t«C%DLCWOltR 240 A Worked Whe:el Makes a Pretty Decoration for a Button. — To do this make eight stitches in the form of an asterisk over the surface of the button (see illustra- tion) and take each stitch down in the middle into the same hole. To Work the Wheel. — Pass the needle through the centre and darn round and round, over and under all the stitches forming the wheel, until the whole of the button is covered. Another way of decorating buttons is by means of a pattern done in loop or picot stitch and a circle of French knots. To do the loop or picot stitch, make a single stitch something like a chain-stitch and hold it down firmly with the thumb of the left hand, put the needle back to the wrong side of material, making a small straight stitch to keep the loop in place, and continue to make another loop at the side of the last one (see illustration). Another Fancy Button, — Make a satin- stitch circle in centre, then row of French knots and a border of spaced buttonholing ; or make French knots in the centre, and two rows of chain-stitch round the outside edge. If a silk waistband for a blouse is A worked wheel French knots in centre and two rows of chain'Stitch Loop or picot stitch and French knots Satin'Stitch centre to give a pretty in cardboard and needed, make a buckle finish. Cut out an oval cover it with silk, and make French knots at intervals all round. Work the end of band with satin stitch and sew on the made buckle. STOCIiIHG»TOPS The Groundwork and the Colour Scheme— The Mistake of Tight Knitting— The Method of "Work for each Row i6thto 1 8th rows : Plain knitting with dark wool. 19th row: Knit 2 dark stitches, * 5 light and 3 dark. Continue from * to the end of the round. 20th row : Knit i dark stitch and 7 light stitches alternately to the end of the round. 2ist row: Knit i light stitch and 3 dark stitches alternately to the end of the round. 22nd row : Knit i light stitch, 2 dark stitches, 3 light, 2 dark stitches, and repeat this combi- nation to end of round. 23rd row : Same as 21st. 24th row : Knit 2 light stitches, * 5 dark stitches, 3 light stitches. Repeat from * to the end of the round. 25th to 27th rows : Same as 21st to 23rd rows. 28th row : Same as 2oth. 29th row : Same as 19th. 30th to 33 rd rows : Plain knitting with dark wool. 34th and 35 th rows : Purl with dark wool. ' 36th and 37th rows : Plain knitting with dark wool. 38th to 40th rows : Same as 8th to loth rows. Plain knitting with dark T'here is no form of knitting more fascinating
- than the manufacture of stocking-tops.
To knit with two coloured wools is almost as simple as knitting with one, since only one is used at a time, and the wool not in use hangs loosely till its turn comes. In changing from one colour to another, let the strand of wool pass over that which was last in use, and when the end of the row is reached, untwist the wools, so that they may not become hopelessly entangled. The great fault to guard against is tight knit- ting. It is well to use thicker needles for the top than those employed for the remainder of the stocking; but even this is not sufficient to equalise the tension, unless the knitting is kept well stretched out, particu- larly when a change of wool is made. To knit the stocking- top illustrated, cast 32 stitches on each of three needles (size 12 or 13), using dark wool. Join round and knit three rows of ribbing with 2 plain and 2 purl alter- nately, to prevent the stockine-top from rolling up at the edge when in use. 4th and 5th rows : Purl with dark wool. 6th and 7th rows : Plain knitting with dark wool. 81h row : Knit i stitch with light wool, and 3 with dark, and continue this alternation to the end of the round. 9th row : Knit 2 light stitches, * i dark and 3 light, and repeat from * to the end of the round. loth row : Same as the 8th. 1 1 th to 1 3 th rows : Plain kni tting with d ark wool . 14th .'.nd 15th rows : Purl with dark wool. The stocking-top completed 41st to 43 rd rows wool. 44th to 46th rows : Purl with dark wool, to make the ridge on which the stocking-top turns over when worn. Turn the work inside out and continue the leg and foot of the stocking in the ordinary way, using plain knitting or ribbing, as preferred. Note.— The stocking, and particularly the top, looks better if it is pressed with a warm iron when it is finished.
