20 MAY 1916, Page 19

Beautiful Crochet on Household Linen. Edited by Flora Klickmann. (Office

of the Girls' Own Paper and Woman's Magazine. ls. net.)— This is a little book that will please those women who can find relaxation in elaborate needlework. Now that we are cutting out superfluities, whether of food, household goods, or service, crochet trimmings on linen may seem absurdly out of place, and we are inclined to say of it : "Madame, je n'en vois pas la necessite." But, after all, crochet may serve, to the women who enjoy it, as a relief from the inevitable forms of sewing, and the materials are cheap and the finished article durable and possibly ornamental. Here are to be found directions for making many things, from plain insertions to guimpea and pinafore tops, as well as many tablecloth inlets. Some of the patterns are effective, but we wish that the designers could find inspiration in conventional Renaissance work, instead of trying to adapt the forms of natural flowers to such an unsuitable medium as flat crochet.—We may here mention The Stitchery Annual, No. 3 (came editor, publishers, and price), from which many pages of the former book have been taken, but which also contains advice on such subjects as "Making Your Blouses and Skirts," " The Economy Quilt," and plenty of useful hints on the subject of plain sewing which are well worth the attention of the amateur needlewoman, who is now probably doing the work of a " useful maid."