THANK YOU...Miss. Lambert !

Knitted Cuff, Shell Pattern, My Knitting Book by Miss. Lambert 1843

Knit with lace weight 

I recently began using Miss. Lambert's "The Standard Filiere" knitting needle gauge to knit up a few items from her and Miss Watts knitting books. Many of the patterns are reprinted in a number of other 19th century books. In some cased the needle size was left out, in a few the needle size is a typo, so comparing other books may clarify some errors. For example in one book the shell pattern cuffs/ muffatees call for size 11 needles but in another is states size 22. After testing the gauge the 22 turned out to be the correct size. It helps to know and compare the yarn, number of cast on stitches, to the needle size. Since using the Lambert gauge, there has been no need to change the cast on to make my cuffs/muffatees larger. They are stretchy, but hug my wrists comfortably.  Sometimes a pattern states to change the number to cast on to change a size.  I’ve stayed with the original directions and looked at multiple directions.  Some books may or may not have additional suggestions for the same item, depending on the author. Also found the same item listed under a different name.

Muffatees, Feather Pattern, The Ladies' Knitting and Netting Book by Miss. Watts 1840

100 % wool, four ply fingering

Corkscrew Muffatees, The Ladies' Knitting and Netting Book by Miss. Watts 1840

100% wool, four ply fingering

All the above are knit in the round using 4 double pointed needles.

This summer I’m going to try out some more knitting patterns using Miss Lambert’s Filiere knitting gauge. The illustration for the gauge in My Knitting Book is to scale. I downloaded the page in the book with the illustration. To print out the page I made sure every thing {pdf and computer printer) is set at 100%. 

The Ladies' Work-Table 

Yahoo

Thrift stores and a critial eye

I love shopping in thrift stores! Over the past year I found quite a few interesting items. As a reenactor I found some great gems, both originals and reproductions to use at reenactments and in exhibits. It takes a critical eye to spot the good "stuff". But you must research...look at lots and lots of originals in museums and books, books and more books to develop a critical eye.

Here are a few of my recent "finds" and no one item was over $5. 

The red ware bowl is from Greenfield Village, and green glasses are reproductions from Jamestown.

  

The dish is early 19th century...no mark on back...sometimes I wonder if people know what they are giving away.

I love home-made pot holders...could not pass these up! I remember making the same ones with cotton loops and a metal loom. 

The yarn is a single ply Cobweb yarn from Shetland...this is going to become a pair of cuffs....I hope! The yarn was only a dollar.

 

 This pitcher is for my son...he loves stuff from the 1940's-early 1960's 

   

Also for my son, this solid wood coffee table at Salvation Army...$20...woo hoo!

As I was looking at it a gentleman was also eying it...talk about an instant decision...grabbed the tag and paid for it. 

 

Also, purchased an outfit for me...linen Capri's, silk tropical shirt and silk tank-top...$1 a piece!   Not bad for a cloudy, gray and windy Friday!

 

Next Audio Book...

Domestic Manners of the Americans, by Frances Trollope
http://librivox.org/domestic-manners-of-the-americans-by-frances-trollope/

How to Knit Soldiers’ Stockings

Found this in the Historic Newspapers at the LOC

The Daily Press [Cincinnati, OH] Monday, October 7, 1861

How to Knit Soldiers’ Stockings

            Set up twenty-eight or thirty stitches on a needle; rib two inches; knit plain seven inches before setting the heel; form the heel by knitting twenty-three stitches each side of the seam, taking off the first stitch without knitting; length of heel, before narrowing, three inches; narrow the heel by knitting ten stitches plain; knit two together; knit plain to within three of the seam; knit  two together, one plain, and turn the seam; knit one plain, slip and bend one stitch; knit plain to within twelve of the end of the needle, slip and bind; knit ten plain; knit back plain; knit thus until the narrowings meet; knit back on wrong side to seam; then double together on the wrong side; knit two together and bind off one stitch; take up the loops to the left hand, and knit five stitches off the instep needle on to that one; knit off the instep needle, and take five off the other end, to add to the right side of the heel, and then take up the loops; knit one round all plain; knit three stitches and widen, by taking up a loop between all across, to within seven of the end of the needle; then narrow on the first side, by knitting two together, and knit five off plain; knit instep needle plain; knit five; and narrow on the last needle by slipping and binding one stitch; then widen as before, but only this one round. Now narrow every other round, as before, until you have twenty-four stitches on a needle; knit plain four inches; narrow the toe on the needle to left of instep needle, by knitting one plain slip and bind; then knit plain to within three stitches of the end of the needle; knit two together and one plain; knit thus on each needle; knit three rounds plain, then narrow as before, knitting three plain rounds between each narrowing; then knit two rounds between, to twelve stitches on each needle; narrow every other round to the close.

[bend] a period typo...it should be bind. 

Unmarried Ladies

To Unmarried Ladies.

            The following items of advice to ladies remaining in a state of single blessedness are extracted from the manuscript of an old dowager.

            If you have blue eyes, languish.

            If black eyes, affect spirit.

            If you have pretty feet, wear short petticoats.

            If you are the least doubtful as to that point, wear them long

            If you have good teeth, don’t forget to laugh now and then.

            If you have bad ones, you must only simper.

            While you are young sit with your face to the light.

            When you are a little advanced, sit with your back to the window.

            If you have a bad voice, always speak in a low tone.

            If it is acknowledged that you have a fine voice, never speak in a high tone.

            If you dance well, dance seldom.

            If you dance ill, never dance at all.

            If you sing well, make no puerile excuses.

If you sing indifferently, hesitate not a moment when you are asked, for few persons are competent judges of singing, but every one is sensible of the desire to please.

If in conversation you think a person wrong, rather hint a difference of opinion than offer a contradiction.

It is always in your power to make a friend by smiles; what folly to make enemies by frowns.

When you are forced to blame, do it with reluctance.

If you are envious of another woman, never show it but by allowing her every good quality and perfection except these which she really possesses.

If you wish to let the world know you are in love with a particular man, treat him with formality, and every one else with ease and freedom.

If you are disposed to be pettish or insolent, it is better to exercise your ill humor on your dog, or your cat, or your servant, than on your friend.

The Daily Press [Cincinnati, OH] October 7, 1861