How to Tie Embroidery Floss to a Needle

Co-authored by Shaelynn Haning

Last Updated: February 16, 2024 References

Tying a knot in a single strand after you've threaded your embroidery needle is helpful when you're starting a new project. There are two main ways to tie the knots, and all you'll need is a needle, thread, and scissors. Make a simple knot for an easy method, or wrap the thread around your needle to make a knot that's big. The most important thing to remember is to make a knot that's thick enough that it won't slide through the eye of your needle. With just a few seconds of time, your thread will be knotted and ready!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Creating a Simple Knot

Download Article

1
Thread the needle by sliding the thread through the needle’s eye. Cut a strand of thread long enough for your specific project using sharp scissors so the end doesn’t fray. Carefully slide the end of the thread through the eye of the needle and pull the thread through so it doesn’t fall back out.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Wetting the end of your thread makes it easier to slip through the eye hole.
Take the end of the thread where you’d like to form the knot and wrap it around your finger. Hold the thread together and take your finger out to reveal a loop.^{[2]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
Tuck the loose end of your thread through the loop. If the thread is too short to go through the loop and stay there, try making your loop over again and leaving yourself more thread to stick through the loop.^{[3]
X
Research source}
Tug on the end of the thread that you put through the loop so that it tightens. Once the thread is pulled as tightly as possible, you have your knot!^{[4]
X
Research source}
5
Add 2-3 more knots on top of the first knot to make it thicker, if needed. If your thread is especially thin, it’s important to make a couple more knots on top of the first one so that your knot won’t slide through the eye of the sewing needle. Repeat the same steps to make additional knots, but be careful to tie your knots right on top of the first one so that it creates a larger clump.
- Guide the second or third knots over the first knot using your fingers.
EXPERT TIP

Shaelynn Haning
Professional Tailor & Business Owner
Shaelynn Haning is a Tailor & Business Owner based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Shaelynn is the founder of the highest-rated and most-reviewed alterations and tailoring service in Oklahoma, Tallgrass Tailor, employing a team of skilled craftsmen and women from across the country and the world. Shaelynn is a member of the State of Oklahoma Education Careers and Technologies Board and a member of both the Custom Tailors and Designers Association and the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals. She is the host of The Sew Show with Shae, an entertaining and educational sewing channel posting weekly videos on YouTube. Shaelynn earned her BS in Apparel Design and Product Development from Marist College.

Shaelynn Haning
Professional Tailor & Business Owner

Match embroidery floss to the right needle. Embroidery floss is shiny, thin, and twisted so a sharp, thin needle works best. This makes it easier to poke the fabric and pull the thread for detailed work. The right needle improves how your embroidery looks and how easy it is.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Wrapping Thread around the Needle

Download Article

1
Thread your needle so it’s ready to form a knot. Cut a strand of thread in whichever color you’d like to use for your project. Slide an end of the thread through the eye of the needle and pull that end through 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) so it won’t fall back through.
- It helps to wet the end of the thread before you slide it through the needle’s eye.
- Your knot will be made at the end of the thread.
2
Make a small ‘X’ with the needle and loose end of the thread. Form a large loop so that the tip of your needle is facing the end of your thread. With just the tips of the needle and thread, form an 'X' shape by crossing the needle underneath the end of the thread. Hold this up in the air so you can manipulate it easier.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Hold your needle in one hand and the loose thread end in the other hand.
Use your finger to press the thread against the needle to keep it in place. It’s important that this end doesn’t move around so that your knot forms easily.^{[6]
X
Research source}
4
Wrap the thread around the needle point 2-3 times. Take the thread near the tip of the needle and begin wrapping it around the needle. Do this 2-3 times, or until your knot is bigger than the needle's eye so it won't slip through. Wrap the thread tightly so it’s right against the needle.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Wrapping the thread around the needle 3 times will give you a bigger knot than only wrapping it around the needle twice.
5
Pull the needle up while holding onto the wrapped thread to make a knot. Use one finger to hold the wrapped section of thread in place while you use the other hand to pull up on the needle. The wrapped section will slide down and off the needle. Keep pulling the needle up until the wrapped thread forms a knot near the end.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- This is similar to how you might make a French knot while embroidering.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

What is the best needle to use for an embroidery floss?

Shaelynn Haning
Professional Tailor & Business Owner
Shaelynn Haning is a Tailor & Business Owner based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Shaelynn is the founder of the highest-rated and most-reviewed alterations and tailoring service in Oklahoma, Tallgrass Tailor, employing a team of skilled craftsmen and women from across the country and the world. Shaelynn is a member of the State of Oklahoma Education Careers and Technologies Board and a member of both the Custom Tailors and Designers Association and the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals. She is the host of The Sew Show with Shae, an entertaining and educational sewing channel posting weekly videos on YouTube. Shaelynn earned her BS in Apparel Design and Product Development from Marist College.

Shaelynn Haning

Professional Tailor & Business Owner

Expert Answer

The embroidery floss is glossy, thin, and slippery, so you're going to want a sharp, thin needle that won't have any trouble piercing the fabric and pulling that thread through with it.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

Practice tying the knots on a spare piece of thread before starting your project, if you'd like.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Start off with a thick piece of thread to make tying the knots easier.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0