*Blackwork*
*Stitch*
*Glossary*

Back Stitch
Blanket Stitch
Cable Stitch
Chain Stitch
Coral
Couching
Dot
Double running
Herringbone
Pekinese
Running
Split
Stem
Straight
Threaded back
Whipped Running
A
C
B
D
B
C
A
C
C
B
E
D
B
A
C
E
B
D
B
A
B
C
C
D
E
E
A
B
C
C
C
D
D
B
A
C
C
A
B
D
E
D
A
B
A
B
C
C
E
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
B
B
B
B
B
B
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
D
D
B
1. Bring the needle up from the back at point A.
2. Down at point B
3. Then moving along one stitch length ahead of point A, bring the needle up at point C.
4. Taking the needle back to point A insert it downwards, making a backward stitch.

1. Bring the needle up at point A.
2. At point B, two stitch lengths infront, insert the needle and bring the point
of the needle up in the centre at point C
3. Take the needle down at point D.
4. Bring the needle up at point B.
This will make a row of overlapping stitches.
1. Work a row of back stitches. Then with a second thread, bring the needle up at point A.
2. Slide the needle under the next stitch, turn, and slide it through the second stitch, continue weaving along the backstitches. Take the thread down at point B.
3. If a third colour is used for a double-threaded variation, bring the next thread up at C, weaving in the same way and fill in the gaps.
1. At point A, bring up the needle.
2. Then at point B insert the needle through to the centre at point C.
3. Pull the thread through and insert the needle at point D.
4. Bring the point of the needle up at point B.
5. With the loop below the needle, insert at point E and up once more at point D
1. At point A make a diagonal stitch across to point B.
2. Bring the needle up at point C and slide it from the top under the stitch downwards.

3. With the needle at the right of the loop, pass it once more under the diagonal stitch,and through over the working thread.
4. Pull up the thread to make a knot, then insert the needle at point D bringing it out in line with point C at E, ready for the next stitch.
1. At point A bring up the main thread and lay it along the line to be worked.
2. For the over stitch, bring the needle up at point B using a different thread, and insert the needle downwards at point C.
3. Bring the needle up at point D for the next stitch.
4. Work in this way evenly spacing the overstitches.
1. Bringing the needle up at A, insert it again at point A through to point B looping the thread around the front of the needle and pull through.
2. Repeat in the same way for the 2nd stitch, insert the needle again at point B through to point C and loop the thread around and pull through.
3. Continue in this way until your last stitch at point D, and insert the needle down at point E to secure the stitch.
1. Bring the needle up at point A and take the needle diagonally to point B and insert the needle.
2. Bring the needle up at point C and make a small back stitch.
3. Take the needle diagonally to point D and insert the needle.
4. Bring the needle up at point E. Repeat this way to the end.
1. Bring the needle up at point A.
2. At point B insert the needle and bring it through, down to point C which should be level with point A. Pull the needle through.
3. At point D, insert the needle and bring it through, down to point E which should be level with point C. Continue in this way and anchor the end loop with a tie stitch.
1. Bring the needle up at point A and then insert it downwards at point B.
2. Bring the needle up at point C, and continue in this way, evenly spacing the stitches making them the same length.
1. Bring the needle up at point A and work a straight stitch to point B.
2. Half way along this stitch, at point C, bring up the needle through the thread so it splits the stitch.
3. Pull the needle through and then insert it down at point D. Continue the line to the end.
1. Work a row of evenly spaced running stitches.
2. Then work backwards filling in the spaces on the return journey.
3. Always bring the needle out at the top of the previous stitch at point C, and insert the needle below the start of the next stitch at point B.
C
1. Work a row of closely spaced running stitches.
2. With a contrasting thread and blunt needle, bring the needle up at point A and slide it under the next stitch from right to left.
3. Pull the needle and thread through carefully, and continue to the end of the line.
1. Bring the needle up at point A then down at point B.
2. Bring the needle up at point C and continue in this way making sure the stitches are worked in a random pattern to cover the required area.
1. Bring the needle up at point A and insert it down at point B.
2. Bring the needle up at point C and down at point D.
3. Bring the needle up at point E and continue in this way making pairs of stitches.
1. Work a line of back stitches.
2. With a contrasting thread, bring the needle up at point A.
3. Slide the needle upwards under point B and downwards under point C.
4. Pull the thread up carefully and continue lacing to the end of the row.
The basic stitches of blackwork for outlining and filling areas are very simple and easy to master, and with a little practice you will soon be proficient. There are many different stitches you can use for blackwork, and most of them are very easy to learn. Here is a collection of the most popular "historical" blackwork stitches, and the methods of working these stitches is still the same today. The patterns for filling an area  are worked using either back stitch or double running stitch, by counting threads of material in varying numbers horizontally, vertically and diagonally. The closeness of the pattern and thickness of the thread will regulate the density of the design.