How to Do Needlepoint Continental Stitches

The continental stitch is one of three variations of the tent stitch, the most basic stitch in needlepoint. This durable stitch is best used to outline design areas and for single rows of stitching.

Things You'll Need

• Embroidery Yarns
• Needlepoint Canvases
• Needlepoint Kit
• Needlepoint Patterns
• Embroidery Floss
• Embroidery Frames
• Embroidery Hoops
• Tapestry Needles
• Tapestry Yarns
• Scissors

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 to 4 inches of yarn or floss through the eye of your tapestry needle. Leave this tail the same length throughout your project.

3. 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.

4. Hold this thread at the back of the fabric and work your first few stitches over it to secure.

5. Start a horizontal continental stitch at the upper right corner of the canvas area that is to be stitched and work from right to left.

6. Do a horizontal continental stitch by bringing your needle up through the hole at your starting point and down through the hole that is diagonally up and to the right of the first hole.

7. Bring the needle up again through the hole that is just to the left of your starting point, then down through the hole that is diagonally up and to the right of this hole.

8. Repeat until you've finished the row.

9. Turn the canvas around when you complete a row of stitches. Begin a new row of stitches next to the previous row.

10. Start a vertical continental stitch at the upper right corner of the canvas area to be stitched and work from top to bottom.

11. Do a vertical continental stitch by bringing your needle up through the hole at your starting point and down through the hole that is diagonally up and to the right of the first hole.

12. Bring the needle up again through the hole that is just below your starting point, then down through the hole that is diagonally up and to the right of this hole.

13. Repeat until you've finished the row.

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.

• End a floss strand by weaving it through a few stitches on the back of the work. Trim excess with scissors.

• Use the continental stitch for small areas, and use the basketweave stitch for all-over designs. The basket-weave stitch causes less distortion of the canvas.