WOMAN'S WORLD.

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 194, 6 May 1918, Page 2

WOMAN'S WORLD.

MATTERS OF INTEREST FROM FAR AND NEAR (By luooeh.)

KNITTING FROM FLEECE It was my good fortune to be present at the:,spinning room ot the Ynss Red Cross when Mrs. Connell (a member of the Chatswood Branch, but formerly • resident in tho Yass_ district), gave a demonstration in knitting, direct from tho greasy fleece, states a writer in the "Sydney Morning Herald " This old method of knitting ts not as generally known as it deserves to be, it owes its revival to tho almost prohibitive price of shop-bought wool. For knitters '" in far-baok districts, whore there are no shops available, and where they have not the advantage of a spinning wheel, this revived method is a great boon. I well remember in the highlands or Scotland the "auld wives" in roceipt of parish relief, used to go about catliering bits of sheep's wool, caught on fences' and in bushes. these scraps were knitted up into socks for New Year presents Uo my uncle, the "Moonis'ter" of tho parish. This method was also employed Dy the Australian blanks, who worked up 'possum fur into string bags of various sorts. Bushmen tell that when the dead 'possum is still warm, the lur comes off easily at the slightest touch. This was the way the gins got tneir "wool," which they then worked up with two sticks, twisting the thread all the time to make it hold togebner.

In her demonstration Mrs. Connell worked straight from tho greasy fleece, though others who use this method first wash the woo]. But the Yass knitters use tho unwashed fleece, as they have proved' tho advantage of spinning from the greasy fleece.

Recently four members of tins energetic branch motored to the little village of Murninibateman to inspect two home-made wheels, and to show trie womenfolk the method of knitting direct from the fleece. Murninibateman 10 a tiny place set in a patch of gum trees on the edge of a large trcc-lcsn plain.' Jhe village has only 143 minion on the 'electoral roll. Here a small hand of enthusiastic war workers toil tirelessly for the village boys at the front. Not able to keep up a sufficient supply of bought wool they learnt spinning, and' now use three wheels, two being home-made. Included- in tno party Jrom Yass was ' the champion country spinner in the State-. Over twenty eager war workers gathered at the home of the youthful maker of one of the wheels, and sat or knelt on the little verandah whilst tlw town members demonstrated to tb'ein the easier and much cheaper way of knitting direct from the fleece. Many of the learners had brought their own needles and bit of lleecs, and soon there were several pulling out a strand from the greasy, twisting it, and knitting it into a garter length "to see how it goes."

A practised knitter can knit articles in a shorter time than it would take her to spin the ij'ool and then knit it. In nearly all country districts a fleece or so may be had for the asking, so that any one who will take up this way of knitting can have socks, caps, mufflers, any article at all, for nothing but the time it takes to knit the article.

Many knitters live so far back that it is impossible for them to actually see tho process. For the benefit of such_ women we give, the directions, which any worker will soon pick up! First take a piece of fleece as little tousled as possible, and lay it on the .knee. ,Comb out tho dirty onds first [with any old comb or a blade from a shearing machine; then comb the cut ends. Next gently pull out a strand, which when twisted" will give tho thickness rcrpiired. Pull out a yard or so at a time, and remeinbor that it is easier to thin it out afterwards than to thicken it. Give the end a <;ood twist, cast- -on and knit in th« v-usl way, but give the thread a twist between each stitch. V-'hen finished, wash the article in several watcra. No -one with a cut hand should M-oi-fc with greasy wool without having the cut well protected. Crossbred is, of course, better than merino wool to work with, and black or grey crossbred is best of all, as It requires no dyeing. Walnut leaves make a very good dyo, but as these cannot be had all the year round, dye may be made from rosemary or from gum leaves.

The Girls' literary and Social Club which has recently been formed will have its first meeting devoted to the reading of ii paper entitled "Travel in India," by Miss Holmes. Alias Holnta deals most interestingly with such topics, and Jlonday evening, at (he Pioneer Club, should be of more than ordinary interest. Girls intending' to join the chit; should make a point of being present at'Hiis meeting. Teachers and' pupils of the' Stratford District High School met on Tuesday to farewell Miss Pearcc, who is leaving for New Plymouth. The headmaster,, Mr, Tryer, on behalf of the teachers and scholars, presented .Miss Pearce with a gold bangle, and from the girls of her class a silver ink-well. Mrs. S. Tlall and Miss E. White, of New Brighton, are visiting China. 1 Tney have gone up the Y'ing-Ue-Kiang Eivei\ and were at Hankow when, last, heard of.: Mrs. Harding (Petone) has been visiting Airs. J. Sumner. SPECIAL TREATMENT AT MRS. ' ROLLESTON'S. l**or falling hair, dandruff, or premature grcyness, courses of lieatmont, inchiding hand, vibro, and electrical massage, clipping and singeing and shauiijuuiug, one guinea. ' For improving the colour and h-stre of the hair, IJ.enna Shampooing, 7st. Gd. t'or improving the growth and preventing the hair falling, i-hampjoing villi friction, is. Gd. For ilioroiH;lil,v cleansing the Laii and 6ca!p, shampooing, '2s. (id. Henna staining and hair s'„iining, from 10s. Gd. For niproving the complex.o.i, removing and preventing wrinklS, ci-mlr'aling blackheads, courses of f.i'u lieati.icnt, one guinea. For the oermanent removal of superfluous hair by electrolysis, 10s. per halfhour. Special preparations for hair and face, homo irealmeats. Combings miirle nn. 2s. 6di oz. Switches, Transformations. Toupees,.and every desi"ii in lminvorl- a'' T'.n<r'i« l i prices. MRS. BOIXESTON, 256 Lamblon Quay, Wellington.—Advt. Wedding Announcements. — Beautiful roses find"the choicest of flowers only are used when designing wedding bouquets, which I make a specialty of. Packed and forwarded through the Dominion. Miss Murray. Vice-Regal Florist,_ 36 Willis Stroet.-Advt.