Stitch Guide

Backstitch

Backstitch forms a neat line which can be used alone or to outline other stitches. Backstitch should be worked so that all the stitches are the same length with no gaps between them. Bring the needle up at 1, down at 2, up at 3 and so on. Continue stitching in this way, always working back on yourself.

Brick Stitch

Work a row of even-length Backstitches along the area to be filled. Stitch your next row of Backstitches below the first row, making them the same length as those above, but offsetting them. The stitches at the beginning and end of this row will be shorter than the others. Continue in this way, so you have a ‘brick-filled’ area.

Bullion Knot

Bring the needle up at 1 and down at 2. Bring it up again at 1 and wrap the thread around the needle as many times as the stitch length requires. Holding the twists firmly with your thumb, pull the needle through the thread coils. Pull back in the opposite direction so the coil lies flat, then insert the needle back in at 2.

Chain Stitch

Chain Stitch works well as a decorative outline. Work from right to left bringing the needle up at 1, down at 2 and up at 3, making sure that the thread is under the needle. Pull the needle through slowly to form a neat loop – don’t pull too tightly or the ‘chain’ effect will be lost. Point 3 becomes point 1 of the next stitch.