The broad ax., 1915-10-23
| 81 bint FOR
| the
| lNeedleworker

Crocheted buttons are extensively
used this season, and those that are
handmade have q distinctive charm
all their own When you are clever
enough to make these buttons yourself
you solve the difficulty Of shopping for
unusual shades to match gowns and
come in almost every color. as do wool
and mercerized cotton.
The crocheting is put over wooden
molds, and these moldS Come in various
shapes and sizes-square, round, OBJ
long or ovaEand silk, wool or mer
cerized cotton can be employed with
equal success, the material used de-
pending upon the use to which the but
tons are to be put Those that are COW
cred with silk can be used for orna-
mentation, as well as for pure utility,
but handmade sweaters this season
are showing buttons covered with the
same material Of which the sweater
itself is made, either wool or silk. But
tons covered with merceriZed cotton
have infinite possibilities, for they can
be used on all wash fabrics, as they
launder beautifully. These buttons are
quite simple to make, the main secret
being to crochet tightly, so there will
be no spaces between the stitches, re-
vealing the wooden mold beneath.
Start with a chain Of three stitches,
join, and into this ring put eight single
crochet. Into every second stitch Of
these eight stitches put three single
crochet This will start the four cor
ners. On the next row put three sin
gle crochet into every fourth stitch,
which will bring 1t to the middle stitch
Of the three stitches in the row be-
low. Continue around, increasing two
stitches on each side, until you have
made a square large enough to cover
the top of the mold. Then crochet two
rows without increasing at the cor
ners. Put in the mold and begin to
decrease by skipping every fourth
stitch Do this for several rows. Then
skip every third stitch, then every sec
ond one, until you reach the center. A
row Of single crochet around the CEN
tral stitch forms a fine shank and
makes it easier to sew on, as well as
to button.
For round buttons start with a
chain Of three stitches, join, and into
the ring put eight single crochet. Into
each Of these eight stitches put two
single crochet On the next row put
frryo 0fr aro0hnf int
stitch, then into every third stitch, reg
ulat1ng this by keeping the circle per-
fectly fat When you have crocheted
enough to cover the top Of the mold
crochet two.rows plain without adding
any stitches. Fit this on the mold and
begin to take of, skipping first every
fourth, then every third and then every
second stitch until you reach the CEN
ter. The covering should fit the mold
very closely, SO this may have to be
modified somewhat.
To make oval buttons start with a
chain Of four stitches, turn and work
a single crochet into each stitch Of the
chain. In the last stitch put three
single crochet and continue on around
on the other side Of the chain, working
three single crochet into the middle
stitch on the other end. Work on
around, putting three single crochet
into the middle stitch Of each end. If
it does not lie smooth put in four
stitches instead of three on each end.
When you have worked enough to COW
er the top Of the mold make two plain
rows all around. Insert mold and be-
gin to take off by skipping every fourth
stitch, then every third and every Sec
ond stitch until it is finished. Then
work one row around the middle stitch
as a shank. OF course these directions
may vary little, according to the size
Of the button, but q little experience
helps to overcome any difficulties.
Belts In Favor