The number of stitches remains the same on each row, so ensure your initial loop is large enough to fit in a suitable number of stitches, whilst still leaving sufficient space between them to work the next row.

This example is worked around a spherical bead with a temporary structure of vertical threads.  A thin thread is wrapped vertically through the centre of the bead like the segments of an orange; the wraps should be evenly spaced.  This temporary structure can be used both to hold the initial loop in place, and, if desired, as something to knot the stitches around to prevent them from sliding up the bead.  If you are going to knot the stitches around the threads, the number of vertical threads should correspond to the number of stitches in a row (this example uses 10).

As the sphere widens, loosen your tension slightly so that the threads between the stitches are long enough to be pulled down later to create a diamond pattern.  Once you have passed the widest point of the sphere, tighten your tension slightly (when you point your needle down, angle it slightly backwards).  This will tighten your stitching and therefore help to pull the previous rows downwards and create the diamond pattern.

Rather than using a bead Mrs Christie suggests working on a form made of linen. She suggests taking “a narrow strip of soft linen, say, a quarter of an inch wide, and tapering to one-eighth at one end, and, starting with the wider end, roll it up”.  She works the first half of the sphere in the hand before stuffing it with the linen and completing the stitching.

When using this stitch within Casalguidi, the foundation can be made of linen, wadding or beads and can be spherical or cylindrical.  The stitches are normally worked more closely together on Casalguidi embellishments; more elaborate shapes may need to increase and decrease the number of stitches to fit the form.