Much of the embroidery we see today is done by machine. But beautiful stitching is possible by hand. Hand embroidery is a traditional art form passed from generation to generation in many cultures. This is a photo of a handkerchief that my Great-Aunt Esther embroidered. 
Embroidery designs may be stamped or drawn on the material, or they can be done freehand. Embroidery uses embroidery floss and an embroidery needle, which has a slightly larger eye but is still sharp.
There are five basic stitches. There are more, but if you learn these five you can work 95 percent of the kits available. The stitches are:
(1) Outline stitch. This is a running stitch that, as the name implies, outlines a design.
(2) Satin stitch fills in open areas with closely worked stitches that give the appearance of satin.
(3) Lazy daisy makes small flower petals
(4) The basic cross (X) stitch also fills in open areas, or forms designs
(5) French knot is used to suggest small dots, such as eyes, pebbles, flower centers, and so on.
A very handy dictionary of different stitches
Free patterns for hand embroidery
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