Stitch Directions and Diagrams
To Begin Stitching:
Thread a crewel needle with 2 strands of red floss, or the number of plies desired. Use one ply for detail work.
Make a (waste) knot at one end. (It is called a waste knot because it will be cut off later).
About 5 to 6 inches away from where you want to begin stitching, sink needle, leaving the knot to sit on the top side of the fabric. Try to choose an angle away from the direction in which you will be stitching, so that your embroidery will not catch in the beginning threads in inadvertent places on the back.
To
End line of stitching:
When line of stitching is complete, carefully remove waste knot (just the knot). On back side of work, thread both loose threads into the eye of a needle. Reweave these threads in and out of existing thread line on the back, piercing as many threads as possible for about an inch. Pivot and do the same in the other direction. This will secure the threads without using a knot to end work. This kind of finishing is more attractive than knots, on items such as coverlets, towels, and other items in which the back will be visible in the finished product.
Alternative to using beginning knot (but not good to use with Outline Stitch):
Thread needle so that the two cut ends of the floss both pass through eye of the needle.
Pull needle all the way through fabric from the back, leaving the loop at the end of the thread on the back. On return trip down, pass needle tip through the loop, thus securing the thread without a knot. Continue stitching. This will be a bit tricky to do, when certain stitches are used, as you'll soon find out!
