two threads of the canvas, take hold of
the loop with the hook, fig. 846, and draw it in; then push out the
hook to seize the ends of the cotton and draw them through the loop
which is on the needle, as indicated by the little arrow in fig. 847.
The stitches or tassels should be two or three double threads of the
canvas apart. As you finish each row, comb the ends of the tassels out
carefully with a fine metal comb. When the whole piece of work is
finished shear the entire surface, quite even, with a pair of sharp
scissors. Fig. 849 shows a square of the work completed, presenting that
warm velvety appearance which distinguishes the Smyrna carpets.

[Illustration: FIG. 850. MALTA STITCH. FIRST DETAIL.]

[Illustration: FIG. 851. MALTA STITCH. SECOND DETAIL.]

[Illustration: FIG. 852. MALTA STITCH. THIRD DETAIL.]

[Illustration: FIG. 853. MALTA STITCH. FOURTH DETAIL.]

MALTA STITCH (figs. 850, 851, 852, 853, 854).--This stitch is much
used by the Maltese; it is the same as the "point tricot" excepting that
in the latter, the loops formed by the return of the thread are open and
the stitches packed very closely together, whereas in the Maltese work
there is always one close loop and two open tassels.

[Illustration: FIG. 854. MALTA EMBROIDERY. MATERIALS: Coton a repriser
D.M.C No. 25.[A] COLOURS: Jaune-vieil-Or 680, Vert-Mousse 469,
Bleu-Indigo 311 and Rouge-Cornouille 449.[A]]

It is worked as follows: take a thick bunch of lengths of Coton a
repriser D.M.C, pass it under two vertical threads of the stuff, from
right to left, fig. 850, leaving an end, 1 or 2 c/m. long, lying on the
surface of the work; put the needle in again under the two threads that
are in front of the first stitch and leave the tassel, formed by the
first stitch, above the one by which you bring the needle back between
the two stitches.

The needle must now follow the same course it took for the first stitch
and the thread must be drawn out far enough to form a loop as long as
the tassel; you then repeat the second stitch, carrying back the working
thread however this time above the loop, after which you cut the two
open ends the same length as the loop. In the Maltese work, three times
as many threads have to be left between the tassels as are covered by
the stitch.

Thus if your stitch cover 4 threads of the foundation, you should leave
12 threads between the tassels, and if it cover 6, you should leave an
interval of 18 threads, that the