us stitches. In the stem first worked only the tiniest piece of
the material is taken up on the needle, so that the wool or silk is
all on the surface.

1900. Stem Stitch in Flowers, &c.

In flowers and arabesques the stem-stitch is worked straight, but each
stitch differing in length from the other, so as to make the wool
smooth. Commence the work at the lowest part of the petals, and work
upwards to the edge.

1901. Split Stem Stitch.

Having worked one stitch, in making the second split the first stitch
in the centre with the needle. In the stitch, the thread is continued
under the material.

1902. Couching.

Couching is a laying down on the outline of the design, a thick strand
of filoselle, or cord or wool or silk of any kind, and then
over-stitching it down with a fine silk of the same, or a contrasting
colour.

1903. Basket-work Stitch and Diaper Stitch.

These are done with gold, silver, or silk cords, stitched on the
material in patterns, with silk of another, or of the same colour. The
cords are just passed through the back of the work to its surface;
either one, two, or three at a time are held in place by the left
hand, the over-stitching being done by the right hand.

1904. Canvas for Cross-stitch Work.

The Penelope is now universally used where the ground is filled in.
Formerly it resembled the silk canvas now used where no grounding is
required, but by accident a manufacturer observing some cross-stitch
work unpicked, took the hint, and the result was the "Penelope
canvas," of which there are different degrees of fineness, determined
by the number of double-crossed threads that may fill the space of one
inch.

1905. Elephant Penelope Canvas.

Elephant Penelope Canvas is extremely coarse--fitted for working rugs
and eight or twelve thread wools.

1906. Silk Canvas.

Silk canvas requires no grounding; it is made of a cotton thread
overcast with silk, and resembles coarse even-threaded cheese cloths,
but is silky.

1907. Mode of doing Canvas Work.

This is always done by the thread,--particular care should in all
cases be taken that the size of the various materials is properly
proportioned. Placing the canvas in a frame, technically termed
_dressing the frame_, is an operation which requires considerable
care. The frame itself, especially for a large piece of work, should
be substantially made;