The Topeka state journal., 1908-10-03

My neighbor was busy cutting and
rolling something that looked like the
old-faShioned rags of which our grand
mothers made carpets. 1 watched her
awhile, and then my curiosity got the
better of me, so I want in quest or IN
formation. She looked up Smilingly, in
answer to my query as to whether sne
had gone back to colonial days, or into
settlement work. She shook her head,
however, at each guess, and answered
merrily:
81 don't think you would ever solve
this mystery, Ms. Sherlock, so I'll just
tell you all about it. You see, have
a great many stocking legs left after
each season. Where there are three
boys still in knickers, and one young
lady daughter who wears low Shoes
the accumulation is rather discourag-
ing to one who likes to economize. The
boys simply will not consent to wear
stockings that have been darned in the
knees, and as for Dorothy-well, you
know yourself that when a stocking
rubs out of the heel, where a darn will
show in low shoes, that is the end OF
it's usefulness. So 1 have evolved a
plan whereby the legs can be used.
cut them in strip about three inches
wide, starting at the top and going
around in the leg to the ankle in
continuous bias length. These 1 sew
together, keeping the black ones by
themselves and rolling them into
ball. The lighter colored one-tan and
delicate shades-I sew, hit or miss, and
wind into separate balls. When 1 have
enough, L buy this soft white clothes
line rope and crochet the cloth over
1t in single stitch. can make rug
of any size and almost any shape. I
hardly ever make the old-time round
rug that our foremothers used braided
rags for, because other shapes are
more useful This one 1 am making
now will be for the bathroom. The
main part of it will be black, but, af-
ter the present season of tan and dull
blue, 1 have begged enough from my
friends to make wide stripes of those
colors at each end, while between
them, and separated by a couple of
rows of black, will be hit or miss
made of old party hose. with a few of
Johns fancy socks to help out. 1 cut
the thinner hose into wider stripes so
as to keep the whole a regular width
when crocheted. 1 made one of blue
and white hose that was a beauty for
Dorothy's ROOM 1t would surprise you
to know how many stockings a fairly
we'll dressed family will use in a sea-
son. and ones neighbors, who have not
found any use for the legs, except to
| clutter up the dresser drawer, are al
ways willing to help out by contribu-
tions. Don't you think that it is a
nice little economy?
Indeed, yes" 1 responded enthusi-
astically. Il never found any other
use for them than to make quick and
handy iron holders. Just cut off the
I feet and fold them into the right length
and turn the last length back over the
whole then tack 1t in two or three
places and it is done"
WELL" said the bride, who had joined
US, 'I use old silk ones for covering
my arms under my coat when 1 wear
evening gowns in the winter. / sew a
friIl of lace where the foot has been
cut off at the ankle and draw them
nd when is is
able to see what they are. 1 am so
much warmer and more comfortable.
You know how bare arms feel under
| a coat. 1 have several pairs of diff
ferent colors and they are a great COM
! fort"
Yes" said my neighbor, that is a
good thing to know. 1t would be fine
| for the little girls, too. who are going
to parties. 1 have used the tops of
soft black wool hose for little tights
| for the small children. 1 split them
| down to the place where the shaping
| begins and sew them together, leaving
an opening in the seat, where ] insert
! square piece just as the ones you
| buy are made. The ankle can be
| shaped little more to fit, and an edge
| crochetted around, and a bit of leather
| cut from an old shoe and sewed to slip
under the instep and they are done.
! The upper edge may either have a
band and buttonholes or wide hem
| and a broad rubber run through"
| That would be a good idea applied
| to the thinner black hose for school
pants in the winter. They would 10 oh
| neat and be comfortable too.''
THAT makes a good many uses ros
| what 1 have considered hopeless
waste" / said, what might be called
| sby-products.' Can you think of any
| other uses for them?"
| mo, unless you have not used them
| for drawing on over the sleeves for
protection. White ones are nice. as
| they can be kept dainty and yet be
i little trouble to wash or iron. 1t is an
] interesting subject and one on which