Page:Australian enquiry book of household and general information.djvu/134

without increasing. In the eighth round increase as described for the second round. Ninth and twelfth rounds without increase. With coarser wool again work 12 rounds without increasing or decreasing. With finer wool again work one round. In second round work two together before and after seam, then four rounds without decrease. In the seventh round decrease as described. Eighth to twelfth rounds without decrease. Work three stripes of twelve rounds each alternating the coarse and finer wool decreasing as described, viz., by working two together before and after seam, for the last stripe. Work five stripes without increase or decrease. Work five rounds with the coarser wool, then begin the heel. Divide the stitches thus: 21 each side of the seam, that is 43 on the heel pin, leaving 42 for the instep. Take a second ball of coarser wool so as to knit the heel with double wool and No. 16 pins. Continue the rib working on the heel stitches only for 28 rows. Twentyninth row knit two past the seam, knit two together, knit one turn, purl nine, purl two together, purl one, turn knit eleven, knit two together, knit one, continue these last two rows taking in two stitches more at each turn till all the side stitches are taken in. At each side of the heel pick up carefully with a crochet hook 30 stitches, work with No. 15 pin. Then take in the 42 stitches left before taking the heel but let them remain on a separate pin as they must continue to be ribbed. Decrease in every round until only 40 stitches are left at the sole. To decrease knit two together at the right side and slip one, knit one, pass the slip stitch over at the left side of the sole. Imagine sock on right foot to know right to left. When the foot measures about six inches begin the decrease for the toe by decreasing one stitch at each side of back and each side of front stitches, always making the decrease the second stitch from the sides. Work the next round plain. The last two rounds are to be worked alternately till you have 28 stitches,

cast off and sew up on wrong side. This makes a very nicely shaped stocking; buy the coarser and finer wools, say fingering and Andelusion.

Simple Work Baskets.—A very pretty simple and effective basket can be improvised out of an old hat. Take a piece of satin, sateen or any material you have by you, it must be twice or three times as wide as the depth of the hat crown. Fold it in halves and place the half inside the hat and firmly back round the edge of the crown, just as you would if about to line a hat. The half inside the hat must be gathered at the edge and drawn together and sewn in the centre of the crown. The outside half should have a wide hem twice run to admit a ribbon or cord to draw up. The hat may be trimmed with bands of ribbon, or it may be painted with gold paint before being made into the basket. Pockets of satin or silk can be sewn round the crown to hold cottons or buttons. This makes a capital basket for collecting eggs. Another way is to run a strong wire round the brim of a large hat and then indent it here and there according to fancy, with a basin in the crown; this makes a very effective receptical for flowers, particularly for the larger bunches. In a fire place in summer it looks well.

Another Basket.—There is yet another way more effective than any if well done. Take an old sailor hat with a moderately wide rim and not too high a crown. A gem hat is no good for the purpose. Cut the top of the crown and sew it in again round the edge just where the hat fits round the head; when it will look like a hat with the opening for the head closed and the crown open. Now line the crown as described for the other basket and also cover the rim on the top side, that is the outside of the hat. When this is all done sew it up back and front, and at each side, securely to the crown. In this way you will have four pockets. You can sew on a little edging or vallance of lace if you like either before or after turning up the rim. Make a handle of straw or