Continental Stitch

Continental Stitch Horizontal Method Diagram 1

Continental Stitch Horizontal Method Diagram 2

CONTINENTAL STITCH

The Continental Stitch is one of the three common tent stitches (petit point). A tent stitch is a stitch that is

Continental Stitch - Horizontal Method (Diagram 1):

Bring the needle up at A, move up and to the right over one canvas intersection, bring the needle down at B. Bring the needle up at C, move up and to the right over one canvas intersection, bring the needle down at D. Bring the needle up at E, move up and to the right over one canvas intersection, bring the needle down at F. Bring the needle up at G, move up and to the right over one canvas intersection, bring the needle down at H. Bring the needle up at I, move up and to the right over one canvas intersection, bring the needle down at J. This completes the first row of Continental Stitches. Now, continue on to Diagram 2...

Continental Stitch - Horizontal Method (Diagram 2):

Bring the needle up at K, move up and to the right over one canvas intersection, bring the needle down at L. Bring the needle up at A, move up and to the right over one canvas intersection, bring the needle down at M. Bring the needle up at C, move up and to the right over one canvas intersection, bring the needle down at N. Bring the needle up at E, move up and to the right over one canvas intersection, bring the needle down at O. Bring the needle up at G, move up and to the right over one canvas intersection, bring the needle down at P. This completes the second row of Continental Stitches. To start a third row, turn the canvas completely around and continue working in the same manner.

Continental Stitch -Vertical Method (Diagram 1):

Continental Stitch -Vertical Method (Diagram 2):

Beginning where we left off at J, leave the needle and yarn where they are, turn the canvas completely around and begin working the second row the exact same way the first row was worked. (Please note: Diagram 2 is shown in it's orignal state (not-turned-upside-down). Bring the needle up at P, move up and to the right over one canvas intersection, bring the needle down at O. Bring the needle up at N, move up and to the right over one canvas intersection, bring the needle down at J. Bring the needle up at M, move up and to the right over one canvas intersection, bring the needle down at H. Bring the needle up at L, move up and to the right over one canvas intersection, bring the needle down at F. Bring the needle up at K, move up and to the right over one canvas intersection, bring the needle down at D. This completes the second row of Continental Stitches. To start a third row, turn the canvas completely around and continue working in the same manner.

formed diagonally over 1 canvas intersection. The other two tent stitches are the Basketweave Stitch and the Half-Cross Stitch. The continental stitch is an excellent choice for a filling stitch, especially where the basketweave cannot be used. It creates a smoother look than the half-cross stitch. The main drawback of the continental stitch is that it tends to distort the canvas. The Continental Stitch may be worked horizontally, Vertically or Diagonally. All three methods are demonstrated below. Two diagrams have been used to demonstrate each stitch.

Continental Stitch - Diagonal (Diagram 1)

Continental Stitch - Diagonal (Diagram 2)

CONTINENTAL STITCH VERTICAL METHOD

CONTINENTAL STITCH DIAGONAL METHOD

Continental Stitch -Diagonal Method (Diagram 1):

Bring the needle up at A, move up to the right over one canvas intersection, bring the needle down at B. Bring the needle up at C, move up to the right over one canvas intersection, bring the needle down at A. Bring the needle up at D, move up to the right over one canvas intersection, bring the needle down at C. Bring the needle up at E, move up to the right over one canvas intersection, bring the needle down at D. Bring the needle up at F, move up to the right over one canvas intersection, bring the needle down at E. Bring the needle up at G, move up to the right over one canvas intersection, bring the needle down at F. Now, continue on to Diagram 2...

Continental Stitch -Diagonal Method (Diagram 2):

Once you have completed the first row of diagonal continental stitches, start the second row at the top and work in the same manner. This diagram illustrates how two rows of diagonal contintenal stitches would cross each other. However, this is just one example of how this stitch may be used. It is an excellent stitch for creating circles, monograms and other lines.