Learn the straightforward technique for creating the continental stitch, a fundamental stitch for plastic canvas projects.
The continental stitch is a versatile and commonly used stitch in plastic canvas crafting. It creates a solid, diagonal coverage on the canvas, making it excellent for filling in areas quickly and efficiently. As referenced in the provided information, the stitch involves working diagonally across the canvas grid.
Understanding the Continental Stitch
The continental stitch is essentially a diagonal needlepoint stitch worked across one intersection of the plastic canvas grid. When worked in rows, the stitches slant in the same direction (typically bottom-left to top-right when working from right to left, or vice versa). This creates a dense fabric.
Key Characteristics:
- Worked diagonally.
- Covers one canvas intersection per stitch.
- Creates a slanted stitch on the front.
- Leaves a horizontal stitch on the back of the canvas.
Step-by-Step Guide
Here's how to create the continental stitch on plastic canvas:
- Prepare Your Yarn: Cut a manageable length of plastic canvas yarn. Thread it through a tapestry needle suitable for plastic canvas.
- Starting the Row:
- Decide your starting point (usually a corner or edge).
- Bring the needle up from the back of the canvas through a hole. Pull the yarn through, leaving a short tail on the back.
- You can secure the tail by holding it against the canvas and stitching over it with your first few stitches. The reference mentions "working over the yarn on the back," which is a common technique for securing the yarn tail invisibly.
- Making the First Stitch:
- Insert the needle down into the canvas hole one unit diagonally up and to the right (or left, depending on your preferred slant and direction of work) from where you came up. Pull the yarn through. This completes one diagonal stitch on the front and leaves a horizontal thread on the back.
- Continuing the Row:
- Bring the needle up through the hole immediately to the left (or right, depending on direction) of where your last stitch ended on the front.
- Insert the needle down diagonally across to complete the next stitch. As highlighted in the reference, you work "again diagonally" for each subsequent stitch in the row.
- Continue working across the row, bringing the needle up in the hole next to the previous stitch and going down diagonally.
- Working Subsequent Rows:
- When you reach the end of a row, as mentioned in the reference, you'll prepare to start the next row. You typically turn the canvas or change direction depending on the pattern.
- If turning the canvas, continue stitching diagonally in the new orientation. The stitches will still slant the same way relative to the canvas grid, but you will be moving in the opposite direction physically.
- If not turning, the diagonal movement will reverse to maintain the consistent slant. For example, if you stitched bottom-left to top-right in the first row working right-to-left, you might stitch bottom-right to top-left in the next row working left-to-right.
Tips for Success
- Maintain Consistent Tension: Keep your yarn tension even to create a smooth, uniform fabric.
- Direction Matters: Be consistent with the direction of your diagonal stitches throughout your project unless the pattern specifically calls for a change.
- Securing Yarn: Always secure your starting and ending yarn tails neatly on the back, often by stitching over them. The reference's note about "working over the yarn on the back" suggests this technique.
- Ending Rows: The reference briefly touches upon reaching the end of the row and shaping. Stitches at the end of a row, or around curves and corners, follow the same diagonal principle but adapt to the canvas edge or pattern shape.
The continental stitch provides excellent coverage and is a foundation for many plastic canvas designs. By consistently working diagonally and managing your yarn on the back, you can easily create beautiful stitched pieces.
