Alexei Volkov
Plastic canvas is a fun, easy, and inexpensive form of needlework that allows you to create both 2D and 3D decorative objects, such as wall hangings, coasters, tissue box covers, and napkin rings. To sew yarn on plastic canvas, you'll need a few sheets of plastic canvas, yarn needles, worsted weight yarn, and a pair of scissors. It's recommended to practice basic stitches before starting a project. When stitching, bring your yarn up and through a hole on the canvas, leaving about an inch to 2 inches of yarn at the back. Continue holding the back thread and needle through the slot diagonally below and to the left. Repeat this pattern, tacking down the string as you go. Finish the edges by going up through the bottom of the first slot, then the next, and use specific stitches like the lark's head knot or overcast stitch for a clean or fringe edge.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Cost | Inexpensive |
| Required materials | Plastic canvas, yarn, yarn needle, worsted weight yarn, scissors |
| Basic stitches | Continental stitch, Slanted Gobelin stitch, Gobelin stitch, Overcast stitch/Whipstitch, Lark's head knot |
| Canvas type | Rectangular sheets, hearts, circles, purses |
| Yarn type | Red Heart yarns |
| Yarn length | Approximately three feet |
| Yarn cutting | Cut as close to the canvas as possible |
| Edge types | Fringe edge, clean edge |
| Edge stitches | Overcast stitch, Lark's head knot |
| Knot type | Overhand knot |
| Canvas cutting | Cut between the bars, leaving one plastic bar between the stitches and cutting line |
| Edge finishing | Overcast and joining stitch |
| Edge joining | Ensure holes and edges are aligned before stitching |
| Additional finishing techniques | Adding a felt backing, adding a hanger |
| Washing instructions | Soak in sink with warm water and dish soap, do not use hot water, do not put in washing machine or dryer, vacuum to remove dust |
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What You'll Learn
Basic stitches
Plastic canvas needlepoint is a variation of traditional needlepoint. It is used to create decorative 3D designs. There are a few basic stitches to learn, but you can create many different things with them. The canvas comes in rectangular sheets that you can cut down as needed. It also comes in a variety of colours and shapes like hearts, circles, and even purses.
To begin stitching, hold the end of the thread on the back of the canvas and catch the tail in the stitches as you stitch. If this is too difficult, use a waste knot. A waste knot is a temporary knot that keeps tension on the thread while you begin stitching. Knot the end of the thread and take a stitch to the back of the canvas away from where you will begin stitching. The knot will be on the front of the canvas. After stitching a section, snip off the knot and weave the tail of the thread into the back of the stitches.
When the stitches are together, the canvas fills up, and the plastic is no longer visible. To finish the edges, go up through the bottom of your first slot and pull through. Go up through the very next slot and pull through. When you get to the corners, you will need to do three stitches to cover each side and the corner part. It gets a bit tight, but you can manage it. When finished, run the yarn through several of the stitches you have already made on the back. Pull the yarn taut and trim it closely.
There are two basic stitches you may use to finish the edges of your plastic canvas: the lark's head knot and the overcast stitch. The lark's head knot is used to create a fringe edge. On patterns, this stitch appears as "larks head". Insert the needle through the top of the canvas at an edge hole. Pull the thread or yarn to the left side. Pull the needle up through the back of the canvas at the same hole. Create a loop in the thread or yarn. The loop will hang from the backside of the canvas. Insert the tails through the loop and pull tight. If you prefer a clean edge, use an overcast stitch instead of a lark's head knot.
The Continental Stitch is another basic stitch used on most patterns. Start the stitch by leaving about a 1-inch tail of yarn on the backside and bring your needle up through the hole. Go back down to the backside of the next hole. All stitches are done in a left-to-right manner.
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Choosing the right yarn
While there are no rules on the 'right' yarn for plastic canvas, there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing your yarn. Firstly, consider the type of stitches you will be using. For example, for tent stitches like the half-cross, continental, and basketweave, a single strand of 4-ply knitting worsted-weight acrylic yarn works well on 7-mesh plastic canvas. Double strands are better for Bargello and other straight stitches. If you're using straight vertical or horizontal stitches, you might need heavier yarns, double strands of medium-weight yarn, or extra plies of Persian yarn. For large areas, you may want to use worsted-weight yarn, and for accent areas, you can use smaller skeins of acrylic or pure wool Persian yarns.
Another factor to consider is the colour of your canvas. If you're using a coloured canvas, be mindful that the yarn might not cover it all, and the grid may show through. Therefore, it's best to use a coloured canvas only if the pattern specifically calls for it.
In terms of where to buy your yarn, you can find regular worsted-weight yarn almost anywhere, and it's economical and available in a variety of colours. You can also purchase yarn online or at craft shops and needlework shops, depending on the type of yarn you're looking for. For example, nylon, Herculon, or polyester yarns are more likely to be found in craft shops. Red Heart yarns are another option, available at many online stores or Walmart.
Finally, remember that needlepoint should be fun, so let your imagination guide you in choosing the right yarn for your plastic canvas project!
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Starting a new row
To start a new row when sewing yarn on plastic canvas, you should begin by threading your needle with around three feet of yarn or floss. This length of yarn will ensure that you don't have to stop and start too many times. You can then insert the needle through the backside of the canvas, leaving a small tail of yarn, around two inches long, at the beginning of the row. Hold this tail against the back of the canvas, so that it runs along the stitch line. You can then execute your stitches over the tail, ensuring that it is completely covered and secure.
When starting a new row, you can also use a variation of the continental stitch, known as the slanted Gobelin stitch. This stitch is worked from left to right, and you can create a slant by bringing the needle up from the back of the canvas at the second hole and then inserting it down through the third hole. You can then continue across to the left side and flip the canvas to start again.
Another option for starting a new row is to use an overcast stitch, which can be used to finish off the unstitched edge of a project. To create this stitch, you will pull the needle up through the back of the canvas at an edge hole. Wrap the yarn tightly against the edge and then pull the needle up through the neighbouring edge hole. You should then wrap the yarn again and continue creating one stitch per hole along the edge of the canvas.
If you are working with a coloured canvas, it is important to note that the yarn might not cover it completely, so you should choose your canvas carefully. Additionally, when starting a new row, you can follow the chart provided with your canvas to determine the type of stitch to use. Most stitches will begin on the back of your work, and you can refer to the chart to create half cross-stitches, which are used for most main areas.
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Finishing a row
To finish a row of stitches neatly, you don't want any loose threads or bulky knots. There are a few ways to do this, depending on the finish you want.
Firstly, you can flip the canvas so the back is facing up. Insert the needle and yarn through several completed stitches. This will secure the row. Then, trim the yarn as close to the canvas as possible.
If you want a fringe edge, you can use the lark's head knot. Insert the needle through the top of the canvas at an edge hole and pull the yarn to the left. Pull the needle back up through the same hole, creating a loop that hangs from the back of the canvas. Then, insert the tails through the loop and pull tight.
For a clean edge, use an overcast stitch. Pull the needle up through the back of the canvas at an edge hole. This stitch is also used to join two pieces of canvas after it has been cut. The stitch comes up in one hole, over the border bar, and up in the next hole, repeating this motion.
Another way to finish a row neatly is to hold a 1" section of yarn against the back of the canvas and stitch over it. This will eliminate the need for a knot and keep the back of your work clean and flat.
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Creating a fringe edge
To create a fringe edge when sewing yarn on plastic canvas, you can use the lark's head knot stitch. This stitch is used to finish the edges of your plastic canvas and create a fringe effect. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
- Start by inserting your needle through the top of the canvas at an edge hole. Pull the yarn to the left side.
- Bring the needle up through the back of the canvas at the same hole, creating a loop in the yarn. The loop should hang from the backside of the canvas.
- Insert the tails of the yarn through the loop and pull it tight. This will create a knot at the edge of the canvas.
- Repeat this process for each hole along the edge of the canvas to create a uniform fringe.
Another option for creating a fringe edge is to use the overcast stitch. This stitch is often used to finish the edges of plastic canvas projects and can also be used to join multiple pieces of canvas together. Here's how to do it:
- Secure the end of your yarn by holding the last inch of yarn against the back of the canvas.
- Pass the needle through each hole from the back to the front two or three times to cover the tail of the yarn.
- Weave the end of the yarn underneath the stitches in multiple directions to secure it in place.
- For curved seams or angled edges, you may need to add extra stitches to ensure full coverage.
Remember to choose the right type of needle and yarn for your plastic canvas. Tapestry needles are commonly used, and you may need different sizes depending on the canvas count. For the yarn, regular worsted weight yarn is recommended as it's economical and widely available.
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Frequently asked questions
Thread a needle with yarn and insert it through the first row of the plastic canvas on the backside.
Stitch over the tail of the thread. Leave a two-inch tail of yarn at the back of your canvas and stitch over it.
Flip the canvas and insert the needle and yarn through several completed stitches.
You can use the lark's head knot or the overcast stitch. The lark's head knot creates a fringe edge, while the overcast stitch creates a clean edge.
Cover the edges of the canvas with masking tape or use a zig-zag stitch to sew over the plastic grid.
