BASKETWEAVE

TENT STITCH METHOD 2

Basketweave is the most hard wearing version of Tent Stitch and should always be used for large areas as it’s less likely to warp the canvas. It is worked in diagonal rows either from the top right hand corner down or bottom left hand corner up.

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STEP BY STEP

Begin by sewing a diagonal row of stitches. Bring your needle up in the top right of your first stitch (1) and cross diagonally over one intersection and go down into the canvas one row down and to the left (2).
For your second stitch, bring your needle up at the next intersection diagonally (3). By following this process you’re making a vertical stitch across two canvas threads on the back of the canvas.
To complete your second stitch, take your needle down into the canvas one row down and to the left as before (4) and continue, until you complete your first row.
On the second row return in the opposite direction. Place the tent stitches between those of the first row, by bringing your needle up top right (5) and taking it down one row down and to the left (6).

In this direction you will make a horizontal stitch on the back of the canvas creating a neat basketweave effect on the reverse, hence the name.

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OTHER TENT STITCH TECHNIQUES

CONTINENTAL
Continental is worked in horizontal rows and is reasonably hard wearing. It is best used for smaller areas as it can pull the canvas out of shape when used over large sections due to the multiple rows of right slanting stitches.
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HALF CROSS
Like Continental, Half cross is worked in horizontal rows but the back looks very different with small vertical stitches instead of dense rows of diagonal stitches. As a result, the main advantage of using Half Cross is that it uses less yarn and is therefore more economical.
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