Overview:
The Ladies’ Knitting and Netting Book, published in 1840, offers a wealth of instructions and patterns for creating various knitted and netted items. From practical items like gloves, mittens, and muffatees to decorative items like table mats, cushion covers, and even a carriage rug, this book provides a thorough guide to the craft for ladies of the Victorian era. The book features an extensive range of patterns for different garments, accessories, and home furnishings, demonstrating the versatility and popularity of knitting and netting at the time.
The book also delves into various stitch techniques, including double knitting, bead netting, and diamond knitting, providing detailed instructions and illustrations to guide the reader. It highlights the importance of using specific types of needles and yarn based on the desired project, and offers tips on increasing, decreasing, and shaping stitches for creating intricate designs.
Key Findings:
- Knitting and netting were popular crafts for ladies in the Victorian era.
- The book emphasizes the use of specific materials and techniques for different projects.
- Knitting and netting were used to create both practical and decorative items.
Learning:
- Knitting and Netting Techniques: The reader will learn about various knitting and netting stitches, including plain knitting, ribbing, double knitting, bead netting, and diamond knitting. Detailed instructions and illustrations make these techniques accessible to beginners.
- Plain Knitting: The most basic knitting stitch, creating a flat fabric.
- Ribbing: Alternating knit and purl stitches, creating a textured, stretchy fabric.
- Double Knitting: A technique that creates a double layer of fabric, making it warmer and more substantial.
- Bead Netting: Incorporating beads into netting designs for added embellishment.
- Diamond Knitting: Creating diamond patterns by strategically increasing and decreasing stitches.
- Project Specific Instructions: The book offers specific instructions for creating a variety of projects, including gloves, mittens, purses, table mats, and a carriage rug. Readers will learn about different shaping techniques and finishing touches for each item.
- Gloves: Techniques for shaping the thumb, fingers, and gussets for a comfortable fit.
- Mittens: Creating open or closed mittens with different stitch patterns and decorative elements.
- Purses: Learning how to knit or net purses with intricate stitch patterns and bead embellishments.
- Table Mats: Instructions for creating square or round mats with different stitch patterns and fringe embellishments.
- Carriage Rug: Creating a warm, durable rug with a combination of knitted and crocheted elements.
Historical Context:
The Ladies’ Knitting and Netting Book was published in 1840, during the Victorian era. This period was known for its emphasis on domesticity, with women expected to engage in domestic crafts like knitting and needlework. The book reflects this social context, offering instructions for creating items that would have been considered fashionable and practical for women of the time.
Facts:
- Needle Sizes: The book uses a numbering system for knitting needles, reflecting the standard sizing practices of the time.
- Yarn Types: The book specifies types of yarn used, including German lambs’ wool, lace thread, and knitting cotton, indicating the popular materials for knitting and netting in the Victorian era.
- Embellishments: The book mentions the use of embellishments like lace, ribbon, and fringe, highlighting the importance of decorative elements in Victorian crafts.
- Double Knitting: The book provides instructions for double knitting, a technique that creates a thicker, warmer fabric, demonstrating the importance of practicality in Victorian crafts.
- Bead Netting: The book describes the technique of bead netting, a way to add embellishments and decorative details to knitted and netted items.
- Diamond Knitting: The book includes instructions for diamond knitting, a technique used to create intricate patterns in knitting, suggesting the emphasis on sophisticated craftsmanship during the Victorian era.
- Color Combinations: The book often mentions the use of contrasting colors in knitted and netted items, reflecting the popularity of colorful patterns in Victorian fashion.
- Carriage Rugs: The book features instructions for creating a carriage rug, highlighting the popularity of knitting for both practical and decorative purposes in Victorian society.
- Waistcoats: The book includes instructions for creating knitted waistcoats, reflecting the emphasis on both fashion and practicality in Victorian clothing.
- Tippets: The book describes the creation of a warm tippet, highlighting the importance of warmth and comfort in Victorian fashion.
- Night Caps: The book provides instructions for knitting night caps, showing the popularity of knitting for creating practical items for both day and nightwear.
- Gouty Shoes: The book provides instructions for knitting gouty shoes, reflecting the need for specialized footwear to address health concerns during the Victorian era.
- Baby Clothes: The book includes patterns for creating baby clothes, such as caps, stockings, and gaiters, highlighting the importance of knitting for creating clothing for children.
- Curtains: The book offers instructions for creating a netted curtain, demonstrating the use of knitting and netting for home decor purposes.
- Cushions: The book features patterns for creating both knitted and crocheted cushions, showing the versatility of knitting and crocheting for home furnishings.
- Blanket: The book provides instructions for creating a blanket using a combination of knitting and crocheting techniques, showcasing the popularity of combining different crafting techniques in Victorian times.
- Lace: The book offers instructions for creating netted lace, highlighting the importance of delicate and intricate designs in Victorian crafts.
- Suspenders: The book includes instructions for creating knit suspenders, reflecting the popularity of knitting for creating practical accessories for both men and women.
- Foot Muff: The book features a pattern for creating a Parisian net knitted foot muff, demonstrating the use of knitting for creating cozy accessories for cold weather.
- Doyleys: The book provides instructions for creating a variety of patterns for doyleys, highlighting the use of knitting for creating decorative items for the home.
- Mazaniello Cap: The book includes instructions for knitting a Mazaniello cap, reflecting the popularity of knitting for creating stylish and functional headwear.
- Muff: The book features patterns for creating a variety of muffs, showcasing the popularity of knitting for creating warm accessories for women during cold weather.
Statistics:
- Needle Sizes: The book uses needle sizes ranging from No. 7 to No. 23, highlighting the variety of sizes used for different knitting projects.
- Yarn Amounts: The book mentions specific yarn amounts required for certain projects, such as 1 ounce of blue and 1 ounce of black fleecy for a small muff, giving readers a sense of the yarn quantities needed for different projects.
- Stitch Counts: The book frequently provides specific stitch counts for different patterns, such as 60 stitches for a small muff or 204 stitches for a baby’s stays, offering readers a guide for adjusting patterns based on their desired size.
- Row Counts: The book provides specific row counts for different patterns, such as 195 rows for a netted curtain or 90 rows for a baby’s sleeve, giving readers a sense of the time commitment involved in different projects.
- Project Sizes: The book often mentions specific project sizes, such as a carriage rug that is as long as the reader desires or a tippet that is a quarter of a yard long, giving readers a sense of the scale of different projects.
Terms:
- Turn: Two rows of knitting.
- Ridge: A section of ribbed knitting, created by two rows.
- Loop Stitch: A stitch created by bringing the yarn forward before knitting, creating a loop.
- Narrow: To decrease the number of stitches.
- Ribbed Stitch: A stitch created by alternating knit and purl stitches.
- Slip Stitch: To transfer a stitch from one needle to another without knitting it.
- Take Under: To pass the right needle under a stitch on the left needle, keeping the same side of the stitch facing the knitter.
- Welts: Ribbed stitches at the top of stockings to prevent rolling.
- Cast Off: To end a knitting project.
- Decrease: To reduce the number of stitches by knitting two stitches together.
- Increase: To add a stitch, typically by knitting twice through the same stitch.
- Hang On: To cast on stitches.
- Bring the Thread Forward: To pass the yarn between the needles toward the knitter.
- Cast Over: To pass the yarn over the needle, creating a loop stitch.
- Round the Needle: To pass the yarn over the needle, creating a loop stitch.
- Reversed: To pass the yarn over the needle and then back to its original position.
- Together: To knit two stitches together as one.
- Set: To create tufts or bunches of yarn for fringe.
- Widen: To increase the number of stitches.
Examples:
- Gloves: The book provides instructions for knitted gloves with a feather pattern, demonstrating the use of stitch patterns to create intricate and fashionable designs.
- Mittens: The book describes a variety of mittens, including honeycomb mittens, demonstrating the use of different stitch patterns to create unique textures.
- Purses: The book features a variety of purses, such as a purse in round netting, illustrating the use of different netting techniques for creating functional and decorative items.
- Table Mats: The book offers instructions for creating table mats with different stitch patterns, including a table mat knitted in one piece, showcasing the use of knitting for creating unique and decorative items for the home.
- Carriage Rug: The book includes instructions for creating a striped carriage rug, illustrating the use of knitting and crocheting for creating cozy and practical items for travel.
- Waistcoat: The book provides instructions for knitting a waistcoat with a detailed pattern, showcasing the use of knitting for creating tailored and practical garments.
- Tippet: The book describes the creation of a warm tippet with intricate shaping techniques, illustrating the use of knitting for creating fashionable and practical garments.
- Night Caps: The book offers instructions for knitting two types of night caps, including a French pattern night cap, showcasing the use of knitting for creating stylish and comfortable sleepwear.
- Gouty Shoes: The book provides instructions for creating gouty shoes with specific knitting techniques, highlighting the use of knitting for creating specialized footwear to address health concerns.
- Baby Clothes: The book features a variety of baby clothes patterns, including baby’s stockings, illustrating the use of knitting for creating comfortable and adorable garments for children.
Conclusion:
The Ladies’ Knitting and Netting Book offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of Victorian crafts. The book showcases the popularity of knitting and netting for creating a wide variety of items, both practical and decorative. From gloves and mittens to purses and carriage rugs, the book provides readers with a comprehensive guide to these essential crafts. Readers will learn about various knitting and netting stitches, techniques, and project-specific instructions, along with valuable insights into the historical context and cultural significance of these crafts in Victorian society.