A crotchet pattern for a tidy, which is extremely pretty; and, being worked in separate pieces, adds very much to the convenience, as the size never becomes an impediment to its progress.

In forming a star, commence by making a chain of eighteen loops; join it into a ring. Work it round with single crochet with about forty stitches; work all round forty-eight stitches in double crochet in each loop of the last row, making two loops in one in five or six places to give room for the additional size of the circle. This forms the solid centre. In this work one long, three chain, one into every other stitch all round; work nine chain, loop in twelve times all round. In each of these twelve loops work, four long, three chain, and four long. The

next row is eleven chain looped in to the three chain of the last row all round the same. On these twelve loops work five chain, one long, three chain, one long, three chain, one long, five chain, loop into the same place as the last row; continue all round the same. The last row is single crotchet all round to give the edge a substantial and firm appearance. When a sufficient number of stars are formed, they are united together at two points of each, which will make them join at eight points, leaving four to be joined together by two crotchet chains crossing each other. When the square is completed the outer edge is finished with a fringe tied in at intervals sufficiently near to give it a rich appearance.

2.-With Magenta wool fasten on and purl a row.

3rd. Bring wool forward; K 2 †; and without bringing the wool forward, K 3 plain, and pull the 3rd stitch (reckoning backwards) over the two last; wool forward; K 3 plain; pull the first over the two last; repeat from * till the end of the row (12 loops now on the pin).

4th.-Green wool; purl a row (12 loops on the pin). This also can be calculated by measurement for the article required.

It is pretty for babies' berceaunette blankets or cot covers, lined with silk, or knitted in very coarse wool for travelling rugs. Different kinds of wool must, of course, be selected, according to the purpose for which the knitting is intended. We will gill give our readers the directions for knitting the stitch, and they can then make use of it for either of the articles just mentioned. We would advise them to select, for a baby's blanket, white fleecy wool; for a cot cover, double Berlin; and for a travelling

rug, 8-thread fleecy. The following directions will be found correct for knitting the stitch : Cast on any number of stitches that will divide by 4, and allow besides 1 for each end. 1st row: Slip 1, * make 1, slip 1, knit 3, draw the slipped stitch over the 3 knitted ones, repeat from *, knit 1. 2nd. Knit 1, purl all out the last stitch, which knit plain. 3rd. Same as first. 4th. Same as 2nd. It will be seen that the pattern is very easy to knit, and is very quickly exe cuted.

FIRST FIGURE.-Dress of grey pou-de-soie, trimmed at the bottom of the skirt with a deep band of ruby velvet, above which is placed sprays of fancy trimming of the same colour. Body with a waistcoat point in front, trimmed with ruby velvet; the sleeves, semi-tight, are finished with an epaulet of the same, and bands of velvet at the bottom. Nansook under-sleeves terminated by a cambric frill, plaited and edged with narrow Valenciennes, standing collar to match. In the hair ruby velvet.

SECOND FIGURE.-Visiting Toilet.- Black moire antique dress, trimmed at the bottom by a fringe of black chenille and silk. Body round at the waist, where it is bordered by a similar fringe simulating a basque. Straight sleeves, ornamented at the top and bottom, beginning at the side by a narrower fringe of the same kind. Plush velvet jacket. Black bonnet in the fanchon style, made of velvet, and ornamented behind with two feathers, one black the other blue, crossing on a puff of figured black tulle, and accompanied by loops of blue and black

velvet. Inside a velvet tress.

Although le Mercredi des Cendres has extinguished the Carnival, balls continue to take place all the same, and the most fashionable saloons open their doors wider than ever to admit our jolies femmes and their toilets

vaporeuses.

In the meanwhile let us talk of the current toilets. The first robe is of silk "terre de sienne," ornamented on each breadth, at the bottom of the robe, with a cut figure of a double W placed point to point, formed of two shades of blue silk disposed contrary ways, so that the point of the double W of the deepest shade should face the point of the lightest; a little entre deux of jet beads borders these ornaments, which are repeated on the corsage. This is cut with a waistcoat point before, and has a point behind and on each hip. The sleeves are nearly tight at top and bottom, but larger at the elbow, where

a double W, similar to those on the skirt, is placed. The envelope worn with this dress should be made of light cloth of a deep blue shade, and of the Japanese form, with short sleeves very wide at bottom. Above this little sleeve, which is lined with taffety, is attached a sleeve covered with a net of black chenille, on every knot of which is placed a little pearl of cut jet; a fringe of chenille and jet pearls borders the short sleeve. The black cord tracings on this vestment are very rich and bizarre in design.

The bonnet intended to be worn with this

dressis of the fanchon style, formed of white tulle bouillonné and garnished in the middle by a drapery of straw-coloured crape, forming a double fan, one of which fails on the front, and the other on the fulling of tulle which forms the cache-peigne. Behind at each side of the fan float loops of straw-coloured ribbon No. 4, and black velvet No. 3, and blown black pearls are scattered on the tulle bouillonné at the sides of the fanchon-formed front. A line of ponceau velvet and black pearls separates the two fans, and marks the edge of the cache-peigne. A fringe of black pearls and of American corn grains falls on the front, and borders the other fan, In the interior a bandeau of ponceau velvet embroidered with black pearls, and at the sides a neige of tulle.

Having exhausted every other form of ornament, we are going to the alphabet for new figures, and are wearing great A's and W's upon our dresses. By-and-bye we shall come to the rest of the letters.

In expectation of the coming season, many elegant fabrics already crowd our magazines, and afford the greatest variety of choice in home dresses or toilets for the theatre, petite soirée, or thé. One fresh-looking robe of foulard of the most brilliant tints was destined for the latter purpose. Certainly the most vivid colours have a cheering effect in negligée toilet.