Thorn Stitch

Time for another 100 Stitches post!  This is the Thorn Stitch.   This is categorized as an "easy line stitch" .  It consists of a laid thread couched by diagonal Straight Stitches: 

For the laid thread, I am using perle cotton floss in brown {DMC #3371} and for the couching thread this burgandy perle cotton, {DMC #3857}

The first step is to come up through the fabric with the floss that is going to be the laid thread:

Pull the floss all the way through:

 Next, start the first Straight Stitch on one side of the laid thread:

Make a diagonal Straight Stitch over the laid thread:

Start the next diagonal Straight Stitch on the opposite side of the laid thread:

This second stitch also goes over the laid thread, couching it in place:

 The next set of diagonal Straight Stitches start just below the first set: 

 Continue forming these diagonal sets the whole length of the laid thread and then go back into the fabric and secure the thread.  To finish off the laid thread, bring the end of the laid thread through the fabric and secure:

Done!

 I found this stitch in the book Embroidery Stitches by Mary Webb.