French Knots


Wisteria on Silk
Originally uploaded by DebraAnn813
I am still in the midst of finishing projects, there are dozens in various stages of unfinishedness. So I decided to resurrect one of my favorite pieces with my favorite stitch ever. It's Wisteria on Silk. It has thousands of purple french knots and green stem stitch vines. It has beaded handles which I beaded myself. The beads are purple, green and clear.

The french knot. My favorite stitch. Of course a knot would be my favorite stitch. Knot is a great metaphor for me too. Always a little knotted or tangled. Except of course when I am making french knots or embroidering. When my grandmother taught me embroidery when I was very little(I'm menopausal now) I hated them. Would avoid them like the plague and my oh so sweet grandmother would say just practice some day you will love them(I guess maybe my grandmother was a little knotted too now looking back in retrospect). They do require practice but the french knot is the most wonderful stitch to make when it comes out right(and even some times when it's a little off). I guess because it's one of those stitches that require the most attention. Everything has to be just right or you end up with a disaster(which you can very easily just cut off because the whole thing is knotted). You litterally can't just go off to the races like you can with other stitches.

French knots take time, effort and focus and for that reason they are the most meditative stitch too. I've been using them in everything lately even the projects that don't have twigs and berries. And enjoying them immensely.

Finally I would like to thank the embroidery gods for Fiber/Mixed Media and Stitchin Fingers. They are so motivational and inspirational and make me wade just a wee bit into the deeper water. Have a great weekend. Keep stitchin.

Comments

Anonymous said…
What a beautiful handbag. The colors are so soft and lovely. I also enjoyed reading your French knot piece.
Judy Olson said…
I love french knots! Do you tie off each one or are they connected on the back?
Sybil Archibald said…
Beautiful work as always!! I came across these 2 embroidery artists and thought you might enjoy them:

http://www.distractedmuse.com/weblog/?p=832&cpage=1

http://www.1000markets.com/users/2194/

Have a great day!
Ruth said…
Pretty wisteria. Remember as a child learning french knots but mine were always pretty uneven.
love the purse and the french knot...thank you for visiting my blog...i will return often to your bovely blog...blessings, rebecca
drea_dear said…
I only end up with French knots on accident. When a pattern calls for one, I usually replace it with a bead, to save my sanity. Thanks for the encouragement to practice.
Tangled Stitch said…
Thanks everybody for your comments on french knots. I still love them more then any other stitch.

Judy, I usually connect them in back unless there is a huge space in there then I cut them off and restart.(when I was younger I didn't care how long the space was I would just keep going but being an "artist" and all well I just can't do that.

Drea, good luck with your french knots you can do it.

Thank you beautiful ladies for your lovely comments about my Wisteria purse.

Painter of Blue thanks for the sights loved the first one couldn't get to the second one.
Sybil Archibald said…
DebraAnn,

How in the world did you find my new blog? It was barely up for an hour!! Thanks for my first comment!
Sybil Archibald said…
Oh I see, I changed my blogger profile unknowingly...I changed it back! Thanks for the heads up!
what an elegant looking bag. I like French knots too

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