How to Make French Knot Buttons

Secure the hem on a sea bag with the French Knot "button."

The French knot button isn't a button at all; it's a button-shaped stitch used for decoration or in cross-stitch work. Although the French knot is similar to several other knots, such as the surgeon's loop or the surgeon's join, it isn't used to secure two pieces of thread together. Rather, the French knot is used to finish a stitching project where a secure knot is needed to hold thread in place. The French knot can be used for projects such as sail repair or the seam on the top of a sea bag.

Things You'll Need

• Thread
• Needle

Instructions

1. Pull the thread up through the material, then press down on the thread with the thumb of the hand not holding the needle. Wrap the the needle twice around the thread.

2. Continue to hold the thread with your thumb and twist the needle back to the spot where you first pulled the thread out of the material. Push the needle back into the material as closely as possible to the place where you pulled the needle from the material.

3. Push the needle through the material, then draw the thread tight, pulling the knot closed and the thread into the shape of a button.. The French knot button will be left on the front of the material.

References

• Feeling Stitchy: French Knot Button

Resources

• Animated Knots: Surgeon's Join
• Animated Knot: Surgeon's Loop