Saturday 26 January 2013

19th century craft books

There are some old craft books to be found among Project Gutenberg free ebooks. Unfortunately, most of these are available without images, so one could practice a lot of blind knitting, for example, and wait for the surprise outcome.
Here are a couple of books that have many inspiring pictures along with instructions, though.

Beeton's Book of Needlework


Beeton's Book of Needlework by Isabella Beeton, 1870

This book contains patterns for tatting, crochet, knitting, netting, embroidery, point lace, guipure d'art, Berlin work, monograms, initials and names, pillow lace, and lace stitches. And 600 engraved illustrations.

Beeton's Book of Needlework


The knitting chapter looks very interesting. Some patterns, e.g. this knitted neckerchief(!) in black Shetland wool, have been added to Ravelry and the project notes can be very helpful for working the shawl.

Beeton's Book of Needlework


Another lovely example, a knitted border with pleats:

Beeton's Book of Needlework



Cycling and Shooting Knickerbocker Stockings by H. P. Ryder, 1896

Cycling and Shooting Knickerbocker Stockings

The stockings are worked in ribbing for the most part and decorated with fancy tops. There are many options to choose from for making the top and the stitch patterns come with photos.

Cycling and Shooting Knickerbocker Stockings

5 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks for dropping by and happy vintage-knitting if you plan to do so!

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  2. Don't miss this gem:

    http://www.gutenberg.org/files/20776/20776-h/needlework-h.html

    Therese de Dillmont was a dynamo in needlework. Gutenberg has done a marvelous job making her most famous work, the Encyclopedia of Needlework, available and easy to use, whether on their site or as a download.

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  3. Also, are you familiar with the Antique Pattern Library Catalog?

    http://www.antiquepatternlibrary.org/html/warm/catalog.htm

    Many of these extremely rare publications are linked with PDFs for easy download.

    Happy knitting/lace-making/embroidery/what-have-you!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for these awesome links! If only there were more time and more hands...

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