Alternative to French Knots

[Ruth Grinyer]

Hi There.
I am looking for suggestions to use instead of French Knots.
I don't mind french knots and probably hate them as much as the next stitcher, but I think they are inappropriate for my upcoming project.

I am creating a cushion cover for my daughter. I don't want to risk the french knots becoming undone, and I don't want to use beads, because she will play with the cushion, and she is only 2.

I have heard of another knot that is similar to the french knot. but I can't remember what it is.
Any suggestions will be considered.

Thanks for reading.
Ruth

[AnnieB]

You might be thinking of a colonial knot. Some people consider it a little easier to do than a French knot. But I think it would have the same downsides as the French knot or beads for your purposes:

Colonial Knot

How are the French Knots used on your design? It might be easier to suggest an alternative stitch if we knew that.

[Jan Lennie]

Bullion knot is said to be easier

[Narita]

Theres that one that looks sorta like a figure 8 when you make it and then when you pull it, it looks like the knot. but if you don't like the look, how about adding beads?

Delicas are the nicest and most evenly sized.
My favorite place to buy beads wholesale is www.artbeads.com

They have great prices (wholesale), no minimum order and NO SHIPPING. I love them!! :)

Narita

[Ruth Grinyer]

The french knots are for the eyes. The Colonial knot seems to be the one I was thinking of, but if I am going to have the same problem, then I may have to just do french knots.

Is there any stitches that would look right? I am doing (A51) 'Put if off till morning' A designer Stitches Winnie the Pooh kit, and the french knots are for Winnie the Pooh's eyes.

[Ruth Grinyer]

I have uploaded a picture of the kit that I am doing. I have noticed that there are french knots on the buttons as well.

@Narita: I checked out the site, and I am waiting to hear if they deliver to the UK. Thanks for the link.

Also thanks for all the replies I have recieved.

[AnnieB]

Since you just want to be sure that the stitches are secure, you could always just do a regular cross stitch for the eyes. It might change the look a little, but probably would work ok.

Or if you wanted a little bit of a raised effect, do something like a Smyrna cross stitch, meaning after you do the 'x', do a vertical stitch, followed by a horizontal stitch over the same two threads. This assumes you are using linen or evenweave, stitching over 2 threads. If you are using Aida, you can do this also. You just have to pierce the fabric the same way you would do fractional stitches on Aida when you do the vertical and horizontal stitches.

Click here for illustration.

This should be pretty secure. Anyway, it's pretty hard to frog (ask me how I know! ;-)

[Tess Chatham]

I know I probably came to this discussion far too late for your cushion, but for anyone wanting little "dots" that are round, safe, and won't get picked or pulled off from a piece of embroidery.... I suggest the little "granito".

http://www.fruncesybordados.com.mx/Granito.htm

Easy to learn and do.... and just right for "dots" that have to stay put.
Tess

[Ruth Grinyer]

Thanks Tess.
You're just in time! I am currently doing this project at the moment and was still wondering what I was going to do.
This technique seems to be what I am looking for. I'm going to have a go at it on a scrap piece of aida and see if it'll work for me.
Thanks Again
Ruth

[AnnieB]

That looks like a cool idea. I'll have to try it. I've been fighting with French knots for years!

Thanks
Annie

[Barbara Wildon]

I would definitely go with the colonial knot. Since I found out about them, french knots are a thing of the past.....thankfully!