The Ladies' Knitting and Netting Book

Open Fan for a Quilt

Cast on 62 stitches. Knit 3 rows. In the next row slip a stitch, knit 5, decrease by knitting 2 together, knit until only 8 are left on the left hand needle, knit 2 taken together, knit the rest, (6 on each side are always knitted plain for the border.) Knit a plain row, repeat these 2 last rows, (decreasing 2 stitches in every other row) twice. Slip a stitch, knit 5, bring the cotton forward and purl to the border stitches, decreasing at the beginning and end of the purled stitches. A plain row. Slip a stitch, knit 5, bring the cotton forward, decrease, purl the rest, decreasing again before the border stitches. A plain row. Slip a stitch, knit 5, decrease, knit the rest, decreasing before the border stitches. Slip 1, knit 5, purl to the border stitches. Slip 1, knit 5, decrease, bring the cotton forward, slip 1, knit 1, pull the slipped stitch over the knitted one, bring the cotton forward, slip 1, knit 1, pull the slipped stitch over the knitted one, repeat these stitches, decrease, knit to the border. Slip a stitch, knit 5, purl the rest, knit the border stitches. A plain row, decreasing as before. The last 10 rows to be repeated, decreasing 2 stitches every other row until 14 stitches are left; after this every row is plain knitting, still decreasing every other row until only 2 stitches are left, knit them; in the next row knit them together, and draw the cotton through the last stitch.

Gauffre Fans for a Quilt

Cast on 72 stitches. Knit 3 rows; the first stitch of every row is slipped throughout the pattern. In the 4th row knit 4 stitches, counting the slipped stitch as one, decrease with the 5th, knit 60, decrease, knit the remaining 4. A plain row. Knit 4, decrease 1, knit 58, decrease 1, knit 4. A plain row. Knit 4, decrease 1, bring the cotton forward, purl 56, decrease 1, knit 4. A plain row. Knit 4, decrease 1, knit 2, slip 2, knit 4, repeat the last 6 stitches seven times, slip 2, knit 2, decrease 1, knit 4. Knit 5, purl 2, slip 2,4 purl 4, slip 2 and purl 4, seven times, slip 2, purl 2, knit 5. Knit 4, decrease 1, knit 1, slip 2, knit 4, slip 2 and knit 4, seven times, knit 1, decrease 1, knit 4. Knit 5, purl 1, slip 2, purl 4, slip 2, &c. ending, the row with 1 purled stitch and 5 knitted. Knit 4, decrease 1, slip 2, knit 4, slip 2, &c. decrease 1, and knit the 4 last stitches. A plain row. Knit 4, decrease 1, purl 48, decrease 1, knit 4. A plain row. Knit 4, decrease 1, knit 1, slip 2, knit 4, &c. ending the row with knitting 1 stitch, decreasing 1 and knitting 4. Knit 5, purl 1, slip 2, purl 4, &c. Knit 4, decrease 1, slip 2, knit 4, slip 2, &c. Knit 5, bring the cotton forward, slip 2, purl 4, slip 2, &c. Knit 5, slip 2, decrease 1, knit 2, slip 2, knit 4, slip 2, &c. decreasing 1 stitch in the last 4, slip 2, knit 5. A plain row. Knit 4, decrease 1, purl 40, decrease 1, knit 4. A plain row. Knit 4, decrease 1, slip 2, knit 4, and so on to the end. It will be seen that care is taken to place the 2 middle stitches of the 4 over the stitches which were slipped in the last pattern; when the decrease comes on the slipped stitch it is made not on that but in the following 4. Continue to decrease 2 in every other row. When only 10 stitches are left, every row is plain knitting, decreasing as before every other row until you have only 2 stitches, knit them together and pass the cotton through the last stitch.

Ribbed Squares

Cast on 2 stitches; knit them. 3rd row, knit 1 stitch, increase a stitch at the back of the first stitch, knit the 2nd and increase again. 4th row, plain knitting. 5th row, knit 2, stitches, increase 1 in the 2nd, increase again in the 3rd, knit the 4th. 6th row, plain knitting. 7th row, knit 2 stitches, increase 1, knit 2, increase 1, knit 2. 8th row, knit 3, purl 2, knit 3. Knit 3, increase 1, knit 2, increase 1, knit 3. Knit 4, purl 2, knit 4. Knit 3, increase 1, purl 1, knit 2, purl 1, increase 1, knit 3. Knit 5, purl 2, knit 5. Knit 3, increase 1, knit 2, purl 2, knit 2, increase 1, knit 3. Knit 4, purl 2, knit 2, purl 2, knit 4. Knit 3, increase 1, purl 1, knit 2, purl 2, knit 2, purl 1, increase 1, knit 3. Knit 5, purl 2, knit 2, purl 2, knit 5. Knit 3, increase 1, purl 2, knit 2, &c. increasing before the last 3. Knit 3, purl 1, knit 2, purl 2, &c. Continue to increase 2 stitches every other row until there are 72, knitting and purling the stitches so as to make them lay in ribs; decrease as you increased, ending with 2 stitches, knit them together.

Open work Fan

Cast on 74 stitches. Knit 6 rows. The first stitch in every row is always slipped. Knit 2 stitches, decrease 1, bring the cotton forward slip a stitch, knit 2, pull the slipped stitch over the 2 knitted, bring the cotton forward, slip a stitch, knit 2, pull the slipped stitch over the knitted; repeat these stitches until only 4 are left on the left hand needle, decrease 1 and knit the 2 last. Knit 3 stitches, purl 66, knit the 3 last. Knit 2, decrease 1, knit 1, bring the cotton forward, slip a stitch, knit 2, and pull the slipped stitch over the knitted, repeat these stitches until only 4 stitches are left on the needle, decrease, and knit 2. Knit 3, purl 64, knit 3. Knit 2, decrease 1, knit 2, bring the cotton forward, slip a stitch, knit 2, pull the slipped stitch over those which are knitted; repeat these stitches, as before, decrease and knit the 2 last. Knit 3, purl 62, knit 3. Knit 2, decrease 1, bring the cotton forward, slip a stitch, knit 2, pull the slipped over the knitted stitches, repeat these 3 stitches, bringing the cotton forward before slipping the 1st; when only 4 are left decrease, and knit the 2 last. Knit 3, purl 60, knit 3. Repeat these alternate rows, decreasing 2 stitches every other row (taking care that the first slipped stitch is immediately before the stitch which is over the hole) until only 6 stitches are left. Knit every row plain decreasing as before until only 2 stitches are left, knit them together and pass the cotton through the remaining stitch.

An open Border

Any number of stitches may be set up, that will divide by 3. Slip the 1st stitch, bring the cotton forward, slip a stitch, knit a stitch, pull the 2nd slipped stitch over the 3rd stitch; repeat these 3 stitches to the end of the row. 2nd row, plain knitting. 3rd row ribbed. Then begin with the first row again.

A few plain knitted stitches for a border are a great improvement.

Another Border

Cast on any even number of stitches. Rib each row with the exception of 3 stitches on each side for the border, which are knitted plain. When you have 4 ribs on the right side, knit a plain row. Knit the 3 border stitches, leave the cotton on the outside of the needle and rib 2 stitches taken together, this makes a loop stitch; pass the cotton back and repeat these 2 stitches until you come to the border. The next row is plain knitting. Then rib again backwards and forwards until you come to the row before the holes, which is again to be plain knitting. To be sure that your pattern is right you must be able to count 7 ridges on the wrong side, and 4 on the right.

A Last Border

Cast on 101 stitches (or any uneven number). 1st row, knit the second stitch first, drawing it over the 1st, knit the 1st, knit the 4th and 3rd, 6th and 5th, and repeat the same until you come to the last, which knit. 2nd row, purl the 1st stitch, taking 2 stitches together as if you were going to decrease, but pick up again the stitch nearest to the right hand and purl it. Repeat the same to the last stitch, which is to be purled. Begin again at the 1st row.

Grecian Border

Cast on 28 stitches. 1st row, rib 4, knit 12, rib 4, knit 4, rib 4. 2nd row, all purled. 3rd row is the same as the 1st. 4th row, purl. 5th row, the same as the 1st. 6th row, purl. 7th row, same as the 1st. 8th row, purled. 9th row, purl 4, knit 4, purl 12, knit 4, purl 4. The back rows are all purled. 11th, 13th, and 15th like the 9th. 17th, 19th, 21st, and 23rd rows, purl 4, knit 4, purl 4, knit 12, purl 4. 25th 27th 29th and 31st rows, purl 4, knit 4, purl 4, knit 4, purl 12. 33rd 35th 37th and 39th rows, purl 4, knit 20, purl 4. 41st, 43rd, 45th and 47th rows, purl 12, knit 4, purl 4, knit 4, and purl 4. Begin again with the 1st row.

Diamond Knitting

Cast on 57 stitches, 10 on each side are for the border, and are always plain knitting. Knit the border, knit 1 stitch, bring the cotton forward, slip 1 stitch, knit 1, and pull the slipped stitch over it, knit 7, knit 2 taken together, bring the cotton forward, and repeat from the border: your number of stitches should always be the same. Back row, knit the border stitches, and rib the rest; every back row is the same. Knit to where you decreased last, bring the cotton forward, slip 1 stitch, knit 1, and pull the slipped stitch over it, knit 5 stitches, decrease by taking 2 stitches in 1, bring the cotton forward, knit 3, repeat the last 12 stitches to the border. Back row. You are to continue increasing and decreasing in the same manner until you have only 3 stitches between the increases, then decrease at the sides of the diamond which you have made by increasing, and increase on each side before and after the decrease. You will now have enough of the pattern done to see how to proceed.

Observe that when you have only 3 stitches at the top of the diamond you have been decreasing, and the back row is done, you begin to decrease the other diamond. Also, that after the 1st diamond is done, your greatest number of plain stitches between the decrease will be 5.

Border for a Table Cover

Cast on 90 stitches. Knit the 1st stitch, bring the thread forward, slip a stitch, knit 2 taken together, bring the thread forward, slip a stitch, &c. to the end of the row, where you will find but 1 stitch to knit after the last slipped stitch. Continue the pattern (observing to begin every row with one plain knitted stitch) until you have enough in length, then cast off.

This border in crimson cotton or German lambs’-wool, is a nice finish to a dark cloth cover.

Border and Fringe

Cast on 28 stitches with the first color. Knit 2 stitches with the 2nd color, knit 2 stitches with the 1st color, 2 with the 2nd, 2 with the 1st, and continue the same to the end of the row, which will be 2 stitches of the 1st color. Begin the next row by knitting 2 stitches of the 1st color, pass the thread forward, place it under the thumb of the left hand, pass the 2nd color back and knit 2 stitches, continue the same to the end of the row, and then begin again at the 2nd row only observing to knit the 2nd color over the 1st and the 1st over the 2nd. After 2 more rows, reverse the colors again.

When you have a sufficient length cast off 20 stitches and unravel 8 for the Fringe.

Scarf for the Throat

Cast on 86 stitches; knit and rib 4 stitches alternately, but as 86 cannot divide by 4, you must knit 5 instead in two places in the course of the row. After 4 rows in this manner reverse the knitting and ribbing for 4 rows; continue this pattern for about a quarter of a yard, (and also for 12 stitches at each end of every succeeding row) and commence the second pattern between the 12 border stitches. 1st row; knit 2 stitches taken together, plain knit 8 stitches, rib 3; repeat the same until you come to the 12 stitches of the border. 2nd row; (after the border) rib 8 stitches, bring the wool forward, give it a twist round the needle (to increase 1 stitch) and rib 1 stitch, knit 3, repeat this to the border. 3rd row; knit 2 stitches, knit 2 taken together, knit 6, rib 3, &c. 4th row; rib 6 stitches, increase 1, rib 3, knit 3, &c. 5th row; knit 4, take 2 together, knit 4, rib 3, &c. 6th row; rib 4, increase 1, rib 5, knit 3, &c. 7th row; knit 6, take 2 together, rib 3, &c. 8th row; rib 2, increase 1, rib 7, knit 3, &c. 9th row; knit 8, knit 2 together, rib 3, &c. 10th row; rib 1, increase 1, rib 8, knit 3, &c. 11th row; knit 6, knit 2 taken together, knit 2, rib 3, &c. 12th row; rib 3, increase 1, rib 6, knit 3, &c. 13th row; knit 4, knit 2 together, knit 4, rib 3, &c. 14th row; rib 4, increase 1, rib 5, knit 3, &c. 15th row; knit 2, knit 2 together, knit 6, rib 3, &c. 16th row; rib 6, increase 1, rib 3, knit 3, &c. Begin again at the 1st row of the second pattern, and repeat the pattern until the scarf is nearly long enough, then finish with the border as at first. Sew the undermentioned edge to the sides and a piece of Scarf Fringe to the ends.

Scarf Edge

Cast on 6 stitches. 1st row; bring the silk forward and knit 2 stitches taken together, knit 2 stitches, bring the silk forward and knit 2 taken together. 2nd row; knit 2 stitches, bring the silk forward and knit 2 taken together, knit 2 stitches.

A repetition of these 2 rows forms the pattern.

Scarf

Cast on 80 stitches; pass the wool forward, slip a stitch, knit a stitch, pass the slipped stitch over the knitted one, knit 1 stitch, rib 1 stitch, continue this to the end of the row; every row is the same.

This scarf takes about 2½ ounces of German lambs’-wool; it requires a wide fringe at the end and is very pretty if knitted with shaded ends, which are done by using successively 2 skeins of 5 or 6 shades of the desired color, beginning with the darkest.

Netted Scarf

Net successively 6 rows of the following colors; waterloo blue, scarlet, amber, blue, yellow, scarlet, dark blue, amber, scarlet, light blue, amber, and scarlet.

Porcupine Boa

Cast 36 stitches on each of 3 needles, knit 4 stitches, bring the wool forward, knit a stitch—this is the centre stitch of the pattern—bring the wool forward, knit 4 stitches, slip a stitch taking it under, knit 2 taken together, pull the slipped stitch over it, then begin knitting the 4 stitches, &c. It is better at the end of each needle to knit 1 stitch off the next one, as it prepares for the next round; continue this for 6 rounds, increasing before and after every centre stitch, and knitting to within 1 of where you decreased, which stitch slip, knit the next 2 together, and pull the slipped stitch over it. Knit 3 plain rounds. Knit to within 1 stitch of the centre stitch, slip it; knit 2 together, these 6 rounds increase each side of the stitch with which you decreased in the last pattern, which makes that the centre stitch this time.

Your number should always be the same as you began with: it is easy to count the number of rounds you have done, at the place where you decrease.

This boa is knitted with the wrong side outwards. When finished, fill it with cotton wool and put strings to it.

Leggings

Cast on 44 stitches, knit 7 rows, then knit 2 inches, knitting and ribbing 2 stitches alternately; knit 8 rows, continue plain knitting and increase at the beginning and ending of every 4th row; when you have 60 stitches knit 4 rows, then decrease in the same proportion as you increased until you have but 52 stitches; knit 6 rows, and finish to match the top. Sew them up.

Waistcoat

Large Size.

Cast on 68 stitches, knit 38 rows; cast on 14 stitches, knit 26 rows, cast off 34 stitches, knit 4 rows, cast on 26, knit 68 rows, cast off 26 stitches, knit 4 rows, cast on 34 stitches, knit 26 rows, cast off 14 stitches, knit 38 rows.

The Sleeve.

Cast on 45 stitches, knit 90 rows, decrease 1 in each row, which leaves a narrow bit to tack to the shoulder strap, and leaves the sleeve open under the arm.

Knitted Waistcoat

Cast on 54 stitches; knit 38 rows, cast on 14 stitches, knit 14 rows; cast off 34 stitches, knit 4 rows. Cast on 26 stitches, knit 66 rows, cast off 26 stitches, knit 4 rows, cast on 34 stitches, knit 14 rows, cast off 14 stitches, and knit 38 rows.

Sleeves.

Cast on 43 stitches, add 1 stitch each row until there are 60, knit 9 rows. Decrease 1 stitch in each row for 8 rows, then 3 in each row for 19.

Warm Tippet

Cast on 60 stitches, bring the thread forward, slip a stitch and knit 2 taken together, and continue to knit in the same manner for 10 rows, then knit (still observing the same stitch) 6 stitches, (2 repetitions of the pattern), and back; knit 12 stitches and back; 18 and back; and knit backwards and forwards in this manner advancing 6 stitches farther each time until you have but 6 stitches left behind, then knit fewer stitches by 6 than in the last row, and knit backwards and forwards receding 6 stitches each time until you knit only 6 and return: you have now completed the first of the gussets which shape the tippet. Knit 6 stitches, bring the thread forward as if to continue the pattern, pick up a stitch between the stitches and purl it, bring the thread forward, slip a stitch and knit 2 together; continue the same stitch to the end of the row without any more increase. In the next row knit 2 stitches in the increased stitch, and in the following row, when you come to the increased stitches, bring the thread forward, slip a stitch and knit 1 (instead of 2,) you have thus added 1 stripe to your row; knit 4 rows, and in the next row begin to add another stripe to your row within the first 6 stitches; by the time this stripe is made, you will have knitted 10 entire rows. Knit 6 stitches and return, and knit as before (for the gusset) until you come to the row in which you knit to within 6 of the end, then knit a smaller number each time until you knit only 6 stitches and return. Knit a whole row, increasing after the 6th stitch, and add 2 stripes to the row, (as described in the 48th row.) Knit in the gusset again, and then in 10 whole rows add 2 stripes as before; knit the gusset, (which of course increases in size with the increased number of stitches.) Add 2 stripes. Knit a gusset. Knit 6 stitches, pass the thread forward, slip 1 stitch, take 2 stitches upon another needle, slip another stitch, and, passing the 2 stitches, knit the 4 stitches together, bring the thread forward and go on. In the next row, when you come to where you have decreased, it will be necessary to knit 3 stitches together instead of 2. Decrease in the same manner twice in the 10 complete rows. Knit in a gusset. Decrease 4 times in the 10 whole rows. Knit a gusset. Knit 20 whole rows. This completes half of the cape; the other half must be knitted to correspond, only that you must increase where before you decreased, and decrease where you increased.

Night Cap

Cast 2 stitches on each of 4 needles: increase 2 stitches on each needle; in the next round, increase 1 stitch on each needle; make a seam in the middle of each needle and increase on each side of it every other round, until you have a sufficient number of stitches for the size of your cap. Leave off seaming the middle stitches and knit round until your cap is ¾ of a yard long, then finish the end like the beginning, decreasing where you before increased.

Night Cap

Cast 2 stitches on each of 4 needles, knit round increasing them to 4, next round increase 1 on each needle and make seams of the centre stitches. Knit round increasing 1 stitch on each side of the seam (leaving 3 stitches between the 2 that are increased) on each needle. When your cap is large enough round, leave off seaming and knit round until the cap is ¾ of a yard long: make the end like the beginning.

Lambs’-wool Sleeve

Cast on each of 3 needles 18 or 24 stitches according to the size of the sleeve wished for; knit and rib 3 stitches alternately until the sleeve is about 3 inches long. Then take coarser needles and coarser lambs’-wool and knit plain until the sleeve is nearly long enough, and finish by ribbing it again for about an inch and a half.

Cephaline

A mesh ¾ of an inch wide and one ¼ that width are required. It may be netted in flox silk or fine lambs’-wool.

Net a row of 60 stitches and back again with the large mesh (these are the middle rows). Net a row with the fine mesh. The next row is netted with the large mesh 3 stitches in each stitch, then a row with the fine mesh taking each stitch separately. Afterwards a row with the large mesh 2 stitches in each of the first 60 stitches, 1 in each of the next 60, and 2 in each of the rest; a narrow row; a Wide row without increase; a narrow row; a wide row 3 stitches in each stitch. Repeat these rows on the other side, beginning at the first narrow row.

Run a ribbon through the middle rows, sew the ends to the ribbon and the Cephaline is made.

Diamond Knitting

Cast on any number of stitches that will divide by 11; begin with the cotton forward, slip a stitch, knit 1, pull the slipped stitch over it, knit 6 stitches, knit 2 stitches taken together, bring the cotton forward, knit 1 stitch; repeat these 11 stitches all round. A plain round. Knit 1 stitch, bring the cotton forward, slip a stitch, knit 1, pull the slipped stitch over the knitted one, knit 4, knit 2 taken together, bring the cotton forward and knit 2 stitches; repeat these 11 stitches all round. A plain round. Knit 2 stitches, bring the cotton forward, slip a stitch, knit 1, pull the slipped over the knitted stitch, knit 2, knit 2 taken together, bring the cotton forward, knit 3, repeat these round. A plain round. Knit 3 stitches, bring the cotton forward, slip a stitch, knit 1, pull the slipped stitch over the knitted one, knit 2 taken together, bring the cotton forward, knit 4, repeat these 11 stitches round. A plain round. Knit 4 stitches, bring the cotton forward, slip a stitch, knit 1, pull the slipped over the knitted stitch, knit 5 stitches. A plain round. Knit 3 stitches, knit 2 together, bring the cotton forward, knit 1, bring the cotton forward, slip a stitch, knit 1, pull the slipped stitch over, knit 3; repeat these stitches round. You will perceive that this round begins another round of diamonds, and that you increase from the point of the diamond, and decrease the other half diamond to a point.

Another Diamond Knitting

Cast on any number of stitches that will divide by 8, bring the thread forward, slip 1 stitch, knit 1 and pull the slipped stitch over it, knit 6, repeat these 8 stitches all round. Knit a plain round. Bring the thread forward knit 1 stitch, bring the thread forward slip 1 stitch, knit 1 and pull the slipped stitch over it; knit 3, knit 2 taken together, repeat this all round. Plain round. Bring the thread forward, knit 3 stitches, bring the thread forward slip 1 stitch, knit 1 and pull the slipped stitch over it, knit 1, knit 2 taken together, repeat this all round. Plain round. Bring the thread forward, slip 1 stitch, knit 1 and pull the slipped stitch over it, knit 1, knit 2 taken together, bring the thread forward knit 3 stitches, repeat this all round. Plain round. Bring the thread forward, slip 1 stitch, knit 1 and pull the slipped stitch over it, knit 2 taken together, bring the thread forward knit 4, repeat this all round. Plain round. Knit 1, bring the thread forward, slip 1 stitch, knit 1 and pull the slipped stitch over it, knit 5, repeat this all round. Plain round. Knit 2 stitches, bring the thread forward, slip 1 stitch, knit 1 and pull the slipped stitch over it, knit 4, repeat this all round. Plain round. Knit 2 stitches taken together, bring the thread forward knit 1 stitch, bring the thread forward slip 1 stitch, knit 1 and pull the slipped stitch over it, knit 3, repeat this all round. Plain round. Knit 1, bring the thread forward, knit 3 stitches, bring the thread forward, slip 1 stitch, knit 1 and pull the slipped stitch over it, knit 2 taken together, bring the thread forward and repeat the last 8 stitches all round. Plain round. Now you will see you are to begin decreasing the 5 stitches of the smaller diamonds; and you have enough of the pattern done to see how to proceed. The 3 middle stitches of the larger diamond are always plain knitting, and the 1st decrease is done with the remaining stitch of the small diamond.