The Charm of a Crochet Flower Spray - Hats on which Florestore Flowers Look Well - Forget-me-nots. Marguerites, and Campanulas - Instructions for Working

A spray of forget-me-not in florestore work. The colouring of the natural flower should be followed by the embroiderer, a touch of pink being introduced into the blossoms and buds

In previous articles on this fascinating work full directions for working have been given (see Every Woman's Encyclopaedia, pages 1843 and 3045, Vols. 3 and 5).

The flowers chosen here are very suitable for use as a trimming for hats, although others will quickly suggest themselves to the worker.

Flowers in florestore are especially effective on satin-covered shapes, as well as on the fancy straw toques so popular in the spring.

For a spray of forget-me-not and marguerite, the following directions should be carefully followed.

The Forget-me-not Blossom

Materials : "Cro-knit" mercerised thread, blue, Nos. 301, 319, and 227; pink, No. 220 ; yellow, No. 202 ; green, Nos. 289 and 290. Fine wire (obtainable at the florist's), and a crochet hook (size 4 1/2).

With pale blue work 4 ch., and join into a ring. Into it insert about two or three inches of wire, to the right, keeping the ball on the left. Over the wire work 3 ch., then 1 d.c. Repeat until five small loops are made, which form the entire flower. Twist the two pieces of wire together, which form the stem, and bind well with green thread. Thread a sewing-needle with yellow thread, and make a French knot in the centre of the flower. Finish off securely, and cut closely.

The buds consist of two small loops, with the wire twisted closely, and carefully bound.

Pink flowers and buds produce a very effective contrast, but, if preferred, the whole scheme is equally charming carried out in pale blue.

Leaf Of Forget-me-not

With the pale shade of green thread work 19 ch. Take the wire (keeping the long length to the left), and work over it 1 d.c. in each of the first 2 ch., commencing in the 2nd ch. from the hook. Make 1 tr. in each of the next 16 ch., then 1 d.c. at the end; fasten off. Bind about one inch of the wire with the thread.

For the main stem, bind together several strands of wire, and arrange sprays as shown in the illustration.

The Marguerites

Use " Gem Brighteye," white, No. 365 ; yellow, No. 528 ; green, No. 353. With white "Brighteye" make a ring of 8 ch., into which work over wire I d.c, * 14 ch., 1 d.c. in 2nd ch. from hook, 1 d.c. in next ch., 1 tr. in next ch. Take up wire, and work over it, 1 tr. in each of the 9 ch., 1 d.c. in last ch., 1 d.c. into ring, and repeat from * until from eight to eleven petals are completed for each marguerite. Vary the number of stitches in the petals (making some long and some short), also the number of petals in the ring. For the centre, make a circle of 4 ch. in yellow, into which work d.c. all round. Repeat on top stitches. Now work 2 ch. and 1 d.c. into each stitch half way round, and across centre. Sew this in centre of blossom.

With green thread work 6 ch., join, and do d.c. all round, then repeat on the top stitches. Slip the ring over stem, and sew firmly to back of blossom. Twist strands of win together for the stem, and bind evenly. A completed marguerite is shown in the second illustration.

The marguerite as here shown lends itself admirably to reproduction in florestore work

To make a wreath of forget-me-nots and marguerites, take a long strand of ribbon-wire and arrange the blue and white flowers alternately. The binding in this case should be done in " Grove" Lustre.

To Make a Campanula

A campanula is one of the prettiest and most effective flowers for millinery purposes.

Materials: "Gem Brighteye," mauve, Nos. 329, 330, 332, 419, 420, 421, 422; deep cream, No. 459 ; green, Nos. 351, 352, 353. Some of the latter colour should also be obtained in Ardern's " Grove " Lustre, for binding the stem ; fine wire.

For the pistils, take a piece of wire about six inches long. Twist tightly round for about one inch with the cream thread, and then with dark mauve - ing the pistil thicker in this place. Bend the end already twisted once or twice, and fasten off. Insert this in the centre of petals, and bind very tightly with green thread.

The Bud

Make two petals and sew together, the same as for flower; twist five short lengths of wire with medium green thread ; arrange round bud (see illustration), and bind tightly.

The Leaf

4 ch., 1d.c. in 2nd ch. from hook (over wire), 1d.c. in next chain,1 d.c. in last chain, 1d.c. in each stitch on other side of ch. Work right round again (over wire) d.c. in each stitch. When the starting-point is reached, work 2 d.c. into each stitch (still over wire) until commencing point is come to. Work 3 ch., 1 d.c, 3 ch., and continue all round. Bind tightly.

The Blossom

Work 10 ch., 1 d.c. over wire in 2nd ch from hook, 1 d.c. in next ch., 1 tr. in next ch. 1 tr. in next ch., 1 long tr. and 1 tr. in next ch., 1 tr. in next ch., 1 tr. in next ch., 1 d.c in next 2 ch. To form point at top of petal work 2 ch., then 1 d.c.

Along the other side of ch. (keeping wire in hand) work 1 d.c, 1 tr. in each of next

Diagram showing how the campanula bud, blossom, and leaf should be worked. The stem forms are also indicated

2 ch., 1ong tr. and 1 tr in next ch., 1 tr. in each of next 2 ch., 1 d.c in each of next 2 ch., thus completing one petal. Five are necessary, and are then joined together with needle and thread, as shown in illustration.

A cluster or campanula blossom. This flower makes a most effective floral mount for a hat, and is not beyond the powers of an amateur worker

Some of the leaves may be made larger or smaller by adding or decreasing the stitches. Adjust the leaves in pairs, and take a bud, a flower, and some leaves, and bind on main stem. The stem will grow thicker from the accumulation of small wires from the various flowers and leaves. If preferred, a strand of ribbon-wire may be used instead. Bind the main stem very closely with Ardern's " Grove " Lustre. Should black flowers be required, the campanula pattern would be a very suitable choice. In this colour the particular bloom would not be conspicuous, and would merely give, the effect of a floral spray.

The worker who has mastered the detailed instructions for flowers given here will soon be able to copy blossoms from nature in their appropriate hues.