WORK COLUMN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXI, Issue XXVII, 31 December 1898, Page 866

WORK COLUMN.

Picnic luncheon baskets are rather expensive articles to buy, but there is not the slightest reason why we should therefore carry our al fresco repasts in the usual hugger-mugger fashion. A little time and ingenuity will serve to provide a very prettylit tie hamper containing the necessities of a dainty meal for two. 1 am indebted really to Germany for the design of this basket, but there is no reason why it should not be ’made in England.’ Quite an ordinary small wicker hamper, costing about threea mi-sixpence, can Im* used. Then bands of canvas covered with linen, embroidered with cross stitch, art* firmly inserted in the lid; through these are slipped two napkins each containing a knife, fork, and spoon: the napkins are prettily fringed and embroidered to match the bands. On rhe inside another band holds erect against the back two plates, which, if rhe provider be wise, will consist of enamelled iron. Two strong pockets lined with holla nd. and the outside of embroidered linen, are fastened into two corners. These pockets are divided. The part coming directly against the corner contains two bottles. and the front part two small glasses. A little celuloid box has three divisions, one for butter, one for salt.

and one for pepper. A small folded tablecloth, embroidered to match the napkins, is laid at the bottom of the hamper, the space above being left to contain a tin box of sandwiches, two or three rolls, for which a white linen bag is prepared, and another tin box

containing any delicacies that may be selected. The lieauty of these straps ind pockets is that they all come out ind wash, so that on every occasion the contents of this little hamper are perfectly fresh and thoroughly appetising. The embroidery serves two purposes—the first of ornamentation, the second of making these napkins different from the household linen, so that there is more chance of their iieing found in their right place.

When all is said and done, there is nothing that wears so well on flannel petticoats as home-knitted silk lace, and as it is a kind of undertaking that is very easily carried out. away from home, and people are pretty busy holiday making just now. I give excellent particulars for making a very pretty pattern. Ov stands for over, nar for narrow, k for knit, st for stitches, p for purl. First row—k 4. nar. over twice, nar. k 5. nar over, k 1. ov. nar k 9. nar. ov. k 1. ov, nar. k 2. ov. nar. ov. nar. k 2. Second row k 34. p 1. k 5. Third row —k 2. nar. ov hnc*.

nar. k 6, nar, ov. k 3, ov, nar, k 7, nar, ov. k 3, ov, nar, k 2, ov, nar, or, k 3. Fourth row—k 37, pl, k 3. Fifth row —k 11, nar, ov. nar, ov, k 1, ov, nar, ov. nar, k 5, nar. ov, nar, ov, k 1, ov, nar. ov. nar. k2, ov, nar, ov, k 3. Knit all the even rows plain up to the thirty-sixth row. Seventh row —k 10, nar. ov, nar, ov, k 3, ov. nar. ov, nar, k 3. nar. ov. nar. ov. k 3, ov. nar, ov, nar. k2. ov. nar. ov. k 3. Ninth row—k 9. nar, ov. nar. ov, k 5. ov, nar, ov, nar, k 1. nar. ov. nar. ov. k 5, ov, nar, ov, nar. k2. ov. nar. ov. k 3. Eleventh row —k 8, nar, ov, nar, ov, k 7. ov, nar ov. k 3 together, ov, nar, ov, k 7. ov. nar. ov. nar. k. 2. ov. nar. ov. k 3. Thirteenth row —k 7. nar, ov. nar. ov. k 6, nar. ov, nar, ov. k 3, x. ov. nar. ov, nar. k 6. ov, nar, ov, nar. k 2. ov. nar. ov, k 3. Fifteenth row —k 6. nar. ov. nar. ov. k t>. nar. ov, nar. ov. k 5, k

from x in thirteenth row. Repeat up to row thirty-eight. Thirty-eighth row—k 34. p 1, k 5. Thirty-ninth row—k 2. nar, ov twice, nar twice, ov twice, nar. k the rest plain. Fortieth row—k 32. p 1. k 3. p 1, k 3.

To acquire the art of making oneself absolutely comfortable requires as much study as any of those accomplishments generally regarded as difficult. There are those who. no matter how richly endowed with the world’s goods they may be. are always so fidgety and unsatisfied as to become social nuisances, while the other extreme. the fussy old maid who cannot move a step without every wrap, ribbon and frill being ‘just so.’ becomes quite as much to be dreaded as our first character, but the happy medium between these extremes is worthy of emulation —the woman with a happy, contented mind, who makes the best of every difficulty and points to the silver lining of every cloud. Recently 1 came across such a well-ordered being. She had made up her mind to go to the north to her daughter who was ill. I remarked. ‘A fearfully long journey, my dear." ‘Oh. but I shan’t mind it.’ she replied. I shall take a good rug and this air cushion I am making, and I shall be happy enough.’ The thought struck me—a pity more are not like you. I induced her to give me particulars of this air cushion for my readers, and here it is:—Sew two pieces of canvas, eighteen inches long by twelve inches wide, round the three sides, turning it inside out: apply between the seams the following solution—to three parts of isinglass add one cf resin. boil together until of the consistency of glue. In one comer fix a screw vent hole, which can be secured for a few pence at any ironmongers or cycle outfitter. Having fixed this securely, sew up the fourth side and coat the seam as before. This will form a perfectly airtight cushion, proof against damp cold hard seats, and when not required to sit upon is invaluable as a foot rest in the train, raising one’s extremities out of all draught. Of course it would require covering nicely, but that T leave to individual taste, though I would suggest something soft and quiet.