of the front. The
stitch must not be commenced in exactly the same place in each row, lest
a ridge should appear upon the surface; this can be avoided by using
threads of different lengths. A ground is usually commenced at the lower
left-hand corner, and a pattern, if a complicated one, from the centre
outwards. These technical points are of importance, but they are of
little value unless the stitches are at the same time expressing an
interesting and suitable design.

The stitches used are exceedingly numerous; those described in the
following pages are the varieties most commonly seen.

Cross stitch, the best known in this group, can be worked in slightly
different ways, according to the purpose for which it is required. On
the surface it is always the same, but it can vary at the back. For
instance, when used for marking purposes it should form on the reverse
side either a cross or a square, to do either of which demands some
ingenuity on the part of the worker. For ordinary work the really
correct method is to complete each stitch before going on to the next,
though grounding is frequently done by working the first half of the
stitch along an entire line, and completing the cross upon a return
journey. In any case, the crossing must always be worked in the same
direction.

Cross stitch is a double stitch worked diagonally over two threads of
the canvas each way. It can, however, be taken over more or fewer
threads if required larger or smaller. To work it (fig. 79)--Bring the
needle through on the upper left side of the threads to be covered, and
take it back again on the lower right, then bring it through on the
upper right side and return it to the back on the lower left, which
completes the first stitch.

[Illustration: Fig. 79.]

Tent stitch (fig. 80) is the finest canvas stitch, and is therefore
suitable for work involving much detail. Pictorial and heraldic subjects
are frequently carried out in it. It is worked diagonally over a
perpendicular and horizontal thread of the canvas. The diagram shows
the method of working both back and front. It will be noticed that
though the line goes alternately from left to right and from right to
left, the stitch is always the same at the back as well as the same upon
the front; if this were not so, alternate rows would have a different
appearance upon the right side. The diagram does not show the connection
between the first and the second row, but it is evident that