Breton Stitch

Uses:  Stems, Accents, Eyes, Details

Breton is not a true needlepoint stitch.  Incorporate it in a needlepoint project by stitching over Continental or Basketweave.  Think of Breton as an isolated accent piece. 

To make, come up at 1 and return at 2.  This will give you a bar on your canvas.  (Step 1) Now, to create the curl, you will again come up next to the bar at 1 and tuck the needle under the bar two times.  Give the thread a little tug and then return to the bottom of the canvas at 2.  Again, this will be right beside the bar you had just created.  The end result should resemble a twisted cross.

Experiment with different threads to see what you can come up with.