
With 692, begin on the left side and work up the stem. Make three buttonhole stitches of equal size and on the fourth increase the stitch to the size of two buttonhole stitches (a detached chain stitch in the same shade will be worked in the space). With 693, work another row next to this, followed by rows of 694 and 695, to fill the stem. When the buttonhole stitch is completed, fill the larger spaces with detached chain stitch. The thorns on the stem are worked in stem stitch in shades 645 and 155.
[BELOW] To give the areas of long and short stitch a slightly raised look, split stitch is worked directly on the design line (in the shade that will eventually cover it) along the line where previously worked areas meet. Angle the needle over the split stitch so that when the long and short stitch is worked the point of the needle is placed underneath the split stitch line.
These areas are worked in seeding using shades 203, 204, 205 and 206. Starting at the base of the leaf with shade 206, work seeding stitches over the lower quarter of the leaf. Change to 205, speckling some stitches in between stitches of the previous colour to create a soft gradation of colour. Introduce 204 in the same way, finishing with 203 at the top of the area.
The edge of this leaf is worked in picots. This stitch consists of three straight stitches of equal length radiating from a central point.
Use shades 692, 693, 694 and 695 for the swirls to the right of the large leaf B. Beginning at the leaf end of the swirl, work the top swirl in coral stitch with shade 692. Work all of the swirls in the same way, shading from light for the top swirl down to the darkest shade for the lower one.