N. B. The engravings of the patterns are placed in the book as they are intended to be worked; that is, by commencing at the lower part, on the right hand side.
Hints on Crochet.
A steel crochet needle is generally advisable;—with expert workers, it makes the most even stitches, but it is easier to work with an ivory needle.
The second-sized netting silk is prettiest for purses.
The coarsest, or crochet silk, is best adapted for bags, with steel or gold beads.
Where many colours are required in a pattern, and the same do not very frequently occur, it is advisable to introduce them in short lengths, instead of carrying on each thread. This should always be attended to when working with chenille.
When beads are used, they should be strung on the silk with a needle.
When beads are introduced, the wrong side of the work becomes the right. It is possible to crochet with the beads on the right side, but they never lay so firmly, nor indeed is it the proper way of using them.
The average number of stitches for the length of a purse, in fine silk, is one hundred and sixty. In coarse silk,—one hundred and ten.