389 
Knitting Men's Socks 
A few weeks ago I saw the request for 
directions for knitting homemade socks, 
not the “government,” kind. I will give 
directions which I use in knitting socks 
for my husband, who was taught by him 
grandmother that “store” socks were uu- 
lit for anyone to wear, a fact that has 
greatlj* added to my work for nearly .30 
years. 
For a No. '8 boot the following direc¬ 
tions are correct: Four steel knitting 
pins or needles will be necessary; on two 
needles cast 30 stitches; on the third cast 
32, making 92 stitches around the top of 
I he leg. With the fourth needle begin 
knitting and knit around twice plain; 
then with the third row begin to seam or 
purl. Knit two stitches plain, seam or 
purl two, knit two plain, seam or purl 
two, for a depth of one-half linger, or 
about 5 in., which forms the elastic top, 
and which prevents slipping down if hose 
supporters are not worn. Finish the re¬ 
mainder of the leg about G in. plain if 
liked, or seamed two and two, as top, if 
preferred. For the heel, slip one-half the 
entire number of stitches, or 40 stitches, 
onto one needle and knit plain or knit one 
stitch plain and seam one, which will 
wear longer than the plain stitches, until 
you have the heel the desired length, or 
about 2y 2 in.; then remove one-half the 
stitches onto another needle and with the 
third needle knit two stitches loosely arid 
slip the first stitch over the second: knit 
the third stitch loosely and slip the second 
stitch over the third, and continue knit¬ 
ting and slipping until all the stitches 
have been knitted and slipped from both 
needles, leaving but, one stitch on the 
third needle (of course the stitches on 
the two needles have been knitted off to¬ 
gether and this knitting and slipping 
forms the bottom of heel). Now with 
the needle on which the one stitch re¬ 
mains begin and take up the loops on the 
‘'dge of heel, where the back and forth 
knitting has formed the selvedge, by put¬ 
ting the needle through the loop and 
throwing thread over and pulling through 
loop, the same as any stitch. After tak¬ 
ing up three loops in this manner throw 
thread over needle and make one stitch, 
then take up three more loops and make 
another stitch, then three more loops and 
another stitch, until the entire side of 
heel has been taken up and the instep, or 
needle containing remaining 40 stitches, 
is reached, from which knit stitches onto 
needle with loop stitches just, made; knit 
across the instep needle, then remove six 
from the end and begin to take up loops 
on the other or remaining side of heel, 
faking up three loops, then making one 
stitch as on the first side, until all ar" 
taken up, when it will be plain knitting 
until the foot has reached the length of 
the little toe, when the toeing-o(T process 
begins, and is done by . knitting six 
stitches, then narrowing one, or knit two 
stitches together as one; knit six more 
stitches and narrow one. and continue un¬ 
til you have gone once around, then knit 
six plain rounds; then knit five stitches, 
narrow one; knit five, narrow one. until 
you have gone around once; then knit 
five plain rounds; then knit four stitches, 
narrow one, knit four, narrow one. until 
around the work; then knit four plain 
rounds; then knit three stitches, narrow 
one. until around, then knit three plain 
rounds; knit two stitches, narrow one 
around work; then knit two plain rounds, 
after which knit one stitch, narrow one 
around work, knit one plain round and 
continue knitting one, narrowing one. with 
one plain round between, until but three 
stitches are left on each side of the three 
needles, or nine stitches in all. Then 
break off the thread about 3 in. from 
ball, thread into darning needle and run 
through stitches and sew securely, darn¬ 
ing onto toe as any darn, to prevent rav¬ 
eling. This method makes a good shaped 
toe which will fit. any foot. 
When the loops have been taken up on 
the selvedge of the heel there will lx* 
many more stitches than are necessary 
for the foot, but this must be in order to 
make the gore, which provides for the 
part where the instep joins the heel, and 
these extra stitches must be narrowed off 
until the foot is the proper size, and is 
done by knitting two together, one from 
the six taken from the instep and one 
from the heel loops, on one side. On the 
left side slip the sixth stitch, after knit- 
Ihe RURAL NEW-YORKER 
ting it over the first, of the heel loop 
stitches; then knit around plain once, 
then proceed to narrow on one side the 
instep and slip-stitch on the other until 
the foot is the right size. This narrow¬ 
ing on one side and slipping the stitch on 
the other prevents the gores from turning 
the wrong way, as would be the case if 
the narrowing was done alike on both 
sides. A double heel and toe can be knit 
by putting two threads together and knit¬ 
ting as one thread, and will wear longer 
than the single thread. .JESSIE. 
Tested Method for Rendering Lard 
There are so many good things in The 
II. N.-Y. in the way of information along 
various lines that I get. busy digesting 
many of them, and neglect to contribute 
anything, and so feel like a shirk. I 
will send a little recipe concerning ren¬ 
dering lard, which I have tried out now 
several years, and have found very satis¬ 
factory. I notice several have written 
good plans; still, I like my own yet. The 
lard is nice, flaky and white, and under 
ordinary conditions will keep almost in¬ 
definitely. Cut up your fat (without 
rind) into ordinary small pieces, leaf sep¬ 
arate if you wish, though that, is not nec¬ 
essary, and to every gallon of cut fat add 
one teaspoon of soda and one quart hot or 
cold water. I like cold best. Then cook 
until all the water is gone, which can be 
determined by the clearness of the lard. 
It ought to be tested by dropping a grain 
of corn into it. when it can be clearly 
seen lying on the bottom of the vessel 
There will be a little scum on the sur¬ 
face and very little or none in the bot¬ 
tom. so after skimming you can pour it 
into jars or other receptacle without 
squeezing. I find it an easy way to put 
the cut fat with water and soda added 
into an enamel dishpan and put it into 
the oven, as that, clears the top of the 
stove and requires less attention. 
HRS. A. p. 
Additional Points on Winter Churning 
In my recent article on Winter churn¬ 
ing. I omitted to say that during the 48- 
hour period while a churning is being 
ripened at 62 degrees, (and no cream 
added) it should be occasionally stirred. 
Inexperienced butter-makers often pro¬ 
duce inferior butter because of ignorance 
or neglect, of just such simple but essen¬ 
tial steps. 
One otherwise good housekeeper whom 
I know, whose butter is not liked, packs 
it immediately after it. has been salted. 
It is impossible to work out all the rins¬ 
ing water until after the butter has stood 
a few hours, or, preferably, over night; 
and during the second working, the bowl 
must be tilted every minute or so, to al¬ 
low the collected moisture to run off. 
Butter thus drained gains a much better 
texture and even an improved color, and 
no white streaks will remain in it. if 
it is worked enough. My butter, which 
was always washed until the last water 
seemed clear, would keep, my customers 
told me. from September until the next 
June; of course under proper conditions. 
Boor butter will not keep, even under 
brine. g. a. t. 
Knitting a Bedspread; Apple Juice 
l would like pattern and directions for 
a knitted bedspread, and thought perhaps 
I could get some of the readers of THE 
B. N.-Y. to help me. What number of 
cotton is best to use. and what, kind of 
needles? ITow would the finest carpet 
warp do? 
I have been conserving today, “putting 
up” apple juice made from apples that 
are not keeping well. I use this juice in , 
place of water to soak dried apples in ; 
before cooking, also use it with the early 1 
green apples. e. m. s. 
Cleaning Feathers 
Feathers should be washed by placing I 
them in muslin bags (do not. put too 
many in one bag) and shaking the bags | 
about in warm, not hot. water, changing 
the water till it remains clear. Then I 
the bags of feathers may be wrung out J 
and pinned by the edge to a clothes line i 
where there is a good breeze. As the 
leathers dry they should be shaken and 
pulled apart till there, are no lumps of 
feathers, but all are one fluffy mass 
Mrs. nr. c. h. 
Begin Early 
I think it never too early, after the 
1st of January, to begin the year’s house¬ 
cleaning. and in February, at latest. I 
like to put in order all bureau drawers, 
trunks, attics, chests of bedding, even 
the cupboards and bookcases. T'nless 
one’s family is large and disorderly, it 
ought to be possible to keep these places 
in order after regulating in the Winter, 
and thus to shorten the burdensome 
Spring ordeal which keeps us from en¬ 
joying the season. g. a. t. 
Use the Feet Alternately 
Most women use both feet simultan¬ 
eously in operating a sewing machine-, 
but it is said that European women use 
the feet alternately, with one in advance 
of the other, upon the pedals. I have 
tried this method, which necessitates a 
rattier high seat, close to the machine— 
ind^ find that it does lessen fatigue to 
one's muscles. Practise is necessary itv 
order to get the full benefit of it. but in 
sewing long seams, it is worth trying. 
Advance either foot. <; \ 
WVA-yyr/A 
II 
r 3 
Night-time Daylight for Farm and Home 
You can, now, have the light others enjoy and 
do away with all the bothersome features of old style 
oil lamps. The Quick-Lite gives the most brilliant light you ever used 
—without eye-straining glare, or injurious flicker. For general homo 
use, there is nothing better. Idea] for reading and sewing because the 
pure white light of the Quick-Lite is a natural light, easy on the eyes, 
more restful than electricity, gaa or kerosene. 
C oleman Q uick-life 
La trips and Lanterns 
Make and burn their own gas from common motor gaso¬ 
line. Give300 candle power of brilliant light. Lightwithmatches.no 
torch needed. Nosmoke.no soot, no odor. No wicks to trim. No chimneys 
to wash. Made of brass, heavily nickeled. Can’tspillfuel or explode, 
even if tipped over. Cost to use a trifle more than a cent a night. Lamp 
ia fitted with Universal Shade Holder. Lantern has mica globe. Won't 
blow out in any wind. Rain-proof and bug-proof. Built to stand all the 
hard-knocks of after-dark farm-work—feeding.milking.hauling.plow- 
ing, harvesting,grading,ditching, building—any job,anywhere. If your 
dealer can’t supply you, use nearest address; and write to Dept. H22 
The C oleman lamtvl omp anv 
Wichita St. Paul Toledo Dallas Los Angeles Atlanta Chicago 
ASPIRIN 
Name “Bayer” on Genuine 
A 
Warning! Unless you see the nam 
"Bayer” on package or on tablets yo 
are not getting genuine Aspirin pin 
scribed by physicians for twenty-on 
years and proved .oafe by millions. Tak 
Aspirin only as told in'the Bayer pacl 
age for Colds, Headache. Nouralgu 
Rheumatism. Earache. Toothache, l.un 
bago and for Bain. Handy tin boxes < 
twelve Bayer Tablets of Aspirin cost fto 
cents. Druggists also sell larger pad 
ages. Aspirin is the trade mark < 
Bayw Manufacture of Monoaceticacic 
ester of Salieylicacid. 
e 
w 
40 
f) Candle 
y Power 
Lamp 
.. . - i,I..ill,, ciuwiug 
j'tfht;. resUul to the eyes; an ideal 
illumination. 
BURNS 96 PER CENT AIR 
100 times brighter than kerosene 
lamps. Burns 96‘,< air and com¬ 
mon gasoline. Lamps and Lanterns 
for every purpose. Clean-odor 
less-economical. 
ABSOLUTELY SAFE 
(.an be carried any where--perfectly 
safe, even if tipped over. 
LIGHTS WITH ONE MATCH 
New patented twin mantle burner 
lights with One Match easily and quickly. 
Greatest improvement of the age. 
SEND NO Write for Catalog. Special 
uaucv Agents’Offer, also Money- 
back Trial Offer. Write today. 
The Akron Lamp Co. 
AGENTS 
WANTED 
GG3 l amp Bid. 
Akron. O. 
Shall Your Boy Know 
Modern Farming? 
The Riggs Agricultural 
High School 
for boys 14 to 17 years old prepares for Auricultural 
colleues. The best development of the youth. Excep¬ 
tional opportunity for instruction in practical carpentry. 
The farm of 175 acres is fully equipped. Every facility 
for outdoor sports and healthful recreatiun is afforded 
Gymnasium. Send lor booklet. 
F. B. RIGGS, Headmaster 
Lakeville - . - Connecticut 
r ersonai note v aper ^ 
r velopew. pWnted. .Semi 
-m l. rro-rr M TRUtlTf Pepl RN, Ml. Wastnnqtoil. Mar 
Changes Your 
TUB INTO A 
Washing 
Machine 
This attachment immediately 
transforms your washtuh 
into the most efficient washing 
machine for only 4112.00. It 
cr i washes blankets or laces clean. 
''M quickly, easily, by the suction 
, Jr principle. A lever does the 
work. Two vacuum cups torn 
above the water and take dif¬ 
ferent position on every stroke 
forcing the soapy water gent¬ 
ly through the mesh. No drag¬ 
ging, rubbing, or wear of clothes. 
V ery simple, light, portable, dur¬ 
able. By reversing lever it rinses 
clothes in another tub. Guar¬ 
anteed for three years. Interest¬ 
ing literature free. 
Burlingame MFG. Co. 102-108 Sunset Ave. 
Syracuse, N. Y. 
’VAC CUP” Htiaeh- 
rm?m Smiii« principle 
a* u.hciJ on ’'ICASY” 
Kle-t.ir »n. \ “VAC 
CUP 
Jorm.'Hy IJo.Ik*- & Zuill 
EASY. 
COFFEEl 
A !fos. of Best M 
^ SAN BO 
Pura Coffee 'Ground or Bean) 
Sent Parcel Post, Free Delivery 
within 300 miles. Adel extra 
postage for longer distances. 
MONEY BACK IF NOT SATISFIED 
JAMES VAN DYK CO 
50 BARCLAY ST., N.Y. 
100 Vint Dyk Stores in dp cities. 
BLACK DRAGON 
is a heavy bodied, fragrant, delicious cup tea. 
Send us six cent* in stamps and we will send 
you prepaid a sample can containing Black 
Dragon Tea sufficient for 25 eups. 
Half-pound packages 33 cents. A. fine steel 
carving knife included with two half-pound 
package*. A11. Prepaid by Parcel Post. 
McKinney & Co., 184-6-8 State St., Binghamton, N.Y. 
Cuticura Soap 
IS IDEAL 
For the Hands 
Soap,Ointment.Ta!cum,25c everywhere. Foraamples 
■ddress^Cntionra Laboratorlia.Dept. U,MaAdo n,M M» 
“ Dish Toweling ” 
Direct from Mill 
15 m 1 s - °t bf,sr quality 14" checked Cotton Disli 
1 oweiing sent postpaid for Two Dollars. 
Full Value Guaranteed 
♦loney Back if Dissatisfied 
STERLING TEXTILE MILLS, CLINTON, MASS. 
