Overview:
“My Knitting Book” by Miss Lambert, published in 1843, is a comprehensive guide to knitting techniques and patterns for the Victorian era. The book provides detailed instructions for various knitting projects, from simple cuffs and muffatees to elaborate shawls and quilts. It also includes patterns for purses, bags, baby items, and even a unique “Pence Jug” or purse. The book’s language is clear and concise, making it accessible even to novice knitters.
The text is divided into sections, each focusing on a specific type of knitting project. It covers various stitches, including plain knitting, pearl knitting, rib knitting, open stitches, double knitting, and cable knitting. Additionally, the book provides a detailed explanation of the “Standard Filière,” a knitting and netting needle gauge invented by the author, which helps determine needle size for different types of yarn.
Key Findings:
- The text highlights knitting as a popular evening pastime for both the elderly and invalids.
- The author discusses the growing popularity of knitting during the Victorian era, leading to the publication of her book.
- The book emphasizes the importance of using high-quality materials and choosing needles appropriate to the yarn’s thickness.
- The author presents various knitting stitches and techniques, encouraging experimentation and creativity.
Learning:
- Knitting Basics: The reader will learn fundamental knitting techniques such as casting on, casting off, narrowing, widening, turning, and seaming.
- Stitch Variations: The book explains a variety of stitches, including plain, pearl, rib, loop, and open stitches, providing a solid foundation for understanding different stitch patterns.
- Pattern Construction: The reader will gain insights into creating complex knitting patterns through the use of increasing, decreasing, and color changes.
- Project Guidance: The text offers detailed instructions for a wide range of knitting projects, from simple cuffs to intricate shawls and quilts.
Historical Context:
The text was published in 1843, during the Victorian era. The Victorian era was a time of great societal and technological change, including advancements in textile production and manufacturing. This led to a wider availability of affordable knitting materials, making knitting accessible to a broader audience. The Victorian era also saw a resurgence of domestic crafts and needlework, with knitting becoming a popular pastime for women and girls.
Facts:
- Knitting’s Popularity: Knitting was a common evening amusement for the elderly and invalids, reflecting the changing social landscape of the Victorian era.
- The “Standard Filière”: Miss Lambert invented a knitting and netting needle gauge to help determine the correct needle size for different yarns.
- Quality Materials: The book emphasizes using high-quality wool, silk, or cotton for knitting projects, highlighting the importance of selecting materials suitable for the desired outcome.
- Victorian Trends: The patterns in “My Knitting Book” reflect the fashion and style preferences of the Victorian era. For example, the numerous shawls and hoods showcase popular garment styles of the time.
- Gendered Activities: The book implicitly frames knitting as a predominantly feminine activity, reflecting the gendered roles of the Victorian period.
- Household Crafts: The book includes patterns for household items such as quilts and tidies, demonstrating the importance of knitting for home decorating and functionality.
- Childcare Items: The text provides patterns for baby items, reflecting the emphasis on domesticity and child-rearing in Victorian society.
- Piracy Concerns: The author mentions the issue of piracy of her previous work, highlighting the growing commercialization of knitting and needlework.
Statistics:
- Price of the Book: “My Knitting Book” was priced at eighteen pence in 1843.
- Number of Skeins: The book often specifies the number of skeins of yarn required for different projects, such as five skeins of netting silk for a strong purse.
- Number of Stitches: The author provides specific stitch counts for various patterns, for example, eighty-eight stitches for a “Pence Jug” purse and three hundred and sixty stitches for a Russian shawl.
- Number of Rows: The book outlines the number of rows needed to achieve specific pattern lengths, such as fifty-two rows for a baby sock and thirty-six rows for a baby’s hood.
- Number of Needles: The text specifies the number of knitting needles required for different projects, such as three needles for cuffs and eight needles for a baby’s hood.
Terms:
- Cast On: The initial interlacement of yarn on the knitting needle.
- Cast Off: The final process of knitting where stitches are removed from the needle.
- Cast Over: To bring the yarn forward round the needle to create a loop.
- Narrow: To reduce the number of stitches by knitting two together.
- Seam: To knit a stitch with the yarn before the needle, creating a tighter stitch.
- Widen: To increase the number of stitches by bringing the yarn round the needle and knitting it.
- Turn: Two rows in the same stitch, worked back and forth.
- Plain Row: A row of simple knitting, without any additional stitches or patterns.
- Pearl: To knit with the yarn before the needle, creating a bumpy texture.
- Rib: To work alternating rows of plain and pearl knitting, creating a ribbed effect.
Examples:
- Siberian Cuffs: A pattern incorporating nine shades of German wool, creating a gradient effect.
- Knitted Silk Cuff: A cuff worked with coarse black netting silk, using a stitch that creates a distinctive textured pattern.
- Muffatees with Two Colours: A pattern that utilizes cerise and brown German wool to create a striped effect.
- Gentlemen’s Muffatees: A simple ribbed pattern for men’s muffatees.
- Knitted Cuffs, Shell Pattern: A cuff with a shell pattern worked in cerise and white silk.
- Double Knitted Cuffs: Cuffs with alternating stripes of claret and white wool, including a frill detail.
- Brioche: A knitted cushion with a distinctive “Brioche” stitch, resembling a French cake.
- Opera Cap: A cap with a white and colored border, featuring a decorative open stitch pattern.
- Sontag, or Cephaline: A cap with a white border and a patterned headpiece, worked in five shades of color.
- A Muff, in colours of Sable: A muff made in four shades of German wool to resemble sable fur.
Conclusion:
“My Knitting Book” provides a comprehensive guide to knitting techniques and patterns, offering a valuable glimpse into Victorian-era crafts and domestic life. The book’s emphasis on detailed instructions and practical applications makes it a useful resource for both novice and experienced knitters. It highlights the diverse uses of knitting for clothing, accessories, and home furnishings, reflecting the popularity and significance of this craft during the Victorian period.