How to Do Basketweave Stitch in Needlepoint
The basketweave stitch, one of the basic needlepoint stitches, results in a beautiful pattern on both sides of your canvas. This stitch is always done on the bias (diagonal) of the canvas. Look at your canvas; notice that some of the vertical mesh rests on top of the horizontal mesh. When you work "downhill," or diagonally down from left to right, your stitches must cover a vertical line that lies on top of a horizontal line. When you work "uphill," or diagonally up from right to left, your stitches must cover a horizontal line that lies on top of a vertical line.
Instructions
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1
Cut a length of thread or yarn approximately 18 inches in length.
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2
Thread the needle. Knot the end of the thread so it does not pull through the canvas. If you are a needlepoint purist, you can omit this step and secure the end of the thread to the canvas by stitching over it once you begin the basketweave stitch.
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Insert your needle through a hole in the upper-right hand corner of the canvas. Because you will beginning with a downhill row, be sure that the initial entry is to the lower left of an exposed vertical mesh.
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4
Cross the vertical mesh and insert your needle through the hole diagonally up and to the right of the entry point.
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Insert your needle through the hole diagonally down and to the left of the first entry. Pull the thread through, cross the vertical mesh and re-insert the needle through the hole diagonally up and to the right of the second entry point. Continue this process until you reach the right-hand edge of the canvas.
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Insert your needle directly below the last point of entry and pull the thread through. At this point, you are changing directions to work uphill. Cover the horizontal mesh and re-insert the needle in the hole diagonally up and to the right.
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Move your needle horizontally across the the back of the fabric and bring it through the hole diagonally up and to the left of the first uphill stitch. Insert your needle into the hole up and to the right. Continue this pattern until you reach the top of your canvas. Switch back to the downhill stitch and continue until you have covered the entire canvas.
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