Floss Field.
SearchSaved
All crafts

Open and background stitches · Beginner

T stitch

An open background stitch: tent stitches on every other intersection, slanting right in one row and left in the next.

T stitch: the finished stitch on canvas, 24 stitches, some slanting up to the right and some slanting up to the left, in two colors
The finished stitch on canvas. Every stitch runs from one hole to another; the two colors are only there to tell the stitches apart. In the steps, new stitches are red, and the numbers give the order: up at an odd number, down at the next even one.

How to work it

  1. Stitch every other intersection

    T stitch, step 1: the first four stitches on the canvas. Numerals 1 and 2 mark the ends of the first new stitch, in working order.

    Work a row of tent stitches from left to right, on every other intersection, slanting up to the right: up at the lower left, down at the upper right.

  2. Reverse the slant on the next row

    T stitch, step 2: eight stitches on the canvas, the four this step adds in red.

    On the next row, stitch the alternate intersections with the slant reversed, up to the left.

  3. Fill the area

    T stitch, step 3: 24 stitches on the canvas, the 16 this step adds in red.

    Repeat the two rows.

At a glance

Used for
light backgrounds; sky; large open areas
Coverage
Open: painted canvas shows through
Direction
Slanted both ways
Stitch length
Over 1 intersection

T stitch is a classic open background. The alternating slants make a light, patterned texture that lets a painted sky show through and lets the rest of the design stand out. It is quick and uses less thread than most filling stitches.

T stitch is a light-coverage stitch: canvas shows between the stitches, and that is intended. One shop says the name comes from the small 't' shape the stitches make, and one teacher counts it among the most popular open stitches in needlepoint.

Use a fine thread. One stitch list also suggests it over canvas that has itself been painted with glitter or metallic paint. Beyond backgrounds and sky it is used for water, and it is small enough for small spaces.

Tips

  • It looks good in a metallic or glittery thread.

When it goes wrong

Nowhere to hide the thread ends.
Open stitches give thread ends little to hide behind. Secure them in the margin outside the design, or under stitches already worked in a neighboring area.

Variations

  • Wider-spaced T stitch. Leave two bare intersections between stitches in each row, in place of one, for a lighter and quicker background.
  • Skip tent stitch. The same spacing with every stitch slanting the same way.

Questions

Is the canvas supposed to show?
Yes. The painted canvas between the stitches is part of the effect, which is why the stitch is chosen for painted skies.

Where to go next

Stitches

Guides