We know that you stitch Basketweave in diagonal rows. We know that you go up rows with horizontal threads on top and down in rows with vertical threads on top. As long as we are stitching squares or rectangles we do just fine, starting in the upper right corner and stitching to the bottom left.
But what do you do when you have rounded or irregular areas such as these hearts? How do you stitch Basketweave in them?
The principle is the same you look for the row that’s at the upper right edge. When your shape has corners, that row is only a stitch so it’s easy to find. But in other shapes, that row is actually a row.
Here’s how I do it. I work with my needle, usually threaded because I am very forgetful. I look for the upper right edge of the shape. Once I find that outer edge I use my needle to follow the row up or down.
If I’m lucky I guessed right and there are no more rows outside this row (I won’t see any intersections painted that color in this area). If I’m not, and usually I’m not, I find another row outside this one at one end. When this happens I move my needle to the new row and repeat the process.
I continue to do this until I find that outermost row. Once I do I use my needle to enlarge the canvas holes at each end. Doing this at both ends means that I do not have to worry about what kind of row I see at this point. Enlarging the holes means I won’t lose this row once I start stitching.
When I’m ready to stitch (this is why I thread the needle and secure the thread first), I look at the two holes I have enlarged and find out which should be my starting row. I can begin stitching, confident I have started in the correct place.
This process seems tedious but you get much better at judging correctly as you get more practice.
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
Why cant I picture/understand what you’re saying? Do you make a kind of outline?
I don’t outline Basketweave areas; the canvas will tell you everything you need to know. Outlining tends to pull differently than areas of Basketweave so it will create a break in your stitching. By using your needle to follow diagonal roe\ws of holes until you find the line the is at the edge of the area in the upper right you will start your Basketweave in the correct place without making any stitches.
If you do Continental/Tent, you do not need to do this because this stitch is made in straight lines and, when done correctly, every line looks the same on the back.
Keep stitching,
Janet