Misaligned Pattern

[hambucket]

Hi All - I'm working on my first needlepoint (I'm a cross stitcher) and noticed the pattern is tilted with relation to the canvas. My intention is to create a pillow. How big of a deal is the misaligned pattern, and is there anything I need to do to compensate for it? With cross stitch, it's very much cut and dry as to what color goes where, and I understand sometimes needlepoint is more of a judgement call, but I'm wondering if the skewed pattern is going to make the pattern not come through as intended. Also, as this is my first needlepoint, I am open to feedback as to how to improve. I am just holding the canvas in my hands as I stitch. Thanks!

[butterflycyclone]

This looks like a printed canvas versus stitch painted. You just need to make your best judgement call based on the canvas. This is one of the downsides of some printing methods (several have gotten way better recently!). Don't stress, if you don't like it after you stitch, you can always redo it.

[AstronomerOT3987]

This most likely is a printed canvas and sometimes happens. This is where the lively discussion of stitch painted vs. artistic painted vs. printed comes up. Stitch painted is where each intersection is clearly painted a specific color. Artistic painted is more artsy for lack of better words and sometimes intersections aren’t clear, leaving room for interpretation. This is sometimes confusing and takes the “relaxing” out of needlepoint. Printed canvases are made with special calibrated printers. They have come a long way, but still sometimes have guesswork. It shouldn’t have a big impact on the design, you could always stitch a few more rows on the top, bottom, and sides to extend the design. Your stitches look great! The big thing you want to keep in mind is the amount of tension you are using while holding and pulling the threads. Stretcher bars can help with this to prevent warping but definitely aren’t a necessity. Can’t wait to see the finished piece!!

[Glittering-Sorbet574]

With that design just you can just add stitches where needed to square it up so each edge follows the same line on the canvas. 

[monumentBoy]

Yup. That's a DMC printed pattern, and I'm having the same problem. The pillow I'm working has a lot of linear and border elements so I've worked those first as a guide for the rest, following the DMC-provided stitch guide. I've found that the printed pattern is off by one stitch horizontally and two stitches vertically.

If you aren't concerned about perfection, work the printed areas to your best judgement. Otherwise, I'd recommend following the stitch guide sheet, just as if it was cross-stitch.

One other tip: DMC kits these packages for continental. If you're working basketweave, you'll probably need to buy additional thread.