French knot

plural French knots

1. An embroidery stitch in which the thread is wound around the needle one or more times, and the resulting curl is secured by drawing the needle back through the fabric very close to where it first emerged.

   Work these bees with a black French knot in the middle and a single yellow French knot on each side.

   2014, Country Bumpkin, A ~ Z of Embroidered Motifs, page 18

   2 more examples

   After the four corner threads are cut and drawn, the remaining bars are closely woven and decorated with French-knot picots (Fig. i4).

   1978, Sigrid Bright, Hardanger Embroidery: A Complete and Practical Course, page 6

   Bring the needle out at the starting point for the next French knot; if you are working only one French knot, take the needle to an inconspicuous area where you can then conceal it (see here).

   2012, Fiona Goble, The Twelve Knits of Christmas