Part 1
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MY CROCHET SAMPLER.
MY CROCHET SAMPLER.
BY MISS LAMBERT, AUTHORESS OF THE HAND-BOOK OF NEEDLEWORK, CHURCH NEEDLEWORK, MY KNITTING BOOK, ETC. ETC.
WITH Numerous Illustrations.
NEW-YORK: D. M. PEYSER, 58 JOHN-ST., AND 363 BROADWAY. 1847.
LEAVITT, TROW & CO., Printers, 33 Ann-street.
PREFACE.
The following pages contain a selection of patterns adapted to almost every purpose to which the art of Crochet is applicable,—whether as an useful or a decorative species of work. Many of the designs have been expressly composed for this little treatise; others have been selected, as being very effective, from the chapter on Crochet in “THE HAND-BOOK OF NEEDLEWORK;” but the designs that have been taken from the latter have been re-engraved.
In the directions for working the several designs, the plan pursued by the writer (and apparently with success) in her books on Knitting, has been adopted. She has aimed at simplicity, and the use of as few words as possible, consistent with a clear explanation of the subject.
The reception given to “MY KNITTING BOOK,” as a treatise, separate from other descriptions of Decorative Needlework, led her to suppose that a distinct work on the sister art of Crochet might be equally acceptable; and the publication of “DAS NEUE HAKELBUCH VON MISS LAMBERT,”—a literal translation of the present volume, with its engravings, proves that it has excited some attention, even in Germany, a country which has laid claim to the invention of the art.
3, NEW BURLINGTON STREET, REGENT STREET.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Introduction 9
Explanation of the Terms used in Crochet 15
Plain Stitch Open Crochet 16
Open Crochet 17
Double Open Crochet 18
Treble Open Crochet 19
Hints on Crochet 22
A Sofa Pillow, or Table Cover 24
Another very Easy Pattern 26
A Sofa Pillow in Stripes 27
A very Handsome and Easy Pattern 29
Another Sofa Pillow 33
Scroll Border for a Table Cover, etc. 34
A Persian Pattern Border 39
A Sofa Pillow in Plain and Treble Open Crochet 44
A very Rich Crochet Pattern 45
Turkish Pattern for a Table Cover, etc. 52
A Table Cover, or Pillow 53
A Couvre-Pied, or Cradle Quilt 55
Raised Crochet 57
A Sofa Pillow, Table Cover, etc. 58
Border Pattern for a Square 60
A Diagonal-striped Bag, with Star-shaped Bottom 63
A Star Bottom for a Bag with Beads 65
A Round Bag with Star Bottom, and Sprigs in Silk and Gold 66
A Bag in Silk and Gold 70
A very Pretty Bag in Shades of Silk with Gold 73
A Chenille Bag 75
An Open Crochet Bag in Chenille 78
A Greek Cap in Crochet Silk 80
A Greek Cap in Coarse Chenille 80
An Essuie-Plume 81
A Neck Chain 82
A Crochet Slipper 83
Another Crochet Slipper 85
A Purse 88
A Plain Purse with one Square and one Round End 88
A Plain-stitch Open Crochet Purse 89
An elegant Purse in Silk and Gold 91
A Short Purse 92
A Sprigged Purse in Open and Plain Crochet 93
An elegant Purse with Gold 94
A Short Purse with Beads 95
A Purse with Beads in Plain and Open Crochet 97
Spiral Crochet Purse 98
A Plain and Open Crochet Purse 99
Another Purse 100
A Round D’Oyley or Mat 101
A Chancelière 103
A Square Border Pattern 106
A Table Cover, Pillow, or Mat 109
Small Pine-Pattern Table Cover 111
Scroll-Pattern Stripe for a Bag 113
An useful Sprig Pattern 114
A Carriage Bag 116
Another Table Cover 118
A Brioche 120
Another Bag in Stripes 123
A Similar Bag 126
A Bag with Five Points 126
A Bag in Treble Open Crochet 129
Patterns in Open Crochet 130
A Travelling Bolster 131
A Slipper in Raised Crochet 134
A Half Square Shawl 135
A Light Shawl 137
Border for a Shawl 138
MY CROCHET SAMPLER.
Introduction.
Crochet,—a species of knitting originally practised by the peasants in Scotland, with a small hooked needle called a shepherd’s hook,—aided by taste and fashion, has, within the last seven years, obtained the preference over all other ornamental works of a similar nature. It derives its present name from the French; the instrument with which it is worked being by them, from its crooked shape, termed “crochet.” This art has attained its highest degree of perfection in England, whence it has been transplanted to France and Germany, and both these countries, although unjustifiably, have claimed the invention. Crochet has been applied, with considerable success, to the production of numerous useful and decorative articles, such as shawls, table-covers, couvre-pieds, pillows, ottomans, chairs, rugs, slippers, bags, cabats, purses, caps, waistcoats, and the like. Silk, wool, cotton, chenille, and gold, are all suitable materials for this description of work, but the purpose for which it is intended must necessarily determine their choice.
Crochet has the recommendation of being a less intricate method of working than knitting, and therefore claims a more extensive cultivation than perhaps it has hitherto met with. It is particularly adapted for making articles for charitable purposes; hence, the instruction of children in _blind_ schools, in this easy and useful art, is well worthy the attention of philanthropists. Waistcoats, shawls, knee-caps, sleeves, comforters, mittens, gloves, etc., may be made, without difficulty, in crochet. It has not, however, been deemed necessary in the following pages to give directions for any of these simple articles, as, when the crochet stitch is acquired, the modes of working such, and a variety of others, in daily use, will readily present themselves. As an example of the double appropriation, which almost all the following directions admit of, we may instance the bottom of a bag;—this, if commenced with a chain of about fifty stitches (not joining the ends), and worked in coarse wool, with a large needle, in rows backwards and forwards, gradually increasing with a seam stitch, will form a warm and comfortable round cape. A paper pattern, the size of any desired object, can easily be cut,—and the making a stitch at the commencement, or the decreasing in the middle, or the end of a row, and _vice versâ_, render this work subservient to almost any form.
For large pieces of work, when wool is employed, that kind denominated fleecy, either English or German, is generally to be preferred. This material, of a six-thread size, with an ivory needle, offers the easiest kind of work with which we are acquainted. It may be readily learned, and has, therefore, been much practised, both by invalids, and by persons whose sight either needs relief, or has become impaired. All striped patterns, if desired, may be worked in narrow breadths, and joined in the dividing lines; so that a table cover may be made in four or six lengths, and afterwards sewn together with wool, without the least detriment to its appearance. Crochet may be executed with coarse and fine chenille, for pillows, bags, caps, and waistcoats; with crochet silk, for caps, slippers, and bags; with coarse netting silk, it forms strong purses, bags, and slippers; and the most delicate work may be done with the finer silks. Gold and silver cord, and passing, may be intermixed with the chenilles and silks, or employed separately; and gold and steel beads, first strung on the silk, may be worked in various patterns, so as to produce the most rich and beautiful effect.
Crochet may be divided into plain single crochet, plain double crochet, plain stitch open crochet, and open crochet with one, two, three, or more stitches. These varieties will be described, as they occur, in the following directions for working.
The mode of working the crochet stitch, although in itself most simple, is difficult to describe in writing; but, with the aid of the annexed engraving, which shows the position of the hands, and the manner in which the needle and the work should be held, we will endeavour to explain the elementary process.
Having wound a skein of wool, make a loop at one end; through this loop draw another loop, through this second loop another, and so on, moderately tightening each, as it is drawn through, until a _chain_ of sufficient length be made to serve as the _foundation_ for the article intended to be worked. Pass the needle through the last loop of this foundation, and catching the wool, draw it through, repeating the same at every successive loop; then, return along this row, and, in a similar manner, form a second. A repetition of this process, alternately backwards and forwards, from right to left, and from left to right, will give the first and easiest lesson. The work will be the same on both sides, producing, by turns, one raised and one sunken row.
Before proceeding further, however, it will, be necessary, for the better understanding of the directions hereafter offered, to give an
Explanation of the Terms used in Crochet.
_A chain_,—the foundation, formed by a succession of loops drawn one through the other.
_Plain single crochet_,—where one loop only is made on the needle, and drawn through each stitch. It is lighter and thinner than double crochet.
_Plain double crochet_,—where two loops are kept on the needle, and the wool drawn through both before the stitch is finished. This is the crochet stitch generally practised, and that used for working table-covers, etc.
_Double stitch crochet_,—in this, both meshes of the chain are taken. It is principally employed for the soles of shoes, and where extra thickness is required, but it is not suitable for working patterns.
_Plain stitch elastic crochet_,—is worked alternately in rows backwards and forwards, from right to left and from left to right, always taking the under mesh of the chain.
PLAIN STITCH OPEN CROCHET.
_Plain stitch open crochet_,—is composed of chains, of five stitches each in length, forming loops, each fifth stitch being crocheted to the centre stitch of the corresponding loop in the preceding row, as shown in the engraving. It is mostly used for purses.
OPEN CROCHET.
_Open crochet_—is worked (as nearly as can be described) as follows:—make a chain of the length required; work one plain stitch at the beginning. Bring the silk round the needle, and pass the needle through the first loop of the chain; through this bring the silk, which makes three stitches on the needle; draw the silk through the first two stitches, which leaves two on the needle; then draw the silk through these two, which leaves one on the needle; through this one, make one plain stitch. Put the silk over the needle, and bring it through the third loop of the chain; the three stitches, as before, will now be found on the needle; draw the silk through the first two, which leaves two on the needle; draw the silk through these two, which finishes the stitch, and leaves one upon the needle as before. The plain stitch that is then made between the two double stitches, allows for the stitch which was passed in the chain, and leaves an open space. It is suitable for purses, bags, etc.
DOUBLE OPEN CROCHET.
_Double open crochet_,—similar to the open crochet stitch, but varied by making the two long stitches together; this is done by omitting the single stitch, and passing the needle through the next loop of the chain, instead of missing one stitch; thus producing two stitches together, and then an open space. It is suitable for bags, purses, &c.
TREBLE OPEN CROCHET.
_Treble open crochet_,—also similar to the preceding, but varied by making three stitches successively, without making any plain stitch, which produces alternate squares of open space and stitches. _Beads_ may be introduced on it with very good effect in the following manner:—let the beads be threaded on the silk, and pass one on the middle stitch of the three double stitches, giving a bead in the centre of each square. This stitch makes a very pretty purse.
_To make a stitch_,—at the commencement and end of a row, is to make one stitch of a chain before the first stitch, and after the last, which in the next row are to be crocheted.
_A dividing, or seam stitch_,—called also a _raised_ stitch, is made by putting the needle through both meshes of the chain, and working two stitches in the same hole. These stitches must always be made exactly over each other. In crocheting circles they form a kind of star pattern, and serve the purpose of increasing stitches. They should not be employed when working with _chenille_.
_To increase a stitch_,—to make two stitches in the same loop.
_To decrease_,—to take two stitches together, or to miss one stitch. Decreasing is always done in the same ratio as increasing.
_True or perfect stitch_,—when working in different colours, the keeping the stitches directly over each other, without any appearance of the half-stitch. This requires care, but it greatly adds to the beauty of the work, and makes the pattern more distinct.
_To fasten off_,—to draw the wool through the last stitch.
_To fasten on_,—lay the ends of the wool contrariwise, and crochet a few stitches with both, or work in the second wool, and run the end in with a needle at the back of the work.
_To run the ends_,—to pass them down a few stitches with a needle. This is the neatest and strongest plan; but they may be tied and cut off.
_A dividing line_,—generally formed of two stitches alternately up and down, into the ground of the stripes on either side.
_N. B. The engravings of the patterns are placed in the book as they are intended to be worked; that is, by commencing at the lower part, on the right hand side._
Hints on Crochet.
A steel crochet needle is generally advisable;—with expert workers, it makes the most even stitches, but it is easier to work with an ivory needle.
The second-sized netting silk is prettiest for purses.
The coarsest, or crochet silk, is best adapted for bags, with steel or gold beads.
Where many colours are required in a pattern, and the same do not very frequently occur, it is advisable to introduce them in short lengths, instead of carrying on each thread. This should always be attended to when working with chenille.
When beads are used, they should be strung on the silk with a needle.
When beads are introduced, the wrong side of the work becomes the right. It is possible to crochet with the beads on the right side, but they never lay so firmly, nor indeed is it the proper way of using them.
The average number of stitches for the length of a purse, in fine silk, is one hundred and sixty. In coarse silk,—one hundred and ten.
From ninety to one hundred stitches form the circle of a purse in fine silk.
One hundred and thirty stitches may be taken for the round of a bag, in crochet silk.
A table-cover, in six-thread fleecy, is generally computed at about four hundred stitches in length.
Borders of flowers, and very intricate patterns, may be worked in crochet, but it would be impossible to convey a complete idea of these even to the most experienced worker, without greatly exceeding the limits of the present work. The expert needle-woman will soon perceive the best method of copying any pattern of this description she may desire.
The terms _chiné_ and _ombré_, are frequently applied to the materials employed in crochet and knitting. Wool and silk are _chiné_, when two, three, or more _different_ colours are introduced, at intervals, on one thread, in the process of dying;—they are _ombré_, when _one_ colour only is similarly employed, but which gradually runs from the lightest to the darkest shade.
N. B. In the directions for working the different patterns in crochet, it must be borne in mind, that unless any other stitch be mentioned, the plain, or _double crochet stitch_, is always to be employed.
A Sofa Pillow, or Table Cover.
This is merely given as the first and _easiest_ pattern in crochet, for the purpose of teaching the stitch.
A good-sized ivory or steel crochet needle, with six-thread fleecy, will be required. Instead of working the rows backwards and forwards, as before described, begin each row separately at the same end. When the last stitch of each row is finished, draw the wool through, and cut it off, leaving an end of two or three inches. It is impossible to determine the exact number of stitches,—that must depend on the article, and its required size; but with this description of wool, half a yard in length will generally be found to number about sixty-five stitches, and a calculation may accordingly be made.
_First stripe_—one row black; one row white; one row black.
_Second stripe_—one row dark scarlet; one bright scarlet; one light scarlet;—reverse the same, to form a shaded stripe.
_Third stripe_—the same as the first.
_Fourth stripe_—the same as the second, but in shades of blue.
These stripes are to be repeated alternately.
Another very easy Pattern.
The ground of this pattern is plain. The cheques are composed of _chiné_ wool, the first row differing in colour from that of the second. The dividing line is in plain colours.
This pattern may be worked in stripes of different colours, varying the colour of the cheques agreeably to that of the ground. It is adapted for a pillow, or a variety of other articles, according to the material employed.
A Sofa Pillow in Stripes.
Zephyr, or double German wool.
This pattern may be worked according to the two following methods. The first is the easiest, as one thread of wool only is required to be carried on to form the pattern.
Commence with a chain and one row of black. _Second row_—scarlet. _Third row_—straw colour.
Crochet a stripe, consisting of seven rows of imperial blue, with the pattern in _chiné_ wool—black, white, and scarlet.
Repeat the three plain rows, as before, reversed,—straw colour, scarlet, and black.
Crochet another stripe with drab, with the pattern in _chiné_ wool—blue, black, and white.
Commence again as at first.
The second method of working this pattern is as follows,—having the plain rows, and the ground of the two stripes as before. Crochet the figure of the blue stripe,—
_First row_—three stitches black.
_Second row_—three stitches claret; two black.
_Third row_—one stitch dark claret; one gold colour; two dark scarlet; one black.
_Fourth row_—one stitch scarlet; two gold colour; two scarlet.
_Fifth row_—three stitches scarlet.
Crochet the figure on the drab stripe,—
_First row_—three stitches claret.
_Second row_—three stitches dark green; two claret.
_Third row_—one stitch middle green; one white; two middle green; one claret.
_Fourth row_—one stitch light green; two white; two light green.
_Fifth row_—three stitches light green.
The above pattern may be worked for a bag, with the same colours, using silk instead of wool, and commencing with a chain of about one hundred and thirty stitches, with No. 2 Crochet Silk. It is a very easy bag to work, and, if wished to be more elegant, gold may be introduced. This pattern, also, with the same sized silk, will make a very pretty crochet slipper.
A very Handsome and Easy Pattern.
Commence with a chain and one row of amber.
_Second row_—two stitches of amber, and two of black,—alternately.
Then crochet one plain row of black, which forms the ground of the first stripe. The pine pattern on this stripe occupies five rows in height; the _first row_—blue; the _second_—scarlet; the _third_—green; the _fourth_—yellow; the _fifth_—white. One plain row of black; and one row—two stitches of black, and two of amber,—alternately;—followed by one plain row of amber, complete the first stripe.
The ground of the second stripe is scarlet; the dividing lines,—both at top and bottom,—imperial blue, the inner row of each being composed of two stitches, alternately blue and scarlet. The pattern occupies seven rows in height; the _first row_—green; the _second_—black; the _third_—blue; the _fourth_—amber; the _fifth_—green; the _sixth_—stone colour; the _seventh_—white.
The third stripe is imperial blue; the dividing lines—amber; the pattern,—_first row_—black; _second_—scarlet; _third_—white; _fourth_—green; _fifth_—drab.
The fourth stripe is white; the dividing lines—scarlet; the pattern,—_first row_—green; _second_—black; _third_—blue; _fourth_—scarlet; _fifth_—green: _sixth_—lilac; _seventh_—light green.
Repeat from the first stripe.
This pattern, worked with six-thread fleecy, will be found very easy and effective for a table cover; using a steel or ivory crochet needle, according to the fancy of the worker.