Tuesday, 20 October 2015

TAST Week Fifteen: French Knots

Week fifteen of the TAST Challenge hosted by Sharon Boggon at Pin Tangle  is the french knot.  Over on Sharon's blog she has shared a great tutorial of how to execute this stitch together with some tips on how to solve common problems that are encountered with it.  It is not a difficult stitch but suffice it to say that the more you stitch it the better you get!!  


 I filled in a section of my sampler with french knots using a variegated cotton floss.  I wrapped the needle three times before creating the knot.

I do like the beautiful texture that a grouping of knots gives and I have even used it as an alternative to seed stitch to quilt three layers together.

I am sure that one of the most common uses is to create the centre of daisy flowers as well as the eyes for appliqued people and creatures.

However, it is also a very useful stitch for couching as in this silk ribbon bow which I added to a crazy quilt block.

It was also used to couch this piece of rick rack in place and I like the extra decoration it adds to the trim.

There are lots more uses pictured over on Sharon's french knot page and if you look at the comments section of the post you will find links to lots of over TAST blog posts where you can have a look at what other TAST participants have used them for! Have fun browsing!!
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32 comments:

  1. Lynda20 October 2015 at 17:05

    Lovely ideas Christine -I'm still working on mine!

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    1. Christine B21 October 2015 at 09:17

      Thank you Lynda! I've just seen your post on FB..... looks beautiful! Christine x

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  2. sigisart20 October 2015 at 18:32

    Dear Christine,
    everything you do looks so lovely.
    Hugs
    sigisart

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    1. Christine B21 October 2015 at 09:18

      Thank you Sigrid! That is so kind of you! Christine x

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  3. Marly20 October 2015 at 18:42

    Hello Christine. You have been busy stitching! I like the way you've used your Fr. knots for couching; I'd never have thought of that! I started on the challenge, but am so way behind. I HAVE to make time!

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    1. Christine B21 October 2015 at 09:19

      Thank you Marly! That's what makes blogging fun.... such a great way to share ideas! Christine x

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  4. Monika Kunstnadel20 October 2015 at 20:31

    Liebe Christine,
    ein schöner Stich und Du hast ihn toll in Dienen Arbeiten eingesetzt. Dank Die für den interessanten Link. Da kann man ja viel über die Stiche lernen.
    Liebe Grüße
    Monika

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    1. Christine B21 October 2015 at 09:28

      Thank you Monika! Sharon's links are great. She goes into a lot of detail which is very useful! Christine x

      Delete
  5. Melody20 October 2015 at 21:29

    Thank you so much for sharing this information

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    1. Christine B21 October 2015 at 09:20

      My pleasure Melody! Have a lovely week! Christine x

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  6. Cath20 October 2015 at 22:42

    Christine!....my oohs & aahs got bigger as I scrolled down your post...delightful...french knots are my favourite and I like to think I have perfected the art!

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    1. Christine B21 October 2015 at 09:21

      Thank you Cath! French knots are a very versatile stitch.... they come in handy for all sorts of things! Christine x

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  7. Cath20 October 2015 at 22:45

    I just have to add as well....just had a closer look at those satin stitch circles in the first pic.......so perfectly executed!

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  8. Anonymous20 October 2015 at 22:49

    Hi Christine,it's one of my favourite stitches,I love the uses for this one,hope you have a lovely day my friend xx

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    1. Christine B21 October 2015 at 09:22

      Thank you Shez! Hope you have a great day too! Christine x

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  9. Baa. xxx21 October 2015 at 03:31

    Love French knots - favourite stitch. Love the way you couched the ribbon!

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    1. Christine B21 October 2015 at 09:23

      Thank you! I like how the French knots look on the ribbon too! Christine x

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  10. Steffi21 October 2015 at 08:01

    Liebe Christine,
    ganz toll sind deine franz. Knoten geworden, vor allem die weiteren Verwendungsmöglichkeiten gefallen mir sehr gut!
    Liebe Grüße
    Steffi

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    1. Christine B21 October 2015 at 09:29

      Thank you Steffi! I am glad you found the ideas helpful! Christine x

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  11. Gina21 October 2015 at 08:19

    I've never thought of using French Knots as couching. Something to think about. Mind you these are my nemesis when it comes to stitching and I normally chicken out and use beads

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    1. Christine B21 October 2015 at 09:24

      Some stitchers find that they prefer colonial knots to French knots and they more or less identical... perhaps you should try them instead? Christine x

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  12. Kunzfrau21 October 2015 at 08:35

    Wunderful stitches. Ich like french knotes!

    Greetings Marion

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    1. Christine B21 October 2015 at 09:23

      Thank you Marion! I like them too! Christine x

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  13. Karen in Breezy Point21 October 2015 at 17:08

    I love your variegated knots--so cute!!

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    1. Christine B21 October 2015 at 21:13

      Thank you Karen! I love that variegated thread! Christine x

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  14. Unknown21 October 2015 at 21:02

    So many beautiful French knots and inserted in such individual styles. Unfortunately my nice ideas, succeed not always so perfect but practice, practice ... I will abide by your counsel as you said.
    wish you a good time
    Greetings Sandra

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    1. Christine B21 October 2015 at 21:14

      Thank you Sandra! My stitches are not always perfect either... but you do get better the more you stitch! Enjoy the rest of your week! Christine x

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  15. Magpie's Mumblings22 October 2015 at 23:42

    French knots are so versatile and you're right - you do have to practice to get them right.

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    1. Christine B23 October 2015 at 11:22

      Thank you Mary Anne! They are very useful stitches, so well worth the practice! Have a lovely weekend! Christine x

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  16. Carli The Quilter24 October 2015 at 21:05

    Christine, you've made awesome progress, I love hand stitching!

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    1. Christine B24 October 2015 at 23:24

      Thank you! I am really enjoying participating and learning new stitches!! Christine x

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