the thimble
being cut slightly slanting at the top, it follows that the inside where
the two ends meet is a little shorter than the outside.

The thread is drawn through in a loop to the front of the work by means
of the hook, whilst it is held at the back in the left hand, and when
the needle is put downwards through the stuff, laid round it. The needle
in its downward and upward passage, should be kept in the notch in the
thimble and the stuff pressed down with the thimble, as the needle is
drawn up to the surface of the work, fig. 844.

[Illustration: FIG. 844. POSITION OF THE HANDS IN TAMBOURING.]

A little practice is necessary to acquire the right action of the hands,
there being always a tendency, the same as in tatting and macrame, to
confuse the movements of the two. As soon as you realize that the upward
drawing of the needle and the downward pressure of the stuff with the
thimble must be simultaneous, you will find that you can work with
great rapidity and with admirable results. Thread with a very strong
twist, which the hook will not split, is the only suitable kind for
tambouring. Of the D.M.C materials, Fil d'Alsace[A] and Fil a
dentelle[A] are the most to be recommended.

Numbers of patterns, originally intended for other kinds of embroidery
can be executed in tambour work; amongst those contained in this
Encyclopedia, figs. 192, 210, 216, 219, and 227 are the ones that are
best adapted to the purpose.

[Illustration: FIG. 845. DRAWING OUT THE THREAD WITH THE NEEDLE.]

SMYRNA STITCH WORKED WITH A CROCHET-NEEDLE (figs. 846, 847, 848,
849).--In the chapter on tapestry, p. 137 we remarked that Oriental
carpets and mats could be worked in different other ways, to be
subsequently alluded to at greater length.

[Illustration: FIG. 846. SMYRNA STITCH WORKED WITH A CROCHET NEEDLE.
FIRST DETAIL.]

[Illustration: FIG. 847. SMYRNA STITCH WORKED WITH A CROCHET NEEDLE.
SECOND DETAIL.]

[Illustration: FIG. 848. SMYRNA STITCH WORKED WITH A CROCHET NEEDLE.
APPEARANCE OF THE KNOTS UNDERNEATH.]

[Illustration: FIG. 849. SMYRNA STITCH WORKED WITH A CROCHET NEEDLE.
APPEARANCE OF THE WORK WHEN FINISHED.]

Smyrna stitch requires only a crochet needle and is worked on very
coarse canvas or Java linen. You take a coarse mesh of cotton, such as
Nos. 6, 8 or 10 of Colon a tricoter D.M.C (knitting cotton), cut it into
lengths of 8 c/m., fold two lengths together in half, stick in the
crochet needle from above, under