Plucked Knot is also known as
Susan’s Knot, Baby Bullion Stitch [EN]
About the Plucked Knot
The Plucked Knot could be a stitcher’s best friend. I learned this knot from my mother who used to end her stitching with such a knot. The only thing was that at times that little plucking on the fabric would show up as a tiny stitch on the other side- not a matter of concern in hand embroidery. The Plucked Knot could be a great way to make a knot if you find the French Knots difficult to deal with. It gives you more control as the needle sits through the fabric when you wrap the thread to make the knots. In fact, with practice, this knot can be done with just one hand! It does differ from the French Knots in its appearance and is tinier. I would say, it is more like a cross between the French Knot and the Bullion Knot.
I named this stitch a few names- Plucked Knot because it is made by plucking a bit of fabric. Susan’s Knot because it is my mother, Susan, who unaware showed me this stitch when I was a child- probably the first-ever knot stitch that I learned. Baby Bullion because it is indeed a tiny Bullion Stitch!
How to do the Plucked Knot
 |
 |
| Fig 1: Bring the needle out from a location on the fabric. | Fig 2: Now, pluck a little bit of fabric close to that point. Pluck just enough to accommodate a tiny knot. |
 |
 |
| Fig 3: Wrap the thread around the needle twice. | Fig 4: Pull out the needle completely. Push down the knot if required. |
 |
 |
| Fig 5: Now, pass our needle through a point very close to the point that you came out from. | Fig 6: Your Plucked Knot is done! With more strands of thread, you will make more prominent knots that stand out well. |
Learn to do Plucked Knots / Susan’s Knots in 2 minutes!
Use this stitch on a pattern
Visit and Subscribe to Sarah’s YouTube Channel
Learn this stitch and 305 other stitches from our 600-page eBook.
Related Stitches from the Knot Stitch Family
Sarah has been researching and sharing hand embroidery lessons for over 17 years, making it accessible to everyone around the globe.
What I had thought were French knots turned out to be the plucked knot. My mother taught me how to do it, when I was 9 ,and always called it a French knot. I find French knots very difficult as I have arthritis in my hands. Tomorrow I will make a knot sampler so I don’t forget. I am 75 now so it is good to learn new things.
merci, je connaissais le point de nœud, mais pas les fantaisies que l’on peut ajouter!
☺️ happy that you liked it!
My goodness! That is a neat trick which I’ll try later.
Let us know how it turns out! 🙂