Part 148 (1/2)

1815. Long St.i.tch, or L.

With the loop of last st.i.tch on the hook, twist the cotton over the hook, place the latter through a st.i.tch, draw the cotton through, then put the cotton over the hook, draw the cotton through two loops, and again through two loops.

1816. Double and Treble Long.

With the hook in a loop, twist the cotton twice or three times over the hook, and draw the hook successively through either two or three loops.

1817. Square Crochet.

Square crochet is also sometimes used. The squares are either open or close. An open square consists of one L, two Ch, missing two on the line beneath, before making the next st.i.tch. A close square has three successive L's. Thus, any given number of close squares, followed by an open, will have so many times three L's; consequently any foundation for square crochet must have a number that can be divided by three.

1818. To Contract an Edge.

This may be done in Dc, or long st.i.tch. Twist the thread round the hook as often as required, insert it in the work, and half do a st.i.tch. Instead of finis.h.i.+ng it, twist the thread round again, until the same number of loops are on, and work a st.i.tch entirely; so that, for two st.i.tches, there is only one head.

1819. To Join on a Thread.

Joins should be avoided as much as possible in open work. In joining, finish the st.i.tch by drawing the new thread through, leaving two inches for both ends, which must be held in.

1820. To Use several Colours.

This is done in single crochet. Hold the threads not in use on the edge of the work, and work them in. Change the colour by beginning the st.i.tch in the old colour, and finis.h.i.+ng it with the new, continuing the work with the latter holding in the old. If only one st.i.tch is wanted in the new colour, finish one st.i.tch, and begin the next with it; then change.

1821. To Join Leaves, &c.

When one part of a leaf or flower is required to be joined to another, drop the loop from the hook, which insert in the place to be joined; draw the loop through and continue.

1822. To Work over Cord.

Hold the cord in the left hand with the work, and work round it, as you would over an end of thread, working closely. When beads are used they must be first threaded on silk or thread, and then dropped, according to the pattern, on the _wrong_ side of the work. This side looks more even than the other: therefore, when bead purses are worked from an engraving, they are worked the reverse of the usual way, viz., from right to left.

1823. Oriental Crochet erroneously termed Tricotee.

This is worked by just making a chain the length required. Then put the hook through a loop of the chain, pull the wool through without twisting it, and so continue to the end, keeping all the st.i.tches on the hook. _In returning_, twist the wool over the hook, pull it through the first loop, twist the wool again over the hook, pull it through the next, and so continue to the end. There will now be a row of flat loops, but not on the edge. Work exactly as at the first row which was worked with the chain row, but in this there is no chain row.

1824. Instructions in Netting.

1825. Regularity in Netting.

The beauty of netting consists in its firmness and regularity. All joins in the thread must be made in a very strong knot; and, if possible, at an edge, so that it may not be perceived.

1826. Implements used in Netting.