One thing beginning stitchers are sure to hear when they ask advice from an experience stitcher is "No knots!" When securing floss in Cross Stitch, different methods are used. A floss tail is held with the backs of other stitches. The following information will help explain this process to new stitchers and may refresh the memory of stitchers who have been at it a longer time and may have developed some bad habits.
Of course, there are knots that are used in Cross Stitch, just knot, I mean, not for securing the floss. The French knot is used as a decorative stitch. Since I am not so fond of those pesky little knots, I fake the French knot whenever I can.
Knots in your floss that sort of spontaneously appear are also common problems for new stitchers. Find out how to untangle them.
If you have a knotty problem, or a question related to stitching, post it in the Cross Stitch Forum. The stitchers there are always willing to help. Whether your question is simple or complex, there's probably someone who has experience with the issue.
Back to the original question, why don't we use knots in Cross Stitch? Well, knots on the back may show up on the front as lumps. The neater you keep the back, the better the front will look. I know some stitchers who keep the back of their projects so neat that you could mistake it for the front. My project backs are not always that neat, but I do make an effort to avoid knots, trim floss tails close to the project, and to avoid carrying threads a long way behind the fabric. (Thanks to @LaDolceDiva for pointing out that in my initial blog post, I did not answer my original question!)
- Secure Floss
- Secure Floss With Loop - Beginning
- Photo of Securing the Floss - Starting Stitch
- Photo of Securing the Floss - Ending Stitch
- Use a Waste Knot to Secure Floss
Of course, there are knots that are used in Cross Stitch, just knot, I mean, not for securing the floss. The French knot is used as a decorative stitch. Since I am not so fond of those pesky little knots, I fake the French knot whenever I can.
Knots in your floss that sort of spontaneously appear are also common problems for new stitchers. Find out how to untangle them.
If you have a knotty problem, or a question related to stitching, post it in the Cross Stitch Forum. The stitchers there are always willing to help. Whether your question is simple or complex, there's probably someone who has experience with the issue.
Back to the original question, why don't we use knots in Cross Stitch? Well, knots on the back may show up on the front as lumps. The neater you keep the back, the better the front will look. I know some stitchers who keep the back of their projects so neat that you could mistake it for the front. My project backs are not always that neat, but I do make an effort to avoid knots, trim floss tails close to the project, and to avoid carrying threads a long way behind the fabric. (Thanks to @LaDolceDiva for pointing out that in my initial blog post, I did not answer my original question!)
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