Ever since the Moors attempted to invade France by way of the eastern Pyrenees mountains and were stopped by Charles Martel, the Pyrenees have represented a bulwark and natural frontier. Savage 10,000 foot peaks have discouraged would-be conquerors for centuries. Today, there are many well preserved fortified ramparts which attest to this invincibility.
The province of Pyrénées-Béarn on the southern border between France and Spain is, like other mountainous areas, a land of contrasts. Fertile lowlands with mild climate and a relatively easy life, foot hill areas with rushing streams, and impassable peaks, are all part of this region.
To the people of the world who embrace the Roman Catholic faith, this part of France represents the final hope for the incurable. Here, at Lourdes, almost a million faithful come annually to pray and bathe in the waters where many have been healed.
To Pau, the capital of Béarn, English physicians began sending their patients and it suddenly became another famous resort. Prior to this Pau had primarily been known as the birthplace of Henry IV. Visitors are shown a turtle shell which supposedly served as his crib.
The Bearnese are said to be witty and adventurous, but fundamentally courteous and moderate.
INSTRUCTIONS PYRÉNÉES-BÉARN
MATERIALS: D•M•C Pearl Cotton, Art. 116D, Size 5: 1½ balls Black No. 310, ½ ball Red No. 350, 1 ball Lt. Emerald No. 913.
D•M•C Pearl Cotton, Art. 116D, Size 8: 2 balls Med. Sevres No. 798, ½ ball White, ½ ball Yellow No. 307.
Small amount of Green and Red for Embroidery.
Steel Crochet Hooks, Size 5 and Size 8.
SKIRT: The skirt is worked lengthwise in one piece with a seam in the back. With Green and Size 5 hook, ch 50. Work in dc as follows: 3 rows Green, 1 row Black. 1 row Red, 3 rows Black, 1 row Red, and 1 row Black. Repeat these 10 rows 5 more times — break thread at each color change. Sew seam leaving a 2" opening at top. Run in threads then make a hem the desired size. For waistband, with Black, ch 50. Work 4 rows of sc. Gather top of skirt and sew to waistband. Close with a snap.
WAIST: With Blue and Size 8 hook, starting with back, ch 26. Work 5 rows of dc. Leave off 3 sts at each side on next row for armholes then work 6 more rows. For one half of front, work 4 rows on the first 6 sts then increase 1 stitch at neck edge, every other row, until there are 11 rows in all. Next row, add 3 sts for underarm then work 5 more rows. Work other front to correspond. Sew side seams. For sleeves, ch 24. Work 10 rows of dc increasing 1 stitch at each end of every 3rd row. Work 1 row across the center 20 sts only then finish with 1 row along all the sts.
BONNET: The bonnet consists of one long band that is folded in half and sewn in back. With Blue and Size 8 hook, ch 30. Work 10 rows of dc. Continue to work in dc increasing, for back edge, 1 stitch at end of 11th and 13th row and increasing 2 sts at the same edge at end of 15th, 17th and 19th row. Next row, leave off 10 sts at the same edge then work 2 rows across all sts as in row 19. This is the center of the bonnet; work other half to correspond reversing the shaping. Sew back seam. Work 2 rows of sc along front edge; turn back edge about ½" then sew a tiny strip of white cotton to inside edge.
SHAWL: With White and Size 8 hook, ch 100. Row 1: (insert hook in half the stitch only) Work 2 slip-sts, 2 sc, 1 hdc, work in dc to last 5 sts, work 1 hdc, 2 sc, 2 slip-sts. Row 2: Work same as Row 1 making 3 dc in center stitch. Rows 3 through 7: Work same as Row 2 having 3 sts in center stitch and shaping the ends by leaving off 1 stitch at each end of every row. With Yellow and size 8 hook, work 5 rows of sc along lower edge going into the entire stitch. Embroider the shawl in Green and Red as shown. Attach a Yellow fringe in every other stitch.