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Colonial Knot Step by Step Tutorial

Colonial Knot Step by Step Tutorial

Colonial Knot is sometimes called Figure Eight Knot and it is often used in candlewicking embroidery so is also called a Candlewicking Knot. This surface embroidery stitch at first glance  looks very much like a French knot but it is worked slightly differently as you create the knot by looping the needle around the thread rather than wrapping the thread around the needle.

How to hand embroider a Colonial Knot Stitch

To work Colonial Knot, bring your thread up through the fabric.

Colonial Knot step 1

Hold the thread in your left hand slightly loose. Start with  your needle pointing away from you and to the left of the thread. Slide the needle under the thread, towards the right  then flip the needle over your thread. This loop can be formed in a hooking motion by turning the needle in anti-clockwise direction 180 degrees over the working thread so that the thread forms a figure 8 around the needle.

Colonial Knot step 2Take the needle to the back of the fabric next where it first emerged but not in the same hole. Before you pull it through make sure the loop is snug around the shaft of the needle. Pull through and you have a colonial knot!

Colonial Knot step 3Colonial knots take a bit if practice to create the knot, but once your hands understand the mechanics of the stitch, it is easy to work.

Many stitchers prefer this to French knots and find them quicker and easier to work. Colonial knots take up less thread that french knots too so they are economical on resources as well as time. They are great if you work them in silk ribbon and since silk ribbon is costly some people substitute Colonial knots for French knots  when ever they work in silk. You can also work slightly thicker thread easily using this stitch it is after all used in candlewicking embroidery.

Anyway enjoy leaning this stitch and make some comparisons yourself. 


9 Comments

  1. Hi Sharon,
    I’m still your best fan. Just older. :))
    One question. Do I need a special printer or just special ink
    that will wash or fade out for making transfers of embroidery
    patterns on fabric? I know that regular computer ink is indelible.

    I’m in awe of and very inspired by some of this year’s TAST
    participants. Thank you for doing it again.
    Anna

    Anna Brown

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