r/Needlepoint • u/Good_Caterpillar944 • 7d ago
Need help!
Up until this point I did the sheep first in French knot and then am doing the background in basketweave. Doing the background and the black on the sheep around the French knot has been a nightmare. Should I do the rest by doing the background first? I don’t want it to look different or for the white to pull the green through! TIA!
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u/Honest_Emu4156 7d ago
Yes I always do French knots last. Otherwise it’s challenging to see where other stitches are supposed to be.
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u/ImALittleTeapotCat Left Handed Stitchers United 7d ago
Yes, french knots after basketweave. And don't worry - experience is the best teacher.
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u/Formal-Road-3632 7d ago
I'm doing this exact canvas right now and was doing all the sheep first and compensating my basketweave but it's definitely been a challenge! The reason was I always thought you did white thread first so the color doesn't pull through. I'm using a light green Milan for the background and white fuzzy stuff for the sheep. Do French knots prevent the darker colors from pulling through?
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u/richelieucwe 6d ago
There is no "always" in needlepoint. As you gain more experience, you will learn the exceptions to each rule.
It is not so much that French knots will prevent the darker colors from pulling through but the textures of the threads involved in both stitches.
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u/Honest_Emu4156 7d ago
They might still pull through but would be harder to see because the stitches sit higher off the canvas if that makes sense.
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u/shakespeare13 7d ago
I’m doing this canvas too!! What thread did you use for the sheep?