Contintental stitch

Continental stitch is a member of the tent stitch family. It is a diagonal needlepoint stitch that crossed over one intersection of canvas mesh, forming a slanted stitch at a 45-degree angle. Continental stitch is worked either in horizontal or vertical rows (The most common working direction is the horizontal), from right to left and from top to bottom.

Working the continental stitch: The most common method

1. Bring the needle up through the hole (1) and insert the needle down through the hole (2).
2. Bring the needle back up through the hole (3) and down through the hole (4).
3. Continue stitching, from right to left until you finish the first row.
4. At the end of the first row, finish the last stitch leaving the needle at the back of the canvas.

5. Start stitching the next row in the opposite direction, from left to right. However, many stitchers prefer to turn the canvas completely around after each row, in order to keep stitching in the same directions (from right to left).

The drawback of this method is that the stitches of alternate rows are coming up into holes already stitched, causing a small disturbance of the yarn. These holes are also called "dirty" or occupied holes. To palliate this disturbance, it is recommended to use a blunt tip needle.

Alternative method B: Working each row with a new thread. 
If you have to stitch long rows then the simplest way of working is to finish off the thread at the end of each row and restart at the beginning of the next row on the right-hand side again. However this method is suitable only for designs with long rows (for example a striped rug), otherwise it results into a considerable amount of finishing and starting threads. The advantage of this method is that all stitches are coming up into an empty canvas hole and going down in one already stitched hole.

Alternative method C: Begin from the central row
1. In the area to be filled, start stitching the central row, from right to left.

2. When finished, move to the row above the central row and stitch from left to right.

3. When finished move to the row below the central row and stitch from right to left.

4. Continue stitching alternately above and below.

This method ensures that all stitches are coming up into an empty canvas hole. But, if you have to stitch an area of a fair size then, at the back side you'll have long stitches from one row to the other.

How to start and finish without making knots 

To start the work

1. Position approximately 3 cm before the starting hole, in the direction that the stitching will progress. 

2. Begin stitching, covering with stitches the thread, underneath.

3. Turn the work over and cut away the remaining thread. 

To finish the work 

1. Turn the work over and run the thread under several stitches. 

2. With scissors, trim the remaining thread. 

Continental stitch can be worked vertically if required by the design or in a diagonal direction.


The back side:
On the back side, the stitch appears diagonal and elongated while on the front side the stitch looks very similar to half cross stitch. However, in relation to half stitch, continental stitch gives more coverage to the back side, and the finished piece is more stable and durable. This means, that the stitch is suitable for rugs, cushion, seat covers etc. On the other hand continental stitch uses more yarn than half-cross stitch. In any case, you should not mix these two stitches in the same work.

Canvas distortion 
Continental stitch does tend to distort the canvas due to the constant diagonal pull from the stitches. In order to avoid distortion, you can use a frame or try to work by keeping the stitches a little loose.