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!!

32 comments:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  5. Thank you so much for sharing this information

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    1. My pleasure Melody! Have a lovely week! Christine x

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

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

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

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

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  11. 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. 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. Wunderful stitches. Ich like french knotes!

    Greetings Marion

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    1. Thank you Marion! I like them too! Christine x

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  13. I love your variegated knots--so cute!!

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

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

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

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

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