The sun., 1918-08-01
600 AT KNITTING
BEE ON PARK MALL
Mrs. Ethel RizzO Wins First
Prize in Speed Con-
test.
SETS SWEATER RECORD
Even Larger Numbers Ex-
pccted to Knit Their
Bit To-day.

Once more dry and their spirits un-
dampened by Tuesdays downpour about
six hundred workers attended, the knit
ting bee held by the comforts commit
tee OF the Navy League on Central Park
Mall yesterday. Chilly weather had sup
plemented the rain. but mothers. sweet
hearts, fathers brothers and friends all
turned out In force 10 help supply com
forts for the boys at the front. Busy
fingers worked all day long, and as
result everything from sweaters to
warm socks decorated the numerous ia
bies by night.
The speed contest, which was post
poned on account of the rain Tuesday.
was held. Mrs. Ethel Rizxo OF 20s East
Sixty-seventh street won the first prize,
knitting twenty-one rows of twenty
eight stitches on a No. needle in a
little better than eight minutes.
Makes Record on Sweater.
Mrs Rizzo has been one of the busiest
workers at the bee She made a record
yesterday. starting a trench sweater at
1890 and turning the shoulder at
O'Clock. The first trench sweater to be
completely finished was turned in at
o'clock by Mrs Elizabeth Guild of Goa
East 204th street. Bedford Park, The
Bronx. Mrs. Guilds sweater was a beau
tiful piece of work, and had only been
started at . O'Clock Tuesday.
What do you want to do now >" asked
one of the ladies in charge. Knit some
socks?''
Goodness. no. 1 have knitted dozens
Of pairs already and am sick OF them.
guess ] will start another sweater"
was the reply.
Gayly decorated with American bunt-
ing and sock" flags representing the
colors OF the Allies. the mall resembled
little corner OF a county fair. Music
vas furnished by Sherry's band under
the direction of Henri Frapzen. while
girls in white skipped between the tables
with trays of ice ere m and cake
Two small boys, Adam Burke of 522
East Thirty-fifth street. and John Ham
mond of 80 West Sixty-seventh street.
enjoyed the distinction Of being the
youngest knttters of the bee Burke,
who Is ~. was working on a scarf and
Hammond, 10, was doing his best on a
trench cap.
Blind Girls Work Fast.
Tho blind girls. who had bench by
themselves on the North side OF the mall
were decidedly fast knitters. Some had
sweaters which were started Tuesday
and by last night had neared compile
ton. one OF the male knitters. l. r.
Seeiye of 534 West 15Sd street, is a G.
A. r. veteran. He already has inis,<Hd
thirty trench sweaters and was working
on the thirty-frst at tho bee yesterday.
Capt. Michael O'Neill of hath street
Belle Harbor. was one Of the busiest
knltters. The Captains son. Sergea Mt
Il. A. O'Neill, Is now In France with the
302d Engineers.
A little tnge Of war was lent the bee
with the presence of two British veter-
ans, Sergeant-Major T. ]. Ship. Royal
Dublin Fusiliers. and Sergeant Major ~.
Bcthune of the Highland Light Infantry.
Both were in France about three years
and were invaded home suffering from
bullet wounds.
Mrs. Herbert T. Satterlee. chairman
of the committee, and Mrs. H Archibald
Pell. chairman OF the Knitting Rec, were
deliehted with the turnout of workers
yesterday and stated that they expected
even more to-day.