noun
French knot
A small, raised embroidery stitch used to create textured dots or flower centers.
刺繍で花の中心に玉留めを入れると、立体感が出ます。
Adding a French knot to the center of a flower in embroidery gives it a three-dimensional feel.
Katakana loanword for the same stitch; 玉留め is the native Japanese term.
Compound of 玉 (ball, bead) and 留め (stopping, fastening), referring to the bead-like knot formed by the stitch.