"The Distaff."

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2283, 26 February 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

"The Distaff."

PLUM LATTICE FATTREN CROCHET. Tnis is a good pattern for antimacassars and couvrepied«. Required, double Berlin wool, four shades of crimson or any colour that may bo preferred. Bone crochet, needle, No. 0. With the darkest shade of wool make a chain as long as required, and work four rows of plain double crneliet. forward and backwards. sth row—with the next slightest, shudo of wool, aiul commencing the same end of the woik as you left oil', work throe con - secutive double crochet, "wool three times over the needle, insert the. hook in the work so as to take up the first double crochet, i)i- t-lie first row, draw tho wool through, wool over the needle ami draw through two loop*, wool over the needle and draw through two loops, wool over the needle and draw through two loops again, wool twico over tho noodle :tiul insert tho honk in the work s.) as to take u:.> " tho fourth double crochet of the first row, draw the wool through, wool over tho needle and draw through two loops, wool over tho needle and insert tho hook in the same place, draw the wool throuirh, wool over the needle and draw throuirh two limps, wool over the needle and insert the hook in the sainoplace, draw tho wool through, wool ever the needle, and draw throuirh two loops, wool over the needle and insert the hook in tho same place, draw the wool through, wool over tho needle and draw through five loops,- you now have ,3 Ktifcchgs on the noedlo, wool three times over' the needle, insert the hook in tho work so art >to /take up the third double crochet from the last stitch so pinked up in tho first row, draw the wool thruiiffh, wool over the needle and draw through, two'loops, wool over the needle and draw through 'wo loops, wool oyer the needle and draw through., the 4 stitches on the needle, work <3 consecutive double crochet,, repeat from * now inserting the hook into the same stitch of the first row of double crochet-as the last lone lattice stitch is worked'into. There must be 3 double eroelfet to work at the end of the row. (Jth; 7th and Bth rows.—Plain double crochet with tho same shade of wool. 9th row.— With the leftolF, insert the hook in the first stitch of previous row and draw-the wool through (but not finish working, a-, double crochet stitch) wool three tines over the needle, insert the hook right under the loop of raised stitches made in the fifth row, draw the wool through, wool over the needle and draw through two loops, wool over the needle and draw through the 3 stitches on the ueedle, 5 double crochet, wool three times over the needle and work as directed from •• to u 'in the fifth row, thin time inserting the hook through the work in the lower part of the long lattice stitch just raised where it encircles the bunch of raised loops made on the fifth row. 10th, 11th, and 12th rows—Plain double crochet with the same shade ot wool. Then work ft om the sth row to the SthiiQW with the next lighter shade of wool, and from the 9th row to the 12th row with the lightest shade. This done you can recommence with the darkest shade of wool, and repeat the work gradually to the lightest shade, or take the second lightest shade and graduate therefrom to the darkest.

ITEMS. A clever writer suggests that the servant. difficulty in towns may ultimately be overcome by the several departments of hou'sgt. work being handed over to specialists vVyho would call at a great number, of houses to perforin the same work in each. They would make a good living, and would enjoy iudependeticeand freedom'from the restrictions of the present dr/lnestic. Visitjti'g Ciivda are going out of favour in the United States, in ultra-fashion-able houses tr small slate is hung up in the hall by a dainty ribbon, elegantly framed and painted with Ilowers. One side is loi'i; blank for the ealiers to write their names. A weekly list of patents compiled for the Qne.oa.givos the bellowing inventions as having Lately been made and patented by women : —I. Self-holding toastingfork. '1. in the manufacture of 'india-rubber, gutta-percha, and analogous' gums.. i>. Improvements 111 steppers ntul necks of bottles and like vessels. I. An improved crinolette or dress improver. f>. Improvements in folding carriage hoods. Not so bad for lis, is it.? And all <in one week too. — QueousUuuler. Homo of the fashion items in the English and American papers are most amusiiig. It seems thai, tho very la'est idea is to have one's iace adorned with "beauty spot*," painted in Indian ink instead of pieces of court plaster. Anything for novelty. Wo read that the parasols, carried this year at Saratoga have never been equalled for magiiifieeuee and costl-iuos;'. Some of them cost no less than 200 dol. each, while the average, rank jitv 101) dol. apiece. Surely this is tlio very acme of extravagance. Another item of 'fashion gossip which comes to us relates tq Mrs La:i*fry, for whose taste in dross it'does not speak well. It seems that this lady has an amazing costume in preparation in Paris. It is of some palo pink material, braided with silver, with a blue sash, and is to be worn with a heliotropo mantle embroidered with gold. Rather a striking combination of colours.

Sir Hercules Robinson and Lady Hob inson hold tin afternoon reception at Government - house, Cape Town, recently, prior to the departure of His Excellency on his special mission to Mauritius. The day was lovely, and the sunshine brilliant. Crowds of Her Majesty's loyal South African subjects attended the reception to take leave of Sir Hercules, aud after shaking' hands with His Excellency and receiving a. gracious greeting from Lady Robinson and her daughter. Ihe guests passed oil into the pretty grounds of Governmenthouse. There the band attracted little groups to itself, and many of the guests collected.'rouiid'L'Kly Robinson's pet animals, which were a. great feature of the entertainment.. The tamest and tiniest of monkeys in holiday suits of velvet, with laco collars and cuffs, sat up with solemn dignity and surveyed their visitors, or skipped joyously whenever the band played inspiriting tunes. A cage full of engaging Madagascar cats occupied a conspicuous position on the lawn, and did their very best to attract attention. Soft little grey paws were held out through the bars when any gown or ribbon fluttered near, and when fortunate enough to be patted by a, dainty glove, or scratched by a timid parasol, the little creatures wore gratefully delighted, and danced up and down their cages in their glee. Tall, grave birds wandered about among the'guests, and inspected the fay crowd with an air of calm curiosity and critical approval; but all Lady Robinson's pets seemed models of gentleness, and to have no other thought or wish than to behave prettily to iifr fnnnrl*