Directions for a Plastic Canvas
Plastic canvas is flexible plastic with holes cut into it in a grid shape. Plastic canvas comes in a variety of sizes based on the number of holes in an inch of canvas. For example, 7-count plastic canvas has 7 holes per inch, while 11-count plastic canvas has 11 holes per inch. The higher the plastic canvas count, the smaller the holes are. Beginners should start with 7-count plastic canvas because it's easier to manage. Purchase tapestry needles with large eyes to accommodate the thickness of yarn.
Instructions
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Basic Stitch
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1
Start with a piece of plastic canvas that is 5 squares by 5 squares. On a sheet of paper, create a replica of the plastic canvas and number each hole, starting with the bottom left-hand corner and numbering horizontally. Start the second row with the number 6 so hole 6 is directly above hole 1.
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2
Pull the needle threaded with yarn up from the back of the canvas to the front of the canvas in hole number 1. Pull it down in hole number 7, creating an angle that goes from left to right.
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3
Bring the needle back up in hole number 2 and pull it down in hole number 8. Continue until the first row is filled. Note that hole number 5 has no stitching in it, which is how it should be.
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4
Start the second row of stitches. Your needle should be behind the plastic canvas because you went down in hole number 10. Bring your needle up in hole number 15 and push it down in hole number 9. Try not to pierce the yarn that's already in hole number 9 -- try to go above it. Come back up in hole 14 and down in hole 8. Finish the row and start row 3.
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5
Start row 3 by coming up in hole 11 and going down in hole 17. Come up in hole 12 and down in hole 18. Continue until your square is complete and your needle is in the back of the canvas. Thread the needle through a few stitches and pull, trapping some yarn below the stitches. Cut off the excess yarn, taking care not to cut the stitches.
Alternating Basic Stitches
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6
Start with a piece of canvas 5 squares by 5 squares. Make a coordinating grid on a sheet of paper, numbering the squares as you did for the basic stitch.
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7
Sew the basic pattern in row 1. Stop with the needle behind the canvas, having just come down in hole 10.
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8
Draw the needle up in hole 14 and go down in hole 10, making an angle that goes from right to left instead of left to right. Bring the hole back up in hole 9 and down in hole 13. Up in hole 8, down in hole 12. Finish this row and resume the basic stitch in row 3. Come up in hole 17 and go down in hole 11. Up in 12, down in 18, up in 13 and down in 19. Finish your block with alternating basic stitches.
Columns
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9
Start with a piece of canvas 5 squares by 5 squares. Make a coordinating grid on a sheet of paper, numbering the squares as you did for the basic stitch.
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10
Start your column by bringing your needle up in hole 6 and down in hole 12. Come up in hole 1 and down in hole 13. That creates the width of the column -- in this case, 3 holes wide.
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11
Pull the needle up in hole 2 and down in hole 14. Up in hole 3 and down in 15. Come up in hole 4 and go down in hole 10, completing the column.
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12
Start the second column by coming back up in hole 2 and down in hole 14. Up in hole 25 and down in hole 13. Come up in hole 24 and down in hole 12, up in hole 23 and down in hole 11. Finish the square by coming up in hole 22 and down in hole 16. You've now created 2 columns of 3 stitches each.
Whip Stitch
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13
Create a finished edge after you've filled the plastic canvas with stitches. Start at the corner and come in through hole 1.
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14
Pull your needle under the canvas without sewing down through any of the holes and come back up from behind in hole number 2, wrapping the outside line of plastic in yarn.
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15
Continue wrapping the edge, hiding the exterior plastic canvas in yarn. Don't stop until you've come back to hole number 2. Tuck the yarn under several of your stitches in the back and cut off the excess.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Talk to your local craft and hobby store. Many offer classes for this popular craft.
Find basic pattern books at your local hobby and craft supply store.
Keep track of your needles and scissors to avoid injury to yourself or your children.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images
