French and Colonial Knots Explained: Hand Embroidery Beginner’s Guide

French and Colonial knots look almost the same, so what is the difference between them? Which stitch is better? Can we use them interchangeably? Which one is easier to embroider? Is there any difference between these stitches at all?

The French knot is one of the most well-known embroidery stitches and has been used in European embroidery for centuries. The Colonial knot emerged later in early American (Colonial-era) embroidery as a sturdier alternative. Embroiderers needed a knot that would stay neatly on the surface, especially on everyday household textiles that were handled and washed often — and that’s how the Colonial knot earned its place.

How to embroider French and Colonial knots

Before we start comparing the knots, let’s see how to embroider them.

As you can see from the diagrams, the difference between the stitches is in how you wrap the thread around the needle to form a knot.

If you struggle with knots pulling through to the back of the fabric or unraveling after stitching, don’t worry — this is very common. Keeping gentle tension on the working thread while pulling the needle through helps both knots sit neatly on the surface.

If French knots feel inconsistent or keep slipping, try Colonial knots instead. Many beginners find them more forgiving once they get used to the wrapping motion.

What is the difference between French and Colonial knots?

Even though the finished knots look very similar, the way they are made is slightly different. A French knot is created by wrapping the thread around the needle in one continuous direction. A Colonial knot, on the other hand, forms a small figure-8 around the needle by changing the direction of the wraps. This small difference in construction affects how the knot sits on the fabric and how secure it is.

• Colonial knots are more symmetrical. When we wrap a thread around the needle to make a Colonial knot, we reverse the direction of the wraps, resulting in a more symmetrical dot.
• A French knot is generally tighter and smaller. If you use the same thread for both stitches, French knots will appear slightly smaller. Wrapping in the same direction keeps the stitch more compact.
• Colonial knots are more secure. Bidirectional wraps create a more stable knot that stays flat to the surface and is less prone to unravel or to pop to the back of the fabric.
• French knots are more flexible. You can adjust the number of wraps you make around the needle to quickly change the size of the knot. Colonial knots, on the other hand, do not have this flexibility but guarantee a more repeatable knot size and uniformity of stitching.
• Colonial knots are easier to unpick. When you make a French knot and are not happy with the result, you will have to cut it away, secure the thread on the back, and start all over with a new length of thread. With the Colonial knot, you can gently unpick the stitch and remake it without the hassle of the cut thread.

Which knot should you choose?

After you consider all the differences listed above and the requirements of your design, pay attention to the fact that the choice of fabric and thread can also influence which knot you might prefer. Colonial knots tend to behave better on loosely woven fabrics and when using slippery threads, as they are less likely to pull through to the back. French knots work beautifully on tightly woven fabrics and are very forgiving when stitched with standard embroidery floss. If you’re experimenting with metallic threads or thicker fibers, the Colonial knot can be easier to control.

In practice, both knots can be used for the same purposes, but there are moments when one shines more than the other. Choose French knots when you want to easily vary the size of the dots, for example, in flower centers or textured fills. Colonial knots are a great choice when you want uniform, slightly raised dots that stay flat and secure — perfect for decorative borders or heavily handled projects.

Video tutorial

If you are a visual learner and prefer a video guide over the photo instructions, watch a video tutorial below or on the Practical Embroidery YouTube channel. In this video, you’ll find easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions that will help you learn the difference between French and Colonial knots.

Frequently asked questions about the differences between the French and Colonial knots

Are French and Colonial knots the same embroidery stitch?

No, these are two different hand embroidery techniques that yield very similar results.

You might notice that French knots are mentioned more often in patterns and stitch dictionaries. That’s simply because they are more widely taught. Colonial knots are less common but just as useful — and once you learn them, they quickly become a favorite for many embroiderers.

Can we use French and Colonial knots interchangeably?

Yes. If the pattern says “use Colonial knots,” but you find them hard to embroider, change them to French knots. And vice versa – change French knots with Colonial knots if you like to embroider them more. I can assure you – no one will notice.

Which stitch is easier to embroider?

It depends. Some say that the Colonial knot is easier. Others are French knot fans. Follow the video tutorial and try them both. Then, decide which one you like more and choose your favorite!

Projects to practice knots on this Blog