The Ladies' Work-Table Book Part 12

A DIVIDING LINE.--The most general form is that of working two st.i.tches up and down alternately, between the stripes in the groundings; but it can be varied according to taste.

What is called making a st.i.tch, at the beginning and end of a row, means making one st.i.tch of a chain before the first and after the last, which new st.i.tches are to be crocheted in the succeeding row.

TO CARRY ON A THREAD IN DOUBLE CROCHET.--It is a very common thing to work a pattern in crochet, in more than one color; when this is the case, it is necessary that the colors, not required, should be so managed, as not to make loops, or st.i.tches, at the back. To accomplish this, they must be worked in the following manner. Let the threads, that are not required, be laid along the fore finger of the left hand; and the crochet needle must be inserted in the usual manner, into the st.i.tch; you are to let it go below the threads you are carrying on, and the thread with which you are working is to be drawn at the back, through the st.i.tch, into which you inserted the needle or hook. Make the finishing loop as usual, which you carry over the threads, and pull through the two loops you have upon the needle. Thus you will make one st.i.tch, and the process is to be repeated as often as your work requires it.

JOINING THE THREADS.--In order that threads may be united neatly and properly, observe the following directions. Do not work up the thread quite to the end, but leave a small portion; then, on the fore finger of the left hand, by the end of the thread you are about to commence working with, the end to be toward the tip of the finger, the ball will of course be toward the arm; work over it for about six st.i.tches, proceeding as you do in carrying over the threads; then by the thread you worked with, but on the same finger, and continue with the thread you have last fastened on, and work over it, in the same manner, for about six st.i.tches. The ends are then to be cut, and you work on as usual, with the thread just joined. This is the best method we know, of making the work appear neat, and, at the same time, of securing the required degree of fineness.

TO INCREASE A St.i.tCH IN CROCHET.--The process by which this is done, is as follows. First, make the st.i.tch as usual, then work it again from the hinder or back part of the st.i.tch. This prevents a hole, which would otherwise occur.

TO TAKE IN A St.i.tCH.--To do this, two st.i.tches are taken on the needle at the same time, and you work them off as one.

We have given the fullest explanation of the various st.i.tches in crochet, that our limited s.p.a.ce will allow; and we hope that the directions are so plain that no one will be at a loss to comprehend their meaning. But we cannot promise any votary of this delightful employment, even tolerable success, unless she will a.s.siduously apply her own mind to the various directions. "No one can become an expert needlewoman, who does not think, and think deeply, too."

CHAPTER XVII.

CROCHET.

EXAMPLES IN CROCHET.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

CROCHET EDGING, FOR COLLARS, &C.--Ascertain the length you will require, and cast on the necessary number of chain st.i.tches; you must use a steel hook No. 19. You will find your labor facilitated by sewing a piece of tape at the beginning and the end of the foundation-row of chain st.i.tch.

If the tops be an inch wide, it will form a good beginning and termination. The foundation of chain st.i.tch forms the first row; the second is worked thus; the hook is inserted through the first loop of the foundation; (this will be on the tape,) through which, a loop is to be brought in the usual manner; directly above this, a second loop is worked, which forms the beginning. You now leave the tape, and work two chain st.i.tches; after which, you throw a st.i.tch on the needle, by casting the material over it. Then, taking the third loop on the foundation, counting from the one last worked, you insert the hook, pa.s.sing two loops without working them, and catching the thread from behind, pull it through. Thus, you will have on the needle three loops; and you must now throw a st.i.tch on the hook, which is, in like manner, to be pulled through the first loop, near the point. By this, you will still have three loops on the hook. Again, throw on a st.i.tch as before, which draw through the two first loops on the end of the hook; then throw on another st.i.tch, which must be pulled through the two loops remaining on the hook. You will then have only one loop upon the needle; and thus one st.i.tch is completed. Make two chain st.i.tches, as before, and then perform another st.i.tch; and so proceed, as in the former row, but instead of inserting the hook in the third loop, as before, pa.s.s it into the first open portion of the work, and work the st.i.tch over the two chain st.i.tches of the second row, as follows. The needle being inserted into the open s.p.a.ce, you are to catch the material in from behind, and draw it through, by which you will have three loops on the hook: then throw a loop on as before, and let it be drawn through the first loop, on the point of the hook. Another loop is next to be thrown in, and drawn through the two loops nearest the hook, on which you will now have two loops. You thus complete the st.i.tch, as in the previous row, and so proceed to the end. The next row is the same in all respects; and the fifth is to form a Vand.y.k.e edge: it is worked in the following manner: the needle is inserted into the open s.p.a.ce, and work a double tambour st.i.tch round the chain st.i.tches of the fourth row; then seven chain st.i.tches are to be made and fastened to the two chain st.i.tches of the last row, in the same manner as before. Thus one scollop or vand.y.k.e is completed, and you work all the others in the same way.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

PETTICOAT CROCHET EDGING.--Work this in the following manner. First row like the last pattern. The second like the second of the last; and finish with the fifth row of the same pattern. Persian cotton, No. 6, is the best material; and you work with a long steel crochet needle, having an ivory screw handle.

CROCHET EDGING, HANDKERCHIEFS.--This is done in three rows, worked as the first, second, third, and fifth rows of crochet edging, for collars.

The material is Persian thread, No. 12; and you work with a fine steel crochet needle, with a screw handle.

INSERTION, OR CROCHET BEADING.--You work this, if narrow, as first and second rows of the first pattern; if you have it wider, work it as the third row. It may be either worked with No. 8 or No. 12 cotton, and looks neat and handsome.

The following remarks on crochet should be carefully attended to. It is necessary to work this kind of work, rather loose than otherwise, as it is liable to cut, if done over tight. The size of the st.i.tch depends, of course, upon that of the needle; and, therefore, care should be taken, to have them gauged. If a needle will go into the slit, opposite No. 4, but not into No. 5, then it is a No. 4 needle.

SOFA PILLOW.--Work in six threads fleecy, and with a good sized crochet needle; work as follows. For the first stripe, commence with two rows of the same color; the three next rows, in different shades, of a color that will contrast well with that of the two first; the sixth row must be of a different color, or it may be white. The next five rows are to correspond, reversing the colors and shades. The second stripe is composed of seven rows: the first, three distinct shades of the same color; the middle one, a contrast; and the other three, the same shades as the first, but reversed as before. The third stripe is the same, but, of course, the colors are different. A white row in the middle of each stripe, is, in our opinion, the best. The fourth stripe is a repet.i.tion of the first, omitting the color in the first two rows, the fifth of the second, and the sixth of the third. The last stripe is to correspond _exactly_ with the first.

TURKISH PATTERN, FOR A TABLE COVER.--Use a steel needle, and six threads fleecy. Form the dividing line of two shades of the same color, say claret, and have four stripes, namely, white, gold color, blue, and scarlet. Then, on the white stripe, work the pattern in two greens, two scarlets, two blues, a brown, and a yellow. On the gold color, in two blues and one claret, white, lilac, and green. On the blue, in two scarlets, two greens, one drab, white, brown, and orange. And on the scarlet, one green, one white, two blues, a claret, and a bright yellow.

We have merely given the colors in the above, as a specimen, and to a.s.sist the youthful artist in the formation of habits of arrangement.

She can, of course, adopt any colors and shades she pleases; and the more she employs her own thought and judgment, the more original will her work appear.

A PLAIN CROCHET BAG, IN SILK.--Begin at the top with a chain, of one hundred and fifty st.i.tches. The material to work with, may be any kind of silk that is proper for the purpose, and of any color that may be deemed desirable. On this foundation, a plain row is to be worked, and then a row in two colors, in two st.i.tches of each alternately. The second color is employed to form the ground of the pattern. Work one plain row, and then work large stars, in a color to contrast with the plain ground. Between the large stars, work small ones, in a different color. One row of plain ground is to be crocheted on each side of the pattern; and before commencing the second stripe, repeat the row of two colors in two st.i.tches of each. The ground of the next stripe is to contrast highly with that of the former one. The larger stars should also be well contrasted; but, all in the same stripe, must be of the same color; all the small stars should be alike. The stripes are to be repeated successively, until the bag is completed.

A GREEK CAP, IN COa.r.s.e CHENILLE.--With a chain of six or eight st.i.tches, begin at the top, and having united the ends, work round and round, in rows, until it is eight inches across. You must increase your st.i.tches, in each row, so as to preserve the work flat. Work the st.i.tches in open crochet, and between every two rows, it will be best to introduce a few plain lines, in black and gold. This cap is extremely elegant.

A CROCHET NECK CHAIN.--Commence with fine plain st.i.tches; then put the needle through the back of the second, and make one st.i.tch plain. By twisting the chain, after every st.i.tch, you will find that one st.i.tch appears to cross; that st.i.tch is the one to be next taken, and crocheted.

A PLAIN CROCHET PURSE.--This purse is made with middle-sized netting silk, and is strong and durable. A chain is to be made of one hundred and forty st.i.tches, of any color you prefer, on which, you are to crochet three rows plain in the same color. Then, five rows, in a color making a good contrast. Repeat these stripes as many times as are requisite, and crochet up the sides. Draw up the ends, and trim the purse.

We deem it unnecessary to add more examples in crochet, as without engravings, they would not be understood. This kind of work is capable of being applied to an almost indefinite number of purposes; but in almost all cases, though easy of execution, the patterns are not easy to be described in writing. We have, however, done all that is required, to afford an insight into this kind of needlework; and have shewn that for purses, bags, caps, neck chains, &c., it can be readily brought into requisition. Much care and judgment are required in the arrangement of colors, as on this, almost the whole beauty of the work depends.

CHAPTER XVIII.

TATTING.

EXPLANATION OF St.i.tCHES.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

TATTING OPEN St.i.tCH.--Take your tatting needle, and, having threaded it with the appropriate material make a knot at the end. In order to make the loops, put the knot just made on the fore finger of the left hand, and form also a loop round the second, third and fourth fingers, extending them for that purpose. These loops are made by carrying the thread round the back of them, bringing it to the fore finger again, so as to pa.s.s over the knot. In this position they must be held tightly down by the pressure of the thumb. You will observe that the thumb and fore finger are never to be moved while you form the scollop, but you are to bring the needle and thread toward you in a straight direction from the fore finger and thumb, between the second and third fingers: the needle is then to be inserted from behind the finger loop, up through the middle, between the thread which is on the needle, and the thread round the fingers. You must be careful to have the thread (on the needle) between you and the needle, after you have drawn it through.

From the right hand to the left the needle must be extended as tight as possible, leaving loose the loop which is round the finger as you make the st.i.tch with the loop, and not with that portion of the thread which is next the needle. You are to withdraw the second finger, and allow the loop round the fingers to form round the thread. The fingers are then to be again inserted, and form the st.i.tch with the second finger by drawing it up to its proper place, close to the thumb. This will finish the st.i.tch. For the next, cast the thread over the back part of the hand, instead of bringing it to you as in the former st.i.tch, and let the needle be inserted down through the finger loop, between the first and second fingers; then draw it up through between the two threads over the back part of the fingers, and form the st.i.tch with the second one, as in the previous st.i.tch. You work the third st.i.tch the same as the first, only longer, that it may form a long loop. Repeat the second st.i.tch, then the long loop; and thus proceed until you have seven loops: after this, the thread is to be drawn up, so as to form the scollop.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

STAR TATTING.--The material for this kind of work is bobbin, such as is generally used for children's caps. You have only to work six scollops and draw them up close, so as to form a star. When made with precision and regularity, they present a neat appearance. Star tatting is well adapted for tr.i.m.m.i.n.gs to a great many articles of apparel and ornament.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

COMMON TATTING EDGING.--Make the loops, and work the first st.i.tch as in the first pattern; then work twenty st.i.tches the same way to form the scollop. When it is finished, you must draw up the thread tight, and then commence another. If it has been properly done, the scollop will draw freely.

CHAPTER XIX.

CONCLUDING REMARKS.

In bringing the Ladies' Work-Table Book to a close, we cannot persuade ourselves to dismiss the subject, without a word or two to our fair friends, as to the use, necessary to be made, of all the useful or ornamental accomplishments their circ.u.mstances and situations may enable them to acquire. We should never, for one moment, suffer the utile to be absent from our thoughts: she who has no definite aim in what she does, can never have any good ground of hope, that, in her progress through life, she can attain to excellence.

These remarks apply princ.i.p.ally to that large cla.s.s, who are dependent upon exertion of some kind, for the means of comfort and respectability, in their respective stations. But, as those ladies, whose circ.u.mstances render a practical acquaintance with the arts here treated of, a matter of indifference, a knowledge of them is, by no means, unnecessary. In many ways indeed, a lady, blessed with affluence, may render an acquaintance with the details of needlework extensively useful.

It is often the case that young persons are engaged in families, whose education has been, from some cause or other, lamentably neglected. In those cases, the lady who feels her obligations, and is actuated by a true Christian spirit, will consider herself as standing in the place of a mother to her humble dependents; and, under a deep sense of her high responsibilities, will endeavor to improve, and fit them, by suitable and kindly-imparted instructions, for the proper discharge of the duties of that station, which it may be presumed they will in after days be called upon to fill. In this case, how useful will the kind and careful mistress find a knowledge of that art, which teaches the proper method of making those articles of dress which are so essential to every family who, however humble, are desirous of securing the respect of the wise and the good, by judicious economy, and a neat and respectable appearance.

Those ladies who are in the habit of devoting a portion of their time to the superintendence of our female charity schools, will also find such knowledge extremely beneficial. To those who are disposed to follow the example of the holy Dorcas, in providing garments for the deserving and dest.i.tute poor, an acquaintance with _plain needlework_ is indispensible; and indeed, it will, in every walk of life, be found useful to her who is, by the animating love of the Lord Jesus, disposed

"To seek the wretched out, And court the offices of soft humanity."

Another advantage may also be gained, by a manifestation of the kindly solicitude for the improvement of domestics, here pointed out. In cases where the secular tuition of young persons has been neglected, it will be generally found that their religious and moral training has been equally uncared for. Let the Christian lady evince a real desire to improve the temporal condition of those beneath her influence, and she will soon find that the best affections of the heart are opened to the reception of instructions of a higher and still more important character. Hard indeed must be that heart which can resist the influence of genuine kindness exercised in a friendly Christian spirit. We once had the pleasure of seeing a young servant baptized in the faith of Christ, while those in whose service she was, and two others, highly respectable persons, answered for her at the font. This beautiful meeting together of the rich and the poor, took place in one of the most splendid parish churches in England, and left on our minds an impression which will never be effaced.