Spool Knitting.

by Mary A. McCormack.

SPOOL KNITTING

Few elementary exercises have aroused more interest in the child than the toy knitting; due, perhaps, to its simplicity and his power to do it easily and well.

To some keen observer the little orb-weaving spider may have suggested this form of occupation. Be this as it may, the child who is a lover of nature will be quick to perceive the strong resemblance he bears to this little insect while at work with his toy knitter, going from post to post just as the insect worked its net in spiral form on his framework of radiating lines.

The possibilities of an empty spool and a few pins are almost without limitations. The ill.u.s.trations here given are merely suggestive of many more that can be worked out along these lines. They are not simply to momentarily attract the child, but to permit of individual growth, and to have him partic.i.p.ate in the joy of its ultimate use.

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Toy Knitters

Toy knitters are made of a cylindrical piece of wood two and one-half or three inches long and at least one inch in diameter. This size enables the child to grasp it easily and work without cramping the fingers. A hole one-fourth or one-half inch in diameter is bored lengthwise through the center to admit the work. Spools are used to advantage where knitters cannot be obtained.

Pins, staples, or wire nails are used as posts. These are driven into the wood and then curved outward a little at the top with pliers, to prevent the work from slipping off. One, two, three or four posts may be used.

A number of forms of web can be made, but the simplest and quickest are those made on the knitters having but two posts. The four-post knitters are also simple and are used where a thick cord is needed.

Except otherwise specified two-post knitters are used for these models.

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Round Web

Drop worsted through the hole in the center of the knitter and draw it out at the other end, three inches. This end is used to draw the work through the knitter. Carry the worsted leading from the ball, around the post to the right, across the center of the hole in the knitter and around the post to the left; then back across the center to the post at the right, thus making two st.i.tches on this post. Lift the lower or first st.i.tch with a large pin or knitting needle, carry it over the second st.i.tch and drop it over the post; then across the center to the post at the left and repeat. So continue until the desired length is obtained.

It will require seven yards of yarn to make one yard of web on the two-post knitter.

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Flat Web

Begin in the same way as for round web, but after carrying the first or lower st.i.tch over the second st.i.tch on each post, bring the worsted back around the same post, and over to the post on the opposite side and repeat. This will leave two st.i.tches on each post. In knitting flat webs, two st.i.tches must always be left on the end posts, and these two are carried over the third st.i.tch and dropped over the post in working back and forth.

It requires eleven yards of yarn to make one yard of flat web on the two-post knitter.

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Circular Mat

A mat five inches in diameter requires two and one-half yards of round web. Start sewing with the piece of worsted hanging from the end of the web. Coil and sew in place by taking up the underhalf of a st.i.tch on the right, then the underhalf of a st.i.tch on the left side usually called "ball st.i.tch." Continue alternating from right to left, taking up one st.i.tch at a time except when it is necessary to widen; then sew two st.i.tches of the web into one in the mat.

Run the end of sewing thread back in the sewing to fasten it. When starting with a new sewing thread, put the needle in one inch back from where sewing ended and run it through the work to where the last st.i.tch was taken.

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Ball for Baby

Use round web. Start with end of web and sew and coil as for round mat.

Widen only when necessary to keep it from drawing in too quickly. When desired width or center of ball is reached, fill with tissue paper or a ball of soft cotton. The sewing is then continued and each row narrowed off by taking two st.i.tches in part already sewed and one in the web.

When the same number of rows is narrowed the filling should be entirely covered. The end left over will serve as a cord for the ball.

Flat web may be used by taking twelve pieces three inches long and sewing them together--alternating color and white, if desired. Run a draw-thread around the bottom and fill with paper or cotton; then run a draw-thread around the top. Finish with a cord made of a piece of round web.

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Doll's m.u.f.f

This will require three yards of round web. Sew the web into a rectangular piece three inches wide and five inches long.

Join the three-inch ends together and draw up the ends a little to form the m.u.f.f. Finish with cord to go around the neck.

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Collarette