The sprig, which forms the centre as well as the border, is made in crochet, in a Honiton lace pattern. The mode of engraving, with figures to indicate the number of stitches in every part, is one invented by myself, already familiar to many of our readers, to whom it has been found extremely useful.
Work the crochet with No. 70 cotton. Begin the sprig at the end of the stem (a,) work up the two-leaved side, then the flower, and down the other side of the stem, beginning where you left off: 10 ch. for the stem.
Leaf, 30 ch., join in the first to form a loop; work the first and last stitches in sc. and all the rest in dc., three stitches being made in the centre chain; slip 1 at the joining of the loop; 16 ch. for stem; repeat the leaf with 20 ch. instead of 30; 10 ch. for stem.
Flower.—This is worked round and round, the right side being always uppermost, and the thread being passed under the stem at every round. The inner circle is made first; 18 ch., join into a loop, and work all round in sc. ✕ 5 ch., 1 dc. through every 3rd of last round, ✕ 5 times, 5 ch., slip 1 at the stem. Work round these in sc. * 13 ch., 1 sc. through dc. of last round * 5 times 13 ch., slip 1 on the stem. Sc. all round, working on the chain stitches only. Make a slip stitch at the stem to close the flower well; sc. on the 10 ch.; then make a leaf of 20 ch. opposite to the last; 8 sc. on chain.
Bud.—22 ch., 1 dc. on the 18th, ✕ 2 ch., miss 2, 1 dc., ✕ twice, 2 ch., miss 2, slip 1. This forms the open part of the bud. Work round it, 1 sc., 1 dc., 5 tc., 2 dc., 1 sc., 4 ch., 3 sc. on 4, 2 slip, 4 ch., 3 sc. on 4, 1 sc., 2 dc., 5 tc., 1 dc. 1 slip. Slip down the stem of the bud, sc. 8 on the flower stem, make a leaf opposite the first, work down the stem, and fasten off.
Take a fine needle, and run a few stitches on the wrong side with each end, when you may cut them off closely.
The Border which would serve very well for a collar, or any other article, is made thus:—32 ch. for each pattern, or 256 for the round. Close, to form it into a circle, and on one side of the chain work thus:—
1st round.—✕ slip 2, 2 ch., miss 2, 1 dc. * 2 ch., miss 2, 1 tc., * twice; 2 ch., miss 2, 1 dc., 2 ch., miss 2, slip 2, 20 ch., miss 14, slip 2, ✕ 8 times.
2nd, or outer round.—(To be worked on the other side of the chain.) ✕ 2 slip on 2 slip, 1 sc., 1 dc., 1 tc., 8 long tc., 1 tc., 1 dc., 1 sc., ✕ 16 times.
3rd or inner round.—(To be worked on the first, beginning at the open hem.) ✕ 2 slip on 2 slip, 1 sc., 2 dc., 8 tc., 2 dc. 1 sc. 2 slip; then on the 20 ch., 1 sc., 7 dc., 1 sc., 1 slip, 12 ch.; form these into a loop, work round them in sc., then continue on the 20, 1 slip, 1 sc., 7 dc., 1 sc., ✕ 8 times. Fasten off, and put on the pearl edging with the ends of thread.