Free Color Stitch Guide

Start/Stop

Overcast

Whip Stitch

Continental (Both)

Gobelin

Long Stitch

Backstitch

Cross Stitch

Long Cross Stitch

Bead Attachment

Shade variations indicate an under stitch (darker) and over stitch (lighter). This is for deciphering  the difference per stitch direction.

Start/Stop- When starting stitches, leave a 1 inch tail of yarn on the backside of the canvas. When making your first 6 or 7 stitches, stitch around the tail while holding it on the backside. This will hold your yarn in place for stitching. When finished stitching take the needle through the previously stitched area, again through 6 or 7 stitches on the back side. Cut off any excess yarn.

Overcast Stitch- Finishes the cut edges of a piece of canvas. Simply take the needle down through each edge hole when stitching. Three stitches are used around a corner edge to cover canvas better.  When joining two or more pieces together this is Whipstitch (see below).

Whipstitch- Used for joining two or more pieces of plastic canvas together. Hold the two pieces of canvas together even where you will stitch. Like Overcast stitch take the needle down through the edge holes being sure to sew through each layer of canvas. Whipstitch can also be used on inside squares where necessary. 

Come up under the canvas on odd numbers and down through the top on even numbers, unless otherwise stated. (i.e. 1= up under canvas,    2= down through canvas)

Continental/Tent Stitch- This stitch is worked diagonally on the canvas from one row of holes to the next.

Reversed Continental/Tent Stitch- This stitch is worked diagonal in the opposite directions of continental stitch from one row of holes to next.

Gobelin/ Diagonal Stitch- This is a slanted stitch which crosses over more than one row of holes on plastic canvas. Each graph should indicate the number of rows to cover and which direction the stitch should slant. For Reversed Gobelin/ Diagonal Stitch follow the direction that is shown in the reversed continental graphic. 

Long/ Straight Stitch- This stitch is worked over one or more holes on the canvas. Again, the graph should indicate if the stitch is vertical or horizontal, and how many rows to cover per stitch. Left graphic shown in horizontal. 

Backstitch- Generally used for outlining an area on the canvas. This stitch is usually done after the canvas is worked.

Cross Stitch- Start with one continental stitch, then cross it in the opposite direction over the first stitch. Being sure that a row of cross stitches are all following the same direction.

Long Cross Stitch-Same as cross stitch, only this stitch crosses over more than two rows on the plastic canvas. Graphs per pattern will indicate the amount of rows to cross over.

Bead Attachment- Come up under canvas with needle and yarn then apply bead to yarn, then take needle back down through the canvas. For another bead continue with same strand, for one bead you may wish to knot it on the back side of the canvas. Most graphs should contain the markings for where the beads will be placed.