Techniques
How to Make a French Knot
Michèle Rose Orne’s Asterisk Hat and Dot Cowl inspire knitters to do cool things with the patterns.
Michèle’s designs feature a contrasting stitch in the center of the asterisks and dots.
Love these.
Of course, our resident knitting expert Nell Ziroli went straight to the idea embroidering of French knots instead.
We applaud this. When I was in Virginia visiting my sister recently, I cornered Nell and got her to show how she does them. Here’s her quick tutorial. Or just click on the video at the top of the post.
The Dot Hat is now superdotty.
My French knots have always collapsed in a pathetic way. It turns out that I was doing them wrong. Granted, the last time I was doing French knots was when I was ten years old, but it was the scarring sort of experience that has left me with French knot terror ever since.
Delicious! Dimensional! We need to put French knots on everything.
Thanks, Nell!
Great little tutorial, and it gratifies me to confirm that I am doing my French knits properly. I may need to knit a Dot Hat in celebration!
That was so much fun, Ann. Love, love, love French Knots…
Well done! 🙂
Love the knots! What is the lovely design Nell is wearing around her neck in the photo? If we were at the mall, I’d be stalking her for a better look!
That’s Burg, knit in a great multi colored yarn, Nuble Paint, from Araucania.
I think we may have a similar history with embroidery, Ann. The consistently-nice French Knot eluded me during my childhood years, and I have felt zero desire to try making them again. Til now. I shall watch the video with optimism!
Wow! Last time I did embroidery was 2nd grade. Now I know why I was able to, so easy! Thanks for that!!
Nell looks so happy it makes me want to French-knot my head off.
I used to have a terrible time with French knots back in my cross stitch days. Maybe I will try again. Maybe I’ll do better with yarn instead of floss!
Love the french knots.
I agree. They spark joy and are so fun to make!
At the end, “tie the ends off”. Does this mean cut the yarn ???? Or do you carry the yarn along and weave it in, until the next spot for a french knot?? Thanks for your help.
That is a great question. I (personally) will tie each knot off individually because I have to fiddle with each one and a knot will keep it how I’ve fiddled it. Also, I am thinking of removing a few to use a different color.
That said, there is no reason not to strand the back. Happy knotting!
Feeling a sudden urge for asterisks and French knots.