Back stitch

Bring the thread through on the stitch line and then take a small backward stitch through the fabric. Bring the needle through again a little in front of the first stitch, then take another stitch, inserting the needle at the point where it first came through. In blackwork, a single back stitch is usually worked over one block on aida, over two threads on a single-thread evenweave, or over one pair of threads on 22 count Hardanger fabric.

However, when working on aida, a single stitch may need to be longer to avoid having to pierce through the centre of a block.