Learning new stitches this weekend reminded me of the joy of discovery I experienced when I started embroidering again. As a high school student I decorated my bell bottom jeans, work shirts and Oshkosh overalls with colorful patterns in cotton thread. All of it was done freehand and I really didn't know what the stitches were. When I returned to embroidery not so long ago, it was wonderful to discover that stitches had names and that each stitch created a different texture and look on the fabric.So when I started work on the woven stem band, it was such fun to watch what emerged as I added row after row of thread. As I worked on the first two rows I wasn't convinced that I was gong to like how this stitch looked. However, as I kept stitching, it began to look better and better.As a filling stitch it covers the area thoroughly and adds some, but not too much, texture. It's also slightly raised off the fabric which is a nice change from other fillings that lay closer to the fabric, say long and short shading. It was also the one filling I worked on this weekend that I didn't feel the need to outline after the shape was finished. It looks quite finished as it is.Van Dyke was the next new stitch I needed to learn for the sampler. It's a fun stitch to do and, again, watching it emerge as I worked was interesting. I liked the center spine part of the stitch but am not so fond of the side "ladder rungs". After I was finished filling the area with Van Dyke stitch, I added a border of chain stitch. I think it looks a lot better with the border, especially done in a contrasting color of wool.Cretan stitch is, I must admit, not my favorite. Working the stitch is fine, but the finished look of the stitch doesn't appeal to me. This time I edged the shape with a simple split stitch.As I was working on all three of these new stitches, I couldn't help wondering who invented them? And how? Was someone just messing about with a piece of wool and a needle? Was it a mistake? Did they have a particular look they were trying to achieve or was it a happy accident?The last stitching I did on the RSN Preparation Sampler was fly stitch. Here I've done it both open and closed. I love how this stitch looks in both forms and it's one of my favorite stitches to use for leaves.What new stitches have you discovered lately? Do you expand your stitch repertoire?