 Backstitch
Backstitch is done from right to left. Bring the thread up on the line and insert needle a little to the right. Now bring needle up again an equal distance ahead. Insert again at beginning of the last stitch.
 Backstitch, Single Threaded
Work a row of backstitch. With a contrasting colour thread in a blunt needle, lace in and out of the back-stitches. Don't pull the stitches too tight.
Backstitch, Double Threaded
Work a row as in backstitch with a single-thread. Complete stitch by lacing back in opposite direction. |
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Chain Stitch
 Work this stitch from the top. Bring needle up at the top of line. Make a loop with the thread and hold it in place with left thumb. Insert needle to the right where thread first came up. Now bring the needle out a short distance ahead on line, drawing needle over the loop.
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Cross Stitch
 It is done from left to right. Bring needle up at lower left corner of a cross and make a diagonal stitch to upper right corner of cross. Complete the row with these half cross-stitches. Now work back across row, completing each cross. Be sure that each stitch always crosses in the same direction.
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Blanket Stitch
 This stitch is worked from left to right. Bring needle up and hold the loop of thread down with left thumb. Make a vertical stitch as in diagram, bringing the needle out over loop of thread.
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Stem Stitch
 This stitch is used for lines,
outlines and the stems of flowers. It is done from left to right. Start at
left end of guide line. Be sure to keep the thread below needle throughout. If
the thread is held above the needle throughout, the stitch is called outline
stitch. Note the interesting effect you get when you make a stitch with the
thread above the needle and the next stitch with the thread below the
needle.
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Couching Stitch
 This stitch is used for lines and outlines and worked in close rows. It is worked with at least two threads used separately. Fasten one or more threads at right end of line; bring it up to the top . Hold them in place along line with left thumb. Hold them in place with tiny, evenly spaced stitches made with another thread. When a row is completed, take all threads behind and fasten.
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Holbein Stitch
 Do the running stitch along guide line. Be sure that each stitch and the space between stitches are of equal size. On the return journey, work running stitch so that all the spaces are filled in
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Leaf Stitch
This is a pretty way of filling
in a leaf shape. Starting at point of leaf, make a straight stitch part way
down center. Bring needle out on left edge. Leaving a loop of yarn, insert needle on right edge. Now hold down loop with a small stitch over centre.
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Feather Stitch
Start a little to left of guide line. Holding thread with left thumb, work a small slanting stitch to the right and a bit below where thread emerged. Needle points to the left. Pull the needle through over thread loop. Make a thread loop on the left of the guide line and work a stitch as before but with needle pointing to right. Pull needle through over thread loop. Make thread loop on left of the guide line and work a stitch as before but with needle pointing to right. Pull needle through over thread loop |
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Laxy Daisy Stitch
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|  This is also known as detached chain stitch. Worked in a circle, these make charming flowers. Worked separately, they may be used as a light filling. Bring thread up and hold it in a loop with left thumb. Insert needle back where thread emerged. Then bring needle out the length of stitch desired and pull through the over loop. Make a small stitch to anchor loop.
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Coral Stitch
 It is done from right to left. Start at right end of line. Anchor thread with left thumb. Going under thread, make a little stitch across line. Bring needle out over lower curve of thread.
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Laid Stitch
  It looks like satin stitch and is used for a solid filling. Work a stitch from one guide line, bringing needle out the width of a stitch away. Return to starting edge and make another little stitch. When the entire area between guide lines has been filled, work over the same area filling in all the spaces between stitches.
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Split Stitch
 This stitch is used for lines and outlines. The method of working is similar to
stem stitch. However, when bringing out the needle, cause it to split the
thread right in the center.
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Straight Stitch
 This stitch is done separately
and worked in a circle to form a flower.
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Running Stitch
 This stitch is used for lines and outlines and worked from right to left. Be sure that each stitch is identical in size and the spaces between them are also the same. Do not make a series of stitches on the needle at one time as in doing running stitch in dress making.
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Rumanian Stitch
  It is worked from the top down.
Bring needle up on left guide line and make a satin stitch across the space.
Then bring needle out just at the center and above the satin stitch. Now
make a little slanting stitch over satin stitch, again bringing needle out
on left guide line.
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Brick Stitch
 Work a row of straight stitches, leaving the width of a stitch between every adjoining stitch. Make a second row of stitches in the same manner but interlock them with the first row of stitches. If you turn your work on its side, you will see how the stitches look like a brick surface.
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French Knot
 This stitch is used for dots. Bring needle up, wrap thread around point of needle, then insert needle close to where needle emerged. Just be sure that it is not in the exact spot where thread emerged or knot will pull through. Draw thread to wrong side, holding knot in place with left thumb.
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Star Filling Stitch
 First work a cross stitch with the arms on the straight rather than the usual way. Then work a second cross stitch over the first, making the second in the usual way. Next work a small cross stitch over the first two, tying them down.
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 Overcast Stitch
First make a row of
holbein stitch along guide line. Next make tiny close stitches over
holbein stitches, picking up as little fabric as possible. |
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Trellis Stitch
 First work long vertical stitches across the given area. Make sure they are evenly spaced. Then work long horizontal stitches over the first stitches. Tie stitches in place at each intersection with a half cross stitch or a full cross stitch. For an even more decorative effect try making a french knot or star filling stitch in the center of each square.
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Herringbone Stitch
 This stitch is used for borders and is worked from left to right. Bring thread out at left end of lower guide line. Make a small stitch from right to left on upper guide line. Now make a similar stitch from right to left on lower guide line. Keep stitches very even by correct spacing.
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Satin Stitch
 Bring needle upon guide line then insert on opposite guide line. Carry stitch behind work and again come up on first guide line. Stitches should be very smooth and close together. Make sure each stitch is parallel to the presiding one. For a Precise edge first work a raw of split stitch over guide lines. For a nice puffy effect try padding the area with a layer of spilt stitch, chain stitch or satin stitch, then work the final layer of satin stitch over it.
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Fishbone Stitch
 Make a small vertical stitch at top point of area to be filled. Bring needle upon left outline. Make a slanting stitch towards centre, inserting needle just below first straight stitch and a thread or two to right of centre guide line. Bring needle out on right out line. Now make a slanting stitch towards centre, inserting needle a thread or two to left of centre line. Stitches must cross at centre.
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