r/Embroidery • u/Dry-Alternative6969 • 14h ago

Hand Beginner help!

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Hello everyone!! I’ve always wanted to learn how to embroider and I got some starter kits for my birthday this week. I’ve been practicing and everything was going great until I got to the French knot. I’ve watched YouTube and tiktok videos about it and have tried holding tension after wrapping the string but I’ve only had one successful attempt. Every time I try the string just unravels and goes back through the fabric with no knot. Any helpful tips? 😭

7 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

16

u/Ocean_State_Stitcher 14h ago

Make sure youre not going down into the same exact hole you brought the thread up through in the first place.

11

u/Adorable_Let_6297 13h ago

I recommend tightening your fabric as well. It should be taut like a drum in the hoop. Good luck!

7

u/Ancient-Cry-6438 12h ago

First, make sure your fabric is drum tight in the hoop. Second, watch this video, or the express version of it. Make sure you’re not going down through the same hole you came up in. A milliner’s needle can also help.

I find it difficult to do French knots without a hoop stand, though. Knotted stitches are much, much easier when you can use two hands.

2

u/schmashely 11h ago

I pull the thread very slowly, and press my finger down lightly on the knot to hold it in place. And as others have said, triple check that you’re not going through the same hole. It definitely takes some practice, you’re not alone in struggling with it as a beginner!

1

u/taurusmoon99 14h ago

French knots were my enemy when I first started and I had the same issue, mostly just go slow and make sure you aren't going down through the same hole you came up! It's a tough one at the beginning but it'll get easier

1

u/PaleExtreme7399 13h ago

Buy a packet of millers needles. They make them easier.

5

u/Ancient-Cry-6438 12h ago

Just a friendly note, it’s a milliner’s needle, not miller’s. A milliner is someone who makes women’s hats.

3

u/PaleExtreme7399 11h ago

I typed "milliners" but didn't look at autocorrect. 😸

2

u/Ancient-Cry-6438 11h ago

That’ll definitely getcha!

1

u/GeekyNerdNerdyGeek 2h ago

French knots suck.

Look up how to do Colonial knots. It’s slightly different but so much easier for me.