Croatian Stitch

Time for another 100 Stitches Plus post.  This time, it is the Croatian Stitch.
This stitch is basically made up of a Running Stitch outline around a shape that is then laced to fill the open area within the shape. 
This is categorized as a filling stitch and can be used on a variety of shapes.   

The shape I chose to fill for this demonstration is an oval. 
For the floss, I chose perle cotton.  I selected two different colors - blue {dmc 807 } and coral {dmc 351}:

The first step is to come up through the fabric at one edge of the shape:

Then stitch around the shape using the Running Stitch:

I went back into the fabric when the outline was complete and secured my floss underneath.  
Notice that the Running Stitches are evenly spaced vertically along the oval.  This will make the next step of lacing much easier!

Now for the lacing with the coral colored floss:

I came up through the fabric right next to one of the Running Stitches:

Next, I slid the needle under the Running Stitch directly across from the stitch where my needle just emerged.  Notice that I am not going back into the fabric or picking up any fabric.  I am just sliding the needle along the top of the fabric but under the Running Stitch:

 I pulled the thread all the way across and then brought my needle around and slid under the next set of Running Stitches:

I pulled the thread all the way across and brought the needle around to go under the next set of Running Stitches:

and so on until I reached the top:

Then I went back into the fabric:

and secured my thread underneath.  Here is a look at the underside of this stitch:

Isn't this an easy stitch?  I am going to have to experiment on different shapes to see how I can incorporate this stitch into my embroidery projects. 

I learned this stitch from the book Embroidery Stitches by Mary Webb.