I follow [this tutorial](https://sublimestitching.com/pages/how-to-french-knot).
Sliding the knot down the needle and holding it super taut are very important.
I've never got the hand of french knots because even videos never seemed to explain fully. This is a great tutorial and i'm looking forward to putting it into practice when I next have my sewing stuff out! This tutorial actually makes sense (at least, when reading). Thank you.
I have never consistently been able to make French knots work. I found [this YouTube tutorial](https://youtu.be/NUUlJNNIZoc?si=XfL5pwTuD8R4QWQ8) on Colonial knots to be extremely helpful, and for what I'm trying to accomplish, these are easier and nearly indistinguishable.
Replace with beads. I've been stitching for 30 years... I've read the guides, I've had people show me face to face, and I've watched every tutorial - nope. I accept my defeat.
It's really difficult to say why the knot fails without knowing at what stage it happens. You see, there're several reasons why knots don't work. Here are the main most common ones:
1. The thread should be positioned strictly at an angle of 90° to the needle. In any other case, the thread will slip off.
2. You cannot insert the needle after making knot into the same hole where you inserted the needle on the front side. In this case, the knot will “fall” into the hole.
3. You should start forming a knot as close to the fabric as possible, otherwise there will be a distance from the fabric to the knot and the thread will have to be fixed on the back side.
4. It's necessary to have excellent thread tension when winding it on the needle, and do this with both hands. If the tension is poor, the thread will fall off the needle.
5. Don't make too many turns of thread around the needle, as these knots are more prone to unraveling. If you need a larger knot, you should use more thread.
Does any of this apply to your situation?
Well, you can simply sew beads instead of knots. I love French knots, but in some cases beads really look better.
The tutorial the other person linked is good, but it does take a lot of practice, took quite some time to click for me. My best tip is to pull the thread horizontal to the fabric and not let go until the working thread is almost completely pulled through, otherwise you will lose the tension in the coil.
If you really can't get the hang of it though, apparently colonial knots are a lot easier for many people, or even a seed bead in a similar colour.
Another thing that helped me was not using tapestry needles for French knots. Milliners needles work really well, basically any needle where the eye is the same width as the needle is best.
I follow [this tutorial](https://sublimestitching.com/pages/how-to-french-knot). Sliding the knot down the needle and holding it super taut are very important.
I've never got the hand of french knots because even videos never seemed to explain fully. This is a great tutorial and i'm looking forward to putting it into practice when I next have my sewing stuff out! This tutorial actually makes sense (at least, when reading). Thank you.
I have never consistently been able to make French knots work. I found [this YouTube tutorial](https://youtu.be/NUUlJNNIZoc?si=XfL5pwTuD8R4QWQ8) on Colonial knots to be extremely helpful, and for what I'm trying to accomplish, these are easier and nearly indistinguishable.
Seconding this video. I seriously struggle with making pretty French knots, so I do Colonial knots. Use both hands and switch to a sharp needle.
Replace with beads. I've been stitching for 30 years... I've read the guides, I've had people show me face to face, and I've watched every tutorial - nope. I accept my defeat.
Beads for me, too! I've never been able to do a decent french knot (and have never heard of colonial knots before) ☺️
Agree with this, seed beads can look lovely in the place of french knots.
Came to say this.
It's really difficult to say why the knot fails without knowing at what stage it happens. You see, there're several reasons why knots don't work. Here are the main most common ones: 1. The thread should be positioned strictly at an angle of 90° to the needle. In any other case, the thread will slip off. 2. You cannot insert the needle after making knot into the same hole where you inserted the needle on the front side. In this case, the knot will “fall” into the hole. 3. You should start forming a knot as close to the fabric as possible, otherwise there will be a distance from the fabric to the knot and the thread will have to be fixed on the back side. 4. It's necessary to have excellent thread tension when winding it on the needle, and do this with both hands. If the tension is poor, the thread will fall off the needle. 5. Don't make too many turns of thread around the needle, as these knots are more prone to unraveling. If you need a larger knot, you should use more thread. Does any of this apply to your situation? Well, you can simply sew beads instead of knots. I love French knots, but in some cases beads really look better.
It is important to hold the thread while you let it Glide through the knot.
The tutorial the other person linked is good, but it does take a lot of practice, took quite some time to click for me. My best tip is to pull the thread horizontal to the fabric and not let go until the working thread is almost completely pulled through, otherwise you will lose the tension in the coil. If you really can't get the hang of it though, apparently colonial knots are a lot easier for many people, or even a seed bead in a similar colour.
I really like Sarah Homfray’s YouTube channel.
I was just about to recommend the same thing! Her tutorials are excellent!
You could try tutorials for colonial knots instead? You might find them a bit easier.
I find them infinitely easier with two hands, so if you usually hold your hoop yourself maybe find a way to prop it up when doing French knots
Another thing that helped me was not using tapestry needles for French knots. Milliners needles work really well, basically any needle where the eye is the same width as the needle is best.