[Illustration: SEE MY NEW SWEATER
FOR DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING KNITTED ARTICLES SHOWN IN THIS ILLUSTRATION
SEE KNITTED SLEEVELESS SWEATER—185 CROCHETED HAT—206 CROCHETED SPORTS
SWEATER—243]
[Illustration]
THE
MARY FRANCES
KNITTING AND CROCHETING
BOOK
OR
ADVENTURES AMONG THE
KNITTING PEOPLE
BY
JANE EAYRE FRYER
Illustrated by
JANE ALLEN BOYER
and from
ACTUAL PHOTOGRAPHS
THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO.
PHILADELPHIA
COPYRIGHT, 1918, BY
JANE EAYRE FRYER
————CAUTION————
The entire contents of this book are protected
by copyright, and all persons are
warned not to reproduce the text, in whole
or in part, or any of the illustrations without
permission of the publishers.
PREFACE
DEAR GIRLS:
After reading about Mary Frances’ many adventures among the Kitchen
People, and the Thimble People, and the Garden People, and with the
Doll Family and the Brave Family, in the Mary Frances books—perhaps you
thought that no girl, not even Mary Frances, could find any more funny
little fairy helpers right in her own home.
But Mary Frances did, for the Knitting People had overheard many of
the lessons which the Thimble People gave her, and they were almost
jealous. At least they probably would have been jealous if they had
not planned to surprise Mary Frances with some delightful lessons in
crocheting and knitting. Such good lessons they were that almost before
she knew it, Mary Frances had made the loveliest caps and sweaters and
bootees for her dolls—just exactly the kinds you want for your own
dolls. And you can have them if you wish, for Mary Frances says that
the Knitting People told her that they are always just as ready to help
any other girl who wants their help—if she will follow the lessons
exactly as they are given in this book.
She says, too, that after a girl has learned to crochet and knit for
dolls, it is “just as easy as a-b-c” to crochet and knit for real
people; and that knitting articles for soldier boys and fathers and
mothers makes a person feel of very much account.
It is in the hope that you will enjoy these new adventures as much as
Mary Frances did, that this book is sent out to the girls of America
with the best wishes of
THE AUTHOR.
_Merchantville, N. J._
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
I. KNIT AND KNACK 15
II. AUNT MARIA STEPS IN 19
III. CROW SHAY TALKS 25
IV. WOOLEY BALL TELLS SOME YARNS 29
V. SPEAKING OF MOTHS 35
VI. CROW SHAY’S RELATIVES 39
VII. A DISAPPOINTMENT 43
VIII. A DOLL’S NECKLACE 47
IX. A TELEGRAM 55
X. MAKING PLANS 61
XI. A ROSE SCARF 67
XII. MARY MARIE’S SHAWL 73
XIII. FAIRLY FLEW FLIES IN 79
XIV. A LITTLE PETTICOAT 83
XV. MARY MARIE’S CAP 93
XVI. MARY MARIE’S TURBAN 99
XVII. MARY MARIE COMES TO LIFE 105
XVIII. THE MAGIC RHYME 113
XIX. MARY MARIE’S SCHOOL BAG 117
XX. A LETTER FROM MOTHER 121
XXI. A TEDDY BEAR SUIT 127
XXII. THE FIRST KNITTING LESSON 145
XXIII. CASTING ON STITCHES 149
XXIV. CROW SHAY HELPS KNIT 153
XXV. TO KNIT A STITCH 159
XXVI. MARY FRANCES REALLY KNITS 165
XXVII. DOING IT OVER AGAIN 169
XXVIII. DOLL’S KNITTED HOOD 175
XXIX. WHAT’S A PURL? 179
XXX. DOLL’S SLEEVELESS SWEATER 183
XXXI. GOOD NEWS 191
XXXII. THE BOY AVIATOR 195
XXXIII. MARY MARIE’S SPORTS SWEATER 201
XXXIV. HOME AGAIN 215
XXXV. A GIFT FROM THE QUEEN OF FAIRIES 219
XXXVI. THE MAGIC PAPER 225
XXXVII. THE MAGIC PAPER (_Continued_) 227
XXXVIII. TWO MORE SWEATERS 262
XXXIX. RED CROSS KNITTING 265
[Illustration]
INSTRUCTIONS
PAGE
DIFFERENT YARNS 31
NAMES OF YARNS 32
CROCHET HOOKS AND KNITTING NEEDLES 40
SCALE OF SIZES 41
TO MAKE CHAIN STITCH 48
DOLL’S CROCHETED NECKLACE 50
TO MAKE SINGLE CROCHET 51
TO MAKE DOUBLE CROCHET 52
TO MAKE SLIP STITCH 53
DOLL’S CROCHETED SCARF 69
TO MAKE FRINGE 69
DOLL’S CROCHETED SHAWL 75
TO JOIN ENDS OF YARN IN CROCHETING 76
DOLL’S CROCHETED WOOL FLOSS SCARF 84
DOLL’S CROCHETED PETTICOAT 88
HOW TO “INCREASE” IN CROCHETING 89
TO MAKE THE SCALLOPS 89
TO MAKE THE RUNNER 90
DOLL’S CROCHETED TOQUE OR CAP 93
TO MAKE POMPONS 95
DOLL’S CROCHETED TURBAN (HAT) 99
BABY’S BALL 107
HAIR PIN BALL 107
DOLL’S CROCHETED BEDROOM SLIPPERS 108
TO MAKE TASSELS 111
DOLL’S CROCHETED BOOK BAG 118
HOW TO MAKE AN INFANT YARN DOLL 121
HOW TO MAKE A COLORED YARN DOLL 123
TEDDY BEAR SUIT, CONSISTING OF—
CROCHETED SWEATER 129
CROCHETED TAM 135
HOW TO “DECREASE” IN CROCHETING 137
CROCHETED LEGGINGS 138
FIRST LESSON IN KNITTING—
TO MAKE A SLIP KNOT 148
TO CAST ON STITCHES WITH THE FINGERS 150
TO CAST ON STITCHES WITH A CROCHET HOOK 155
TO KNIT PLAIN 162
TO SLIP A STITCH 163
HOW TO BIND OFF 166
DOLL’S KNITTED SHAWL 171
DOLL’S KNITTED HOOD 176
DOLL’S KNITTED BEAN BAG 180
HOW TO PURL 180
DOLL’S KNITTED SLEEVELESS SWEATER 185
TO SLIP OFF STITCHES NEEDED LATER 186
TO INCREASE OR ADD A STITCH IN KNITTING 186
AVIATOR DOLL’S OUTFIT—
KNITTED HELMET 196
KNITTED WRISTLETS 196
KNITTED SLEEVELESS SWEATER 197
DOLL’S KNITTED SPORTS SWEATER 201
TO DECREASE STITCHES IN KNITTING 202
LITTLE CROCHETED HAT 206
DOLL’S CROCHETED MITTENS 211
TREBLE CROCHET 228
INFANT DOLL’S CROCHETED OUTFIT—
INFANT DOLL’S CROCHETED SOCKS 228
INFANT DOLL’S CROCHETED CAP 229
INFANT DOLL’S CROCHETED SACQUE, NO. 1 230
TO ATTACH NEW YARN 231
INFANT DOLL’S CROCHETED SACQUE, NO. 2 232
AFGHAN STITCH 234
INFANT DOLL’S CROCHETED CAPE AND HOOD 236
DOLL’S CROCHETED COACH COVER 239
COFFEE BEAN STITCH 239
DOLL’S CROCHETED SPORTS HAT 240
DOLL’S CROCHETED BREAKFAST CAP 241
DOLL’S CROCHETED GARTERS 242
DOLL’S CROCHETED SHOPPING BAG 242
DOLL’S CROCHETED SPORTS SWEATER 243
DOLL’S CROCHETED FLOWER BASKET 246
GIRL’S CROCHETED HAND BAG 248
CRAZY STITCH 248
BABY’S CROCHETED BOOTEES 249
STAR STITCH 251
BABY’S CROCHETED BALL 252
CURLY STITCH 252
LADY’S CROCHETED NECKLACE 253
HOW TO MAKE BUTTON BALLS 253
BEAD STITCH 254
LADY’S CROCHETED PURSE 255
HOW TO MAKE PICOT EDGING 255
DOLL’S KNITTED MUFF 257
DOLL’S KNITTED BOA OR STOLE 257
DOLL’S KNITTED BREAKFAST SHAWL 259
DOLL’S KNITTED SLEEVELESS SILK SWEATER 259
HOW TO CAST ON STITCHES WITH KNITTING NEEDLES 260
THE CONTINENTAL METHOD OF KNITTING 262
TO CAST OFF STITCHES 262
CHILD’S KNITTED SWEATER 262
LADY’S KNITTED SWEATER 263
RED CROSS KNITTING 265
EQUIPMENT 265
GENERAL DIRECTIONS 265
MUFFLER 265
WASH CLOTH 267
SLEEVELESS SWEATER 267
KNITTED HELMET, NO. 1 267
KNITTED HELMET, NO. 2 268
WRISTLET, NO. 1 268
WRISTLET, NO. 2 268
MEDIUM-SIZED SOCK 268
BED SOCK 270
HOT WATER BOTTLE COVER 270
[Illustration]
NOTE.—The garments described in this book will fit 12- to 16-inch dolls.
It is impossible to give exact measurements, because few people crochet
and knit with exactly the same “tension.”
In making garments for other than 12- to 16-inch doll it would be best
to cut a paper pattern to fit the doll, and make the garments fit the
pattern, following as far as possible the directions given in this book.
[Illustration]
IMPORTANT.—In order to learn to crochet and knit, the beginner should
follow the directions, and make the garments, in the order given in the
story part of the book.
Do not try to understand the directions before doing the work. Learn
one new thing at a time doing exactly as told. Advance step by step.
In these directions woolen yarns are used, but mercerized cotton yarns
may be used in their place with good results.
LIST OF COLORED ILLUSTRATIONS
SEE MY NEW SWEATER _Frontispiece_
OPPOSITE
PAGE
OFF TO SCHOOL 40
LET US PLAY BALL 72
GOING SHOPPING 104
BABY BLUE AND BABY PINK 136
OUR FRIENDS TEDDY BEAR AND AIRMAN 168
READY FOR CHURCH 200
FLOWERS FOR MOTHER 230
[Illustration: “Did you say Knit?”]
CHAPTER I
KNIT AND KNACK
“WE will teach her to knit,” declared Mary Frances’ grandmother’s
knitting needles proudly. They spoke together.
When they did not speak together they always repeated what each other
said. You see, they were twins. One was named Knit and the other was
named Knack.
“And I will teach her to crochet,” said the big crochet hook just as
proudly.
“Knitting is a much older art than crocheting,” said Knit.
“Knitting is a much older art than crocheting,” repeated Knack.
[Illustration: “We will teach him to knit.”]
“Knit!” exclaimed Crow Shay Hook. “It is not!”
[Illustration: “Knit! It is not!”]
“How can you prove that?” asked Knit.
“How can you prove that?” asked Knack.
“Easily!” answered Crow Shay. “Crocheting is making knots. Knots were
made by people before they ever thought of weaving. Knitting is a sort
of weaving, you know. Knotting is not, you know.”
“To tell the honest truth,” a new voice spoke, “I do not believe any of
you know what you are talking about; but I could tell you a story—” and
the big ball of yarn rolled over nearer the group of needles.
[Illustration: “To tell the honest truth”]
“Oh, spare us, Wooley Ball!” begged all the needles. “We don’t want to
hear any more yarns.”
“It is easy to see,” went on Wooley Ball, pretending not to notice
their impoliteness, “that for most people crocheting is more easily
learned than knitting. Therefore it seems best that Crow Shay should
begin the lessons.”
“What’s that?” The Yarn Baby suddenly sat up, her hair standing out
straight on her head. It always stood up straight and stiff when she
was excited. “You know very well, Wooley Ball, that I was chosen to
direct these lessons.”
[Illustration: “What’s that?”]
“Please excuse me?” begged Wooley Ball. “I am always so interested in
knitting and crocheting that sometimes I forget myself, I fear.”
The Yarn Baby’s hair slowly settled back into place. She smoothed and
patted it down carefully.
“It so happens that I felt that Crow Shay had best commence the
lessons,” she said.
Crow Shay glanced over at the Knitting Twins.
“Get the hook!” laughed the Knitting Needles. “We shall have lots of
fun listening to the crocheting lessons.”
“All right,” cried Wooley Ball to Crow Shay; “let’s get ready, Hookey.
I’ll chase you into the Red Cross knitting bag!” and away hopped Crow
Shay, while the big ball rolled after him. Right down into the bottom
of the big bag they landed and Crow Shay cuddled up close to Wooley
Ball.
[Illustration: Into the Red Cross knitting bag.]
“We shall have a splendid time with Miss Mary Frances, don’t you think,
Wooley Ball?” asked Crow Shay.
“Indeed we shall,” said Wooley Ball warmly. “If we begin to have the
fun the Thimble People had, we shall feel very happy.”
[Illustration: She smoothed it down carefully.]
[Illustration: “But don’t you remember?”]