I have found a treasure!

I have found a treasure from 1847. It is a copy of Mrs. Gaugain's Open Knit D'Oyleys No. 1. The scans are completed and I have a PDF copy for sale on ETSY. It surprised me that the doilies are so intricate and lacy.

The directions include Mrs Gaugain's translation for her unusual knitting abbreviations as you can see in the example below. 

Happy knitting, Debby

Patterns on Kindle

I am new to the world of tablets, Kindles, etc. Do you use one? I am happy with my Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1. I can actually see and print the print on the screen! One app that was pre-loaded was the Kindle Reader.

Some historic needlecraft books are available in Kindle format at no cost.

Here is what I found on Amazon.com:

The Ladies' Work-Book Containing Instructions In Knitting, Crochet, Point-Lace, etc. by Unknown 

My Knitting Book by Frances Lambert 

The Ladies' Knitting and Netting Book by Miss Watts 

Handbook of Wool Knitting and Crochet by Anonymous 

The Ladies' Work-Table Book Containing Clear and Practical Instructions in Plain and Fancy Needlework, Embroidery... by Anonymous 

Knitting, Crochet, and Netting, with Twelve Illustrations by Éléonore Riego de la Branchardière 

Spool Knitting by Mary A. McCormack 

The New Guide to Knitting & Crochet by Marie Jane Cooper 

The Lady's Album of Fancy Work for 1850 Consisting of Novel, Elegant, and Useful Designs in Knitting, Netting,... by Unknown 

Exercises in Knitting by Cornelia Mee 

The Lady's Album of Fancy Work for 1850 by N/A 

The Bath Tatting Book by P. P. 

The Art of Modern Lace Making by The Butterick Publishing Co. 

For a fun read...

Lace Curtain Cleaning A Successful Home Business by Mrs. Albert Leigh 

Enjoy this resource, Debby

History of the Bonnet- article written in 1870

Here is an interesting article giving the history of the bonnet. It was written in 1870!

Click here to read it on Google Books

Enjoy, Debby

Historic knitting...1886

Today's post is from a historic needlework staple, The Encyclopedia of Needlework by Therese de Dillmont

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thérèse de Dillmont (10 October 1846 - 22 May 1890) was an Austrian needleworker and writer, "one of the most important pioneers in the international and multicultural enterprise of hobby needlework in the late nineteenth century". 

Dillmont's Encyclopedia of Needlework (1886) has been translated into 17 languages.

I have chosen this round piece to try myself. It can be used a variety of ways...as a washcloth, doily, small bride's purse or the crown of a baby bonnet. Send over a photo of your work if you give this a try!

You can find this resource on ProjectGutenberg and Archive.org. I also see reprints of this book on the shelves at thrift stores. 

Materials: Fil d'Alsace D.M.C in balls, No. 60 or 70, Fil à dentelle D.M.C No. 40, 50 or 60.

Rose for knitting —Repeat all the directions, 8 ending with the sign *, 7 times.

Cast on 8 stitches, on to 4 needles, two on each; close the ring.

2nd round—8 times: over, knit 1.

The 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 17th, 19th, 21st, 23rd, and 25th round, knit plain.

4th round—over, knit 3, over, knit 1 from behind *.

6th round—over, knit 4, over, knit 1 from behind *.

8th round—over, knit 7, over, knit 1 from behind *.

10th round—over, slip 1, knit 1, pull slipped stitch over, knit 2 together, over, knit 1 *.

12th round—over, knit 2 together, over, knit 3 *.

14th round—over, knit 1 from behind, over, knit 5 *.

16th round—over, knit 1 from behind, over, knit 7 *.

18th round—over, knit 1 from behind, over, knit 9 *.

20th round—over, knit 1 from behind, over, knit 11 *.

22nd round—over, knit 1 from behind, over, knit 13 *.

24th round—over, knit 1 from behind, over, knit 15 *.

26th round—over, knit 3, over, knit 5, knit 2 together, purl 1, slip 1, knit 1, pull slipped stitch over, knit 5 *.

27th round—knit 11, purl 1, knit 6 *.

28th round—over, knit 5, over, knit 4, knit 2 together, purl 1, slip 1, knit 1, pull slipped stitch over, knit 4 *.

29th round—knit 12, purl 1, knit 5 *.

30th round—over, knit 1, over, slip 1, knit 1, pull slipped stitch over, knit 1, knit 2 together, over, knit 1, over, knit 3, knit 2 together, purl 1, slip 1, knit 1, pull slipped stitch over, knit 3 *.

31st round—knit 13, purl 1, knit 4 *.

32nd round—over, knit 3, over, slip 2, knit 1, pull slipped stitches over, over, knit 3, over, knit 2, knit 2 together, purl 1, slip 1, knit 1, pull slipped stitch over, knit 2 *.

33rd round—knit 14, purl 1, knit 3.

34th round—over, knit 11, over, knit 1, knit 2 together, purl 1, slip 1, knit 1, pull slipped stitch over, knit 1 *.

35th round—knit 15, purl 1, knit 2.

36th round—over, knit 1, over, slip 1, knit 1, pull slipped stitch over, knit 1, knit 2 together, over, knit 1, over, slip 1, knit 1, pull slipped stitch over, knit 1, knit 2 together, over, knit 1, over, knit 2 together, purl 1, slip 1, knit 1, pull slipped stitch over *.

37th round—knit 16, purl 1, knit 1.

38th round—over, knit 3, over, slip 2, knit 1, pull slipped stitches over, over, knit 3, over, slip 2, knit 1, pull slipped stitches over, over, knit 3, over, knit 2, over, slip 2, knit 1, pull slipped stitches over *.

39th, 41st and 43rd round—knit plain.

40th round—over, knit 4, knit 2 together, over, knit 5, over, slip 1, knit 1, pull slipped stitch over, knit 4, over, knit 1.

42nd round—knit 1, over, slip 1, knit 1, pull slipped stitch over, knit 1, knit 2 together, over, knit 1, over, slip 1, knit 1, pull slipped stitch over, knit 1, knit 2 together, over, knit 1, over, slip 1, knit 1, pull slipped stitch over, knit 1, knit 2 together, over, knit 2 *.

44th round—knit 2, over, slip 2, knit 1, pull slipped stitches over, over, knit 3, over, slip 2, knit 1, pull slipped stitches over, over, knit 3, over, slip 2, knit 1, pull slipped stitches over, over, knit 3 *.

Finish with three purled rounds.

Let's take a closer look at Prince George's lace shawl

Britain’s new Royal Baby has been named George Alexander Louis and will be known as His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge. The third in line to the throne appeared in public for the first time yesterday escorted by his proud parents The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, enshrouded in a luxury knitted lace shawl believed to have been knitted by Nottinghamshire, UK, based manufacturer G.H. Hurt & Son. - See more at: http://www.knittingindustry.com/knitting-for-a-future-king/#sthash.KrN2VYW6.dpuf

Here is a link to G H Hurt and Son. 

The OUR HISTORY page is very interesting showing the development of the knitting industry over the last 400 years!

Enjoy, Debby

Historic Tatting Resources

Originally published on 6/13/11

Historic Tatting Resources

Doing some research on tatting resources, I came across some nice booklets.

Here are the links:

Priscilla Tatting Book No. 3 from 1924

DMC Library Th de Dillmont TATTING

From KNIT HEAVEN- Tatting resources

Katharin L. Hoare, The Art of Tatting 1910 Part 1: File size 6.5 MB PDF. Part 2: File size 12.1 MB PDF. Part 3: File size 8.2 MB PDF.

GOLDEN STARS in TATTING AND CROCHET 1861 MLLE. RIEGO DE LA BRANCHARDIÈRE

Greek and Roman Lace 1859 MLLE. RIEGO DE LA BRANCHARDIÈRE

Free Patterns and Recipes on Craftsy!

• Free Embroidery Patterns at Craftsy!
• Free Knitting Patterns at Craftsy!
• Free Sewing Pattern at Craftsy 
• Free Quilting Patterns at Craftsy
• Free Cake Decorating Recipes at Craftsy!

Ideas for hot weather crochet

Searching for some "new" vintage project to work on despite the heat? Try looking through the wealth of materials at antiquepatternlibrary.org. There is something here for everyone. 

I was going through this Corticelli book from 1916 and saw a simple and pretty crochet edging that would be very pretty on the edge of a tea towel. I found some beautiful linen dinner napkins that are about 30 inches wide. This edging would be nice on them to repurpose into a tea towel for a friend.

On page 7 of the PDF

For a more challenging pattern, check out page 11 for the Princess Louise crocheted bag. Wouldn't that be perfect for a wedding? Wow!

I love this picture hat but I don't think I could pull off this look!

Please share any projects you would like to try.

Enjoy, Debby

Check out these Free Patterns and Recipes!

• Free Embroidery Patterns at Craftsy!
• Free Knitting Patterns at Craftsy!
• Free Sewing Pattern at Craftsy 
• Free Quilting Patterns at Craftsy
• Free Cake Decorating Recipes at Craftsy!

More fun with Victorian catalogs

Here is another fun catalog from 1891. What a great variety of items! Love those combination suits! Enjoy.

Check out the Memorial Day Sale at Craftsy.com

Victorian needlework catalogs

I really enjoy looking through needlework and yarn catalogs. For even more fun, how about looking through historic catalogs? 

Here is one from 1887. Enjoy and have a safe weekend!

Check out the Memorial Day Sale at Craftsy.com

Heirloom knitting resource....free patterns

Check out these fabulous patterns for round knitted doilies. These can be used to make more than doilies...how about a lacy washcloth or even a round shawl with some alteration. I love this style of doily since it is knit on two needles then grafted at the end to the first row.

There is more to see at this site which is a resource for Judith McLeod-Odel's book, Heirloom Knits. 

There is a notice that Judith has passed away but the site will remain for an undisclosed period of time. Check it out now and save the information that you want before it is shut down.

Happy Knitting, Debby

Free from Joann.com: candy cane mat/dishcloth and wrist warmers

I just saw this on Pinterest from Joann.com. Looks fun and EASY!

Link to wrist warmer pattern..remember all the ladies on Cranford wore wrist warmers in the cold weather... I need to get that out and watch it again. I love Cranford and Return to Cranford. I really want a knitting pattern for the shawl Miss Matty wears!

All the best, Debby

Stockings Old and New....all free patterns

Fun and Free patterns. Some old...some new.


Vintage pattern from  1951

Vintage pattern from 1945

From Caron.com

PDF of mini stocking ornaments

From Coats and Clark

From Berroco

First one from RedHeart

Second one from RedHeart...with cables

Enjoy!

Weldon's Practical Knitter on sale

Interweave Press offers reproductions of Weldon's Practical Knitter as single issues or in sets. They are currently on sale and are delivered electronically!

It's a great opportunity to add to your collection of historic patterns.

Happy knitting.

Very unusual knitted doily...have you seen this pattern?

I found this lovely doily on EBAY.

I have never seen this pattern. I wish I could afford to purchase this piece.

Has anyone ever seen this pattern or know what it is called?

Just lovely....

Jane Austen Knits 2012 Digital edition

Wooooo Hooooo. Jane Austen Knits 2012 digital edition is available as a download.

 I just ran across this today on Ravelry. A few projects are featured on Ravelry.

I can't wait to get my copy!


Enjoy!