stand straight and be of uniform length. Were they to
slant or be at all uneven, we should consider the work badly done.

In the row that is worked from left to right, the thread must be twisted
round the needle, likewise from left to right.

[Illustration: FIG. 742. TWENTY-THIRD LACE STITCH.]

TWENTY-THIRD LACE STITCH (fig. 742).--This is begun with the same
stitches as fig. 741, worked from right to left. You then take up every
loop that comes between the vertical bars with an overcasting stitch,
drawing the thread quite out, and tightening it as much as is necessary
after each stitch. You cannot take several stitches on the needle at the
same time and draw out the thread for them all at once, as this pulls
the bars out of their place.

[Illustration: FIG. 743. TWENTY-FOURTH LACE STITCH]

TWENTY-FOURTH LACE STITCH (fig. 743).--This is often called the
Sorrento stitch.

Every group of three bars of stitches is separated from the next by a
long loop, round which the thread is twisted in its backward course. In
each of the succeeding rows you place the first bar between the first
and second of the preceding row, and the third one in the long loop, so
that the pattern advances, as it were in steps.

[Illustration: FIG. 744. TWENTY-FIFTH LACE STITCH.]

[Illustration: FIG. 745. TWENTY-SIXTH LACE STITCH.]

TWENTY-FIFTH AND TWENTY-SIXTH LACE STITCHES (figs. 744 and
745).--These two figures show how the relative position of the groups
of bars may be varied.

Both consist of the same stitches as those described in fig. 741. The
thread that connects the groups should be tightly stretched, so that the
rows may form straight horizontal lines.

[Illustration: FIG. 746. TWENTY-SEVENTH LACE STITCH.]

TWENTY-SEVENTH LACE STITCH (fig. 746).--Begin by making two rows of
net stitches, fig. 720, then two of close ones, fig. 738, and one row
like those of fig. 741.

If you want to lengthen the bars, twist the thread once or twice more
round the needle. You can also make one row of bars surmounted by
wheels, as shown in fig. 765, then one more row of bars and continue
with close stitches.

TWENTY-EIGHTH LACE STITCH (fig. 747).--Between every group of three
bars, set close together, leave a space of a corresponding width; then
bring the thread back over the bars, as in figs. 737, 738 and 739,
without going through the loops. In the second row, you make three bars
in the empty space, two over the three bars of the first row