The star is another favourite figure in Hardanger work ([Figure 162]). Four stitches are taken over four threads of the material, side by side, then five stitches over eight threads of the material and then four again. This forms one side of the star. The second side is made exactly the same only that at the base of the thirteenth stitch the first stitch of the second side starts forming a right angle. The star has four sides as you will note in the diagram of this stitch. Now count and see if there are twelve threads on each of the inner sides of the star. If you find any mistake go over it and straighten it out. There must be twelve threads on each side. Cut four from each corner. This will leave four threads directly in the centre of each side. With a piece of embroidery cotton about the weight of a thread of your canvas weave the bars. The weaving is very simple, over one and under the next till the bars are woven. Some of these bars have little knots on the outer centre edge of each. They are called picots (pronounced pe-co) and they are made somewhat like a French knot. The bar is woven half way across and laying the needle on the bar the thread is wound around the needle point. Hold each twist down with the left thumb ([Figure 163]). The needle is drawn through and the result is a little knot on the thread near the stitches. A little stitch is taken into the woven part of the bar and the thread carried over to the other side of the bar and another picot made.
Fig. 163. The picot
For an ornamental stitch to be used on the material between the stars or blocks make a diagonal stitch like the first stitch in cross stitching ([Figure 164]).
Pin cushion tops are easy to make and the following instructions are given for cushions about four or five inches square. Take a square of scrim or Hardanger canvas eight inches large. It will be necessary to pull a thread so that the material will be quite straight on the edges. Pull out four threads about one and a quarter inches from the edge on each side of the material. Turn a quarter-inch fold on one side and crease the material again so as to make a half-inch hem. Baste it down so that it just touches the drawn threads. Repeat on the four sides. Be sure that at the corner the double thickness of drawn threads are exactly over each other. We are now ready to hemstitch the hem. Thread the needle with No. 90 sewing cotton. Run the thread under the hem and holding the double part of the hem toward you take up four threads of the material. Pass the needle again around this group and now into the hem. Continue in this manner around the four sides. At the corners it will be necessary to take up both thicknesses of the material.
Fig. 164. A simple ornamental stitch
Crease the finished square in four. Count sixteen threads upon the crease from the hemstitching and with lustre No. C or heavy linen thread "aa" make a little block of four strands of floss over four threads of the material. Make a flight of eight blocks each at right angles to the other. Now instead of continuing in the same direction turn and work seven more groups down and to the left. Turn again to the left and work seven blocks for the third side of the square. Six groups to the right of the third row completes the square.