Godey's Lady's Book

GODEY'S LADY'S BOOK
Philadelphia, March 1850

THE WORK TABLE.

SOFA CUSHION.

Materials – No. 16 crochet hook; nine shades of 4-thread Berlin wool – ten skeins of each shade; one ounce of the pink violet, and half an ounce of shaded scarlet wool; one reel of Evans's Boar's Bead drab cotton.

THIS cushion is worked nearly all under the chain or into the space.

1st row.- Make a chain of 12 stitches with the darkest scarlet, unite the ends, work 24 long stitches under the circular chain, making 3 chain between each 3d long stitch; after the last long make 3 chain, d c* into the 1st long stitch, cut the wool, draw it to the back and tie it securely in 3 knots – this must be done at every row.

2d row.– Next shade, 4 long under the 3 chain that is between each 2d long, 3 chain; repeat.

3d row.– Next shade, 2 long under the 3 chain between the 2 long, 3 chain, 2 more long under the same, 3 chain, 1 long under the 3 chain, 3 chain; repeat.

4th row.– Next shade, same as last row, only making the long stitch on the long.

5th row. – Next shade, 2 long under the 3 chain between the 2 long stitches, 4 chain, 2 long under the same, 3 chain, d c under the next 3 chain, 5 chain, d c under next 3 chain, 3 chain; repeat.

6th row.– Next shade, 2 long under the 4 chain,

4 chain, 2 more long under the same, 3 chain, d c under the 3 chain, 5 chain, d c under the 5 chain, 5 chain, d c under the 3 chain, 3 chain; repeat.

7th row.– Next shade, 2 long under the 4 chain, 4 chain, 9 more long under the same, 5 chain, d c under the 5 chain, 5 chain, d c under the 5 chain, 5 chain; repeat.

8th row.– Next shade, 2 long under the 4 chain, 5 chain, ? more long under the same, 3 chain, d c under the 0 chain, 5 chain, d c under the 5 chain, 5 chain, d c under the 5 chain, 3 chain; repeat.

9th row. – Lightest shade, 2 long under the 5 chain at the point, 5 chain, 2 more long under the same, 8 chain, d c under the 3 chain, 5 chain, d c under the 5 chain, 5 chain, d c under the 5 chain, 5 chain, d c under the 3 chain, 3 chain; repeat.

10th row. – Next shade darker, 2 long under the 5 chain at the point, 5 chain, 2 more long under the same, 3 chain, d c under the 3 chain, * 5 chain, d c under the 5 chain, repeat. from * twice more, then 5 chain, d c under the 3 chain, 3 chain; repeat from beginning.

11th row.– Next shade, 2 long under the 5 chain at the point, 5 chain, 2 more long under the came chain, 3 chain, d c under the 3 chain, *, 5 chain, dc under the next 5 chain, repeat from * 3 times more, 5 chain, d c under the 3 chain, 3 chain; repeat from beginning.

12th row.– Next shade, 2 long under the 5 chain at the point, 5 chain, 2 more long under the came, 3 chain, d c under the 3 chain, *, 5 chain, d c under the G chain, repeat from * 4 times more, 5 chain, d c under the 3 chain, 3 chain; repeat from beginning.

13th row. – Next shade, same as last row, only repeating 5 times instead of 4.

14th row. – Next shade, 3 long under the 5 chain at the point, 5 chain, 3 more long under the same chain, *, 5 chain, d c under the 5 chain, repeat from * 6 times more, 5 chain; repeat from beginning.

15th row.– Next shade, 9 long under the 5 chain at the point, 5 chain, 2 more long under the same, 3 chain, d c under the 5 chain, 5 chain, d c under the 5 chain, *, 3 chain, d c under the 5 chain, repeat from *, 4 times more, then 5 chain, d e under the 5 chain, 3 chain; repeat from beginning.

16th row.– Next shade, 2 long under the 5 chain at the point, 6 chain, 2 more long under the same, 3 chain, d c under the 3 chain, 5 chain; d c under 5 chain, *, 5 chain, d c under the 3 chain, repeat from * 4 times more, 5 chain, d c under the 3 chain, 3 chain; repeat from beginning.

17th row.– Darkest shade, 2 long under the 5 chain at the point, 5 chain, 2 more long under the same, 3 chain, 1 long under every chain till the next point, then 3 chain; repeat.

18th row.– With green wool exactly the same as the last row.

This forms one star.

Make three more stars exactly the same as the last. It will be found less monotonous to work the four stars at once – that is, working the same row on each of the four stars before proceeding to another row.

With the violet wool, crochet one point of each of the two stars together (keeping both on the wrong side): do this by inserting the hook through the centre loop of the 5 chain at the point of both stars; draw the wool through, and again crochet it through, 3 chain, 1 long on 2d of the green stitches, 3 chain, *, 1 long on long, 3 chain, repeat from till the first of the two green stitches, on which make 1 long, 3 chain, crochet the points of the two stars together through the centre loops of the 5 chain; then make 3 chain, and on the other star make 1 long on the 2d of the green stitches, and proceed exactly as in the last star: this will form an oval. Continue on the wrong side 3 chain, crochet the opposite violet long stitches together of each star, 3 chain, 1 long on long, 3 chain till the last violet long stitch, crochet this and the opposite one together, 3 chain, crochet this and the opposite one together, 3 chain, 1 long on long, 3 chain till the last long, crochet this and the opposite stitch together, 3 chain, crochet the next long and the opposite one together, 3 chain, 1 long on long, 3 chain till the last long, crochet this and the opposite stitch together; then hold the work double together in the hand, make 3 chain, and crochet all the long stitches on both sides exactly opposite to each other together, taking care to make 3 chain between each d c stitch. Fasten off the wool by making 2 or 3 chain, and drawing it tightly.

Then take the other two stars, and unite them exactly the same.

Then, to unite the four stars together, take the 2d point from the violet wool of both stars, which will now be in two pieces instead of four, and work as directed for the two stars, and on the opposite side do the same; this will leave a circle m the centre which must be filled up thus: Take the green and violet wool and work a star up to the ninth row, the same as the scarlet stars, arranging the colors as follows – first, two rows of green; then alternate violet and green; the outside row will be violet. Keep the work on the wrong side; lay it on a table, having the centre star also on the wrong side; takea point of this and a point of the violet oval in the scarlet stars, insert the hook through the centre loop of the 5 chain in the centre star, and crochet them together; tie the wool in a firm knot two or thee times; then, an the 6th green long stitch, do the same with the next point, and continue till all the points are secured; then work four half stars thus, working them forwards and back: –

1st row.– With green wool, make a chain of 12 stitches, and work under the chain 1 long, 3 chain; then 19 long, making 3 chain between each 3d long stitch; then 3 chain, 1 long.

2d row.– Turn back, 3 chain (these 3 chains are equivalent to 1 long), 1 long under the 3 chain, 3 chain, 2 more long under the same, *, 3 chain, 2 long under the 3 chain, 3 chain, 2 more long under the same, repeat from * 3 times more.

3d row.– Turn back, 3 chain, 1 long under the 3 chain, 3 chain, 2 more long under the same, *, 3 chain, 1 long under next 3 chain, 3 chain, 2 long under 3 chain, 3 chain, 2 more long under the same, repeat from * three times more.

4th row.– Violet wool, turn back, 3 chain, 1 long under the 3 chain, 4 chain, 2 more long under the same, *, 3 chain, d c under the 3 chain, 5 chain, d c under the 3 chain, 3 chain, 2 long under the 3 chain, 4 chain, 2 more long under the same, repeat from * 3 times more.

5th row.– Turn back, 3 chain, 1 long under the 4 chain, 4 chain, 2 more long under the same, *, 3 chain, d c under the 3 chain, 5 chain, d c under the 5 chain, 5 chain, d c under the 3 chain, 3 chain, '2 long under the 4 chain, 4 chain, 2 more long under' the same, repeat from three times more.

6th row.– Turn back, 3 chain, 1 long under the 4 chain, 5 chain, 2 more long under the same, *, 5 chain, d c under the 5 chain, 5 chain, d c under the 5 chain, 5 chain, 2 long under the 4 chain, 5 chain, 2 more long under the same, repeat from 3 times more.

7th row.– Turn back, 3 chain, 1 long under the 5 chain, 5 chain, 2 more long under the same, *, 3 chain, d c under 5 chain, 5 chain, d c under 5 chain, 0 chain, d c under 5 chain, 3 chain, 2 long under the 4 chain, 5 chain, 2 more long under the same, repent from 3 times more.

8th row. – Turn back;, 3 chain, 1 long under the 5 chain, 2 more long under the same, *, 3 chain, d c under the 3 chain, 0 chain, d c. under the 5 chain, 5 chain, d c under the 5 chain, 5 chain, d c under the 3 chain, 3 chain, '2 long under toe 5 chain, 5 chain, 2 more long under the came, repeat from * 3 times more.

Fasten each half star with green wool into the four sides of the cushion, exactly the same as directed for centre star.

TO FILL UP THE ANGLES. Commence at the green point that is joined to the second point of the half circles, with violet wool; make 1 long, 3 chain under every 3 chain of the green row till the 3 chain before the 2 long green stitchery, d c under the 3 chain, 5 chain, d c under the centre of the 5 chain, 5 chain, d c under the 3 chain; then continue 3 chain, 1 long under every 3 chain of the green till the next point, where work as before; then continue till the next point, which will be where the half circle is joined, when after the long stitch which will come between the green long stitches, d c into the violet point without making any chain; turn back, 3 chain, d c on M long stitch, 3 chain, 1 long under the 2d 3 chain, work 3 chain, 1 long under every 3 chain till the 3 chain between the violet lung stitches and d c stitch; then make 3 chain, d c under this 3 chain, 5 chain, d c under centre of 5, 5 chain, d c under centre of 5, 5 chain, d c under 3 chain, 3 chain; then 1 long, 3 chain as before; continue working over the point the same as, the last, till the last 3 long stitches, when make 3 chain, d c on 2d long stitch, 3 chain, d c on last long stitch, d c into the point of the half circle, turn back, 3 chain, 1 long under every 3 chain till the long stitch before the 3 chain, and d c stitch at the next point, 3 chain, d c under the 3 chain, 5 chain, d c under the 5 chain, 5 chain, d c under the 5 chain, 5 chain, d c under the 5 chain, 3 chain, d c under the 3 chain, 3 chain, 1 long under every 3 chain, working over the point the same as the last, till the last 3 chain of last row; then 3 chain, 1 long into every space of the half circle. Fasten off by working a d c stitch into the two points. Then work the other three. sides precisely the same. The size and shape will now be twenty-three inches square, with the four corners cut off Cut the calico to contain the feathers (of which three pounds will be sufficient) the same size and shape – also green velvet or satin for lining; the former is most useful. Then damp the front very much, and lay it between linen to press; and

COMMENCE THE BACK. – With violet wool, make a chain of 25 inches long, turn back, work 1 long, 3 chain, 1 long into every 3d loop till the end; turn back make 6 chain, *, 1 long under every 3 chain, 3 chain, repeat from * – always commencing each row with 0 chain till there are 7 rows of violet; then on each side work 7 rows of green; then on each side the green work 7 rows of shaded scarlet; then on each side the scarlet work 7 rows of green; then 7 rows of violet. Let this be well damped and pressed.

THEN FOR THE BORDER.– With green wool, d c under who 3 chain, 7 chain, repeat round the cushion, excepting at the points; then into the 2 chains of 5 that come directly over the green stitches, d c twice, making 7 chain between each d c stitch.

With drab cotton, work d c under the 7 chain, 5 chain; repeat – at the 7 chain d c twice under it, making 5 chain between each.

With the lightest scarlet but one, begin at the 5 chain at the point, 2 long under the 5 chain, 3 chain, 2 more long under the same, 1 chain, d c under next 5, 1 chain; repeat.

With cotton, d c on d c, 5 chain, d c under the 3 chain, 5 chain; repeat.

With lightest scarlet, d c under the 5 chain, 7 chain – begin so that the 7 chain comes over the 3 chain of the last scarlet row, d c under the 5 chain, 3 chain; repeat.

Same color, d c under the 3 chain, 3 chain, 5 long under the 7 chain, 3 chain; repeat.

Damp and press it again, Begin making up by stitching the velvet square; then turn it, cut off the corners; slightly tack the back to the velvet, turning the corners inside the velvet; then with green silk sew it securely round; then put on the front, and sew it with violet silk at the last violet row but one. This cushion will not require cord. Finish with scarlet or green shaded tassels.

CROCHET FLOWER WORK. DIRECTIONS.

As the terms used for the different stitches of crochet are found to vary very much, it has been thought advisable to explain the exact meaning of the stitches used, as the form of the flower would, of course, be materially altered by the slightest deviation from the method originally used.

There are in crochet but four principal elementary stitches – the chain, or foundation; the plain stitch; the double stitch; and the long, or, as it is sometimes called, the open stitch, as it is principally used in open work. The chain is made thus: Make a loop at the end of the thread; insert the crochet in this loop; pass the thread over the needle from the back to the front, and draw the crochet and thread through the loop. You will thus have formed a second loop, in which is your needle; pass the thread over, and draw it through the loop again; and repeat this until the chain is as long as you require-

PLAIN, OR SIMPLE CROCHET. – After making a chairs, turn the world so as to keep it on the right side, and work back, placing the needle in the top of the corresponding loop of the chain; put the thread round the needle as before, draw it through the loop of' the chain, and the stitch on your crochet, and continue thus: –

DOUBLE CROCHET.– After making a chain, turn the work as before, insert the needle in the loop of the chain, put the thread round the needle, and draw the crochet and thread through one loop; put the thread again over the needle, and draw crochet and thread through the two loops on the needle Continue thus to the end of the row.

LONG STITCH.– Having made a chain, form a separate loop on your thread, and insert the needle into it; pass the thread over the crochet, keeping the end of the thread in your left hand to prevent the loop from slipping; place the crochet in the loop of the chain, and draw it through one loop; pass the thread again over the needle, and draw it through two loops; pass it once more over, and draw it through the last two loops, which finishes the stitch.

Most crochet workers hold the thread in the left hand, and catch k with the hook or crochet; but some hold it in the right, as for knitting. Generally speaking, the first method is the best; but whenever a wire is required to be worked in the edge, as in the following receipts, the second is preferable.

When a wire is to be worked in the edge of double crochet, the first part of the stitch must be completed independently of it; but before you take up the last two loops, place a bit of wire over the second finger of your left hand, pass the needle under it, throw the thread over the needle, behind the wire, and draw the thread through both the loops. Exactly the same method is adopted for the long stitch, only catching the wire in the last two loops.

When a leaf or petal is to be made which re- quires several rows of double or long stitch, a fresh wire is to be worked in every row, unless otherwise directed.

Although common iron wire has generally been used for these flowers, yet, when practicable, it will be better to procure leto, which is a much softer kind of wire(to be obtained at artificial flower shops, and can be had of various sizes). When it is about the thickness of a rather fine thread, it will be found to work in the best.

HAWTHORN: OR, MAY FLOWER.

This flower may be made in white, but it looks more natural when done in a very pale, delicate shade of pink, split wool. The centre is composed of twelve or fifteen small stamens, tipped with a brownish red. These are sold by the manufacturers of artificial flower materials, at a very trifling charge.

FLOWERS. – Make first a small ring of wire, by folding a bit of wire in the middle, and twisting the ends together two or three times, cut off one end of the wire; take a length of the split wool, make a loop with it on the crochet needle, and work- a plain stitch of crochet on the ring. Then work four long stitches in succession, also on the ring, and continue to make one plain and four long stitches four times more, forming altogether five small round petals; break off the wool some distance from the work; place the stamen in the centre of the flower, twist the ring quite close, and, with a piece of green silk split or very fine floss silk, tie the ends of the wool to the stem; cut off the wool, and cover about two inches of the stalk with the same silk.

About ten or twelve of these flowers will form a full bunch. All the little stalks (though of different lengths) must be placed together.

LEAF.– Make a chain of seven stitches, and work round it a row of double crochet, with a pretty yellow shade of green, lighter than that used for the chain: a wire must be worked in the edge; and, in mounting the leaves, place three together, covering the stalk with split wool.

* Double crochet.

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