I like the pin stitch and use it a lot for stopping and starting. I did find that it sometimes shows slightly when using darker floss (but not enough to make me stop using it!).
This is a very interesting method, Im not sure that I quite understand the point of starting this way though? I always start with my thread under the first few stitches to anchor it.
Thank you for sharing, I always like to see the different techniques that people use.