THE YOUNG 
THE WORK BASKET. 
The style of netting shown in Fig 1, is 
sometimes called " letter B netting," be- 
cause the pear-drops in the meshes form 
Fig. 1. 
the letter. For working it a double strand 
is required for this netting, with a mesh 
of proportionate size. Any netter will find 
it easy to reproduce the pear-drops which 
dot the initial itself ; they are formed by 
winding the thread or silk twice round 
the mesh after the stitch is completed, and 
securing those pendant loops by a knot. 
To allow them to fall nicely they are each 
separated by a plain stitch. All letters 
can, of course, be represented in the same 
pretty style, besides many simple pat- 
terns, as the diamond, star, etc. Indeed, 
cross-stitch designs would be a guide for 
borders and powderings executed in this 
method. 
Such initials are used for sachets, night- 
dress bags, pillow cases, cushions, etc., 
but to show up well should always be 
lined with some bright-colored sarsanet 
or sateen. 
Katie B- sends the following : *' For 
outline embroidery the simple ordinary 
backstitch is used. When the lines are 
SCIENTIST. 17 
required to be very fine they are worked 
in very fine ; bring the needle out through 
the centre of the thread, instead of coming 
to one side of it. The sticlies should be 
of the same average length and the out- 
line should be followed exactly. Measure 
the distance with the eye and avoid a 
sudden shortening or lengthening of the 
stitch. Care must be taken in working- 
to have the stitches lie flat. Always work: 
with a short thread, as otherwise the silk 
or cotton will become rough. Never work 
with too small a needle, as it will drag the 
material. 
Sadie K says : "To made a very 
pretty card basket, construct a framework 
out of stovepipe wire to the shape desired, 
then take about three pounds of alum 
and three quarts of water, boil until the 
alum is dissolved. Suspend the wire bas- 
ket in this solution, and let it remain for 
twenty-four or thirty-six hours, at the end 
of which time it will be found covered: 
with beautiful alum crystals." 
The manner of making the wire frame- 
work is very simple and will suggest it- 
self. The basket, when made, looks very 
handsome. Many other things besides 
baskets may be made and covered witli 
alum crystals by the same process, and 
it does not necessarily follow that wire be 
used in the construction of the frame- 
work. Cotton wrapping cord will, in 
many cases, answer just as well as wire, 
when it can be fastened to some sub^ 
stantial frame-work. 
Fig. 2 shows a knitted check pattern,, 
which is not difficult to follow. The- 
blocks may be colored to represent some 
of the various tartans and devices of Scot- 
land ; but liere, to prevent the extra thick- 
ness gained by carrying the wool across 
at the back, each check is made separ- 
ately on the bias, and deftly knitted to- 
gether. Hence, while the Scotch mode 
rather tightens the material, this new 
slantwise way gives it a great deal of elas- 
ticity, so much so, that when used for 
stockings, one-third of the ordinary 
stitches may be suppressed. 
In the cut, the blocks are eight stitches 
square, and of two colors ; but when se- 
lected as borders for petticoats, quilts,, 
etc., much larger squares can be obtained: 
