WORK COLUMN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIV, Issue XX, 19 May 1900, Page 957

WORK COLUMN.

How frequently people complain of their feet, and yet how very little they know about how to take care of them. If only sufficient care were taken we should not experience half the discomfort we do. and which is sometimes most difficult to remedy, nor should we spend such an amount of time and money in the purchase and use of patent washes and powders. To begin with half the ills from which the feet suffer are due to some internal cause. Ver yoften the system is trying to throw off' poisonousmatter in the form of perspiration, and this being of a highly acid composition, naturally irritates the skin while undergoing the friction necessitated by movement. The cause must be removed medicinally. and by proper dieting, ami treatment get ernlly. At the same time there are certain hygienic principles which are always to lie observed. In the first place the feet must be washed at least once daily and the circulation stimulated by rubbing; in fact I have known a very bad case of cold feet entirely cured by plunging them first into hot then into cold water. A nail brush should be

used briskly across the toes, and also especially round any joint where callosities are forming. Frequently a few drops of any spirit such as cheap whisky or gin rubbed into the feet will be found beneficial. Those who have a tendency to ingrowing nails should rut them squarely across and never round. People with cold feet very often find a soft knitted bootee a great comfort, and whether they are thus

protected in bed or not the feet should be thoroughly warmed before getting into bed. For this purpose crochet ted bedroom shoes cannot be too often recommended. Their ventilative qualities. after the foot has been shod in stiff boots or shoes all day. are very valuable, and the soft woollen sole is likely to promote circulation. The following is a good and easy way to make them:-—Materials required: Single Berlin wool, crimson and fawn, one pair of stout socks covered on one side with lamb’s skin, satin ribbon for a nice bow in front, and lx>ne crochet hook No. 7. With crimson wool make 10 chain; 1 of these is for turning. Ist row—9 double crotchet and 9 chain. 1 chain, turn. 2nd row—4 double on 4 double, 3 double in next stitch, 4 double on 4 double. 1 chain, turn. 3rd row—s double. 3 double in next stitch. 5 double. 1 chain, turn. 4th row—6 double. 3 double in centre-stitch, 6 double. 1 chain, turn. sth row— 7 double. 3 double in centre stitch. 7

double, 1 chain, turn. fith row, 8 double. 3 double in next stitch, 8 double. 1 chain, turn. 7th row—Fawn wool: 9 double. 3 double in centre, 9 double, 1 chain, turn. Bth row—lo double. 3 double in centre. 10 double. 1 chain, turn. 9th row—ll double. 3 double in centre. 11 double. 1 chain, turn. 10th row—l2 double. 3 chain in centre. 12 double. 1 chain, turn. 11th dow —13 double, 3 double in centre, 13 double. 1 chain, turn. 12th row—l 4 double. 3 double in centre. 14 double, 1 chain. This finishes the front. Now with crimson wool work 10 double in next 10 stitches. 1 chain, turn. These io si itches must be worked to and fro alternately, 4 rows of crimson and 4 rows of fawn, until there are 5 stripes of crimson and 4 stripes of fawn, then unite the last red row to 10 st’tehes of fawn on the other side of front. They can be neatly eroehetted together on the wrong side, then with the slipper the wrong side out take the sock also on the wrong or wool side out and sew them together evenly. Fasten off and turn them right side out. Now work a row of double crochet, moderately tight round tin* top with crimson wool, then work a row of scollops by making 5 treble into 1 of the double crochet, then miss 1 stitch and 1 double crochet into the next These scollops must be first om* in crimson and then one in fawn. They must be so worked as for fhe crimson one to turn down over fhe fawn, and the fawn over the crimson. Now finish by a nice bow of satin ribbon with pearl edge. Worked from these 1 directions tin* sock should be size No. <>; if wanted smaller reduce tin* slipper by 2 stitches in width at front and 1 stitch less at tin* side and back. \ less num

her of rows also will be required. You hail better measure the side of the sock as you work. © © ® Tea cosies, except where in fusers are used, have been voted out of date, but another race of cosies has sprung up. rounder and podgier titan The first, but very welcome, for these are the cosies which cover those hot cakes, so dear to us all. at teatime. Such a cosy must be very thickly wadded, and is usually “mult igonal” in shape, after the pattern of the one in my sketch. Seven divisions make a pretty shape, but more or less can l>e added according to the industry of the worker. 'They are embroidered in various fashions. ’The om* I like best has a Florentine design with a

particularly decorative effect. It is carried out on silk canvas which is entirely covered with stitchery. But those who could not spare the time for such work will find any simple bold outline worked in bright colours on a dark background both serviceable and effective.