Useful Hints for Knitters & Crocheters (1920)

Every second woman is knitting or crocheting a jumper nowadays, so the following hints on the subject will be most useful:- 

"In joining wool, unravel for about five inches one or two strands of the ball of wool you are finishing and do the same with the new ball of wool. Twist these strands together, and continue knitting. This will obviate the bulkiness caused by knitting with double wool. 

Often, after finishing, the sleeves of a jumper will be a little short. This can easily be remedied by laying them flat, wrong side uppermost, and pressing them heavily with a hot iron and a very damp cloth in the direction desired to increase the length. This can also be done when the jumper gives a rather-flat or strained appearance across the bust or hips. The dampness and heat cause the wool to give, without showing any trace of stretching. 

All jumpers should be pressed, after finishing, on the wrong side, with a slightly damp cloth (not too damp, and do not stretch the garment). Seams should be well flattened by this means and a well-finished appearance is attained. 

In all plain knitted jumpers, the first stitch should be slipped. This gives a knotted appearance at the edges - one knot to each, rib (or two rows). The jumper does not droop at the sides when made up (as with the chain-stitch), and it is easier to sew up, knot to knot). The chain-stitch leaves holes. 

When stocking stitch (one row plain, one row purl) is used, the knotted effect is attained: - 

In the plain row, by inserting the needle as for purl slipping, putting the wool round to back, and continuing knitting. In the purl row, inserting the needle as for plain, slipping, putting the wool round to the front and continue purling. 

In casting-off jumpers, it is better to do so on the wrong side, so that the chain stitch comes also on the wrong side. To have the purled edge on the right side is neater and less amateurish in appearance than if it is on the wrong side."

Source: WOMEN'S COLUMN (1920, July 24). Queensland Times (Ipswich) (Qld. : 1909 - 1954), p. 5 (DAILY.).