If you are just getting started with plastic canvas projects, you will find this page with its links extremely helpful. To learn the very basics before you begin, please check out our page on crafting with plastic canvas which will help get you started.
Even if you are experienced in working with plastic canvas, we may have stitches below that are new to you and enable you to add variety to your projects. We have gathered together links to many pages that show you the techniques to forming the stitches used in plastic canvas embroidery.
You will find simple stitches like the half cross stitch, to the more difficult stitches such as the fly stitch, and everything in between.
Stitches You'll Find Here
- Condensed Mosaic
- Continental
- Alternating Continental
- Reverse Continental
- Cross Stitch
- Double Cross Stitch
- Half Cross Stitch
- Fly Stitch
- FreBack Stitch
- Basketweave Stitch
- Chain Stitch
- French Knot
- Lark’s Head
- Lazy Daisy
- Long Legged Cross Stitch
- Long Stitch
- Loop Stitch
- Overcast Stitch
- Running Stitch
- Scotch Stitch
- Slanted Gobelin Stitch
- Whip Stitch
Tips To Get Started
Keep in mind that when you begin your project, you will need to start by choosing the correct plastic canvas with the weave count needed for the pattern you are working on.
Plastic canvas comes in four different weave counts; 5, 7, 10 and 14, which are the number of holes per linear inch. You will also need to know the weight of the yarn that you should be using for your project.
The stitches you will find below can be done on any weave count canvas, but if your chosen plastic canvas has a large weave count with the incorrect weight yarn, the plastic will show through your stitching.
Be sure to check these two things before beginning; the pattern you use will tell you the weave and yarn weight.
Free Projects and Helpful Tips
We know you experts out there might be able to create your own patterns and choose the correct supplies, but we want the newbies to have as much guidance as they need!
We have a popular page on our site; “150 free plastic canvas projects”, which is full of fun and free projects for all to enjoy! Please take a peak; you are sure to find something new and exciting to create!
To start all of you off with a neat needle threading trick to thread yarn, this video is a must see!
Let's Go!
Now take a look below to find videos, instructions and illustrations for many of the stitches used in plastic canvas.
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This provides a video, drawing and written directions for the backstitch used in plastic canvas.
Affiliate Link to Annie's Craft Store
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This video will show how to do the cable embroidery stitch which is a hand embroidery stitch. This needlework stitch is an outline stitch which can be worked along a straight line or curve.
Needlepointers.com
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Instructions and illustrations for the plastic canvas stitch, condensed mosaic. Also instructions available in real time video.
Affiliate Link to Annie's Craft Store
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This video explains how to do the continental stitch on plastic canvas. The continental stitch is a type of tent stitch. This stitch is also used in needlepoint.
Needlepointers.com
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Real time video, instructions and illustrations for the cross stitch on plastic canvas.
Affiliate Link to Annie's Craft Store
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Learn how to stitch the double cross stitch on plastic canvas. This stitch is also known as the Smyrna Stitch
Needlepointers.com
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Video and illustrations for the plastic canvas stitch, the fly stitch.
Affiliate Link to Annie's Craft Store
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Photo & video tutorial showing how to make a French knot when working with plastic canvas. Also shows a great trick for threading yarn onto a needle!
Needlepointers.com
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A tutorial showing how to do the half cross stitch on plastic canvas. This is a basic needlepoint stitch which is stitched diagonally over one bar.
Needlepointers.com
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Learn how to make a Lark’s Head Knot. This stitch is used in plastic canvas project to add a fringed edge or for attaching a loop for hanging your project.
Needlepointers.com
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This tutorial will show and explain how to make the lazy daisy stitch on plastic canvas.
Needlepointers.com
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How to join two pieces of plastic canvas together using the long legged cross stitch. This plastic canvas stitch is a decorative joining stitch.
Needlepointers.com
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The long stitch is parallel straight stitches which cover two or more plastic canvas bars. Learn how with instructions, illustrations, and real-time video.
Affiliate Link to Annie's Craft Store
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Learn the overcast stitch. When working with plastic canvas, this stitch is used to cover the edges of the canvas.
Needlepointers.com
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Three types of plastic canvas stitches are illustrated - background, embroidery and finishing. There is a grand total of fourteen stitches illustrated with drawings.
T's Place
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Instructions, illustrations and video for the reverse continental stitch used on plastic canvas.
Affiliate Link to Annie's Craft Store
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Yet another great illustration and video from Annie's Attic on how to do the running stitch.
Affiliate Link to Annie's Craft Store
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A tutorial on how to do the scotch stitch on plastic canvas. The scotch stitch is a series of diagonal stitches that form a square. It is a useful stitch for covering large areas of plastic canvas.
Needlepointers.com
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Learn how to make the slanted Gobelin stitch. This is a diagonal stitch which can be used in needlepoint and plastic canvas projects. This stitch can be worked over two to five diagonal threads and one or two lengthwise threads.
Needlepointers.com
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Instructions, illustrations and video for the straight stitch.
Affiliate Link to Annie's Craft Store
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Three tent stitches - Half cross stitch, continental stitch, basketweave stitch. These stitches are used in plastic canvas crafts and needlepoint crafts.
Needlework Tips and Techniques
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The whip stitch is used to join two pieces of plastic canvas together. This video tutorial will show you how to do the whip stitch.
Needlepointers.com
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