Laced Running Stitch

Running stitch serves as a foundation for some pretty variations, such as laced running stitch and whipped running stitch. To make a laced running stitch you need two threads of different colors. The first thread is used to complete a line of regular running stitch and the second to create the wavy, cord effect. 

Whipped Running stitch

The running stitch can be served as a foundation for some pretty variations. One of these variations is the whipped running stitch. The stitch can be implemented in cross stitch or other embroidery.

Open Herringbone Stitch

Herrignbone stitch, alson known as Catch stitch, Mossoul stitch or Russian stitch, is a variation of cross stitch. It is so named as it resembles the bones extending from the spine of a herring fish. Cross stitch is simply a centered “X”. On the other hand herringbone alternates between high and low crossings. It can be used to join pieces of fabric or in ornamental variations commonly used in patchwork crazy quilting. It can be worked either in free-hand embroidery or in counted thread embroidery, especially on Aida fabric. 

Long-Arm cross stitch

The Long-Arm cross stitch, also known as plaited slav stitch and long legged cross stitch is a variant of the traditional cross stitch. It can be used in counted thread embroidery to create beautiful borders and frames.

Backstitch

Backstitch resembles machine stitching. It can be worked in a any direction over any number of threads. Backstitch forms lines and it is most often used to outline shapes or for a single row coverage. 

Backstitch over two canvas threads

Backstitch over one canvas thread

Brick needlepoint stitch

Needlpoint canvas mesh sizes are usually measured in holes per inch (hpi) or in holes per 10cm. Canvas ranges in size from 3.5 to over 30 holes per inch. Rugs and large upholstery coverings would need the larger gauges, whilst fine work requires many more holes to the inch in order to achieve the desired detail. The average size for cushions and chair seats are between 11 and 14 hpi.

Conversion table. 

Needlepoint Canvas sizes
Metric (Holes per 10cm)	Imperial (Holes per inch)
20	5
24	6
28	7
32	8
36	9
40	10
42	10.5
44	11
46	11.5
48	12
52	13
56	14
60	15
70	18
80	20
88	22
96	24

    

   

Cross stitch

Cross stitch is probably the most popular form of needlepoint, in which x-shaped stitches are used to form a picture. Cross stitch covers well both the front and the back of the canvas although it is more time-consuming that the diagonal stitches. Cross stitch does not disrort the canvas and it can be worked with or without a frame.

Tent stitch variants

Tent stitch is a small, diagonal needlepoint stitch. There are three types of tent stitch, all producing the same appearance on the front of the canvas but completely different appearance on the reverse side. Inevitably, each stitch is worked in different way. 
These variants of tent stitch are known as continental, basketweave and half cross tent stitches. 

Half cross-stitch

The Half Cross Stitch is the simplest and quickest diagonal stitch. The other two diagonal stitches are the continental stitch and the basketweave stitch. All three stitches give the same result on the front side but the reverse side is quite different.  

Half cross-stitch on the front side of the canvas

Basketweave stitch

Basketweave stitch is a member of the tent stitch family. It is called basketweave because the woven pattern it forms on the back of the canvas resemble a basketweave pattern. However, the right side is almost indistinguishable from than of continental stitch and that's why the stitch is called diagonal tent stitch.  

Basketweave stitch: The front side

Contintental stitch

Continental stitch is a member of the tent stitch family. It is a diagonal needlepoint stitch that crossed over one intersection of canvas mesh, forming a slanted stitch at a 45-degree angle. Continental stitch is worked either in horizontal or vertical rows (The most common working direction is the horizontal), from right to left and from top to bottom.