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Centuries ago, blanket stitches were a popular way of creating an area between two outlines, as shown here on a baby sling from the mid-19th century.

and on parts of a blue-dyed parade handkerchief.
Unfortunately, this type of decoration has been somewhat forgotten. Blanket stitches are easy to work. They can create an effective border. These stitches should be brought back into focus as border stitches.

The stitches sometimes run at right angles to the embroidered surface, as shown above, and other times they are arranged at an angle.

Sometimes the loops run along the inner edge,

sometimes they are placed on the outside.

They are often embroidered very densely, sometimes with spacing.

There are also formations in which two rows of blanket stitches run against each other.

Siehe auch:
See also:
Traditional Schwalm Whitework
Double Outlines (1) – Remaining Free Areas
Double Outlines (2) – Interlaced Straight Stitches
Double Outlines (3) – Interlaced Herringbone Stitches
Double Outlines (4) – French Knots
Double Outlines (5) – Bullion Knots

Bullion knots (not to be confused with French knots) are a rarely found design of an area between two outlines.

They effectively frame a motif in a very special way. The raised stitches create a beautiful contrast, especially with flat filling patterns.

Bullion knots (Early Schwalm Whitework, pages 63 and 64) are suitable for edging almost all motifs,

because rows of such bullion knots adapt flexibly,

can also take tight curves – so they are also suitable for small motifs –

and are also easy to continue around corners.

Bullion knots work best when stitched relatively close together.

The size of the knots can be influenced by the thread weight used and the number of wraps.

See also:
Double Outlines (1) – Remaining Free Areas
Double Outlines (2) – Interlaced Straight Stitches
Double Outlines (3) – Interlaced Herringbone Stitches
Double Outlines (4) – French Knots

French knots are well suited for creating an area between two outlines.

They are easy to work and frame a motif effectively without the addition of additional decorative stitches.

Rows of such French knots adapt flexibly to a wide variety of motiv shapes and can also be perfectly continued around corners.

French knots can be stitched relatively close together or with some distance between them. However, the chosen distance should be maintained. It’s a good idea to make markings before stitching.

The size of the knots can be influenced by the thread thickness used and the number of wraps.

see also:
Double Outlines (1) – Remaining Free Areas
Double Outlines (2) – Interlaced Straight Stitches
Double Outlines (3) – Interlaced Herringbone Stitches

A popular way to create an area between two outlines are interlaced herringbone stitches. They are called “Schlängchen” (curved lines) in Schwalm, just like the interlaced straight stitches “Kerrercher”. The method can be found in my publication Schwalm Curved Lines, Narrow Borders, and Ornamental Stitches on pages 44 and 45.

Interlaced herringbone stitches can also occasionally be found in historical Schwalm whitework, as here on a baby sling from 1866, where they were embroidered to decorate the double outline of a basket.

Today they are mostly embroidered around heart motifs.

These are almost always additionally surrounded with half-eyelet scallops,

sometimes also with knife points.

This type of decoration can also be used effectively on double outline of circles.

I haven’t been able to find an example of a tulip yet.

See also:
Double Outlines (1) – Remaining Free Areas
Double Outlines (2) – Interlaced Straight Stitches
Traditional Schwalm Whitework
Transition from Early to Later Schwalm Whitework (1)
Schwalm Whitework – Sunflowers
Schwalm Parade Cushion Border (A)
Traditional Schwalm Bodice (D) Embroidery