The Ladies' Knitting & Netting Book:

Netted Curtain.

For a French Bed.

With a mesh 1 inch wide net 130 stitches. 195 rows will complete the curtain.

Moorish Brioche or Cushion.

Choose any number of colored wools, or if preferred, two that contrast well. Two needles, No. 12.

Cast on 60 stitches, bring the wool forward, slip a stitch, knit 1, (by this you increase by a loop stitch,) bring the wool forward, slip a stitch, knit 1; repeat these stitches to the end[104] of the row. 2nd row: bring the wool forward, slip a stitch, knit the loop made last row with the next stitch, bring the wool forward, slip a stitch, knit the loop and stitch together; repeat these stitches to the end of the row. Knit 6 more rows in the same manner, the stitch is the same throughout. Fasten on the 2nd color, bring the wool forward, slip a stitch, knit 1, bring the wool forward, slip a stitch, knit 1. Now instead of continuing the row, turn back. Bring the wool forward, slip a stitch, knit 1, bring the wool forward, slip a stitch, knit 1. Continue to increase the number you slip and knit by 4 every time, until all the 60 have been knitted. Knit 8 rows of the 1st color, and proceed as before. Twelve of these divisions will make the cushion large enough. Sew it up at the side. Net a fringe with double coarse lambs’-wool to the narrow part, and run in a string to tie it tightly together under the fringe. Make a round cushion, and cover it with the knitting.

[105]

A Blanket.

Two very coarse wooden needles and wool proportionably coarse.

Cast on 30 stitches; knit a few plain rows for the edge; then begin with the wool forward, slip 1 stitch taking it under so as not to twist it, knit 1 stitch, repeat these 2 stitches to the end of the row, and you will find you have increased 15 stitches; repeat this row with this only difference, that in future you knit the loop and stitch under it together.

These strips done in squares of different colors are very pretty.

Blanket in strips.

Needles and wool the same as for the preceding pattern.

Cast on 32 stitches, knit 7 rows common[106] knitting; then begin double knitting,106-* knitting 4 stitches plain on each side for a border, knit about 24 rows, knit 8 rows plain and then double knitting again; continue these squares until the piece is long enough. It is very pretty if the squares are done in different colors.

Netted Lace.

Begin on a straight foundation with a mesh No. 16. Of course the number of stitches will depend on the length that is wished for. 216 will make about a yard.

Net 24 plain rows. Take a mesh ¼ of an inch wide, or a trifle wider, net 3 stitches in the 1st stitch, pass 2 stitches, net 5 stitches in the next, pass 2, and net 5 stitches in every 3rd stitch to the end of the row. Take the[107] small mesh and net every stitch you have increased as a single stitch, and finish with another row on the small mesh.

Puff Netting.

Very pretty for caps.

Begin your netting on a foundation that will divide by 10. Net 9 stitches, net 9 stitches in the 10th; repeat to the end of the row. Net 3 rows, 1 stitch in every stitch. In the next row (which will make the 5th from the increase), take the first 9 stitches as 1 stitch, net the following 9 stitches, repeat to the end of the row. Begin again.

A Cool Night-cap.

Puff netting.

The mesh to be ¼ inch wide.

[108]

Begin on a round foundation of 71 stitches; net 3 plain rounds. In the 4th round, net 5 stitches, net 5 stitches in the 6th stitch; repeat this all round. Net 2 rounds, netting one stitch in every stitch. In the next round take the 5 plain stitches as one, net 5 stitches, repeat all round. Begin again with the 4th round (increasing 5 stitches after the decrease). When the cap is deep enough net one round putting the cotton twice round the mesh; run a ribbon in at the top and bottom, and tie the top string tight.

Suspenders.

Two needles No. 16.

Cast on 18 stitches, and knit about 6 rows in double knitting with the thread once round the needle, knit 9 stitches, take off the other 9 on another needle, and knit the first 9 backwards and forwards until it is long enough for a button-hole; take back the cotton and knit[109] up the other 9 until both are even, (the loop which is left from carrying the thread down can be sewn in afterwards); knit 6 more rows double knitting, and 2 rows double knitting with the thread twice round the needle. Knit 1 row of plain knitting, increasing 1 stitch in every 2, which will make in all 27. Then in the front row; knit the 2nd stitch first, drawing it over the 1st, knit the 1st, knit the 4th and 3rd, 6th and 5th, and repeat the same to the end, which will be 1 knitted stitch. Back 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 this to the last stitch, which is to be purled. Repeat these 2 rows until you think it long enough, then begin double knitting, decrease to 18 stitches again, knit about 2 inches and finish in a point.

These suspenders are firmer and less elastic than those given in the first series.

[110]

Parisian Net Knitting.

This pattern is very pretty for a foot-muff, blanket, or sofa guard.

Take German lambs’-wool of two colors that contrast well; pink and white form a pretty mixture.

Cast on an even number of stitches, and with the white wool knit several rows before beginning the pattern. 1st row; fasten on the pink wool forward, knit the first stitch with the white wool, pass the pink round the needle bringing it forward again, and purl the next stitch with it; pass the purled stitch on to the left-hand needle and knit it with the white wool, knit 1 stitch with the white, pass the pink wool round the needle, purl 1 stitch and pass it back on to the left-hand needle, knit it and the following stitch with the white wool; continue the same to the end of the row. 2nd row; purl the white stitches with the[111] white wool, and slip the pink loops, taking care not to twist them or change the side which is forward. 3rd row; knit the white stitches with the white wool and slip the pink loops. 4th row; purl the 1st stitch with the white wool, turn the pink wool (which is now behind) round the needle, and with it knit the pink loop and following white stitch taken together, slip the stitch on to the left hand needle and purl it with the white wool, purl 1 stitch with the white, pass the pink wool round the needle, and knit with it the pink loop and following stitch taken together, slip it on to the other needle and purl it with the white wool, repeat the same to the end. 5th row; knit all the white stitches with the white wool and slip the pink loops. 6th row; purl the white stitches with the white wool and slip the pink. 7th row; knit 1 stitch with the white wool, pass the pink wool (which is forward) round the needle and with it purl the pink loop and following white stitch taken together, observing to take the pink loop by the under side, slip the stitch on to the left hand needle and knit[112] it and the following white stitch with the white wool; repeat the same to the end of the row: as the 7th row takes the place of the 1st, continue with the 2nd row.

Diamond Knitting.

Cast on 14 stitches for each pattern. 1st round: knit 12 stitches, knit 2 taken together, and bring the cotton forward; repeat the same. 2nd round: knit 2 stitches taken together, knit 9, knit 2 taken together and bring the cotton forward, knit 1 and bring the cotton forward again. 3rd round: knit 2 stitches taken together, knit 7, knit 2 taken together, bring the cotton forward, knit 3, and bring the cotton forward again. 4th round: knit 2 stitches taken together, knit 5, knit 2 taken together, bring the cotton forward, knit 5, and bring the cotton forward again. 5th round: knit 2 taken together, knit 3, knit 2 taken together, bring the cotton forward, knit 7, bring the cotton forward. 6th round: knit 2[113] stitches taken together, knit 1, knit 2 taken together, bring the cotton forward, knit 9, bring the cotton forward. 7th round: knit 3 taken together, bring the cotton forward, knit 5, bring the cotton forward, knit 2 taken together, knit 4, bring the cotton forward. Begin again.

Mazaniello Cap.

Four Needles,
And Wool of two colors which contrast well.

Cast on 30 stitches. 1st row is purled. 2nd row, slip the 1st stitch and knit the row taking two stitches together to the last stitch which knit. 3rd row; slip the 1st stitch, purl the next, raise a loop between this stitch and the next and purl it, repeat these 2 stitches to the end. 4th row; knit plain. These 4 rows form one[116] stripe of diamonds. Take the second colored wool and purl 1 row, repeat the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th rows. Repeat these 8 rows until you have 15 stripes of diamonds in each colour: Cast off.

Pick up 60 stitches on the side of the piece you have been knitting; (i. e. 2 in each stripe of diamonds). Take first the 2nd color and afterwards the 1st, and repeat the 4 rows as given above, until you have 7 stripes of one color and 6 of the other. Cast off loosely. This piece, when the cap is finished is wrong side outwards as it is to be turned up all round.

To finish the crown, pick up 60 stitches on 3 needles and with the 2nd color repeat the pattern, observing that its right side must be the right side of the cap, (consequently the wrong side of the piece at the bottom). In the 4th round reduce 1 stitch in every 4. Repeat the pattern with the 1st colors. In the 4th round, knit 2, knit 2 taken together, repeat to the end of the round. In the 4th round of the 3rd round of diamonds reduce every other[117] stitch. In the 4th round of the 4th round of diamonds, thread a worsted needle with the wool and pass it through all the stitches, draw them up tight and fasten off.

The cap may be finished with a cord and tassel to match in colors, or with a tassel only.

Muff, in Spots or Stars.

Two wooden needles, No. 10, and for a small muff 1 ounce of blue and 1 ounce of black fleecy. Double that quantity for a large size.

For a small muff cast on 60 stitches, for a large one 84. The number must divide into 3 equal numbers. Cast on the stitches with the black wool, purl 1 row. 2nd row; bring the wool forward and knit 2 stitches taken together, (every 2nd row with the black wool must begin like this) bring the wool forward, knit 3 stitches pull the first over the 2 last, repeat these 3 stitches to the end, when you will find you have one stitch left, bring the[118] wool forward and knit it. Join on the blue wool and purl 1 row. 2nd row; bring the wool forward, knit 2 taken together, knit 2 stitches and pull the stitch in which you decreased over them, (every 2nd blue row begins thus) bring the wool forward, knit 3 stitches pull the 1st over the 2 last, repeat these 3 stitches to the end of the row. Use the black wool and repeat the whole. For a small muff do 21 stripes of each color, for a large one 42. Cast off.

To make up a small muff you must buy 5-8ths of gros-de-naples, 1½ oz. of fine carded wool and 1 oz. of fine horse-hair. Double the silk in halves and place on it 1 layer of wool. 1 layer of horse-hair and a second layer of wool. Quilt these to one-half of the silk and fold the other half over, and sew it to the knitted cover; turn the muff inside out and sew up first the knitted part and then the silk. Finish the muff at the edges by a cord or a quilling of ribbon.

[119]

Another Muff.

Two needles No. 10 and 3 skeins of coarse fleecy.

Cast on sixty stitches. Knit 1 row; rib 1 row; knit 1 row taking 2 stitches together all the way. 4th row; knit 1 stitch, pick up and knit a loop between the stitches, continue the same to the end of the row. As by this you would lose 1 stitch, this must be prevented by picking up and knitting a loop alternately, before beginning or at the end of every 4th row.

Make up the muff like the preceding pattern.

106-* See Double Knitting. For a blanket it is better to put the wool twice round the needle in the knitted stitches.

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