Part 1

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Transcriber’s Note

Words in italics are marked with _underscores_.

Words in small capitals are shown in UPPER CASE.

Variant spelling is retained, however a few changes have been made to punctuation and spacing to make formatting consistent.

Other changes are listed in the Note at the end of this book.

MY

KNITTING BOOK

(SECOND SERIES)

BY

MISS LAMBERT

AUTHORESS OF THE HAND-ROOK OF NEEDLEWORK, CHURCH NEEDLEWORK, MY CROCHET SAMPLER, ETC.

_TWENTY-THIRD THOUSAND._

LONDON: JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.

1847.

_Shortly will be published, by the same Authoress_,

Uniform with the present work, and illustrated with Engravings, price 1s. 6d.

AN ENTIRELY NEW WORK ON

CROCHET,

_Forming a Second Series of “My Crochet Sampler.”_

* * * * *

Just published,

BY THE SAME AUTHORESS,

A Fifth and cheaper Edition, price 6s. 6d.

THE HAND-BOOK OF NEEDLEWORK

DECORATIVE AND ORNAMENTAL,

INCLUDING ENTIRELY NEW PATTERNS IN CROCHET, KNITTING AND NETTING,

ILLUSTRATED BY 150 ENGRAVINGS.

PREFACE.

Second Series.

The following examples of Knitting--like those in the former Series--have been selected with the greatest care; adhering to the same technical terms, and mode of arrangement.

The writer cannot but feel flattered with the reception given to the _First Series_ of “My Knitting Book,” and also to her other volumes on Decorative Needlework:--and she deems that their general correctness and utility are proved by the translations made of them into the Continental languages, and by their verbatim republication in America.

Since the publication of the first edition of the present series, the whole of the examples have been carefully reworked, and the faults of the first impressions have been corrected; yet, it is not to be wondered at, in a work of this description, that errors--notwithstanding every precaution--should occasionally creep in. Hence the writer will be much indebted for corrections of any mistakes that may be discovered by ladies using these books; she cannot, however, attend to anonymous communications, or to such as relate to supposable errors arising from misunderstanding on the part of the Knitter.

3, NEW BURLINGTON STREET, REGENT STREET.

CONTENTS.

Second Series.

PAGE

INTRODUCTION 9 EXPLANATION OF TERMS USED IN KNITTING 10 THE STANDARD FILIÈRE 15 CABLE PLAIT STITCH FOR A QUILT 16 CENTRE FOR A QUILT, OR BASSINET COVER 17 BORDER FOR A QUILT, OR BASSINET COVER 18 A QUILT IN RAISED STRIPES 20 A BABY’S QUILT IN STRIPES OF ALTERNATE COLOURS 21 ANOTHER QUILT 22 A CARRIAGE SOCK 22 A LADY’S TRAVELLING CAP 25 A BABY’S HOOD IN PLAIN KNITTING 30 A WARM SQUARE SHAWL 31 A SHAWL IN RAISED KNITTING 32 A VANDYKE EDGING 34 INSERTION LEAF PATTERN FOR TIDIES 36 VANDYKE AND OPEN PATTERN FOR A TIDY, ETC. 38 OPEN STRIPE PATTERN FOR A TIDY, ETC. 39 ANOTHER TIDY 40 FEATHER PATTERN FOR A TIDY 41 SMALL ROSE-LEAF PATTERN FOR A TIDY 42 POINT DE L’ECHELLE FOR A TIDY, ETC. 43 A FISH OR BASKET NAPKIN 45 FERN PATTERN FISH NAPKIN 47 OPEN PATTERN FOR A SMALL QUILT 49 PRETTY OPEN STITCH FOR A BAG 49 A NEW PENCE JUG, OR PURSE 50 AN EASY STITCH FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES 53 A CHANCELIÈRE 54 A WARM HALF SQUARE SHAWL 56 FRINGE FOR A SHAWL 57 A SET OF TWELVE BORDERED D’OYLEYS 58 A BORDER FOR EACH D’OYLEY 60 I. --WILLOW PATTERN 61 II. --MOSAIC PATTERN 63 III. --CABLE PATTERN 66 IV. --SCALLOP PATTERN 67 V. --WEDGE PATTERN 72 VI. --ZIGZAG PATTERN 76 VII. --DIAPER PATTERN 80 VIII.--TRELLIS PATTERN 81 IX. --PAGODA PATTERN 83 X. --CHECK PATTERN 85 XI. --ROCKET PATTERN 86 XII. --FAN PATTERN 87 A WARM HABIT SHIRT 89 A SOFA PILLOW IN RAISED LOOPS 93 NEW CROSS-STITCH PATTERN 95 BORDER FOR A QUILT 96 OLIVE LEAF PATTERN BAG 97 PINE APPLE PATTERN BAG 101 A BABY’S BONNET 103 A POLKA RIDING, OR YACHT, JACKET 104 A MUFF 108 A GENTLEMAN’S STRONG PURSE 109 ŒILLET PATTERN PURSE 109 ANOTHER STRONG PURSE 110 STAR PATTERN FOR SHETLAND KNITTING 111 LEAF PATTERN FOR SHETLAND KNITTING 113 AN EDGING 116 ANOTHER EDGING 118 AN INSERTION 118 A CARRIAGE BOLSTER 119 A DEEP AND HANDSOME BORDER 121 ANOTHER PRETTY SHETLAND PATTERN 122

_Miss Lambert’s_ STANDARD FILIÈRE, _which is Copyright, may be procured at every respectable Wool Warehouse in the kingdom_.

MY KNITTING BOOK.

SECOND SERIES.

Introduction.

It has been justly observed that, “an art cannot be taught but by its proper terms.” In the art of knitting, various terms have been employed--whether correctly, or not, it is here needless to inquire--to designate the same simple process. Confusion has necessarily been the result. Those who are accustomed to follow the technicalities of one writer on knitting, are not unfrequently perplexed to comprehend the directions of another, however clearly and concisely they may be laid down. Hence, in the _first series_ of the present treatises, the writer confined herself to the use of the technical terms most generally employed by adepts in the art, and which appeared to be those most easy of comprehension. The following directions, therefore, will be conveyed in the same phraseology; but, for ease of reference, and for the use of those who may not possess the former series, it has been deemed expedient to repeat the--

Explanation of Terms used in Knitting.

_To cast on._--To make the first interlacement of the thread on the needle.

_To cast off._--To knit two stitches, and to pass the first over the second, and so on, to the last stitch, which is to be secured by drawing the thread through.

_To pearl._--To knit a stitch with the thread before the needle.

_To narrow._--To lessen, by knitting two stitches together.

_To widen._--To increase by making a stitch, bringing the cotton round the needle, and knitting the same when it occurs.

_A Turn._--Two rows in the same stitch, backwards and forwards.

_A Row._--The stitches from one end of the needle to the other.

_A Round._--A row, when the stitches are on two, three, or more needles.

_A plain Row._--That composed of simple knitting.

_To pearl a Row._--To knit with the thread before the needle.

_To rib._--To work alternate rows of plain, and pearl, knitting.

_To bring the thread forward._--To _make_ a stitch, by bringing the thread forward, after a _knitted_ stitch.

_To pass the thread over._--To _make_ a stitch, by passing the thread over the needle, after a _pearled_ stitch.

_To make a stitch._--If after a _knitted_ stitch, this is done by bringing the thread forward;--if after a _pearled_ stitch,--by passing the thread over.--To make a stitch _between two pearled_ stitches, the thread must be turned round the needle; that is,--passed over the needle, and brought again in front; but, to make a stitch between a _pearled_ stitch and a _knitted_ stitch,--the thread must only be passed over the needle.

_To turn the thread round the needle._--If the thread is before the needle, to pass it over the needle, and bring it again in front.

_To bring the thread forward twice._--To bring the thread forward, and then, by turning it round the needle, to bring it forward again.

_To increase._--To make a stitch.

_To decrease._--To knit two stitches, taken together, in one.

_To knit two together._--To knit two stitches, taken together, in one.

_Knitting and pearling in the same row._--When the stitch, next after a pearled stitch, is to be knitted, it is obvious that the thread must be passed back _under_ the needle, before this can be done;--in like manner, when a stitch is to be pearled, after a knitted stitch, the thread must be brought in front _under_ the needle;--processes, however, very different from those of _passing the thread over_, and _bringing the thread forward_, both of which are for the purpose of _making_ a stitch, and are done _above_ the needle.

_To slip, or pass a stitch._--To change it from one needle to the other, _without_ knitting it.

_To fasten on._--The best way to fasten on, is to place the two ends contrariwise, and knit a few stitches with both together: but, when knitting with silk, or fine cotton, a _weaver’s_ knot will be found the best.

_A Loop Stitch._--Made by bringing the thread before the needle, which, in knitting the succeeding stitch, will again take its own place.

_Pearl, seam, and rib-stitch._--All signify the same.

It appears almost unnecessary to observe that, in some of the directions, in order to avoid repetition, the following mode of abbreviation has been adopted.--When a part of a row, or round, only is to be repeated, it is separated from the preceding part, by a letter of the alphabet, inserted in smaller type, between two brackets; thus,--repeat from (a) signifies that the part placed next after (a) alone is to be repeated. Further, to prevent confusion, when it was necessary to employ such an abbreviation more than once in the same directions, the other letters of the alphabet, in a similar manner, have been taken in their order of succession.

N.B. The _sizes_ of the _needles_ are given according to the _Standard Filière_.

It is necessary, in giving or following directions for knitting, to caution knitters to observe a medium in their work--not knitting either too loosely or too tightly.

The above engraving represents the _Standard Filière_, or knitting and netting needle guage, an instrument invented some time since by Miss Lambert, and now in general use, by which the different sizes of knitting and netting needles can be ascertained with the greatest accuracy.

Cable Plait Stitch for a Quilt.

This forms a very warm quilt. It may be made in stripes or bands, of about seven inches in width, each band containing four repetitions of the pattern.--Three needles, No. 1, will be required, one of which must be pointed at either end.

Cast on forty-two stitches with nine-thread fleecy.

_First row_--knit two;(a) pearl six; knit four.--Repeat from (a).

_Second row_--pearl four;(b) pass three stitches on to the double-pointed needle; knit the next three stitches; knit the three stitches that were passed on to the third needle; pearl four.--Repeat from (b).

_Third row_--knit two;(c) pearl six; knit four.--Repeat from (c).

_Fourth row_--pearl four;(d) knit six; pearl four.--Repeat from (d).

_Fifth row_--knit two;(e) pearl six; knit four.--Repeat from (e).

_Sixth row_--pearl four;(f) knit six; pearl four.--Repeat from (f).

_Seventh row_--knit two;(g) pearl six; knit four.--Repeat from (g).

Commence again, as at second row.

Centre for a Quilt, or Bassinet Cover.

This may be knitted with two colours--say white and shaded pink.--Needles, No. 7.--Cast on any even number of stitches with eight-thread Zephyr fleecy.

N.B. The first and last stitches of every row are to be knitted plain. The colour should be changed in every fourth, or pearled, row.

_First row_--knit two together.

_Second row_--make one between each stitch, by taking up the wool between the stitches of the preceding row, except between the two last stitches.

_Third row_--plain knitting.

_Fourth row_--pearl knitting.

Commence again, as at first row.

Border for a Quilt, or Bassinet Cover.

This forms a very pretty border for the preceding centre pattern; the corners are so arranged that they can be joined correctly, when worked in four pieces of the requisite length.--Zephyr fleecy.--Needles, No. 7.

The same colours as the centre may be used. Cast on any number of stitches that can be divided by nine, and one over--white.

N.B. At the end of each pattern row,--bring the wool forward, knit one; bring the wool forward; then, finish the same (_reversed_) as at the commencement.

_First row_--plain knitting.

_Second row_--coloured,--knit three together; knit six;(a) bring the wool forward, knit one; bring the wool forward, knit two; knit two together, twice; knit two.--Repeat from (a).

_Third row_--pearl knitting.

_Fourth row_--knit three together; knit five;(b) bring the wool forward, knit one; bring the wool forward, knit two; knit two together, twice; knit two.--Repeat from (b).

_Fifth row_--pearl knitting.

_Sixth row_--knit three together; knit four;(c) bring the wool forward, knit one; bring the wool forward, knit two; knit two together, twice; knit two.--Repeat from (c).

_Seventh row_--pearl knitting,} } _Eighth row_--pearl knitting, } white. } _Ninth row_--plain knitting, }

_Tenth row_--plain knitting,--coloured.

_Eleventh row_--pearl three together; pearl three;(d) turn the wool round the needle, pearl one; turn the wool round the needle, pearl two; pearl two together, twice; pearl two.--Repeat from (d).

_Twelfth row_--plain knitting.

_Thirteenth row_--pearl three together; pearl two;(e) turn the wool round the needle, pearl one; turn the wool round the needle, pearl two; pearl two together, twice; pearl two.--Repeat from (e).

_Fourteenth row_--plain knitting.

_Fifteenth row_--pearl knitting, } } _Sixteenth row_--pearl knitting, } white. } _Seventeenth row_--plain knitting,}

A Quilt in Raised Stripes.

Cast on any number of stitches that can be divided by three. --Eight-thread fleecy, two colours--say pink and white.--Needles, No. 1, pointed at both ends.

_First row_--with pink,--bring the wool forward, slip one; knit two together.--Repeat.

_Second row_--with white,--same as first.

_Third row_--with pink,--commence from the other end of the needle, pearl two together; slip one; turn the wool round the needle.--Repeat.--_Finish_ with--turn the wool round the needle, pearl one.

_Fourth row_--with white,--same as third.

Commence again, as at first row.

A Baby’s Quilt in Stripes of alternate Colours.

This is worked in separate stripes, and afterwards sewn together by the loops formed on either side of the pattern. About nine stripes, each twenty-seven inches long, will be required. It is prettiest in pink and white, or pale blue and white.

Cast on twelve stitches for each stripe.--Six-thread fleecy.--Short needles, No. 8.

_First row_--bring the wool forward, knit two together; knit two.--Repeat.

Every row is the same.

Another Quilt.

This pattern may be worked in pink, and white, nine-thread fleecy.--Needles No. 2.--Cast on any number of stitches that can be divided by three.

_First row_--with white,--bring the wool forward, slip one; knit two, pass the slip-stitch over them.--Repeat.

_Second row_--with pink,--pearl knitting.

_Third row_--the same as the first, with pink.

It is not necessary to break off the wool, as it may be passed from row to row. The colour is always to be changed in the pearled row.

A Carriage Sock.

This sock is intended to be drawn over the shoe; it will be found very elastic, warm, and comfortable, fitting close both to the foot and ankle.

Four needles, No. 23.--German wool,--two colours may be used,--say scarlet and black.--Cast on loosely one hundred and forty stitches, viz.--fifty on each of two needles, and forty on the third.

Knit twenty-five rounds with _black_,--two stitches, alternately, pearl and plain.

Knit twenty-three similar rounds with _scarlet_.

Knit twenty-three similar rounds with _black_.

Knit thirty-four similar rounds, commencing with _scarlet_; but decreasing on each round,--by pearling two; and knitting two together, taken at the back, at the commencement of each round; and knitting the last two stitches together, in the front;--when seventy-two stitches only will remain on the needles.

Knit fifty rounds, as at the commencement.

N.B. Every twenty-three rounds should be alternately black and scarlet; hence the sock will be formed of three stripes of black, and three of scarlet, of an equal width, finished at the top with a half stripe of black. The widest part, which forms the bottom or foot of the sock, should be sewn, or loosely knitted, up. A leathern sole, if desired, may afterwards be attached. This sock, although when in the hand it does not exhibit much form, when drawn over the foot will be found to fit exactly to its shape.

_Remarks._--The above directions are for a full-sized lady’s sock. If larger needles and coarser wool be employed, the knitting will be still more elastic, and a fewer number of stitches will be required. The same directions, with a change of material, are equally adapted for a large loose night, or bath, sock. With a fewer number of stitches, but observing the same relative proportions throughout, most comfortable and warm leggings, for drawing over infants’ shoes, may be made, which are not apt either to roll over, or slip off.

A Travelling Cap.

This cap may be knitted with double German wool, in five shades of any light colour, and white.--Needles, No. 8.

Cast on one hundred and two stitches, with the darkest shade of colour.--Knit one plain row to form an edge. Then, commence the pattern (formed of four rows) as follows.

N.B. The first stitch of each row is always to be knitted.

_First row_--knit two together.

_Second row_--make one between each stitch, by taking up the wool between the stitches of the preceding row;--except between the two last stitches.

_Third row_--plain knitting.

_Fourth row_--pearl knitting.--The change of shade is always to be made in this row.

Repeat the above, four times, taking a lighter shade of wool for each pattern. Then work _one pattern_ in _white_,--and repeat the five coloured patterns, reversing the shades, by commencing with the lightest. The fourth row of the eleventh pattern is to be omitted, in place of which one row must be pearled in _white_,--in order to bring the knitting on the outer side of the cap.

The front, or roll part, is now completed, which, when the cap is finished, should be turned over from the centre pattern of white.

Knit _one pattern_ in _white_, leaving twenty stitches unknit, at the end of the fourth row.--Knit a _second pattern_, the same, leaving twenty stitches unknit, at the end of the first row; and, in the succeeding rows, making a stitch between the last two stitches; also, at the end of the second row, leaving twenty-two stitches unknit; and, at the ends of the third, and fourth, rows, leaving twenty-six stitches unknit.

Knit a _third pattern_ in _white_, leaving twenty-six stitches unknit at the end of the first three rows; but, in the fourth row, pearl all the stitches to the end of the needle.

Knit a _fourth pattern_ in _white_;--in the first row of this, knit all the stitches to the other end of the needle; but, at the end of the third row, leave twenty stitches unknit. Pearl the fourth row, with the third shade of the coloured wool, leaving twenty stitches unknit, at the end.

Knit _three_ more _patterns_ in _colours_,--(the centre being darker than the other two) leaving one stitch more unknit, at the end of each row. The fourth row of the third pattern is to be pearled in white.

Knit _seven patterns_ in _white_, leaving one stitch unknit at the end of each row; and also, omitting to make a stitch between the first two, and last two, stitches of the second row.

When the seventh pattern is completed, there should be only eight stitches on the needle: with these eight, knit _one pattern_; and, at the end of the pearled row, pass the last stitch, before knitting, on to the other needle; then knit it, together with two of those before left unknit,--three in one.

Proceed in the like manner, at the end of the next, or double stitch row, and continue the same, until _seven patterns_ are finished, from the above eight stitches.

Before commencing the last pearled row, fasten on the third shade of coloured wool, and pearl to the end of the row. Then, knit the last stitch, together with three of the unknit stitches,--four in one. Repeat the same, at the end of the next row.

In the next pearled row, knit again four together, as above, and three single stitches beyond, at the end of the double stitch row: also, knit four together, and one single, and two double beyond.

When two patterns, in the third shade, are completed, fasten on the white wool, and pearl a row;--at the end of this, knit three single stitches of the unknit beyond. In the next row,--knit, alternately, a double and a single stitch, throughout the row;--knitting the last stitch, together with one row of the unknit, and two single ones beyond.

In the next row, make a stitch between each, as usual; and, at the end of the next pearled row, knit three single stitches beyond. Work the three next rows as follows:

_First_--three double, and one single stitch, alternately:--the last must be a double stitch, and a single stitch beyond.

_Second_--a stitch between each, and three single stitches beyond.

_Third_--plain knitting, and three single stitches beyond.

Before commencing the next pearled row, fasten on the darkest coloured wool; knit a pattern quite to the end of each needle, and fasten off,--omitting the pearled row.

The cord for tieing this cap may be made by plaiting one light-coloured, and two dark-coloured, threads of wool together; each thread consisting of four plies of German wool. One cord passes across the front of the cap, under the chin, and another round the caul, with a bow at the side: the ends finishing with a tassel of white wool.--Ribands, which are prettier, may be substituted.

A Baby’s Hood in Plain Knitting.

Needles, No. 2.--Double German wool.

Cast on fifty stitches.--Knit eighty plain rows; sixty of which are to be rolled up to form the front.

Sew together three inches of the cast-on part; and draw up the remainder for the crown.

Cast on fifty stitches for the hood, and work forty plain rows.

When finished, it may be lined with white silk or satin, and trimmed with narrow satin riband.

A warm square Shawl.

Eight-thread fleecy, two colours, say scarlet and drab.--Needles, No. 1.

Cast on any number of stitches that can be divided by four, with _scarlet_.