Long stitch abstract art

Step 1 Use pencil to mark out a design on wrong side of canvas – rule up lines or use an assortment of abstract shapes. Trace around objects, if you like.

Step 2 Place canvas in embroidery hoop with design uppermost and tighten in place

Step 3 Thread needle with wool and push needle into corner of design. Take it under canvas (right side) and bring it out at opposite corner, pulling firmly, but not too tightly, leaving a tail of yarn at starting point

Step 4 Insert needle in next hole to where you just brought it out (this makes a tiny horizontal stitch), then take it under canvas again and bring it out in next hole to where you first inserted it. Reinsert it next to where you just brought it out (making another tiny horizontal stitch). As you pull yarn through for this stitch, catch extending yarn end in loop of stitch you are making, securing it in place.

Step 5 Take yarn under canvas to opposite side again and bring it out in next hole to previous stitch. Proceed in this way, following your design and checking from time to time that stitches are lying flat and evenly on right side (underside of hoop). When you run out of thread, start a new one, tying ends of old and new together on wrong side.

Step 6 Add in extra colours as desired, until design is complete.

Step 7 Remove canvas from hoop and frame as desired.

Our tips to see you through!
• Keep an eye on the little squares and holes in your canvas – they will tell you exactly where the needle needs to be placed for crisp, even lines.

• When you are working correctly, the wrong side should be a series of adjacent little horizontal stitches, while the right side shows the design made up of closely laid, firm  (but not puckered) long stitches.

• It is correct to have the bottom of one colour row going into the same holes as the top of an adjacent row. This ensures the design has no gaps where the colour changes.