A BABY'S CRADLE COVER, OR A CARRIAGE WRAPPER.

No. 25.

In blue and white six-thread fleecy, with a large ivory needle. Make a chain of the required length, and crochet two plain rows of white ground. In the next row, commence the above pattern, to form the border in blue on the white ground. This border is so designed, that the pattern can be made perfect at the corners by simply continuing it at the sides, each row of the side border being worked at the same time with that of the centre. The centre is composed of the annexed pattern.

This covering can be worked either square or in a long square. It will be exceedingly warm and useful as an open carriage. wrapper, when scarlet and drab, or blue and claret fleecy may be

used. For either of these purposes, the crocheting should be done lightly and loosely, with a very large needle. When worked for mats or rugs, eight-thread fleecy is preferable, and the crocheting should be done as tightly as convenient.

ANOTHER SQUARE PATTERN WITH A BORDER.

These patterns may be worked very prettily-the first for the border, the other for the centre-the ground of both being drab. Every other star in the border is gold colour, the alternate stars being blue and crimson, those parts marked white in the engraving being black. In the centre, the small stars are all gold colour, the larger figures alternately crimson and blue.

In working, the gold-coloured wool, both in the border and centre is to be carried through the whole piece, but the blue and crimson stars may be introduced in short lengths, the ends of which must be run in at the back of the work, or it may be lined with silk.

Two rows of open crochet, in black are to be worked round the whole square when finished.

The stars may be crocheted in one shade of each colour; but it will be prettier, and quite as easy, to work them in various shades.

A ROUND D'OYLEY OR MAT.

Commence with a chain of six stitches, in black eight-thread fleecy. Unite both ends. Crochet all round, increasing in every stitch for the first row.

The pattern may be formed in three shades of scarlet on a blue ground of three shades; the darkest shade of the scarlet being on the lightest shade of the blue.

Second row-is one stitch of dark scarlet, and two stitches of light blue alternately; forming the commencement of a star of six points.

Third row-three stitches of the dark scarlet, and two of the blue.

Fourth row-five stitches of a lighter shade of scarlet, and two of the blue.

Fifth row-five stitches of the lighter scarlet, and three of the second shade of blue.

Sixth row-three stitches of the lightest scarlet, and six of the second blue.

Eighth row-one stitch of the lightest scarlet, and eight of the darkest blue.

Ninth row-one plain row of the darkest blue.

Three plain rows of black finishes the D'Oyley.

In every row, increasing stitches are to be made in the blue; and also in the plain rows of black.

TRAVELLING BAGS.

Travelling bags worked in eight-thread fleecy are very strong. They may be mounted in the same manner as the usual carpet bags. Any of the patterns we have given will be suitable.

EXPLANATION OF TERMS USED IN CROCHET.

Plain crochet-where one loop

only is made in each stitch.

It is used for the commoner kind of purses.

Plain double crochet-where two loops are kept on the needle before the stitch is finished. This is the crochet stitch generally practised, and that used for working table-covers, etc.

Double stitch crochet.-In this, both meshes of the chain are taken. It is principally employed for the soles of shoes, and where extra thickness is required, but it is not suitable for working patterns.

Plain stitch elastic crochet-is worked alternately in rows backwards and forwards, first taking the upper, then the under mesh of the chain.

Plain stitch open crochet-as described at page 170. It is used for purses.

Open crochet-as described at page 171. It is suitable for purses, bags, etc.

Double open crochet-suitable for bags, purses, etc.: see page 172. Treble open crochet-as described page 172.

To make a stitch-at the commencement and end of a row, is to make one stitch of a chain before the first stitch, and after the last, which in the next row are to be crocheted.

A dividing, or seam stitch-called also a raised stitch, is made by putting the needle through both meshes of the chain, and

working two stitches in the same hole. always be made exactly over each other.

These stitches must

In crocheting circles,

they form a kind of star pattern, and serve the purpose of increasing stitches. They should not be employed when working

with chenille.

To increase a stitch-to make two stitches in the same mesh. To decrease to take two stitches together or to miss one stitch. Decreasing is always done in the same ratio as increasing.

True, or perfect stitch-when working in different colours, the keeping the stitches directly over each other, without any appearance of the half-stitch. This requires care, but it greatly adds to the beauty of the work, and makes the pattern more distinct. To fasten off-to draw the wool through the last stitch.

To fasten on-Lay the ends of the wool contrariwise, and crochet a few stitches with both, or work in the second wool, and run the end in with a needle at the back of the work.

To run the ends-to pass them down a few stitches with a needle. This is the neatest and strongest plan; but they may

be tied and cut off.

A dividing line-generally formed of two stitches alternately up and down, into the grounds of the stripes on either side.

HINTS ON CROCHET.

A steel crochet needle is generally advisable ;-with expert workers it makes the most even stitches, but an ivory needle is easier to work with.

The second sized netting silk is prettiest for purses.

The coarsest or crochet silk is best adapted for bags, with steel or gold beads.