How to Do Needlepoint Half-Cross Stitch

There are multitudes of stitches used in needlepoint, but the tent stitch is the one used most often. It is made diagonally over one intersection of threads, or mesh, on the needlepoint canvas and can be executed in three ways ' the half-cross stitch, continental stitch and basketweave stitch.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Thread the tapestry needle with the indicated color and number of yarn or floss strands. Make threading easier by gently twisting the strand ends together.

2. Pull 3 or 4 inches of yarn or floss through the eye of your tapestry needle. Leave this tail the same length while you work on your project.

3. Start a half-cross stitch at the upper left corner of the canvas area that is to be stitched. Start continental and basketweave stitches at the upper right corner.

4. Complete a row of half-cross and continental stitches and then turn the canvas completely around. Begin a new row of stitching in line with the first WHAT? and continue until all rows have been completed.

5. Position the threaded needle at the back of your canvas and bring the needle up all the way through at your starting point, leaving about 1 inch of floss or yarn at the back of your work. Hold this thread at the back of the fabric and work your first few stitches over it to secure.

6. Do a half-cross stitch by bringing your needle up through the hole at your starting point, down through the hole that is diagonally up and to the right of your starting point and then up again through the hole that is just to the right of your starting point. Repeat.

7. Do a continental stitch by bringing your needle up through the hole at your starting point, down through the hole that is diagonally up and to the right of the first hole and back up again through the hole that is just to the left of your starting point. Repeat.

8. Work a basketweave stitch diagonally up and down until the desired area is completely stitched. You do not need to turn the canvas at the end of each row.

9. Do a basketweave stitch by bringing your needle up through the hole at your starting point, down through the hole that is diagonally up and to the right of your starting point, and back up again through the hole that is diagonally down and to the right of your starting point.

10. Repeat Step 9 until you come to the end of the row. Work a new row of stitches next to the first.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the yarn, canvas and stitches recommended in your needlepoint pattern or kit.
• Make sure that the tapestry needle you use is large enough to easily accommodate the thickness of your yarn and slips easily through the holes in your canvas.
• Work half-cross and continental sitches vertically, if needed.
• End a floss strand by weaving it through a few stitches on the back of the work. Trim excess with scissors.
• Use the half-cross and continental stitches to work small areas and the basketweave stitch to work both small and large areas. Use the half-cross stitch on double-mesh, or Penelope, canvas.