ones worked in close darning stitches, as
in figs. 648, 716 and 717.

[Illustration: FIG. 756. THIRTY-SEVENTH LACE STITCH.]

THIRTY-SEVENTH LACE STITCH (fig. 756).--Here, by means of the first
threads that you lay, you make an imitation of the Penelope canvas used
for tapestry work, covering the surface with double threads, a very
little distance apart, stretched both ways. The second layer of threads
must pass alternately under and over the first, where they cross each
other, and the small squares thus left between, must be encircled
several times with thread and then buttonholed; the thicker the
foundation and the more raised and compact the buttonholing upon it is,
the better the effect will be. Each of these little buttonholed rings
should be begun and finished off independently of the others.

THIRTY-EIGHTH LACE STITCH (fig. 757).--Plain net stitch being quicker
to do than any other, one is tempted to use it more frequently; but as
it is a little monotonous some openwork ornament upon it is a great
improvement; such for instance as small buttonholed rings, worked all
over the ground at regular intervals. Here again, as in the preceding
figure the rings must be made independently of each other.

[Illustration: FIG. 757. THIRTY-EIGHTH LACE STITCH.]

[Illustration: FIG. 758. THIRTY-NINTH LACE STITCH.]

THIRTY-NINTH LACE STITCH (fig. 758).--Corded bars, branching out into
other bars, worked in overcasting stitches, may also serve as a lace
ground.

You lay five or six threads, according to the course the bars are to
take; you overcast the branches up to the point of their junction with
the principal line, thence you throw across the foundation threads for
another branch, so that having reached a given point and coming back to
finish the threads left uncovered in going, you will often have from six
to eight short lengths of thread to overcast.

Overcasting stitches are always worked from right to left.

FORTIETH LACE STITCH (fig. 759).--Of all the different kinds of
stitches here given, this, which terminates the series, is perhaps the
one requiring the most patience. It was copied from a piece of very old
and valuable Brabant lace, of which it formed the entire ground. Our
figure of course represents it on a very magnified scale, the original
being worked in the finest imaginable material, over a single foundation
thread.

In the first row, after the three usual foundation threads are laid, you
make the but