STITCH GUIDE

CROSS-STITCH

This can be worked either individually or in rows. It doesn’t matter which direction you work but make sure the bottom halves of the stitches slope in the same direction, so the top halves will do the same. To work either individual stitches or rows, bring the needle up at 1 and insert one block up (or two or three threads up) and one block (or two or three threads) to the right at 2, forming a diagonal stitch. Bring the needle out at 3. Either complete an individual stitch, or continue in this way to form a row of half crosses then work back, finishing the upper half crosses.

COUCHING

Lay a thread along a line of the design and, with another thread, tie it down at even intervals with a small stitch into the fabric. The tying stitch can be of a contrast colour to the laid thread.