Plastic canvas

Plastic canvas is a craft material of lightweight plastic with regularly spaced holes in imitation of embroidery canvas. It is also commonly known as "vinyl weave".

Plastic canvas is typically used as a foundation for needlepoint or other canvas work embroidery, usually in acrylic or wool knitting yarn. Due to its rigidity, it is useful for creating 3-dimensional objects such as tissue box covers, small jewelry boxes, handbags, and other decorative objects.

Plastic canvas is manufactured in many colors and with various size holes for different thicknesses of yarn. As with textile canvas, these are described in "count" – that is, 10-count plastic canvas has 10 holes per linear inch. Typical sizes are 7-, 10-, and 14 count. It is most readily available in A4 size sheets but pre-made shapes such as circles, triangles as well as novelty shapes (e.g. dinosaur, bird, cross) are also available.

Plastic canvas is also employed in teaching needlepoint and cross stitch to children, since its rigid structure does not require the use of a hoop or frame.

External links

* [http://www.cross-stitching.com/kh_page.asp?id=141 Plastic canvas FAQ at Cross-stitching.com]
* [http://www.needlework-tips-and-techniques.com/tent-stitch.html Learn the three types of tent stitch for plastic canvas]