All Kirk & Bradley for Elizabeth Bradley kits are printed on 12-count mono canvas and use the Basketweave stitch.  The Basketweave Stitch is a staple in needlepoint and should be used on all KB for EB kits as it will tension the canvas evenly as you work.

Basketweave stitch is made up of Tent Stitches and is worked in a diagonal pattern on the canvas. When you look at the back of the canvas, you will see it forms a woven pattern. This is how it got its name.

Take a good look at the weave of your canvas. You will notice “poles” or vertical canvas threads, and “steps” or horizontal canvas threads.

In Basketweave, you “slide” down the poles, meaning you will work from the top of the diagonal row, downwards towards the bottom on the vertical canvas threads. And you “step” up the steps, meaning you will work from the bottom of the diagonal row upwards towards the top on the horizontal canvas threads. Take a look at this diagram for more information.

To start stitching on the design, begin in the upper right hand corner of your canvas and work outwards from there.

To begin your thread, tie a knot in the end of your thread and place it on the front of your canvas, about an inch or two from where you plan to start stitching, and in line of where you are working. Once you stitch up to the knot, snip it off. You will have locked your thread to your canvas.

To start a new thread, simply run it through the back of the areas you have already stitched on your canvas.

When you hit the edge of your colour section, continue to maintain the diagonal placement of stitches as best you are able. This may mean dragging your thread across a few other stitches in order to maintain the pattern.  Only do this if the distance is less than 1 inch. Otherwise secure the thread and start a new thread in the remote color area.  Our video goes into further detail on this.  

 If you are left handed, you will use the same needlepoint instructions for right-handed stitchers without any changes.