por SOT Oe) Pe) I ene Be LOE PIII ary aD Ads he ds APP II) Gi vay Wy fe daa Pay IIR y aD Ki es! af uj Aad RS PION PG 44 oy Perey PIP ee Ce ies ee) a , ry Pes Ky a a ry 4 J P) 4 a < rag “be eehiihe Wo ji ayy eS Pro PIII IIAP / : ° pi Or oe és ¢ a y 4 4 Le FPP: IFPRI Sy ee 5 DOIN AL LY IY iy rs $ vit Ly ea ah PP EDL AE. A, ‘4 ig IAF Pe, PANINI IMM IP) ay AS ASG Oe PIS SP Fey LR LPI ig TP ee 4 , es CREA S Ue eee) es PIPPI IERIE Oo PIP IIS SI 4 AAA AE heh tse hehe’ Ra re) Or ee ee | ‘ FISPIIL LI oe Piod f y ee: ° i tei re y DP . By LITT TEST P SP cP ae betty j x ea i eae ee Ur AS ee , ae pnanieneniater Dine, .” tate goes cialis) (-teliiainnnrmaminoiemetteg ! 0, ee ok eres ee ee THE LADIES’ HAND-BOOK OF KNITTING, NETTING, AND CROCHET; CONTAINING PLAIN DIRECTIONS BY WHICH TO BECOME PROFICIENT IN THOSE BRANCHES OF USEFUL AND ORNAMENTAL EMPLOYMENT. EDITED BY AN AMERICAN LADY. NEW YORK: J. 8, REDFIELD, CLINTON HALL. MDCCCXLIV,. eee ENTERED, Sfesrding: to “Act of Congress, in the year 1843, By J. S REDFIELD, in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of New York. PRR OOO LN NII OS ———— STEREOTYPED BY REDFIELD AND SAVAGE, 13 CHAMBERS STREET, N. ¥. CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION - = ~ : ‘ % CHAPTER I, MATERIALS FoR WorKING 2 3 . 9 Silk. Wool. Brief description of Wools. Cotton. Down. Gold and silver thread and cord. Beads. Necessary implements for netting. Necessary imple- ments for knitting, Necessary implements for crotchet. CHAPTER II. GENERAL INstTRUCTIONS FoR WorxkING - - 18 Knitting. To cast on the loops or stitches. Knit- ting-stitch. Pearl-stitch. To rib, To cast over. Narrowing. Raising. To seam. A row. "a, SOX ws KD xD BOK QOH: cy OD 2 Soo OLS KNITTING, NETTING, AND CROTCHET. 23 loop. .The needle must be kept in its position, till the right hand is so brought round as to be able to pull it through; and then the needle being drawn out and held in the right hand, the worker must disengage all the fingers of the left, except the last, which is to retain its hold of the second loop, which was formed by pas- sing the material round it. By means of this hold retained by the little finger, the material is to be drawn to the mesh, and the knot thus formed, be drawn tight to the foundation. This process is to be repeated until a sufficient number or stitches are found to be necessary according to the width of the net desired. As the mesh becomes filled, some of the loops must be suffered to drop off; and when the row is completed, it must be drawn out, and a row of loops will be found suspended from the foundation by their respective knots, and mov- ing freely onward. The work is then to be turned over, which will cause the ends of the rows to be reversed ; and in netting a second row, it will be done as before, from left to right. In commencing the second and all the suc- ceeding rows, the mesh must be so placed as 24 THE LADIES’ HAND-BOOK OF to come up close to the bottom of the prece- ding row or loops, and the former process with the needle must be repeated. It will be need- ful to have a sufficient quantity of the material always wound on the needle, or otherwise it will not move freely round, as it is indispensa- ble it should do. Net wirn Pornrs.—This is done by ma- king a foundation of, say, ninety stitches. Net on this foundation with any color you please. Net fifty stitches and return back again, pro- ceed as before, only decreasing ten stitches, and so go on until the required point is gained. Two colors are required. Ner witn Beaps.—Thread a long darning needle with netting silk, thread the beads as you want them, and pass one on the top of the mesh. ‘Then net a stitch, passing the material under the mesh and through the bead; the silk must then be passed back again under the mesh, and it-will draw the bead with it, and leave it on the knot. Grecian Nettine.—This is beautiful, and should be worked with fine silk, and with two meshes, Nos. 9 and 18, one plain row is to be KNITTING, NETTING, AND GROTCHET. 25 netted with the large mesh, and then in the next employ the small one. The silk is to be twisted round the fingers as in plain netting, and the needle must pass through the finger loop into the first stitch, and thence into the second. Then let the second be drawn through the first, and the first through the second, finishing the stitch by releasing your fingers, and pulling the material tight.. The succeeding stitch, is a small loop, that appears to cross the stitches twisted to- gether. These three kind of stitches form the pattern, and are to be repeated until the work is completed. Grecian netting may be employed for a variety of purposes and you can, of course, vary both the material and the meshes, as best accords with the design you are intending to accomplish. Diamonp Nerrine.—This kind of netting is easy of execution, and looks extremely pretty. It is done by making every other stitch a loop stitch, in order to which, the silk must be twice put round the mesh, instead of once, as in plain netting. Treble diamond netting is similar, 26 THE LADIES’ HAND-BOOK OF only the process is rather more \ j\ XV) W/ \ complex in its execution. After WK) (X netting three rows plain at the UWA Y }) V beginning, the first row is to be \ HI composed of one loop stitch, cent cy XK and three plain stitches, repeat- ed until the row is finished ; then in working the second row commence with a plain stitch, then follow with a loop, then two plain stitches, and repeat as before. For the third row begin with one or two plain stitches, make a loop, then net a stitch plain, and repeat the two loops in the plain stitch to the end of the row. For the fourth row you net three stitches in plain netting, then make a loop stitch, and repeat as in previous rows. An attention to this arrangement will soon en- able the young student in net work to net in as many stitches as she may deem desirable. Puan opEN Nerrine.—This is pretty, and CDSEO easy of execution. ‘The opera- (XXKKX> tion is performed by netting three WD rows plain, then a row of loop 0500 stitches, then three rows plain, SPP RYSG% and a row of loops as before. You KNITTING, NETTING, AND CROTCHET. 27 may net to any length you please. These di- rections are all that are necessary, and if duly attended to, will enable the young lady to at- tain proficiency. CROTCHET. Srircues.-—These are called plain single crotchet, plain double crotchet, plain stitch open crotchet, and open crotchet, with a vari- ety of stitches. Itis not easy to describe the manner of working crotchet stitch, though it is easy of execution; perhaps the following will be found tolerably correct. Take a skein of wool, and having wound it, make a loop at one end, like the first link of a chain; through this draw another, and so on until the chain is of the length required. Each must be made ra- ther tight, as it is drawn through its preceding loop. This forms the foundation, and the young worker may then proceed with the ar- ticle she intends to make. She must pass the needle through the last loop of the foundation, and catching the silk or other material from behind, draw it through, and so proceed with every suceeding loop of the foundation, until 28 THE LADIES’ HAND-BOOK OF the row is completed. Then having thus formed the first row, she must proceed as be- fore to form a second, and so on from right to left, and from left to right, until she has all the rows required. This is the most effectual way we know of for the learner to pursue, and she will find that her work is the same on both sides, producing raised and depressed rows in alternate succession. In working, she must not generally work backward and forward, but must finish each row separately. Piatn Crorcuet.—Make only one loop in each stitch. In making common purses in crotchet, this is the stitch generally employed. Prat Dovusie Crorcuet.—Keep two loops on the needle before finishing the stitch. This stitch is more generally in use than any of the others described. Pratn Stic open Crorcnet.—This stitch is done in the following manner. T'o the last link of the foundation chain, crotchet five stitches, which must be again crotcheted to the fifth stitch of the chain. This is to be repeated to the end of the foundation. The rest of the rows are to be done in the same way, attach- KNITTING, NETTING, AND CROTCHET. 29 ing every fifth stitch to the centre one of each loop in the row preceding. This looks ex: tremely well for purses, and it can be varied by employing two or more colors, as taste or fancy may direct. Oren Crorcner.—This stitch is difficult to EB describe: an attention to the fol- 5 lowing rules, will, we hope, enable the reader to understand it. First make a chain of the length required for the foundation. Then work one stitch plain, and bring the ma- terial round the needle, which must be passed through the first loop of the chain, through which bring the material, and you will thus have three stitches on the needle. Through the first two of these the material must be drawn, which will leave two; through these the material must be again drawn, and that will leave one, through which you are to make one stitch plain, as at the commencement. You then put the material over the needle and through the fourth link of the chain, and pro- ceed as before. You will thus have one plain stitch between each two double ones, which will leave an open space. ; 30 THE LADIES’ HAND-BOOK OF Dovste open Crorcuet.—This is a sim- [mal] ilar stitch, only the single stitch is FE mia, and the two long stitches are made together by passing the needle through the next loop without missing a stitch. ‘Thus you have two long stitches and one open stitch» in regular succession. TREBLE OPEN CrotcHeT.—This is ex- a | actly like the last, only making 7 three long stitches, instead of ele sie : eet) two, before every plain stitch. It looks extremely elegant, and may have beads introduced, which produce a charming effect. The following directions will enable the novice to work with beads with freedom and accuracy. ‘Thread the beads on a strong silk, and pass one on to the middle stitch of each of the long ones. ‘This will, of course, place a bead in the centre of each square. Beads of various colors may be introduced, so as to form diamonds. A gold or polished steel one should form the centre of each diamond. Dovste Stitcu Crotrcuet.—To work this, you have only to take both meshes of the chain, instead of one,.as in common crotchet. KNITTING, NETTING, AND CROTCHET. 31 Priarn Stites Evastic Crorcuet.—Work backward and forward, first taking one mesh off the chain, and then the other. The upper mesh must be taken first. A raised Stircu.—Make this by passing the needle through both meshes of the chain, and working two stitches, instead of one, in the same space or hole. To INCREASE OR DECREASE A StitcH.—In the former case, make two stitches in the same mesh ; and in the latter, take two stitches to- gether as one, or miss one. True Stircu.—This means to keep the stitches exactly over each other, when working in different colors, so as to conceal the half, stitch. ‘This must be done with care; and the more attention is paid to it the more beau- tiful will the work appear. To FASTEN ON oR oFrF.—The former is done by laying the two ends of the material contra- rywise, and working a few stitches with both. The latter process is performed by drawing the material through the last stitch, which must be fastened at the back. A pivipinc Line.—The most general form 32 THE LADIES’ HAND-BOOK OF is that of working two stitches up and down, alternately, between the stripes in the ground- ings ; but it can be varied according to taste. What is called making a stitch at the begin- ning and end of a row, means making one stitch of a chain before the first and after the last, which new stitches are to be crotcheted in the suceeding row. We liave given the fullest explanation of the various stitches in knitting, netting, and crotch- et, that our limited space will allow ; and, we hope that the directions are so plain, that no one will be at aloss to comprehend their mean- ing But we can not promise any votary of these delightful engagements, even tolerable success,—unless she will assiduously apply her own mind to the various directions given. « No one can become an expert needle-woman, who does not think, and think deeply too.” OY Ves KNITTING, NETTING, AND CROTCHET, 933 CHAPTER III. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS. KNITTING. Srockines.—Cast on first size 73, second 85, third 91, fourth 99, fifth 109, sixth 133. Then knit rounds to the commencement of the narrowings, 40, 42, 54, 56, 60, and 74, re~ spectively, according to the sizes given above. The narrowings in the leg are according to the size, 8, 10,12, 13, 14, and 21. After which you knit 18, 20, 25, 27, 30, or 45 rounds to the heel, which is to be formed in the following manner: The stitches are to be divided in half, taking care to have the seam stitch for the middle, and the heél is to be knitted in al- ternate turns of plain and pearled stitches. The length, of course, varies in proportion to the size, being 12 turns for the first and second, 13 for the third, 14 for the fourth, 15 for the fifth, and 20 for the sixth. The heel is finish-. ed by knitting the nine middle stitches in rows, the same as the heel, and taking up one of the 2 34 THE LADIES’ HAND-BOOK OF others with the last loop of each row, till all is taken off. ‘There will thus be nine stitches when the heel is fimished. Having got thus far, you proceed to form the foot as follows, You take up sixteen stitches on each side of the heel, in the second row, and in taking them up, you make a seam on each side of the m- step, knitting another stitch in the loop under the first and last, which prevents holes in the corners, that would otherwise occur. Then narrow every second round on the heel. sides of the seam, until the number of stitches is the same as those in the instep, or what is com- monly called the fore foot needle. You will have. for the instep, 28, 32, 34, 36, 40, or 46, as the size may be;. and the rounds between the heel and the toe narrowings will be 14, 18, _ 23, 26, and 34, respectively, and the narrow- ings for the feet will be 6, 8, 8, 8,9, and 10, on each side, according to the measurement given. You begin the toe by narrowing double at the seams, leaving only the seam stitch be- tween, and narrowing twice with three, and twice with two rounds left between each nar- rowing ; then narrow twice, leaving but one EH wy KNITTING, NETTING, AND CROTCHET. 35 round between, and then every round, until sixteen stitches only are left. Finish by put- ting the two needles having stitches on them together, and taking one from each, knit them together. And when two stitches are done in this manner, cast them off, the. first over the last, until the whole is taken off the needles. It should be noted that the stitches in the heel vary with the size of the stocking, and are as follows: first size 29, second 33, third 33, fourth 37, fifth 41, and sixth 45. Some workers take off the heel in the same manner as the toe is here directed to be fin- ished. Oren Work Srtocxtnes.—On each needle cast on 52 stitches with fine cotton, knit the welts and raise one stitch for the seam. When you arrive at the narrowings narrow every eighth row, and when you have 38 stitches on each needle, cease, and knit until the ankle is completed ; then take half the stitches to form the heel, knit 23 loops, and narrow on each side of the seam for three rows. In forming the heel, narrow every row once the fourth loop from the seam, and then the loops must 36 THE LADIES’ HAND-BOOK OF be taken up, the end one as close as possible. Take three stitches from each side of the fore- foot needle to the other and knit a round plain, after which, widen every fifth stitch on both sides of the heel. Alternate rows of the heel needles are then to be narrowed until only 36° — loops remain on each. The stitches to be — narrowed are the fifth and sixth from the ends. Knit the feet of a proper length, and then nar- row at the ends of the needles every other row, until only 10 remain on each; narrow every row until you have only three, which you east off in the usual manner. The open pat- tern is produced by knitting every fifth round thus: take two stitches in one, and bring the cotton in front of the needle, that it may form a stitch before taking the succeeding two into one. ‘The more open you desire the work to be, the fewer stitches and the finer needles you will require. A Nicur Strocxine.—This is easily done ; cast on 54 stitches, on large needles, and pearl every other stitch, narrowing gradually toward the end. Socxs.—These are very useful-articles, and KNITTING, NETTING, AND CROTCHET. 37 are easy of execution. In the first size there are 49 stitches, in the second 55, in the third 85; they have 16, 20, or 24 turns to the heel, in which there are 25, 29, or 43 stitches, as the size may require. ‘The instep has 24, 25, or 42 stitches, and the length of the heel is 10, 12, or 14 turns. The length of the foot between the narrowings is 10, 12, and 28 rounds. Pine Appz Parrern Bac.—You must cast on thirty-six loops, on three needles, and pro- ceed thus: First row, knit one plain, raise one by throwing the silk over the pin, knit one plain, then raise, knit two plain ; you knit the next two together, drawing the last loop over the first; you will then have six loops. In the second row, knit the first raised loop, then raise, knit the next one plain, then raise, knit plain till you come to the next raising, and omit knitting the two together as in the first tow. Third row, you knit plain to the raising, and then proceed as in the first row. You knit the fourth as the second ; and so proceed, alternately, until you have twelve rows. 'T hen, in the stitches you have previously narrowed, 38 THE LADIES’ HAND-BOOK OF you must raise, and introduce abead upon each plain loop, with a thread, and again raise. Where you had previously raised, you must = narrow with the bead you have upon the silk. In this manner proceed raising and narrowing, — Z alternately, until you have ‘twelve rows, as om before. You then reverse, and again work as — in the first part of the pattern. Parrern ror a Lieut Scarr.—Cast on the number of stitches required upon No. 18 needles, and any kind of material you choose : three-thread fleecy is generally preferred. | Knit one plain stitch, then two together, and so on alternately to the end of the row: each succeeding one is but a repetition of the first ; it may be done in stripes with various colors. Curcxep Parrerns.—Any number of stitches may be cast on, that can be divided by six. Then knit the first three rows three pearl stitches, and three plain; second three rows, knit three stitches plain, and three pearl. This pattern may be worked for children’s socks, bags, mats (if done in coarse materials), &c. Knirrep Frincr.—This may be made of any material deemed most suitable for the pur- | or) a Rs: me KNITTING, NETTING, AND CROTCHET. 39 poses to which it is to be applied. Cast on eight stitches. First knit two, then make one, by bringing the cotton round the needle, and knitting it when it occurs in the next row, then knit two stitches -together, knit one, make one as before, knit two together, knit eight, and so proceed to the end of the row. When you have knitted as many rows as you require, cast off five stitches and leave three, &c., unraveled for the fringe. These may be knitted in two or more colors, taking care to knit them in equal spaces, that is, with an equal number of stitches in each color. Dovste Nicatcar,—You will find five needles are required. You must cast on two stitches, on each of four needles, and in the first row increase two, and in the second one plain stitch in each. In the third row the centre stitch on each needle must be seamed, and you must increase on each side of jit every other row, until you have attained the width required. You then knit the fourth and every succeeding row plain, until the cap is of a-sufficient length, say, twenty-four to twenty-eight inches, then decrease the first row, and make the other end to correspond with that first knitted. ‘s 40 THE LADIES’ HAND-BOOK OF ‘ Barece Knirtine ror Ssawis.—in this kind of work you commence with any number of stitches you require, and after knitting one row plain, you begin the second by knitting three stitches, then bring the wool forward, and knit three together, taking them off at the back, — again you bring the wool forward, and knit three as before. The third row is pearled, and the fourth is the second repeated, only be- ginning by knitting three stitches together. Fifth row the same as the third, and thus pro- ceed with any number of rows you choose. You may introduce any patterns in flowers, &c., you may desire, by breaking off the ground color and fastening on that which is designed for the pattern, by means of a slip knot made at the end of the wool. All flow-, ers, &c., must be done in plain knitting. A Birocne.—This stitch is very simple. You bring the wool forward, slip one, and knit two together. This elegant cushion is made of 16 narrow rows, and 16 broad stripes, which decrease gradually toward the centre. It may be made in double German wool, or other material, with No. 19 ivory or wooden. ——- Ms KNITTING, NETTING, AND CROTCHET. 4] pins. Cast on ninety stitches, and knit two turns, then in gold color three turns, and again two in black. This forms the narrow stripe. Then form the broad stripe thus: Knit two ‘Stitches and turn, then knit two of the black, and turn ; this must be continued, taking every time two additional stitches of the black, until you are within two stitches of the top, and then turn. You will now find the wool has de- scended to the wide part of the stripe.. You then again * commence a narrow stripe, and so go on until the whole is completed. When the last wide stripe is finished, knit it to the first narrow stripe and make up the biroche in any manner you please. A Srrone Knirrep Pursr.—Any number of stitches. that can be divided by three will do. First and last row. The wool is to be brought forward, then slip one, knit two, and pass over them the slip-stitch, repeat second and fourth row plain. Third and fifth row. Knit two before commencing the pattern. The holes will then fall in a diagonal direction. It will require to be stretched. Herrinc-Bonge Pursg.—The number of ¥ 42 THE LADIES’ HAND-BOOK OF stitches must be so as to bb vided by four. The silk is to be brought forward, then slip one, knit one, and bring the slip-stitch over it. Knit one, again bring the silk forward, pearl one, and so repeat. Both these purses should be knitted wtth second-sized netting silk, the for- mer with needles No. 6, and the latter with No. 13. Prams Knirrep Murrarees.—For these you will require four needles. On three of these needles cast on an equal number of stitches, according to the size required, and knit each round three pearl and three plain: finish with one plain and two pearl rows. A Knirrep Murr IN IMITATION OF SABLE.— You must cast on seventy or eighty stitches. Knit the first three rows plain, then for the fourth row, bring the wool forward, and taking two stitches at the back, knit them; repeat to the end. These four rows must be repeated, until the piece is about half a yardlong; taking care that the shading is as correct as possible. You must here use No. 19 needles, and double German wool. The shades required are four, and you begin with the lightest, proceeding to mena * KNITTING, NETTING, AND CROTCHET. 43 the darkest, and then reversing them. The muff must be stuffed, and lined with silk. Basy’s SuHor.—Work with two colors in stripes. You cast on 28 stitches, in blue, and knit one row plain; then knit a plain row in white, adding one stitch at the end to form the heel,-and turn ; then a similar row in blue ; in- crease and turn; repeat this without increas- ing, and changing the colors each time until you have 10 stripes. Then knit one row in blue, and turn, casting off seventeen stitches. You begin from the heel. The remaining thir- teen stitches are knitted with white ; tum; knit a row with blue ; turn; and so continue until you have five rows of one color, and four of the other. The thirteen stitches are then to be done in blue, and seventeen to correspond are to be added; turn. This side is finished like the other, decreasing for the heel. You then sew up the heel and toe, so as to form a shoe. You are then with four needles to pick up the stitches round the ankle and fore-foot, putting an equal number upon each of three needles, and knit five rows plain : make a stitch by bringing the wool forward, then slip one ; > + 44 THE LADIES’ HAND-BOOK OF - knit the next two, and pass the slip stitch over them ; again bring the wool forward, and re- peat the process for one round; knit eighteen rows, five plain, four pearled; repeat and fin- ish by bringing the wool forward, knitting two together ; then knit two rows plain, and cast off. You must use No. 14 needles, and double German wool. Basy’s Hoop.—Use No. 18 needles, and double German wool; cast on fifty stitches, and knit eighty rows plain; roll up sixty to form the front. Three inches of the cast off part are to be sewed together, and the rest is to be drawn up for the crown. Then cast on fifty stitches to form the foundation for the hood, and knit forty rows plain. Line with white silk, and trim with satin riband. Ciose Stircu, ror a Waistcoat.—This is to be done in two colors, and cast on any odd number of stitches. First and fifth rows with one color; knit one and slip one in suc- cession. Second and sixth rows with the other color: knit one, bring the wool forward, and slip one ; pass the wool back, knit one. Re- peat. The third is the first reversed, and the KNITTING, NETTING, AND CROTCHET. 45 fourth is worked exactly as the second, omitting the first stitch. Dorrep Kwyirtine, ror Basy’s Suozs, &c.—Cast on, and knit as many rows as you desire, knitting one stitch plain, and the next pearled. Begin every other row with a pearl- ed stitch. Art odd number of stitches are re- quired, and No. 8 needles. Hartequin Quint with Turts.—This is done in double knitting stitch, with six thread fleecy. The pieces are six inches square. Each square consists of about 24 stitches, and they are to be sewn together with a tuft of wool, black or white, at each corner. The squares should be knitted in at least three colors, including white, in ‘a quilt two and a half yards square.’ There will be 225 pieces, 113 of which should be white. Make the tufts as follows: wind four-thread fleecy about 12 times round a grooved wooden mesh, one inch in width; then slip a coarse thread in the groove, and tie the wool quite tight, but taking care that an end is left to it, which can be drawn through and fastened to the quilt. The loops of wool are to be cut through on the 46 THE LADIES’ HAND-BOOK OF other side of the mesh ; after which, it is to be combed and dressed as neatly as possible. NETTING. Prain Nerrep Mitrrens.—Begin on forty- eight stitches as a foundation, and net four rows plain, then form the loops for the riband with a mesh double the size of that you work with, Then five rows more are to be netted plain ; and in the next you must join both ends, and net one plain round, taking care in the twelfth stitch to increase. Again net round and in- crease as before. _Net the remaining stitches. You must then net sixteen rounds, increasing two stitches, to form the thumb in the same place as the other increased stitches, every other round. Join the thumb stitches and net seven rounds, which is the length of the thumb, decreasing a stitch or two in every round. With the larger mesh you are to net two stitches in every loop, and then net one round, taking the two together. Net two or three rounds with a finer mesh for a finish. This finishes’ the thumb. Net as many rounds as are wanted for the hand, and finish as before. a KNITTING, NETTING, AND CROTCHET. 47 Run in the riband, and edge with lace. You must have a No. 12 mesh, and. five skeins of silk. NETTED Curr, with Sink anp Woor.— On a foundation of ninety-six stitches, and with a No..11 mesh, net one row plain in floss silk. Second row the same. Then with an ivory mesh of half an inch in width, net -one row in German wool. The fourth row is to be done two stitches in one with wool, using a small mesh. Then for the inside of half of the cuff, net fourteen rows with the large and small meshes successively. These to be done in silk and wool alternately. The next three rows to be netted in dark wool. Then with the small mesh net two rows in silk, the same color as at the commencement, alternately, with seven rows of wool, in proper shades, and finish with an edge to correspond with the be- ginning. Nerrep FRincE.—Use a mesh No. 18, and net the required length, dropping off the stitches on the left. Net the next row the same. Then with a flat mesh, the width of the fringe, placing the grooved edge downward, net one 48 THE LADIES’ HAND-BOOK OF row. These latter loops are to be cut, and either left as they are, or knitted two and two together, as the taste of the worker may dic- tate. Priain Netrep GEeNnTLEMAN’s Purse.—Of coarse netting silk, you will require five skeins, and a mesh No. 13. You must have a foun- dation of eighty stitches on which to commence, and you net to the length of ten inches. Net up the sides and damp it slightly, after which it is to be put upon a purse stretcher, where it is to be left for a few hours, then take it off and trim it as you please. A Lapy’s Pursr.—Net in the same manner, seventy stitches on the foundation, and nine inches in length is sufficient. Employ a mesh No. 10, and fine netting silk. ‘Two colors may be used, netting five rows with one, and four with the other. A Purse with Cuina Sitx.—Make as many stitches on the foundation as you please. Net three rows with plain colors, then five with China silk. Repeat. A Sram Purse, with Breaps.—You will need four skeins of the silk, and a mesh No. 8. KNITTING, NETTING, AND CROTCHET, 49 On a foundation of one hundred stitches, net one plain row. Then in the next row, net a plain and a bead stitch successively. Net the third row plain, and begin the next with a bead Stitch. Proceed thus til] the purse is com- pleted. A Nerrep Bac, wirn Rine.—On a foun- dation of sixty stitches, net the bag to half the length required ; then net in a gilt ring, and finish the bag. Draw it up with riband, and place a gilded or silk tassel at the bottom. You will require coarse netting silk, and a No. 16 mesh. You may use union cord, or gold twist, if you prefer it. Dicr Parrrrn Purse.—This is done in two colors, highly contrasted. You must have two skeins of Second-sized netting silk, and a No. 10 mesh. On a foundation of ninety- eight stitches, net seven with the darkest color, You net seven rows. Then introduce the lighter silk, by joining it to the seventh stitch of the first row of the dark color, and net seven rows upon the succeeding seven stitches of the foundation. You must be careful to loop in the last dark stitch on each row : repeat this pro- 50 [HE LADIES’ HAND-BOOK OF cess, until the purse is of the length you re- quire ; of course reversing the squares. In cutting off the silk, you must leave sufficient to make a weaver’s knot, with which it is to be fastened to the succeeding color. CROTCHET. Sora PitLow.—Work in six thread fleecy, and with a good-sized crotchet needle, work as follows: For the first stripe commence with two rows of the same color, the next three rows in different shades of a color that will contrast well with that of the first two; the sixth row must be of a different color, or it may be white. The next five rows are to corre- spond, reversing the colors and shades. The second stripe is composed of seven rows, the first three distinct shades of the same color, the middle one a contrast, and the other three the same shades as the first, but reversed as be- fore: The third stripe is the same, but, of course, the colors are different. A white row in the middle of each stripe, is, in our opinion, the best. The fourth stripe is a repetition of the first, omitting the color in the first twov — KNITTING, NETTING, AND CROTCHET. §] rows, the fifth of the second, and the sixth of the third. The last stripe is to correspond exactly with the first. Turxisa Parrern For a Taste Cover.— Use a steel needle, and six thread fleecy. Form the dividing line of two shades of the same color, say claret, and have four stripes, namely, white, gold color, blue, and scarlet. - Then on the white stripe work the pattern in two greens, two scarlets, two blues, a brown, and a yellow. On the gold color, in two blues and one claret, white, lilac, and green. On the blue, in two scarlets, two greens, one drab, white, brown, and orange. And on the scarlet, one green, one white, two blues, a claret, and a bright yellow. We have merely given. the colors in the above as a specimen, and to assist the youthful artist in the formation of habits of arrangement. She can, of course, adopt any colors and shades she pleases, and the more she employs her own thought and judgment, the more original will her work appear. A Puan Crotrcuer Bag, 1n Sinx.—Begin at the top with a chain of a hundred and fifty stitches. The material to work with may be THE LADIES’ HAND-BOOK OF any kind of silk that is proper for the purpose, and of any color that may be deemed desirable. On this foundation a plain row is to be worked, and then a row in two colors in two stitches of each, alternately. The second color then is employed to form the ground of the pattern. Work one plain row, and then work large stars, in a color to contrast with the plain ground. Between the large stars work small ones in a different color. One row of plain ground is — to be crotcheted on each side of the pattern, and before commencing the second stripe, re- peat the row of two colors in two stitches of each. The ground of the next stripe is to contrast highly with that of the former one, The larger stars should also be well contrast- ed, but all in the same stripe must be of the same color ; all the small stars should be alike. The stripes are to be repeated successively, until the bag is completed. It can then be trimmed according to fancy. A Greek Cap, IN. COARSE CHENILLE.— With a chain of six or eight stitches begin at the top, and having united the ends, work : ~yound and round in rows, until it is eight inches YG a KNITTING, NETTING, AND CROTCHET. 53 across. You must increase your stitches in each row, so as to preserve the work flat. Work the sides in open crotchet, and between every two rows, it will be best to introduce a few plain lines in black and gold. This cap is extremely elegant. ' A Crotcner Neck Cuatn.—Commence with five plain stitches, then put the needle through the back of the second, and make one stitch plain. By twisting the chain after every stitch, you will find that one stitch appears to cross ; that stitch is the one to be next taken and crotcheted. A Prain Crorcuer PursE.—This purse is made with a middle-sized netting silk, and is Strong and durable. A chain is to be made of one hundred and forty stitches of any color you prefer, on which you are to crotchet > three rows plain in the same color. Then five rows in a color making a good contrast. Repeat these stripes as many times as is requi- site, and crotchet up the sides. Draw up the ends and trim the purse. We deem it unnecessary to add more exam- ples in crotchet, as without engravings they / “s j 54 THE LADIES’ saxp-soogor Tis kind of work would not be understood. is capable of being applied jo an almost indefi- nite number of purposes4 but in almost all cases, though easy of gxecution, the patterns are not easy to be degcribed in writing. We have, however, dopé all that is required to afford an insight isto this kind of needlework, that for purses, bags, caps, neck-chains, &., it can readily be brought into requisition. /Mnch care and judgment are re- quired in thre atrangement of colors, as on this almost thé whole beauty of the work depends. f von KNITTING, NETTING, AND CROTCHET 55 CHAPTER IV. CONCLUSION. In the foregoing pages, we have endeavored to lay before the young votaress of the needle such instructions as we hope will be found suf. ficiently clear to enable her to produce many a delightful specimen of her assiduity, taste, and judgment. We have sought to be concise without being obscure, and to give plain diree- tions without making our readers mere imitators or copyists. One fault which is to be found in all the books on these subjects, which we have seen, we have carefully avoided; that is, the giving a list of the various colors to be em- ployed in the fabrication of each example given. Nothing can be more absurd and mis- chievous than this. The young workwoman can only exercise her judgment to any extent in this department of her labors. The various stitches she must form according to the pre- scribed rule, because in most instances they can be performed in no other manner. But in 56 THE LADIES’ HAND-BOOK OF the choice of materials and. colors she should have free scope; here judgment, taste, and fancy, should range, untrammelled by rules and forms ; and yet this is rarely done, because the lady is taught to rely upon her patterns, and scarcely ever to consult her own sense of beauty or propriety. We know the effect of this, in the sameness and monotonous appear- ance of almost all kinds of fancy work; and we have done our best to introduce a more correct taste and principle into this department of the elegant arts in which females are en- gaged. We know that much native genius exists among our fair countrywomen, and we wish to see it expand as freely as the refresh- ing breeze that sweeps over our native hills. But we have a higher end in view than pro- moting the acquisition of accomplishments, however elegant and pleasing. We wish to direct the minds of those we are thus endeavor- ing to interest and instruct, to the immortal beauties of moral excellence. These works may be made conducive, in a high degree, to the development of family affection, and the promotion, to a vast extent, of the purposes of ee KNITTING, NETTING, AND CROTCHET. 57 genuine charity, benevolence, and friendship. But there is yet a higher kind of use to which we would apply them. We would have the young lady, who is becoming expert and clever at her needle, to reflect, as the beautiful fabric grows beneath her forming hand, that her work, and the power and skill to plan and execute it, are emanations of the immortal mind—that mind whose creative powers are a faint but legible transcript of the omnipotent wisdom of the Deity. This thought gives a permanency to what would in any other light be only tran- sitory as the summer cloud. It is Omnipotent wisdom and power which contrived and exe- cuted all the beautiful wonders of creation ; and that wisdom and power were called into activity by omnipotent love. We. desire to impress this sublime truth upon the minds of our young readers, because we wish them to place their heavenly Father before them, as their pattern and example, in all that they take in hand ; and to remember, that as he formed the universe by wisdom and love, so all their actions and elegant contrivances should be the result of judgment, guided by affection, that 58 THE LADIES’ HAND-BOOK OF they may thus become like their Father who is in heaven. Indeed, it is only when accomplishments are rendered subservient to the development of moral goodness, that they become pursuits at all worthy of an accountable being. We were not sent into this world to flutter through life like the gaudy butterfly, only to be seen and admired; we were designed to be useful to our fellow-beings, and to make all our pow- ers and capabilities, in some way or other, conducive to the happiness and welfare of our co-journeyers on the path of time. To this end we wish our fair countrywomen to devote their best attention, and in its attainment to exert every energy which they possess. We wish them to make all the knowledge which they may acquire subserve some noble purpose, which will outlive the present hour; and to do this, the well-spring of the purest. affections must be opened in the soul, and the elegant productions of taste and genius become civil- ized and animated by the spirit of love. Thus, ° and thus only, can the occupations of a leisure hour be converted into efficient ministers of KNITTING, NETTING, AND CROTCHET. 59 good; and such they will assuredly be found, if practised from right motives, and placed in due subordination to the right exercise of more important duties. Let, then, the young votaress of the needle, of drawing, or of music, ever bear in mind, that the time employed in those pursuits will be accounted, by the impartial Judge of all, lost or improved, just in propor- tion as they have been made to serve the pur- poses of selfish gratification, or to minister to the development of an elevated moral charac- ter, generous and warm affections, and the cul- tivation of those virtues which,.as essentials to the Christian character, shall outlive the rav- ages of time, and qualify the soul for all the beatitudes of a coming eternity, — THE END. Kore er RE J. S. REDFIELD, CLINTON HALL, Corner of Nassau and Beekman streets, PUBLISHES, AND HAS FOR SALE, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, THE FOLLOWING POPULAR BOOKS: Ladies’ Hand-Books. A Series of Hanp-Booxs ror Laptes, edited by an American Lady—elegantly bound with fancy covers and gilt edges. Im- perial 32mo. No. 1. BABY LINEN— Containing Plain and Ample Instructions for the preparation of an Infant’s Wardrobe; with engraved patterns. ‘Indispensable to the young wife.”—World of Fashion. No. 2. PLAIN NEEDLEWORK— Containing Clear and Ample Instructions where- by to attain proficiency in every department of this most Useful Employment; with en- gravings. It should be read by every housekeeper, and is highly use- fal to the single lady.”—Ladies’ Court Circular. No. 3. FANCY NEEDLEWORK AND EMBROI- DERY— Containing Plain and Ample Directions where- by to become a perfect Mistress of those de- lightful Arts; with engravings. “ The directions are plain and concise, and we can honestly rec- ommend the volume to every reader.”—New La Belle Assemblee. 2 WORKS PUBLISHING BY J. 8. REDFIELD. Be eg PR eee No. 4. KNITTING, NETTING, & CROTCHET— Containing Plain Directions by which to become proficient in those branches of Useful and Ornamental Employment; with engravings. “A more useful work can hardly be desired.”—Court Gazette, No. 5. EMBROIDERY ON MUSLIN AND LACE- WORK, AND TATTING— Containing Plain Directions for the Working of Leaves, Flowers, and other Ornamental De- vices ; fully illustrated by Engravings. “Tt should find its way into every female school.”—Gazette of Education. No. 6. MILLINERY AND DRESSMAKING— Containing Plain Instructions for making the most useful Articles of Dress and Attire; with engraved patterns. “Tn this age of economy, we are glad to welcome this practical book.”—La Belle Assemblee. THE WHOLE FORMING A USEFUL AND ATTRACTIVE series OF Booxs. Eacu Work COMPLETE IN IT- SELF. Any number sold separately. A NEW AND SPLENDID FAMILY BIBLE. The Pictorial Bible—Being the Oxp and New Testaments, according to the authorized version, with more than oNE THOUSAND ENGRA- vinas, representing the Historical Events, after the most celebrated pictures of West, Rar- FAELLE, Ruspens, Micnaei ANGELO, GuIDO, Poussin, and Carracct. The Lanpscare ScENEs, from original drawings, by Mryerr, Cassas, Forsin, Frazer, Lasorpe, and others; and the ae a oe WORKS PUBLISHING BY J. S. REDFIELD. 3 subjects of Narurat History, of Costume, and of Antiquitizs, from ANCIENT sCULPTURE, and from the best sources, ancient and modern.— With full Marginal References ; the latest and most authentic Mars; an elegantly-engraved Faurty Recorp; and the Text, from the Stan- dard Edition of the American Brere Society. Pictorial New Testament. The New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, with views of places mentioned in the text, and accurate delineations of the costumes and objects of Natural History.—With an av- THENTIC Mar or Pauestine, from recent sur- veys. The Pictorial New ‘Testament with the Book of Psalms. Criminal History of England. Criminal History of the English Government, from the first massacre of the Irish to the poisoning of the Chinese. By E. Reenauutr. Translated from the French by an American, with notes. A vivid picture of the wrongs perpetrated by England upon the rights of nations. WARDLAW ON MAGDALENISM. Lectures on Magdalenism; its Nature, Extent, _ Effects, Guilt, Causes, and Remedy. By Rev. Ratrx Warpiaw, D. D. Delivered and pub- lished by special request of forty Ministers of the Gospel, and eleven hundred fellow-Chris- tians. From second Glasgow edition. WORKS PUBLISHING BY J 8. REDFIELD. ROLLIN’S ANCIENT HISTORY. The Ancient History of the Egyptians, Cartha- ginians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Medes and Persians, Grecians, and Macedonians ; including a history of the Arts and Sciences of the An- cients. By CHartes Rorzm; with a Life of the Author by James Betz. 2 vols. octayo— with maps and plates. GUIZOT’S GIBBON. History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Em- pire. By Epwarp Grezon, Ese. Anew edition, revised and corrected throughout, preceded by a preface, and accompanied b Notes, critical and historical, relating principally to the propa- gation of Christianity: by M. F. Gurzor, Minis- ter of Public Instruction for the Kingdom of France. 2 volumes, octavo. SEARS’ PICTORIAL ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE BIBLE. The Pictorial Illustrations of the Bible and Views in the Holy Land. Illustrated with 600 Engra- vings. By Ropert Sears. Three volumes. Twenty-five thousand copies of this Work have been sold within two years. EASTERN ARTS AND ANTIQUITIES. Eastern Arts and Antiquities—Being Illustrations of Manners, Customs, Costumes, &c., &c., of the inhabitants of the Holy Land.—130 Illustrations. BIBLE QUADRUPEDS. Bible Quadrupeds—An account of the Quadrupeds mentioned in the Bible, with sixteen splendid Engravings. att eee el a ON) Ay oh SAAR RON RW) SPLAT ODOR ie) UVa WS ARRON | AE CET OA RO ey A a RO) LAA A tO) Wey hs a AM ON) Levees TT CON OAR YN Se Vee PAA BO Vieey Lae Vey Oe RE he SANS X wt APN NC x , u SEN Sh Bt ROT Nei DAT ORION hea A SPLAT BT DS DODDS be eh . SA SA RY an : a RXR SONAR) La) Mae a Sk) YOU A) SAMA ODO h APT OOO toh oh SU 0 ‘. LAR) Cay LARA PO SFT ON ee a a) RAAT aA Natatatan AW) LSI LP ehh Pa WA} MY Vy 4 “WA OOM RR AY