The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-07-26

wings, or the buzz of bumblebees,
this summer, is the fash of knitting
needles. Everywhere one sees the
flying needles-at the theatre, on the
railroad train, on excursian steamers,
in restaurants, in the crowded sub.
way cars. even on the sidewalks.
Woman's knitting bag and woman
are inseparable companions, for there
must be no idle minutes II all the
sweaters and muffiers, all the nit
tens and compress pads are to be fin
ished in time. In time-that is, to
reach the soldiers before cold wealth
er; and for every soldier there is,
these days. somewhere woman
knitting.
Most Of the work is done under
the auspices of the Red Cross, but
one may obtain materials and direc-
tions for knitting anywhere. The
work of knitting comfort garments
for the sailors of the United States
Navy has been officially placed in
charge of the Comforts Committee of
the Navy League by an order of
Secretary of the Navy Daniels. II
you want to knit for the Jackies, Lrop
line to the headquarters Of the
Comforts Committee of the Navy
League, at Washington and direc-
tions for doing this work will be sent
you. Every shop seems to have a
supply of the necessary woods and
the right needles, with lists Of direc-
.tions about setting to work. Let not
the tyro at knitting thinnk, however,
that she can turn in work Of any old
kind. Every article knitted must
come up to the specifications of the
Red Cross-and the standard of work
is high in this organization. Dropped
stitches will not be tolerated, or un-
even widths resulting from that fire.
Quent fault of the beginner in knit
ting-too many stitches.N The begin
ner is very, very careful not to drop
stitches, but where is the beginner
who is not sorely puzzled to under.
stand why more and more stitches
keep growing on her needle as she
goes along?
Easy to Learn to Knit but Practice
Makes Good knltter
Anybody can learn to knit-even 9
child Of five years old; but the abilit,
to knit perfectly and at the same time
rapidly comes only with practice ant
close attention. Some Of the sweat
ers turned out in the past few year.
by enthusiastic women who "coul(
hardly wait to get them finished
have been disgrace to the gentle ar
OF knitting. Dropped stitches, bulg
ing or sagging lines and knot-tor
tured surfaces have betrayed the un
skilled and too-hasty fingers tha1
welded. the flying needles. No such
work is tolerated in garments for the
soldiers, and il woman is learnins
nothing else this summer, she IL
learning to knit perfectly.
Best to Begin On Something Easy
Do not plunge into the knitting
coterie with sweater, set up on your
needles by some kind friends, or by
demonstrator In the shop where you
bought the wool. Learn to set up
stitches yourself and set up and
pull of after a few ribs have been
finished, several times until you have
mastered this first important step in
the craft. There are women who
have completed whole sweaters for
themselves without having learned
how to set up stitches on a needle;
some kindly individual starting the
work and attending to the setting.up
business where sleeves were added.
pockets started, or other details at.
tended to. The best thing to begin
on is washcloth or compress pad.
Cotton is used, not wool, and after
the stitches are set up In proper mum.
Der one has only to knit straight
ahead until square is obtained. II
q mistake is made little time will be
lost pulling out the stitches and be.
ginning over and one will not feel
the same encouragement as in pull.
ing to pieces a potential wooden gar
ment. After you have acquired the
knack of knitting evenly without
dropped stitches or extra stitches un.
accountably burdening the needle, be.
gin on a owol muffler. For this you
VIII need half a pound of knitting
yarn and fifty stitches must be set
up-or cast on" il you prefer that
term. Then knit until the muffier is
ffty-eight inches long, no longer and
no shorter; for remember it is the
Red Cross you have to deal with, and
every bit Of work submitted must
a