Fig. 1.—This gives the first process in casting on with two needles, (by far the best method.) Make a loop with your finger and thumb, slip the needle in, and with the thread (a) knit in the ordinary way. This forms the first loop. You will now hold the needle in the left hand; take another in the right, and slip it into the last loop. With the point of the finger, carry the thread between the two needles, and bring the point of the right hand needle in front, (fig. 2,) when the stitch is completed. It must then be slipped on to the left hand needle, and the process repeated.
Fig. 3.—Purling, (or pearling,) is generally known. The right hand needle is inserted in front of the stitch, the thread passed round it, and then the point pushed backwards, and drawn out behind.
Fig. 4.—Represents the woven method of knitting three together, which should always be employed where the centre stitch is intended for the uppermost one. The usual mode is this:—slip 1, knit 2 together, pass the slip stitch over the knitted. The best way is to slip two together off the needle, knit the third, and slip the two over. The centre of the three stitches will then be the front one. If a stitch is to be made before and after, you will merely bring the thread in front on each occasion.
Figs. 5 and 6.—Show the manner of purling three together in the back rows, to correspond with the knitted ones. We will suppose an open hem to be on each side, as seen in fig. 7. Put the thread round the needle, immediately before the loose stitch c; then insert the point of the right hand needle in b c, taking both off the left hand. Purl a and slip the others over them.
In working from knitting receipts it is necessary to remember that no two people knit alike, and therefore, the needles which suit one person admirably, will be too large, or too small for another. I give the sizes which suit an ordinary worker; but those who are conscious of being very light, or very loose knitters, will do well to use needles one or two sizes coarser or finer.
I trust that the above observations will enable every reader to understand perfectly the receipts for various choice and beautiful patterns in knitting, which I shall introduce, from time to time, in our pages. I therefore proceed, at once, to the articles represented in the Engraving.
INFANT’S CAP CROWN.
[Fig. 1.]
Materials.—Cotton Nos. 70 and 90. Crochet hook, No. 22, eagle card-board gauge, and a fine sewing needle.
This cap crown is formed by a very pretty admixture of crochet with point lace stitches.