About RSN Stitch Bank
Basketweave tent stitch
- Diagonal tent stitch
This is a form of tent stitch, the simplest and most common stitch in canvaswork and the foundation for many other stitches. Tent stitch is a diagonal stitch, usually worked across a single intersection of canvas from bottom left to top right.
Basketweave tent stitch is the most hardwearing of the three variants and uses the most thread. The name comes from the appearance of the stitch on the reverse of the canvas which crosses in a pattern reminiscent of a woven basket. This structure means that basketweave tent stitch is most likely to keep the canvas square whilst it is being worked, hence it is recommended for large areas of tent stitch. It is worked in diagonal rows, either from the top right-hand corner down, or from the bottom left-hand corner up.
For more information about this stitch see the entry for tent stitch.
Further Reading
Basketweave tent stitch is generously sponsored by Sarah Lawson
Method
Working the tent stitch area from the bottom left-hand corner, make a diagonal row of tent stitches, each from top right to bottom left, and with a vertical stitch across two threads on the reverse.
On the return row, fit the tent stitches between those of the first row, this time making a horizontal stitch across two canvas threads on the reverse.
When working down a basketweave row, there will be a horizontal stitch on the reverse, and when working up a row there will be a vertical stitch on the reverse.
This image shows the basketweave tent stitch from the underside.
Basketweave tent stitch
Structure of stitch
Embroidery Techniques
Variant Stitches
Identifying Basketweave tent stitch
When working down a basketweave row, there will be a horizontal stitch on the reverse, and when working up a row there will be a be a vertical stitch on the reverse. When working carefully the back of the work should have a neat woven appearance.
References
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Various Authors, The Royal School of Needlework Book of Embroidery (2018) , p.125