Good Knitting Recipes

From the Sheffield Weekly Telegraph, October 12th 1918.

Good Knitting Recipes.

IT behoves us to make such provision against the cold weather as the present state of national affairs permits. We know that we shall get less coal than we did last winter, and that the use of gas will be restricted.  These privations forced on us by the war we must patriotically bear without complaint.  Then, too, amongst other much needed materials, wool is very scarce, consequently expensive.  If we could never entirely defy cold weather by wearing woollen under-clothing, at least it was possible to mitigate the rigour of winter in an appreciable degree by doing so.  Wool sold by the ounce is now double the price it was less than three years ago, and this will hinder many from knitting the cold weather comforts they were accustomed to make either for their dear ones or for themselves: or, confine their efforts to the making of "hug-me-tights," vests, bed socks, and similar articles, rather than knit such articles as absorb a much larger quantity of wool. During the present week I was asked to repeat directions for the "puzzle-jacket " given more than once before: also for directions for making the tubular scarf, which, when desired, serves as a cap and scarf combined. Postage being paid, I sent the information by letter, but think it possible other correspondents may be glad of directions for making these very popular articles of wear.

Tubular Scarf.

Materials required :—Six ounces of fiveply. super-fingering; four knitting needles, size 9.  Cast on 100 stitches, 33 on each of the first two needles, and 34 on the third.  Knit plain as stocking until the work measures the desired length.  About one and a quarter yards [114 cm.] is a suitable length. Thus you will have a long piece of circular knitting, open at both ends; to close the end you are working at place the stitches on two needles, knit one from each needle, and so cast off.  To close the other end overseam the two edges.  A fringe three inches long may be added if desired, but for army purposes this addition is not necessary.  This article, as already mentioned, can be used as a cap as well as a muffler, serving as both, or either.  For use as a cap, push one end inwards as far as required; then fold back about three or four inches of the double fabric to form a brim. Anyone who has worn a muffler and cap of the kind will know how protective and comfortable it is, shielding as it does head, throat, and chest when they are exposed to bitter winds or keen, frosty weather. Properly arranged when first put on this scarf will remain securely in position to the end.

Puzzle Jacket ("Hug-Me-Tight.")

This close-fitting, zouave-shaped coattee can be worn under a thin blouse without in any wise affecting the fit of it; or, if required, may be put over the blouse as occasion demands. Nicely finished, and made in wool of a pretty colour, the zouave is presentable enough to wear indoors on chilly afternoons and evenings, when a little extra warmth is needed. Materials required: Four ounces of 4 or 5-ply fingering, and two bone pins, size 9. Knit backwards and forwards. Begin with the front; for this cast on 50 stitches, and knit 100 rows. Cast on 60 more stitches on a line with the 50 already on the needle, and on these 110 stitches, knit 96 rows.  Cast off the 60 stitches opposite the 60 cast on; then on the remaining 50 knit 100 rows like the other front piece, and cast off. The work now resembles the letter "T."  The standard part of this "T" forms the back, and the ends of the two front pieces are joined to 50 stitches up each side. Until worn, the shape is quite unlike a jacket, but fits nicely when the arms are inserted backward, and the knitting drawn across the chest. Crochet an edging all round, and fasten the front with buttons, and loops of crochet, in place of button-holes. These directions are for a zouave of rather small size; more stitches are required for medium, and still more for full figures. The centre of the straight piece of knitting is for the back of the neck; turn it down a little m circular fashion, and tack it to simulate a narrow collar.