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Stitching & Crafting Room:  The elusive French Knot  |
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Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 12 2006 : 08:38:12 AM
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I am beginning to embroider things, which I am absolutely loving. However, there are two stitches that I just cannot seem to "get:" the first is the french knot - it just ends up pulling through like a regular small stitch every darn time I try it. I've looked at about a hundred explanations on how to do one, and I just seem to be missing the boat. Is there a trick? The second stitch is the "lazy daisy" - any tricks to that one, either?
I'd appreciate the help!
Thanks!
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
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Utahfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1940 Posts
Portland
Oregon
USA
1940 Posts |
Posted - Mar 12 2006 : 10:31:20 AM
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Hi Libbie ~ I think you're pulling your thread through too tightly after you do your wrap. Try using a lighter hand.
Come visit my Etsy store at www.chezPatricia.etsy.com |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Mar 12 2006 : 10:44:51 AM
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and don't go back through through the exact same hole..move just a thread to the side. If you don't get it by the next time I see you it is easier to show someone in person and I would be happy to show you. I may be going to Richfield in the next week or so..maybe we can meet??
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
Posted - Mar 12 2006 : 4:33:17 PM
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Okay - this evening I'm going to try both suggestions, and we'll see what happens. Thank you for trying to figure this out for/with me!
Jenny - I'd love to see you if at all possible when you're in this neck of the woods, whether or not I'm still stumped!
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Mar 12 2006 : 6:40:39 PM
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I am not sure what day I will be down that way yet...and the weather will make a difference too..but I will call the night before for sure..I kept your phone number handy. It would be fun to get together!! good luck on the french knot!!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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Photobugs
True Blue Farmgirl
363 Posts
Pamela
Post Falls
Idaho
USA
363 Posts |
Posted - Mar 12 2006 : 8:11:24 PM
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I kinda wiggle my needle and try to make it 'catch' on the knot as it is going back down through it. I also sometimes will lick my fingers and wet the thread first. Then it is not so slick. I too stick it down in another place as Jenny mentioned. Hope this helps.
Pamela
"I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!" |
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Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
Posted - Mar 14 2006 : 10:02:05 AM
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I'm so frustrated! I've been knotting like crazy to just get it right once, and I haven't yet! Of all the things...Oh well - one of the things that I am learning, in addition to how NOT to do a french knot, is patience!
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
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Utahfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1940 Posts
Portland
Oregon
USA
1940 Posts |
Posted - Mar 14 2006 : 11:48:47 AM
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You'll get it, Libbie. It just takes practice. Then you'll love them!
Come visit my Etsy store at www.chezPatricia.etsy.com |
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quilt8305
True Blue Farmgirl
409 Posts
Mary
Spokane
WA
USA
409 Posts |
Posted - Mar 14 2006 : 12:11:12 PM
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Libbie, Try this website: www.embroiderersguild.com/stitch/stitches/french.html
Very good, concise directions and diagrams for a french knot. I just googled 'french knot' and found it.
Hope this helps.
Mary
Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding. Albert Einstein |
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Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
Posted - Mar 14 2006 : 1:55:02 PM
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Thanks for the encouragement and additional directions...I'll try them tonight!
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
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sqrl
True Blue Farmgirl
605 Posts
Melissa
Northern California
USA
605 Posts |
Posted - Mar 15 2006 : 09:18:24 AM
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I had the hardest time with the french knot. It got so bad and I got so mad that DH had to come in and save the day. He figured out the instructions and showed me. You just have to get a rhythum, do it a couple of times and you'll get it.
Blessed Be
www.sqrlbee.com
www.smallsqrl.blogspot.com
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Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
Posted - Mar 17 2006 : 2:59:32 PM
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You know, I hadn't really thought of asking DH - I may try that tonight! I'm glad I'm not the only one that this stitch has given a hard time to...
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Mar 17 2006 : 4:51:45 PM
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I meant to get to Richfield this week and never did (sprained my knee) and so next week for sure I will be down that way. Lets get together and do lunch and stitch or something!!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Mar 17 2006 : 5:19:14 PM
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Jenny is right, do not use the same hole when you go back down into the fabric. To begin, bring your threaded needle up through your fabric. Holding your thread between two fingers on your free hand and using your hand with the needle, wrap your thread around your needle three times. Punch your needle back down through the fabric close to, but not in the same place as you pulled it through the first time. Do this while holding your thread to the side with other hand. Gently keep pulling your wrapped and threaded needle down through the fabric in the new hole. You will see it become a french knot as you go. Do not pull too hard when you get to the fabric. Let it be a little loose. Hope this helps!
"Sell cleverness and buy wonder" |
Edited by - jpbluesky on Mar 17 2006 5:21:10 PM |
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Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
Posted - Mar 19 2006 : 09:32:30 AM
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Okay, so my dear spouse was not at all interested in assisting me in the french knot quest, So..... even after following all the advice to the best of my seemingly lacking ability, I guess I need a hands-on tutor. For some reason, the thread does not "catch" on itself and knot, it just unravels and turns into a little straight stitch. You gals are all so sweet to help me with this!
Jenny - I hope your knee is feeling much better - Ouch! I'd love to lunch and stitch when you're in town - call me and we'll rendezvous at my place, if you want...
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Mar 19 2006 : 10:39:49 PM
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Much better....looks like I will be that way sometime middle of the weeek. I would love to come to your place!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
Posted - Mar 31 2006 : 1:20:37 PM
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Ok first of all lets have a definition of a french knot it is only i repeat only one time around the needle. Any more than that and you are doing a made up stiitch. If you want a bigger knot you are to use more thread in the needle. there is also a stitch called a colonial knot which is a bigger knot there is also a candle wicking knot which is even bigger yet. If you ever come my way I will just show you if not you can by a book called "a-z of embroidery stitches" this is a like a bible to embroidery there is also "a-z of wool embroidery", and "a-z of bullion" ( a type of knot very beatifull and versitile just takes a little bit of practice to get right" too. A smocking one also. These in Utah can be purchased at the stitching corner in orem or west jordan or just order them off of the internet they are made by the same company that make the magazine insperations.
Now how to do this bring needle up through fabric wind once insert tip of needle into fabric about 3 or 4 thread away from where you came up. Important hold knot while pulling needle and thread through fabic only let go of knot once it is impossible to hang on to any longer be gentle at this point as if you pull to hard you will pull it through or undo it.
Lazy daisy or single chain stitch. Bring needle up at base of petal make loopinsert needle 2 threads away from wher you came up do not pull through yet. now bring tip of needle back up at the crown of the petal make sure tip of needle is inside of loop. pull thread through when near the end of your thread slow down. You are to pull the thread till it is in a pleaseing arc if you pull to long you will have two skinny straight lines not pretty and not a petal. Now reinsert needle from top of fabric going down just over the edge of the loop but not in the same hole about 4 thread away. If you want a differnt type of lazy daisy you can make this top stitch up to 1 inch long you can even put a french knot on the end of it ( a pistal stich). Like I said get the book i recommended they are about 25.00 each I think up to 29.00 not cheep but well worth it. they have step buy step color instructions in them with the written instructions right below the picture. very very use ful for beginner or advanced people just wanting to hone their skills.
have a lovely day
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Edited by - sunshine on Apr 28 2006 09:44:14 AM |
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Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
Posted - Mar 31 2006 : 1:28:38 PM
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Wow! Wendy - thank you for the step-by-step. This evening, I'm going to print off this thread, sit down with some REAL thread, and just try, try again. The books look like they could be really helpful - I'm going to check out the embroidery one... I'll see if it's at our library down here.
Thanks again! I have had such trouble with these two stitches.....*sigh...*
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
Posted - Apr 01 2006 : 06:24:31 AM
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just curious did it work this time for you
have a lovely day
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Edited by - sunshine on Apr 28 2006 09:44:25 AM |
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Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
Posted - Apr 01 2006 : 08:32:23 AM
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 I didn't get around to it last night - I'm going to do it today, and I'll let you know how it goes. Thank you so much for checking in!!!
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
Posted - Apr 01 2006 : 6:29:29 PM
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ok I will check back latter
have a lovely day
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Edited by - sunshine on Apr 28 2006 09:44:38 AM |
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Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
Posted - Apr 02 2006 : 7:44:22 PM
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I feel so dense! I think my brain must have the part that processes French knots missing, or at least not turned "on." I have this sneaking suspicion that hands-on instruction is the only way it's going to work for this one. Thank you all so much for the help and instructions! I'm going to keep on trying, but it's pretty frustrating. Somehow I thought my fingers were at least fairly nimble, but, alas....
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
Posted - Apr 02 2006 : 8:21:10 PM
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are you left or right handed because if you are left handed you wrap differently and this could be part of your problem As you live in utah if your ever my way just hollar
have a lovely day
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Edited by - sunshine on Apr 28 2006 09:44:49 AM |
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Libbie
Farmgirl Connection Cultivator
3579 Posts
Anne E.
Elsinore
Utah
USA
3579 Posts |
Posted - Apr 03 2006 : 07:02:41 AM
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Thanks, Wendy! I'm right handed, so many of the instructions are appropriate, but I think the problem lies somewhere in my brain..... I may be up that way the end of the week, if so, I'll send you an e-mail... Thanks!
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
Posted - Apr 03 2006 : 08:28:15 AM
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sure that should be fine
have a lovely day
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Edited by - sunshine on Apr 28 2006 09:45:00 AM |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: The elusive French Knot |
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The elusive French Knot
