I personally find my thumb the most comfortable. Others find the index finger. Keeping the trolley needle on top of the plies put your needle into the hole where you are placing the next stitch. Gently pull the thread through to the back of the canvas. This is a slow process as you are learning but the results are worth it.
Light plays on the fibres and reflects back.
The smoother the fibre the better the finished product looks. The term compensation stitch is used when only a portion of the stitch unit is required, such as along the edge of the design. This pattern is worked on the diagonal and when it is assembled it will become stripes. The second sample is the same design just reversing the Impressions and Waterlilies. This design was backed with fabric and a bow placed on top to represent a present.