When you do up a package, does the string hold tight? If it doesn't, you have probably made a "Granny" knot, and they never hold. You need a square knot if you want it to stay in place.

Take a string and practice making knots. The square knot is crossed once one way, and then again the other. (See illustration.) Make your knot, then pull hard and see if it unties. A square knot tightens as it is pulled.

If you are tying a shoestring, you really should not make a square knot. As you wear your shoe, the knot will pull tighter, and tighter. When you are ready to undo the lacing, you will have difficulty in loosening that knot. On a shoe, it is much better to tie a single knot, then a bow, and on top of the bow another knot. Use the two loops for the second knot.

Things To Do With Spools

If you have a baby in the family, paint all the old spools you can find-using bright vegetable paint, and string them together on a shoestring. He will like to play with it.

For your next party make some lollypop dolls. Put the stick of the lolly pop in a spool so it will stand up, and make two arms of a pipe cleaner-or a small wire. Paste a round piece of white paper on the candy end, and paint a face on it. Tie a piece of colored crepe paper to the neck of the doll-cutting two holes to let the arms through. This will look like a dress. Cut a round piece of paper-larger than the candy face-to paste to the back of the head for a hat. The pipe cleaner arms can be covered with frilled or balloon-like sleeves tied near the body and at the hand-end.

Ten spools and a small wooden box will make a very nice doll's bed. Take a box that does not have deep sides. Glue a spool to each corner of the bottom-using strong airplane glue, and two to the corners of the top. where you want to have the head of the bed. The foot of the bed will have one on each corner.

Put a small pillow, or a folded blanket in the box to use as a mattress. This should be deep enough to fill the box and come to the top of the sides.