Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-11-27
Christmas Gifts.

1rom Harper's Bazaar.
Now that with SO little money such a variety
Of material is obtanable from which lovely
presents can be made no one need lament her
inability to remember those whom she wishes to
at this one time of all the year.
One of the little clOver-leaf OF trefoil tables
makes charming gift, and both cost and labor
are trifling. In the city they are easily obtained.
and the village carpenter can make one with a
few directions. The top should be of seasoned
wood, any kind, cut clover-leaf shape and we'll
fastened on three legs. turned and C little less
than an inch in diameter; these legs should meet
and be securely fastened together about the mid
die, then separate, reaching the floor some dis
lance apart. Cover the top with fan
mel or cloth of any color preferred, stretch
Ing 1t tightly and lacking closely
around the edge Purchase some gill
net Irvine, the sort fishermen use in hang ing
their gill nets No. 9 is the best size, and costs
thirty-five cents pound. The quantity needed
depends so entirely upon the size of the table
that no guide can be given. 1t is better to
have too much or it may not match in color and
what is left can be returned Examine it be fore
purchasing TO see If the color is uniform. A light
ecru works up very well. Use rubber knitting
needles trife small for the work az il must be
knit tightly. Cast ON thirty-one stitches: knit
the first one. bring the thread toward YOU car
rying 1t between the points of the needles across
tie stitch. then around to the back Just as it
was when you first knit if; knit one plain. and
then commence the herring-bone.
Throw the thread toward yOu and knit two
stitches together; there will now be loop and
stitch on the needle, instead of the two stitches
YOU had on the other needle. Knit one stitch
plain, and continue the clearinghouse across the
work until you have only four stitches left on
the needle you are taking from. Have ready
number OF strands for the fringe. each one six
times the length you wish the fringe to be when
finished II it is to be 12 inches cut each one
two yards long; if Is, three yards must be al
loved. When the table will admit it, the latter
size Is to be preferred. Divide each strand into
three. so that it may now be onethird its original
length. but three thickncsSes; lay the middle of
this length between the last stitch knit and the
first one of the four left on the other needle It
VIII now be at right angles with the work. one
END on TIE side nearest the kntter the other ON
the opposite. Knit one stitch of the four: bring
over the length farthest from vou They wiInoW
be together on the side nearest the knitter Knit
the second and third of the four stitches. mt
the threats over so that all shall be On the other
side OF the work and knit the last stitch leayino
the threads hanging for the fringe In the next
row knit the four stitches plainly. then one
taxing the loop with the stitch that was plain
IN the preceding row; the constant widening and
narrow ing, never knitting a plain row. forms
the clearinghouse. AT the end of every row pull
the work down 10 even it, and count the stitches
frequently as, If not particular. there is danger
OF losing or gaining. The herring bone may be
varied If preferred by making it into two rows.
Instead of one wide one dividing them by a
row OF large holes. through which ribbon can
be run The peculiar way of managing the
thread when commencing the end opposite the
fringe forms tiny loop that keeps the macrame
In place when tackled on the table; this should
DC done with large brass-headed nails passed
through those tiny loops. then nailed to the
edge oil the covered tabletop Even the fringe
using sharp SCISSORS and carelessy tie it i'm
large loose knots at regular distances. This
knit fringe Is an excellent substitute for real
maerame, at no comparison whatever Of time
and trouble.
Almost the only homemade mat ever cared
70 own was one knit of little pieces of zephyr:
old shawls, nUbias and sontags OF a by-gone rem
Grafton had been utilized mittens had been
washed and ravelled ont. Cut first from piece
OF clean carpeting-old ingram will answer as
well rs any, in fact. better than a heavy Brus-
sels-a piece the size the mat is to be when fin
ishcd- Reserve the freshest for the outer side
and haste down the cut edge as to avoid ali
sayelliag on the other. Ii not only makes q
heat finish but gives strength, which is needed
The border is the first to be knit. and should be
either black or blue that is only shade Off
Use ordinary small steel knitting-needles and
putting on twelve stitches. knit backward and
forward what IS called garter stitch, until you
have strip as long as the greatest length of the
carpet. Bind of. dampen thoroughly
and press until dry with q moderately
hot iron. To remove the imperceptible
moisture place in warm. not hot, oven over
night. Knit i've OF these strips Of black-a
large maj will require seven-and these serve
Tor the border at the top and bottom. The col
ored woods go in the CENTER and 1t will be richer
and handsOmer If the predominant colors are
blue, white and yellow; dark and bright red
pinks, greels and other colors added In smaller
proportions. In knitting the other rows COM
nence and end each one with black to length
Of three or four inches, according to the width
o. black allowed at top and bottom. Do not
elvide the colors with any regularity, but knit
Two or three inches Of one color, break of the
wool, and, joining another, have an inch or so
OF that When all the strips are finished and
thoroughly dr.. cut each one lengthwise right
Gown the middle, thus making two from
each. Ravel the stitches to within short dis
lance OF the edge, just enough to sew on the