Broder un motif sur du tricot

Adding a motif to a knitted piece is a lovely way to personalise and decorate a wool jumper, scarf, hat, blanket or other project. It can also be a useful way to hide a small stain, hole or imperfection. With the right technique, embroidery on knitting is easier than it may seem. There are several ways to add a design to knitted fabric, including duplicate stitch, embroidery stitches and colourwork techniques such as jacquard. Whether you want to embroider a heart, flower, word or another motif onto a garment or knitted accessory, here is how to get started.

Duplicate stitch for adding a contrasting motif to knitting

If you want to embroider a design onto knitting, duplicate stitch is a quick and beginner-friendly technique. It involves covering existing knitted stitches with yarn in a contrasting colour to create a decorative motif. A blunt tapestry needle is particularly useful for this technique.

Embroidery on knitting using duplicate stitch can be done in a few simple steps:

Choose the motif you want to embroider onto your knitting.
Draw your chosen design on graph paper, using one square for each knitted stitch.
Use the centre of the knitted piece as a reference to position your design.
Thread your tapestry needle with yarn. Ideally, choose a yarn similar in thickness to the one used for the knitted piece.
Insert the tapestry needle from the back to the front at the bottom of the stitch you want to cover. The needle should come out at the bottom point of the V formed by the knitted stitch.
Pass the yarn horizontally from right to left beneath the two legs of the stitch directly above.
Insert the needle back into the bottom point of the original stitch to complete the embroidered V.
Repeat the same steps, following your chart until the contrasting motif is complete.
Once finished, carefully weave the yarn ends into the stitches on the wrong side of the work.

Duplicate stitch for multicoloured designs on knitting

Duplicate stitch is especially useful for adding motifs in different colours to stocking stitch. Because the design is added after the piece has been knitted, it can be easier to approach than working a colourwork or jacquard pattern directly into the knitting.

Creating a knitted design with duplicate stitch: step by step

Step 1: Bring the needle from the wrong side to the right side through the bottom point of the stitch you want to cover.
Step 2: Pass the needle from right to left beneath the two legs of the stitch directly above.
Step 3: Bring the needle back down through the bottom point of the original stitch to reproduce its V shape.
Step 4: Continue working stitch by stitch, following your chart until the motif is complete.

It is also possible to use crochet techniques to add decorative lines or motifs to knitting.

Creating motifs with duplicate stitch: different directions

Depending on your design, you may need to work your duplicate stitches in different directions. For example:

Vertical motifs from top to bottom: work duplicate stitches down the same column of knitted stitches.
Vertical motifs from bottom to top: work upwards along the same column of stitches.
Diagonal motifs from top to bottom: move one stitch sideways and one row down with each new duplicate stitch.
Diagonal motifs from bottom to top: move in the opposite direction, working one stitch sideways and one row up.

How to embroider a heart on knitting

Embroidery allows you to add all kinds of motifs to knitted pieces. For a touch of colour and personality, you can create a heart using red, burgundy, pink or any shade you like. One option is to create a separate knitted heart and sew it onto your project. For the method below, you will need 8 mm knitting needles, a tapestry needle and a ball of yarn.

Cast on two stitches, leaving a long yarn tail that can later be used to sew the heart onto your project.
For the first row, knit into the front and back of the first stitch to increase, knit across the row, then knit into the front and back of the final stitch for another increase.
For the second row, purl all stitches. Repeat rows 1 and 2 until you have 14 stitches on the needles.
On the next row, knit two stitches together, then knit five stitches. Turn the work and leave the remaining stitches unworked.
On the following row, purl two stitches together, purl two stitches, then purl two stitches together. Turn the work.
Cast off the four stitches and cut the yarn, leaving a long tail.
Thread the tail onto a tapestry needle and take it across the back of the work to the stitches left unworked.
On the next row, knit five stitches, then knit two stitches together.
On the following row, purl two stitches together, purl two stitches, then purl two stitches together.
Cast off the remaining four stitches to complete the heart.

There are many other ways to add a heart to knitting. You can also use duplicate stitch or free embroidery directly on the knitted fabric. Following a chart or video tutorial can make the technique easier to learn.

How to embroider letters on knitting

If you want to add a word, initials, a name or a short phrase to your knitting, learning how to embroider letters can open up plenty of creative possibilities. The exact technique will depend on the style of lettering you want. To create a letter such as an “N”, for example, you can follow these steps:

Cut a sufficiently long piece of wool or cotton thread.
Thread it through a tapestry needle.
Bring the needle up from the wrong side of the work, leaving a short tail at the back.
Work along the first vertical section of the letter using small, even stitches.
Continue following the outline of the letter.
Repeat the stitches until the first section is complete.
Reposition the work if necessary.
Work diagonally across the knitted fabric to create the centre stroke of the N.
Keep your stitches even and avoid pulling the yarn too tightly.
Continue until the diagonal section is complete.
Finish by working upwards to form the final vertical stroke of the letter.

To make the process easier, draw the letter on paper first or carefully transfer the outline onto your knitted piece. You can then follow the guide as you embroider. Duplicate stitch works particularly well for block lettering on stocking stitch, while backstitch or stem stitch can be useful for more free-form lettering.

How to embroider a flower on knitting

Flowers and botanical designs are among the most popular motifs to embroider onto knitting. They can add a colourful, handmade touch to a jumper, cardigan, hat or other knitted accessory. Using different yarn colours also makes it easy to create a design that feels completely personal.

Embroidering a flower on knitting: what you need

To embroider a flower onto knitting, you may need:

an embroidery hoop, if suitable for your knitted fabric,
an embroidery or tapestry needle,
wool or embroidery thread,
a pair of scissors,
a fabric pen or suitable pencil,
your knitted piece.

Embroidering a flower on knitting: step by step

Embroidering a flower on knitting can be straightforward with a little practice. Start by choosing the type of flower or simplified floral motif you want to create. Then follow these steps:

Draw the flower carefully onto your knitted piece with a suitable fabric pen or transfer your chosen motif onto the fabric;
if you use an embroidery hoop, avoid stretching the knitted fabric too tightly, as this can distort the stitches;
choose a yarn or thread thickness suited to the knitted fabric;
embroider the centre of the flower using satin stitch or small decorative stitches;
keep the thread relaxed on the back of the work so the knitting does not pucker;
embroider the petals using straight stitch, lazy daisy stitch or satin stitch;
use backstitch or stem stitch to define the outline if desired;
fill larger areas with neat, even stitches;
embroider the leaves using stitches such as fishbone stitch or stem stitch.

You now know how to embroider a motif on knitting. Duplicate stitch is particularly easy to use on stocking stitch, while free embroidery allows you to create more fluid and detailed shapes. Drawing or transferring your motif beforehand can help you achieve a more precise result. Whether you want to customise a jumper, a pair of jeans, a cardigan or a hat, embroidery tutorials and charts can provide plenty of inspiration for your next handmade project.