The Basic Knot That Holds Your Thread

A sewing knot is a small loop you tie at the end of your thread to keep it from pulling through the fabric when you start stitching. The most common knot for hand sewing is made by wrapping thread around your needle, then pulling it tight—it takes about five seconds once you know the motion.

You tie a knot at the beginning of almost every hand-sewing project: mending a seam, sewing on a button, patching fabric, or working on a quilt. Machine sewing does not need a knot because the machine locks the thread underneath the fabric, but hand sewing does. Without a knot, your first stitch will straightforward pull the thread out of the fabric and your work will unravel.

Key Takeaways

  • The standard sewing knot is made by wrapping thread around your needle one or two times, then pulling the thread tight to form a small loop at the end.
  • You only need a knot when hand sewing; machine sewing does not require one because the machine secures the thread underneath.
  • The knot should be small enough to sit on top of the fabric without being visible in the finished seam.
  • If your knot is too large or too loose, it will either show on the front of your work or slip through the fabric on the first stitch.

How to Tie the Standard Sewing Knot

Thread your needle and pull the thread so one end is much longer than the other—you want about 18 to 24 inches of working thread. Hold the needle in one hand and the long end of the thread in the other.

Wrap the thread around the needle once, going around the shaft just below the eye. Pinch the wrapped thread between your thumb and index finger to hold it in place. Pull the needle through the loop you have created—the thread will slide down the needle shaft and form a small knot at the end. If the knot is too loose, repeat the wrap one more time before pulling the needle through.

The finished knot should be about the size of a small pea. It needs to be large enough that it will not slip through your fabric, but small enough that it sits flat and does not create a visible bump on the front of your work.

When Your Knot Is Too Large or Too Loose

A knot that is too large will either show as a bump on the front of your finished seam or catch on the fabric as you pull your needle through. If this happens, cut off the knot, unthread the needle, and tie a new one. It is faster than trying to fix it mid-stitch.

A knot that is too loose will slip right through the fabric on your first stitch, and you will have to start over. This usually means you did not pull the thread tight enough when you drew the needle through the loop. The second time, grip the thread closer to the needle and pull harder.

Tying a Knot at the End of Your Thread

When you reach the end of your thread or finish a seam, you also tie a knot to lock the last stitch in place. This knot goes on the back of the fabric, so it does not need to be as small.

Make a small stitch in place (push the needle through the fabric and back out in nearly the same spot), then wrap the thread around the needle once or twice and pull it tight. This creates a knot that sits against the back of the fabric and prevents your stitches from coming loose over time.

Knots for Different Fabric Types

Heavy fabrics like denim, canvas, or upholstery cloth can support a slightly larger knot because the weave is tight enough to hold it. Delicate fabrics like silk, linen, or thin cotton may require a smaller knot so it does not create a visible dimple or hole.

If you are working with very delicate fabric and your knot keeps slipping through, try making two wraps around the needle instead of one before pulling it tight. This creates a slightly larger knot without making it bulky. You can also tie your knot on a small scrap of interfacing or stabilizer and then stitch through that scrap first—the knot will catch on the stabilizer instead of the fabric itself.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most common mistake is tying the knot too close to the needle. If the knot forms right at the eye of the needle, it can catch on the fabric as you pull the needle through, or it may slip off the thread entirely. Wrap the thread around the needle about half an inch below the eye, not right at the top.

Another mistake is not pulling the thread tight enough. A loose knot will slip through on the first stitch. Grip the thread firmly between your thumb and finger and pull with steady pressure—do not jerk, but do pull until you feel resistance.

Some people also tie knots that are too large because they wrap the thread around the needle three or four times. One or two wraps is enough. More wraps just make the knot bulkier without making it stronger.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I tie a knot with the thread still on the spool?

No. You need to cut the thread from the spool first and thread it through the needle. The thread on the spool is too stiff and will not wrap around the needle cleanly. Cut about 18 to 24 inches, thread the needle, then tie the knot on the long end.

What if I tie a knot but it comes undone while I am sewing?

This usually means the knot was too loose or formed in the wrong place on the thread. Cut it off, re-thread the needle, and tie a new knot. Make sure you pull the thread tight when you wrap it around the needle and before you pull the needle through the loop.

Do I need to tie a knot if I am using a needle threader?

Yes. A needle threader only helps you get the thread through the eye of the needle—it does not change whether you need a knot. You still tie the knot at the end of the thread the same way, whether you used a threader or threaded by hand.

Is there a different knot for embroidery or decorative stitching?

The basic knot works for embroidery and decorative stitching too. Some embroiderers prefer to hide the knot inside a loop of thread on the back of the fabric, but the standard wrap-and-pull knot is just as strong and faster to tie.