A stitch made by setting the needle back of the end of the last stitch, and bringing it out in front of the end. Backstitch is a continuous chain of overlapping stitches that outlines an embroidered design. The backstitch appears frequently in black work embroidery, a centuries-old form of elegant needlework featuring geometric designs made with black silk thread on white or ivory linen. Backstitching should be done after design is completed.

The basic stitch is worked from right to left keeping distance between stitch beginnings equal and consistent. Backstitch is usually used to outline items in a piece of needlework, although it can be recommended for things like stems of flowers, etc. It’s called backstitch because one literally makes small, straight stitches backwards from what one would normally do.

“Pattern Book of Renaissance Lace“
Dover Publications, 1988
ISBN 0-486-25828-9 A facsimile copy of Cesare Vecellio’s “Corona delle Nobili et Virtuose Donne” of 1617. Contains patterns for needle and bobbin lace. A primary resource.

“Threads of Lace“ by Pat Earnshaw
Gorse Publications, 1989
ISBN 0-9513891-1-4

A scholarly book concerned with the fibers, techniques, and history of lace. Has extreme close-up photographs of various laces including several period laces. Interesting bibliography. A must-have for lace makers.

Intarsia means using multiple colors. The Tunisian Intarsia Crochet is a crochet technique where in Tunisian stitches are used with two or more colors. It resembles knitting to a great extent. Take into consideration that Tunisian stitches are longer than wide.

The pattern is worked from right to left. To work two squares in two different colors. First make a simple crochet chain using the two threads for the different colored boxes. Insert the hook into the the second chain from the hook, draw a loop and leave it on the hook. Change the color at the margin by twisting the thread to avoid holes.

To complete the stitch wind the yarn around the hook and draw it through two loops. Repeat until there is only one loop of current color left on the hook switch the color and finish in the same way. Repeat these two rows to form the afghan stitch.