DIY Network

Needlepoint Basics A list of supplies, and instructions for three basic stitches From "Uncommon Threads" episode DUCT-114

Needlepoint expert Terry Christopher, of 2 the Point, walks us through the needlepoint basics, starting with the usual supplies (and how to start a thread) and continuing with the three essential stitches: tent, continental and basketweave.

advertisement

	Figure A
	This sampler contains examples of a variety of needlepoint stitches.

The basic materials for your first needlepoint project are simple (figure A):

• A small piece of mono needlepoint canvas with the appropriate-size thread for the mesh size

• A tapestry needle in the appropriate size for the canvas mesh

• A needle threader, as well as a small pair of scissors with a short, pointed beak

• Needlepoint, or tapestry, yarn.

Starting a Thread

1. Cut a length of yarn approximately shoulder length, or 18" long.

2. Thread one end of the yarn into the needle using the needle threader; the other end should be knotted.

2. Pull the needle and yarn through the canvas so that the knot stays on the top and is placed approximately 1" away from where the stitch is starting. Additionally, the waste knot, as it is known, should also be placed so that you are stitching toward it; in other words, you will be covering the thread on the back to secure it. When you get close to the knot, you should cut it off and discard it.

Three Basic Needlepoint Stitches

	Figure B
	Figure C

Tent:
The tent stitch (figure B) is the basic needlepoint stitch; it's also the stitch that most others are derived from. It should be over a single canvas thread intersection and be pointing toward the upper left corner of the canvas. Generally, you would come up through the canvas at the bottom of the intersection and go down through the canvas above the intersection at the top right.

Continental:
The continental stitch (figure C) is used for single lines only. It is a compilation, or repeat, of the tent stitch in a row (either horizontally or vertically). Be sure that the stitch in back is as long and pointing in the same direction as the stitches on the front. If you have small vertical stitches on the back, you are performing half-crosses. As these are not acceptable in needlepoint, you'll need to change the sequence in which you are doing the stitch. For example, if you are working from the right to the left, the needle/stitch comes up at the bottom of the intersection and goes down through the canvas at the top right. This holds true if you're working a straight line down the canvas as well. If you're working from the left to the right, you'll need the needle/stitch to come up through the canvas at the top right and come across the intersection so that it's going down and to the left. This also applies if you're moving up a row.

Figure D

Basketweave:
Basketweave (figure D), needlepoint's most-used stitch, should always be used when there are 2 rows or more. This stitch requires a bit more work and specifically knowledge of the canvas. If you look closely at a piece of needlepoint mono canvas, you will see an intersection that has the thread on top pointing in a vertical direction; conversely, you will also see threads on the top of the intersection that are pointing horizontally The threads on the top of the intersection that are horizontal are called stairs; the threads that are vertical on the top of the intersection are called poles. You will always use a tent stitch when executing basketweave. This means you will always work from the bottom of the intersection to the top right. You will not change the execution of the stitch as you have previously done in continental. The most important part of this stitch is the direction in which you are working; by that I mean are you working in an upward direction, which would be considered walking up the stairs, or are you working in a downward direction, which is considered sliding down the poles. This stitch is one of our most difficult as it works with both the warp and the weft of the canvas. It causes less distortion, is much more even looking and improves your tension. It does take some practice and time to learn to read the canvas and know which direction you are working: again, up the stairs and down the poles.

GUESTS :

Terry Christopher
Website: www.topoint.com