To work Link Stitch (Fig. 6a).—Begin with the smaller stitches (Fig. 6A); bring the needle out in the middle of the space to be covered; insert on the upper edge to the left, and bring out still further to the left on the lower edge. Pass the eye of the needle down through the small stitch and insert again on the lower edge slightly to the left of the previous one; take a vertical stitch upwards and a little beyond the centre, having the thread under the needle as in Fig. 6; pull the needle through. These three movements complete the stitch, the thread being now in position to make the first small stitch again. This stitch is called linked, or knotted chain.
Fig. 7. Fig. 7a.
To work Tête de Bœuf (Fig. 7).—Another variation of the loop or petal stitch is called Tête de Bœuf. Work a loop stitch as Fig. 7A, then take a stitch across from left to right; bring the needle out above the stretched thread. Make another loop stitch, which fixes this in place. This stitch is often used as a powdering. It makes a good border stitch.
To work Cable Chain (Fig. 8).—Cable chain can be worked in two ways. Two guiding lines will be of assistance. Bring the needle out at the starting point in the middle of the space; form a small loop by throwing the thread round as Fig. 8; insert the needle in the centre of this loop, which will vary in size according to the thickness of the thread and the size of the cable wanted; bring it out about a quarter of an inch lower down, taking care to keep the thread under the point of the needle; tighten the small loop to the proper size with the right hand, then, placing the thumb on the stitch, pull the thread through. This forms both the small and large link and the thread is in position to start again. When worked in a firmly twisted thread, such as Knox’s linen “cord” floss thread, it makes a pretty border or line stitch. A row of couching makes a good edging and emphasises the line if required.
Fig. 8.
By the second method, the small stitch is made first, and the needle brought out to the surface about a quarter of an inch lower down; put the needle through the small stitch from left to right and place the thumb on it; put the needle through the large loop in process of making from right to left and tighten the thread sufficiently. The small stitch has now to be made.
Fig. 9.