Needlecrafts Needlepoint

Continental Tent Needlepoint Stitch Tutorial

By
Althea DeBrule
Althea DeBrule
Althea DeBrule is a needlepoint expert and writer with a focus on Bargello. She has four decades of experience creating original needlepoint patterns. Althea studied at The Callaway School of Needle Arts and is the author of "4 Quick Lessons to Master Needlepoint Pillows."
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Updated on 10/30/20
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The continental tent needlepoint stitch is the most-used and best-known of the three basic tent stitches. It can be worked row-by-row, either horizontally or vertically, and is always slanted up to the right over one intersection of canvas mesh. Unlike the half-cross tent stitch, the continental stitch can be used on any type of needlepoint canvas and provides excellent coverage that makes the finished needlework sturdy enough to last a lifetime. If you are new to needlepoint and would like to master the basics, the multipurpose continental stitch is the first place to start. It can be used:

  • When stitching a single line or an outline of a shape or design motif
  • For filling in background areas of the needlepoint canvas that are too small for basketweave tent stitches
  • When stitching tiny details of needlepoint portraits, faces, hands, and other body parts
  • For overall canvas coverage to make the finished needlepoint durable and long-lasting
  • Whenever in doubt about which stitch technique to use to complete a needlepoint project

Tip

 The continental tent needlepoint stitch should not be used for working large areas of a design or open background because it distorts and stretches the canvas out of shape. This is due to the multiple rows of right-slanting stitches that are formed when properly working the technique.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Tapestry needle

Materials

  • Canvas
  • Needlepoint thread

Instructions

Right-Handed Instructions

The first horizontal row of continental tent stitch is worked from the right side of the needlepoint design to the left, slanting from the bottom diagonally up to the top and over the intersection of one canvas mesh. Start in the upper right area of the needlepoint design to begin working this stitch. Closely follow the stitch diagram in the image and these five steps to make perfect continental tent needlepoint stitches.

Continental tent stitch for right-handers
Right-Handed Continental Tent Stitch Diagram Althea DeBrule

  • Start Stitching

    Come up from the wrong side of the canvas with the threaded tapestry needle at (1), work up diagonally over an intersection of canvas threads, and down again at (2) as illustrated in the stitch diagram. Next, bring the needle up at (3) over the next intersection and down again at (4) and so on until you reach the end of the row. You should be at the left side of the needlepoint design area.

  • Turn the Canvas Around

    You now have a choice as indicated by the arrows on the stitch diagram. Because the continental stitch is always worked from right to left, if you are working without a frame, you will have to turn the canvas completely around and start working again from (1) to (2) and so on.

    If you are using a frame, either turn it upside down—the same as if holding the needlepoint in your hand, or work across the second and subsequent rows from left to right, without turning the canvas. In this case, the stitches will begin at the top going down diagonally across the row until you reach the right side of the design (see stitch diagram).


  • Working Horizontal Rows

    Continue working each horizontal row (right to left) in its entirety before moving to the next one. As each row is completed, you will be making longer stitches on the back to create ridges that strengthen the needlepoint.

  • Work Vertical Rows

    Vertical rows also are worked in the same manner but from top to bottom. As indicated by the arrow, at the end of each row, you will turn the canvas completely around to begin the next row.

Left-Handed Instructions

Left-handed stitchers should remember that when working the continental tent stitch, each one should slant in the same direction. With this rule of thumb in mind, you can work this basic stitch in any direction you choose. For example, many left-handed stitchers work the stitches from left to right with a left slant as well. Others simply reverse the directions for right-handed stitchers and achieve the same right-slant result (see left-handed stitch diagram).

If you are left-handed, an easy way to remember how to follow the stitch diagram is to always bring the tapestry needle up from the wrong side through the canvas at all odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, etc.), and go diagonally over canvas mesh intersections and down at all even numbers (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, etc.). 

  1. Work First Row


    Starting in an area of the needlepoint pattern where you are most comfortable, work your first row of stitches from left to right beginning with (1) and going down at (2) as indicated on the diagram.

    You’ll notice that the stitch begins at the top for horizontal rows and at the bottom for vertical rows—the reverse of the right-handed directions. Continue to follow the diagram to complete each row.

  2. Continue with Right-Handed Instructions

    Alternatively, make the stitch the same way as for right-handed instructions. Although the odd rows may be a bit uncomfortable (stitching from right to left and bottom to top), you’ll be rewarded when you stitch the even rows (stitching from left to right and top to bottom). It actually works up quite quickly and easily, and before you know it, you will have established a working rhythm and whether you’re right- or left-handed will not be an issue at all.