An embroidery book

by Anne Knox Arthur

Fig. 73.

An Insertion or Fringe.—Method of working:—This insertion may be worked in two ways. By looking at Fig. 73 it will be seen that the stitch is a very simple one. Make a slip-knot as Fig. 63, and one chain; withdraw the hook. Place the fork with the prongs upwards in the left hand, between the thumb and the middle finger; slip the chain stitch on to the left prong with the thread towards the worker. Insert the hook from below into it, then carry the thread round the right prong and pass it over the point of the hook; pull it through the loop; make one chain; put the thread round the left prong and turn the fork to the right—slipping the hook over the right prong at the same time so that it remains in the same position between the prongs with the handle to the worker; insert the hook into the stitch on the left prong from below; catch the thread and pull through; there are now two loops on the hook; close these by putting the thread over and drawing it through both. Repeat with the thread round the left prong as before.

Raffia.—A simple braid is done in three movements, the fork being turned between each three. When the fork is filled, closely covered, slip off the loops and reinsert the two prongs into the last five or six loops, then continue for the required length. Two or three braids may be joined together by slipping one loop over another, or a contrasting thread may be taken and two loops on the one side may be joined together by a double stitch; then make three chain; two loops on the other side, joined again, then three chain; working in this way, the joining forms a little row of vandykes in chain stitch. The outer edges are then strengthened by one double stitch into two loops; two chain; one double stitch into the next two loops; two chain, and so on.

Carpet and skirt braids may be joined together by means of an insertion made in twine or raffia—the latter being the more decorative. After making a row of gimp on a wide-pronged fork, connect it to the carpet braid by working two double crochet stitches into each loop and two into the braid—if a sufficient number of rows are joined together a strong and useful shopping bag may be made, finished with handles of plaited raffia and braid.

A pretty crochet edging suitable for finishing off many articles of personal wear or for domestic use, which wears and washes well, may be worked directly on to the material. Work a row of button-hole stitch into the edges of the material; space the stitches rather widely so as to allow of an easy entrance for the crochet hook—this makes a daintier edging than inserting the needle directly into the material. It is worked in three rows—a linen thread gives the best effect. To work the first row, begin with one double stitch into a button-hole loop, then two chain, and one double crochet into every second button-hole loop; on approaching the corners, work into every loop so as to allow the next row to lie easily round them—nothing spoils good work so much as to see the stitching tightened and strained round the edges and corners. When the first row is finished join the stitches with a single stitch and commence the second row. Make eight or ten chain according to the thread used and size of loop wanted, then work double crochet into every third or fourth loop of the previous row—give ease to the corners by working three double crochet into each loop at the finish of the row; join as in second row. For the third row work ten or twelve double crochet stitches over the chain loops, as these stitches should cover the chain loops closely, when they look similar to button-hole stitching. The appearance of this edging will naturally vary considerably according to the size of the needle and thread used. A very serviceable edging, not too minute, is made with a No. 4 steel crochet hook and linen “L.C.” crochet thread, No. 14.

PLATE XVI.

A CUSHION COVER.

Another Edging (Plate VII.).—A very effective edging is worked into a row of needle button-hole stitch. Like the one above, it wears and washes well. First row: work one double crochet into one of the button-hole headings; make ten chain; pass six button-hole loops and work one double crochet into sixth loop; continue making ten chain and one double crochet until the row is complete. Break off the thread. Start the second row with one double crochet in the centre of the chain loop; make ten chain and work one double crochet into the centre of the next loop, and so on to the end of the row; then join and break off the thread. The third row is worked in a coloured thread. Take a blue linen or cotton thread and start this row by working into the first loop. Two double crochet, four chain, four double crochet, four chain and two double crochet. Work the same number of stitches in each loop. The chain stitches form little picots; this makes a dainty little finish to a table centre. Compare Plate VII.