This is often trammed in needlepoint. Bring needle through and up right diagonally across fabric over two inter sections to form the first stitch, insert needle and pull through one thread left of base of previous stitch to form the next stitch. Continue in this way in this row and following.
This also known as wide gobelin stitch.

Working from right to left bring needle out at lower right hand, insert four threads up and two to the left, bring out four threads below, thus forming half oblong cross stitch. Continue along row and work second half of the cross on return.
It can be worked in either direction but must be consistent.

A variation on rhodes stitch which makes a raised surface. It is worked in the same way as rhodes stitch with each stitch moving one thread in an anticlockwise direction from the previous but the outline is octagonal rather than square. Follow the numbering from 1 – 22 for the starting point of each stitch which passes over a central point.

Bring needle through at A, hold thread down with left thumb, insert needle at B and bring out at C, keeping thread loose. Holding thread down again, insert needle at D and bring out at E. Continue in this way.

Outline the shape with two rows of trailing side by side worked one after the other. Then cut and draw out threads within the shape, cut two and leave two threads in each directions, just inside the trailing. With fine thread in a blunt (tapestry) needle, whip the remaining threads together as shown in both directions.
Then a squared filling pattern can be used on top.

Bring thread out just left of centre of shape and take it up to the right edge diagonally. Bring needle out again on left edge of shape and take just to right of centre diagonally. Bring thread through again just to left of centre a little below, and repeat from beginning.

Start with rows of Milanese stitch as in the diagram over two intersections, three, four, five and two again. The second row is worked downwards over five, four, three, two intersections but instead of interlocking the longest stitches are adjacent leaving space for groups of three diagonal stitches over two intersections which can be worked in a different shade as shown.

After the temporary stitches have been worked, this basic smocking stitch is worked slightly above. It is not very elastic and serves to keep the work taut. Pick up a pleat just above the gathering thread. Keeping the thread above the needle, make the stitch from left to right. Stitch into each successive pleat.

Work double cross stitches and then work straight stitches over four threads horizontally and vertically as shown.

Bring needle through below stitch line, then work over line and bring needle through below line to the right. Repeat.