Tent Stitch - Basketweave Stitch, Continental Stitch and Half Cross Stitch
The Tent Stitch is the simplest and most common stitch in needlepoint, and it is the foundation for many other stitches. Usually worked across a single intersection of the canvas.
Stitch Details
- Stitch Structure: Flat, Parallel.
- Can be worked in several different ways, each with its own name: Continental, basketweave, and half-cross.
- Each variation provides different levels of coverage and structure, and can be chosen regarding the desired type of wear or finishing the piece is going to receive, besides personal preference of the stitcher.
Stitch | Coverage | Distortion | Amount of thread |
Basketweave | Strongest | Very Low | High |
Continental | Medium | Medium | Medium |
Half Cross | Weakest | Low | Low |
Basketweave Stitch
The Basketweave Needlepoint Stitch is a basic and commonly used stitch in needlepoint that creates a woven or basket-like pattern.
Stitch Details
- Stitch Structure: Flat, Parallel.
- Basketweave tent stitches are worked up and down diagonals.
- Does not distort the canvas.
- The stitching may look uneven if you work two consecutive rows in the same direction.
Basketweave Stitch Instructions & Diagram
You can see the diagram of this stitch below.
- Begin your stitching from the bottom left corner of the area you want to cover with basketweave stitch.
- Secure your thread on the backside of the canvas by making a small knot or stitching over the tail with your first few stitches.
- Bring your needle up through the back of the canvas at the bottom left corner of the first square or intersection of canvas threads.
- Insert the needle diagonally across the canvas, going under one intersection of canvas threads and coming up at the top right corner of the square.
- Repeat the diagonal stitching pattern, moving from bottom left to top right, across the canvas.
Basketweave Stitch Video Tutorial
Stitch Guides where Basketweave Stitch is used
Continental Tent Stitch
The Continental Tent Needlepoint Stitch is one of the most basic and commonly used stitches in needlepoint. A good mnemonic is that when you are working from left to right along the row, the actual stitch is worked from right to left and vice versa.
Stitch Details
- Stitch Structure: Variation, Openwork.
- Ideal for stitchers who are learning how to needlepoint.
- The oblique lines on the back of the canvas provide a strong stitch with good coverage.
- Tend to distort the canvas more than basketweave but it can be solved by blocking your needlepoint canvas.
Continental Tent Stitch Instructions & Diagram
You can see the diagram of this stitch below.
- Begin your stitching from the bottom left corner of the area you want to cover.
- Secure your thread on the backside of the canvas by making a small knot or stitching over the tail with your first few stitches.
- Insert the needle from the back of the canvas to the front at the bottom left corner of the first square or intersection of canvas threads.
- Repeat the process, creating diagonal stitches across the canvas. Work from left to right, row by row, until the entire area is filled.
Stitch Guides where Continental Tent Stitch is used
Front and back side of the Continental Tent Stitch, in the "Garden of Joy" Needlepoint Kit
Half Cross Tent Stitch
Half Cross Needlepoint Stitch looks almost identical to continental tent stitch on the front of the canvas, but on the back is very different, with only small upright threads instead of a dense covering of diagonal stitchery.
Stitch Details
- Stitch Structure: Variation, Openwork.
- It is not such a strong stitch and is not recommended for any project that will need to wear well, such as a purse or stool top.
- Does not distort the canvas as continental tent stitch does, and uses less thread.
Half Cross Stitch Instructions & Diagram
You can see the diagram of this stitch below.
- Begin your stitching from the bottom left corner of the area you want to cover.
- Secure your thread on the backside of the canvas by making a small knot or stitching over the tail with your first few stitches.
- Insert the needle from the back of the canvas to the front at the bottom left corner of the square or intersection of canvas threads.
- Create a diagonal stitch by inserting the needle from the front of the canvas to the back at the top right corner of the square.
- Keep the tension of your stitches consistent and repeat the process, creating half cross stitches across the canvas. Work from left to right, row by row, until the entire area is filled.
Continental Stitch and Half Cross Stitch Video Tutorial
Stitch Guides where Half Cross Stitch is used
Skipped Tent & T Stitch
Two variations of the Tent Stitch are the Skipped Tent and the T Stitch. These stitches are perfect for a situation where a light stitch is preferable for the background, especially if it is a big area to cover.
Please note that the Skipped Tent stitch always has to be worked on the diagonal.
Now that you know everything about the Tent Stitch, it's time to practice it on your favorite needlepoint project!
Happy Stitching :)