back into the fabric make sure it is a little way from where it came out of the fabric this will stop the knot disappearing to the back of the fabric.

The second problem is that a loop occurs on top of the knot. This is a tension problem so use a hoop and hold the thread taut with your other hand while being pulled through the knot.

This silk ribbon sample contains French knots worked in fine ribbon.

They make great ‘fillers’ in Silk Ribbon embroidery or can be sprinkled in contemporary embroidery pieces. They really are very versatile!

If you are enjoying this challenge you may be interested in my latest online class offered on Joggles.com. Sumptuous surfaces is a 6 week online course which will start July 11th. (Follow the link for more information.)

There is a Take a stitch Tuesday flickr group which you can browse

Enjoy your stitching week everyone and have fun with these!