Knots crop up in all kinds of crafts, but unless you are a seasoned sailor with a dog-earred copy of Illustrated Knots of the High Seas on hand, you might need a little help remembering them!  In this tutorial we'll share some indispensible knots for knitting, embroidery, and hand sewing.

French knots are a basic element of embroidery that can be strung together to make lines and shapes, or they can make a field of polka dots. Try our pattern for Connect the Dot Pillows to see how pretty these simple knots can be!

Here's how to make a French knot: 

1. Thread the embroidery needle.

2. Bring the needle up through the fabric to the front. Wrap the thread around the needle three or four times. Keep a tight grip on the thread as you wrap it.

3. Push the needle down through the fabric just next to where it came out, holding the thread tight in your fingers.  Pull the needle through the knot to the back of the fabric.