Learn how to tie a knot in thread with our simple step-by-step directions. In this article, I’ve covered three different ways to make a knot for your sewing projects – how to make a quilter knot, how to tie a knot with your index finger, and how to use a loop to tie off your thread.

The first way I learned to tie a knot was by wrapping the thread around my index finger. This works well, but I find the quilters knot easier, and love the flat back with a loop knot.

Here are step-by-step guides for all three different types of sewing knots. All of these are hand-sewing basics and will take a little practice until you get them down. The good news is they are on the back side of the work!

How to tie a knot in thread using your fingers

Start by threading your needle. You can use a needle threader if that makes it easier for you.

Start with threading your needle with a single thread

Take the long end of the thread with your prominent hand. I’m right-handed. My mother was left-handed and taught me this method. It works with either hand!

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Wrap the long thread tail about three (3) times around your index finger.

Wrapping thread around your index finger to make a knot

Roll the wrapped thread between two fingers to form a knot. I’m doing this with my right hand.

Rolling the thread between two fingers to form a knot

With two fingers, pull the twisted thread to the end of the thread to form a knot. I find it comfortable to use my middle finger and thumb.

Pulling the knot tight between two fingers

Even though I’ve been using this method to tie a knot for decades, I find it difficult to make a nice small knot. There always seems to be some long threads, like in the picture below.

Finished knot in thread made with fingers

I trim off the excess thread before stitching.

Knot made with fingers showing it trimmed

And, then here I’m beginning to do some hand stitching with the finger method of making a knot in thread. This is the wrong side of sample.

Showing hand sewing with a finger knot at the beginning of the stitching line

How to make a quilters knot

Once you start knotting your thread with this method, you’ll knot all of your stitching threads this way! It is super easy and you have a consistent knot – over and over.

A quilter’s knot is a simple knot that is made to easily pull through one layer of fabric to hide it between the batting and quilt back.

This is my favorite knot and I use it for most of my hand stitching – not just hand quilting. It makes a nice neat knot that can easily be pulled to the inside of your work (if you have multiple layers), or if left on the back of your work it doesn’t show much.

One (1) knot

How to Make a Quilter's Knot

Prep Time: 1 minute

Active Time: 3 minutes

Total Time: 3 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

A quilter's knot is a simple knot that is perfect for hand quilting. It is a small knot that is gently pulled from the top of the quilt to 'pop' through the backing fabric and lie hidden between the batting and backing fabric.

With hand quilting, both the front and back of your quilt are visible, so you want to hide your knots by burying them between the batting and back fabric of your quilt. You want a simple and small knot that will easily 'pop' through the backing fabric with just a gentle pull. This is where the quilter's knot comes into action!

Even though this is called a 'quilter's knot', once I learned this method of knotting my thread, I use it for almost all of my hand stitching - from quilting to embroidery and garment making! It is a secure knot and super easy to make - once you get the hang of it.

Learn how to make this easy knot in our step-by-step photo tutorial.

Materials

Thread

Tools

Needle

Instructions

Start with your needle threaded with a single strand of thread. I'm working on a Big Stitch Quilting project, so I am using a perle cotton. Take the end of the thread in your non-dominant hand and your needle in your dominate hand.
Hold the threaded needle with your dominant hand between your thumb and forefinger.
Take long part of your thread and tuck the end between your thumb and the needle. Then wrap the thread around the shaft of the needle. If I'm stitching with quilters thread, I like to wrap three (3) times. If I'm using a thicker thread like I am here, I wrap one or two times. I'm using a #8 pearle cotton on this project. Here I'm showing two wraps, since one wrap is hard to see.
Gently shift your thumb and forefinger to pinch the thread wraps over the needle. Then pull these wraps toward the eye of your needle.
Continue to gently pull the loops down the thread to the end of your thread. When you get to the end, give it a good pull to form a knot.
Here is a finished knot from two loops around your needle.
Now you are ready to quilt! Here is the knot on the back of a big stitch quilt, ready to be pulled through the back and continue stitching!

How to make a loop knot with thread

I love the loop knot when I want a nice flat back and the back of the work won’t show.

Start by putting both ends of a length of thread through the eye of the needle. This leaves a loop at the other end.

Thread your needle with the two ends of the thread

Start taking a stitch into your fabric, but don’t pull the thread all of the way through. Leave a loop on the back side.

Showing the loop and one stitch for the loop knot

Take your double-threaded needle and thread it through the loop.

Close up showing weaving the needle into the loop of thread

Pull your needle gently. Be careful not to make a pleat or tuck in your fabric.

Here I begin stitching along the stitching line with the loop knot. See how nice and flat it lays.

Sample showing several stitches with a loop knot for the thread

Which knot should I use for a project?

My favorite is the quilters knot. It may not be the only way to secure your stitches when you are hand stitching, but it is reliable, efficient and most of all looks nice.

I like to use the loop knot for embroidery projects when I’m using a double thread.

Go ahead, and try different knot techniques to find the one that works best for you. But, make sure to give this technique a fair chance. You’ll like it.

What length of thread should I use?

I like to start with about a 18-inches of thread. The key is enough working thread that you don’t need to rethread often, but not so long that it gets in your way while sewing.