Blackwork mistakes and how to avoid them
Keep the count steady.
- Gaps and stitches unequal in Holbein stitch: count the same number of holes for both.
- Crosses look untidy: always work the first half in the same direction and the second half the opposite way.
- Outline looks thin: use more strands; the tutorial uses six for a heavy line.
- Worked fillings first and lost the shape: do the outline first, then the fillings.
Watch
Blackwork embroidery - how to start & finish the stitches | beginners embroidery video tutorial (3:17)
By Sarah Homfray Embroidery · Open on YouTube
Chosen from its title and channel: a 3-minute video from Sarah Homfray Embroidery on the same topic as this guide. Embedded from YouTube with credit; we don't host it. It only loads when you press play.
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All checked 1 November 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.