Later during it's development, the French knot and backstitch were incorporated into the pieces, but generally, just a simple running stitch was used, clipped between stitches to form tufts. White-on-white is still the most popular, though other colours have also been found.
This was no doubt the inspiration for modern chenille.
Almost any kind of design is workable from flowers and scallops to geometric straight-lines. Use candlewicking to outline the design, fill in areas, or cover the background solidly.
Mark the pattern and work on the right side. Thread a long length of candlewick cotton in the needle, pulling ends even so thread is double. To start, pick up a few threads of fabric on right side and draw candlewick through until a short end remains as a small tuft. Make even running stitches about 1/2" apart, picking up only a few threads with each stitch, and leaving cotton between stitches loose. End with cotton on right side of fabric, clipping off to make small tuft. When stitching is completed, clip cotton at center between each stitch. The cut strands of cotton fluff up, making tufts.
If stitches are taken close together, tufting will be in a continuous line For spot tufts, space the stitches further apart and trim tufts to size. Now shrink fabric to hold tufts securely. If a washing machine is used, wash in warm, soapy water for at least twenty minutes. If washing by hand, let soak for three or four hours. Shake out; do not squeeze or wring. Hang in the sun to dry and lightly brush tufts before they are completely dry to fluff them. Do not iron since the crinkly look is characteristic of the technique.
