The Ladies' Knitting and Netting Book

Turn to the back of your mat and pick up the stitches of the round before that in which you looped on the fringe; knit 1 round, purl 1 round, knit 1 round, purl 1 round, knit 1 round, and cast off.

Cut a round piece of card the size of the mat, cover it with green baize or colored paper, and sew the edge which is under the fringe firmly to the edge of the card all round.

Netted Mat

To put between plates

This mat is netted round. The mesh should be about a ¼ of an inch wide. Net 60 stitches putting the cotton twice round the mesh; net 24 rounds with the cotton once round the mesh, then 1 round twice round the mesh; thread the stitches of this and the first round together, and tie it tight, (this is the centre).

Thread the needle with double cotton; and with a much wider mesh net a round, passing the needle through by the knots of the 13th round for a fringe. The color can be varied at pleasure.

Knitted Vase Mat

Two needles No. 14

This mat is to be knitted in two colors, (violet and maize are very pretty). Cast on 3 stitches, increase 2 every row until you have 15; knit 2 rows plain, and decrease 1 stitch in every other row, to a point. Knit 3 pieces of each color, sew them together with the points in the centre, and surround the mat with a fringe. (No. 6 of the former vol.)

Table Mats

These mats are knitted in 6 pieces, 2 side pieces and 4 end pieces.

Side piece. Cast on 20 stitches, knit 18, turn your work, slip 1 of the 2 stitches on the right-hand needle upon the other needle, pass the cotton back, and replace the stitch as it was before, (this must be repeated every time you return without knitting the whole row, to prevent a hole); knit the 18 stitches back again; in the next row knit 16 and return, and continue to knit 2 stitches less each time until you knit only 2; then knit 4, and continue to add 2 to the number each turn, until you knit 18 and back again; cast off.

End piece. Cast on 20 stitches; knit 3 stitches, increase 1, knit to within 2 of the end and return; knit 3, increase 1, knit to within 4 of the end and return; continue to increase in every 4th stitch and to leave 2 more at the end each turn until you have 32 stitches left behind and only 4 knitted; then continue to knit 2 more stitches each time, without increasing any more until only 2 are left behind; cast off.

Join these pieces together with the points meeting in the centre, and surround the mat with a fringe. The size may be altered by varying the size of the needles, and round mats may be made with 6 of the side pieces.

Table Mat

In one piece

Cast on 3 stitches, and increase 2 in every row until you have 21; increase 2 stitches in every 4th row until you have 29 stitches; increase 1 stitch in every 4th row until you have 32 stitches; knit 8 rows; this makes half the mat. Knit the other half to correspond, decreasing where you before increased. Surround it with a fringe. The size can be altered by varying the size of the pins.

Napkin Ring

This ring must be made of string, or stout cord, and with rather fine pins.

Cast 12 stitches on each of 3 needles; knit 4 rounds; rib 4 rounds; knit 3 rounds, and cast off rather tight.

A Pence Purse, or Jug

Five needles No. 17, and 2 skeins of German lambs’-wool of different colors, are required.

Begin with the handle: cast on 4 stitches and knit backwards and forwards, in common knitting, until it is an inch and a half long; loop 6 stitches on the same needle, 26 on the second, and 10 on the third, (the 5th needle is not required yet). Knit off the 1st needle, knitting 2 and ribbing 2 stitches alternately; with the 2nd needle rib 2, knit 2, rib 2, pass the wool back, slip a stitch, knit 1, pull the slipped stitch over the knitted one, knit the succeeding stitches plain until within 7 of the end; then knit 2 taken together, knit 1, rib 2, knit 2; on the next needle rib 2 and knit 2 alternately; continue to repeat this round until you have only 12 stitches on the 2nd needle, and you will find you have made the spout. Knit 3 rounds, ribbing 2 and knitting 2 alternately; take the other color and knit 5 rounds in the same manner, then 3 rounds with the first color, 5 with the second; 1 round of plain knitting with the first color, 3 rounds ribbed, 1 plain round making a stitch between every 2 stitches; 3 rounds ribbed with the second color, knit a plain round; in the next 2 rounds, bring the wool forward and knit 2 stitches together. With the first color, knit 1 plain round and 3 ribbed; repeat the last 7 rounds. Now divide the stitches on 4 needles, (there should be 12 on each,) begin plain knitting, decreasing 1 stitch on each needle; continue the same for 5 rounds, decreasing alternately at the beginning, middle, and end of each needle; knit 3 rounds, decreasing as you think necessary to keep it a good round shape; divide the stitches on 3 needles, knit a plain round, rib 3 rounds without decreasing. Begin again to decrease, and continue to do so, until you have only 3 stitches on each needle; fasten off with a worsted needle, and sew down the handle.

Bouquetier. No. 1

You will require 5 needles No. 14, and two knots of silver twist

Cast 6 stitches on each of 3 needles; knit 1 round; in the second round knit and rib 3 stitches alternately, and continue the same for 44 or 48 rounds. Plain knit 1 round, bring the thread forward, (thus increasing by a loop stitch), knit 3 stitches; bring the thread forward, knit 3; and continue the same all round. Knit 2 plain rounds. In the next round bring the thread forward at the beginning and in the middle of each needle, thus increasing 6 stitches in the round. Knit 2 rounds plain, continue to increase in the same manner (6 stitches every 3rd round) until you have 16 stitches on each needle. Knit 8 stitches, with the 5th needle rib the same stitches back again, and continue to knit and rib alternate rows, decreasing to a point by taking 2 stitches together in the centre of 2 rows out of 3. Finish the other 5 leaves in the same manner.

Bouquetier. No. 2

Four needles No. 14

Cast 6 stitches on each of 3 needles. Knit and rib 3 stitches alternately for 48 rounds. Then knit and rib alternate rounds, increasing 2 stitches every round where it will be least observed, until you have 40 stitches in the round; turn and knit back again; knit backwards and forwards, decreasing 1 stitch at the beginning and 1 stitch at the end of every row, (for you will perceive those which were rounds have become rows) until the bouquetier ends in a point.

Tidy Basket

Seven of each needles, No. 16, 14, and 12

Cast 2 stitches on each of 4 needles, No. 16; knit round, increasing 4 stitches in each round, until you have 9 stitches on each needle; divide your stitches on 6 needles, and purl 3 rounds; knit 3 rounds, increasing 3 times in each of the 2 first rounds, and 6 times in the third. Alternately knit and purl 2 stitches for 3 rounds; repeat the same 3 rounds with the larger needles, No. 14; and 3 rounds more with the largest, No. 12. Knit 1 round plain, and cast off 20 stitches; knit 4 stitches, cast off another 20, and knit the remaining 4 for the handle, until it is nearly 3 inches long; then knit it to the 4 stitches which were left on the opposite side of the basket.

Cover a round bit of card with paper, the color of the basket, and fasten it to the bottom on the inside.

Ladder Stitch Bag

Two needles No. 12

Cast on 50 stitches. Second row, knit and rib 2 stitches alternately; and in the 3rd row, knit and rib the same stitches: in the 2 following rows reverse the knitting and ribbing; continue this pattern for 12 rows, and also for 10 stitches at the beginning and end of each row, to form a border all round. Plain knit 1 row (between the borders). In the next row, (after the 10 stitches) knit the 2nd stitch, pulling it over the 1st; knit the 1st; knit the 4th and 3rd, 6th and 5th; continue the same to the end of the row: every row is alike. Continue this pattern until the bag is nearly long enough. Add a border as at first, and make the other side to correspond. Knit or sew up the sides, and run a ribbon round the top.

Crossed Stitch Bag

Two needles No. 12

Cast on 50 stitches. Knit one row with the cotton twice round the needle, and in the next row, knit the 2nd stitch, slipping it over the 1st; knit the 1st, then the 4th and 3rd, 6th and 5th, and continue the same to the end of the row. Begin again at the row twice round the needle.

When you have knitted enough for the bag, cast off, and sew up the sides.

Netted Bag

To hold the ball when knitting

These bags are plain netted, and the size of the foundation must of course vary according to the size you wish to have your bag. They are very pretty netted with very narrow ribbon in different colors. The mesh should be rather wide; when the bag is half deep enough, net in a ring, (either brass or whalebone), then net on until the bag is sufficiently long.

Fringe

Cast on 12 stitches; knit 6 stitches plain, bring the wool forward, knit 2 stitches taken together, bring the wool forward, knit 2 taken together, bring the wool forward, knit 2 together. 2nd row, begin with the wool forward, knit 2 stitches together, repeat this twice and knit the remaining 6 plain; continue these 2 rows until the fringe is the length required, then cast off the 6 stitches for the head and unravel the 6 stitches of plain knitting.

Netted Fringe

To go round a bag

Net 300 stitches on a mesh ½ an inch wide. Take a smaller mesh, (No. 15,) and net a row taking 3 stitches in 1. Net a plain row. Net a row, putting the silk twice round the mesh. Net 3 rows once round the mesh. Take a rather larger mesh and net one row, which finishes the fringe. Cut it off of the foundation.

Scarf Fringe

To be knitted in coarse gold colored flox silk

Cast on 12 stitches. 1st row, bring the silk forward and knit 2 stitches taken together, knit 2 stitches, bring the silk forward and knit 2 taken together, knit 6 stitches. 2nd row, knit 8 stitches, bring the silk forward, knit 2 taken together, knit 2 stitches, repeat these 2 rows until you have a sufficient length for the end of a scarf, cast off 6 stitches, and unravel those that were plain knitted.

Fringe

Cast on 9 stitches; slip 1 stitch, knit 2, bring the cotton forward and knit 2 taken together, knit 1, bring the cotton forward, knit 2 taken together, knit the last. Every row is alike. When you have done a sufficient length cast off 5 stitches, and leave 4 to unravel for the fringe.

Rug Fringe

Two knitting needles No. 11, a ball of coarse knitting cotton, and some yarn or coarse wool are required. Cut the yarn into lengths of about two inches.

Cast on 30 stitches with the cotton, knit 2 stitches, take 2 bits of yarn, fold the ends together and loop them towards you, on your right hand needle, knit a stitch; loop on the yarn after every stitch until within 2 stitches of the end of the row, which knit. The back row is plain knitting, being careful to knit the yarn with the stitch. Repeat these two rows.

Carriage Rug

Two needles No. 12, a ball of coarse cotton or fine string, and some coarse yarn cut into lengths of about two inches.

With the ball cast on 40 stitches, and knit 1 row. Knit 1 stitch, place 1 piece of the yarn between the needles so that one end be on each side; knit 1 stitch, pass the end of the yarn which is towards you between the needles, knit 1 stitch, repeat the same to within 2 stitches of the end and knit them plain; knit 1 plain row. 3rd row, knit 2 stitches before you put on the yarn, which will leave you 1 stitch at the end of the row; this altering the yarn stitch makes the mat look thicker. When the strip is as long as you wish the rug to be, cast off and begin another. When the strips are sewed together and lined, this makes a very warm mat.

Striped Purse

Mesh No. 17; foundation 72 stitches wide

Net 4 plain rows; net 1 row putting the silk twice round the mesh; in the next row net the 2nd stitch first, (in netting it half turn it), then net the 1st in the same way; repeat these stitches to the end of the row. Net 3 plain rows. Net 1 row putting the silk twice round the mesh, then a row netting the 2nd stitch first, and so on until the purse is wide enough.

N.B. This purse is very pretty with only 2 small rows instead of 4, and netted in shades of different colors.

Chequered Purse

Mesh No. 17, and as many needles as you wish to have squares.

Net 6 stitches in pink silk backwards and forwards for 12 rows; net 6 stitches of brown silk, beginning at the distance of 6 stitches from the pink; pass the brown silk through the loop of the pink, and when the rows form alternate squares of pink and brown, begin with the pink over the brown, and the brown over the pink.

Purse in Round Netting

Mesh No. 14; a foundation 72 stitches wide

Every row is alike. After the needle has been drawn through the stitch (as in common netting), before pulling the stitch tight, it is passed under that part of the silk which goes through the stitch.

Matrimony.—For a Purse

Mesh No. 15, and a foundation of 60 or 70 stitches.

Net 1 row. 2nd row, net the 2nd stitch first then net the first, passing the needle through the second as well as the first, to join them together; repeat these stitches to the end of the row. 3rd row, plain netting. 4th row, net a stitch, miss a stitch, net the next, then net the stitch you missed, passing the needle through the last stitch, (it will be seen that the object in netting a stitch before beginning the pattern is to prevent the joined stitches being over each other); repeat the 2 last stitches to the end of the row, netting the last stitch.

Another

Begin on a foundation of 60 stitches, with a mesh No. 15. Net a row, passing the silk twice round the mesh. 2nd row, (once round the mesh,) net the 2nd stitch first, half turning it, then net the other plain, net the 4th, half turning it, then the 3rd plain, repeat these stitches until the row is finished. Begin again with the 1st row.

Annet Purse

Mesh No. 17, and foundation of 60 stitches

Net the 1st row, passing the silk twice round the mesh every stitch. 2nd row, pull the 1st stitch through the 2nd from the back, net it; pull the 2nd stitch through the middle of the 1st, (taking care not to twist it), net it; pull the 3rd through the 4th, net it; pull the 4th through the middle of the 3rd, net it; repeat these stitches to the end of the row. Begin again with the 1st row, netting 1 stitch plain before beginning the pattern.

Honey-comb Purse

On a foundation of 60 stitches. Net 1 plain row. 2nd row, pass the 2nd stitch through the 1st, net it, (in netting it give it a twist so as to half turn it); net the 1st; pass the 4th through the 3rd (half turning it) and net it; net the 3rd; repeat these stitches to the end of the row. Begin again with the first row. Next row net the 1st stitch plain before beginning the pattern.

Another Honey-comb

On a foundation of 60 stitches. Net 1 row passing the silk twice round the mesh. 2nd row; put the side of the 2nd stitch which is nearest the 1st over it, draw it quite through so as to twist the 2 stitches together, half turn and net it, net the first; repeat these stitches to the end of the row. Next row begin again.

Netted Purse

In two colors

Fill 2 needles with 2 colors which contrast well. The purse should be 80 or 90 stitches wide. Fasten on both needles together and net alternate stitches with each, reversing the colors every row. Except in this change of color, every row is the same.

Single Diamond Netting

On a round foundation with mesh No. 18; 80 stitches will make a purse four inches wide.

Net 1st stitch with the silk twice round the mesh, 2nd stitch once round, 3rd stitch twice round, 4th stitch once round, and so on alternately. When the round is finished, (it will finish by a stitch once round the mesh,) draw out the mesh, put it in one of the long stitches and net the round; every other stitch will be a loop stitch; the round finishes with a loop stitch. Continue these alternate rounds until the purse is long enough for the opening to be begun; then instead of netting round the purse, turn back and net from side to side. The 1st stitch in the 1st row is once round the mesh, the 2nd twice, the 3rd once, the 4th twice, 5th once, &c. In the 2nd row, the first stitch has the silk passed twice round the mesh; it is then taken at its full length and the row continued, each alternate stitch being a loop stitch. When the slit is long enough, (after either 14 or 16 rows,) begin to net round again. If after 14 rows, the 1st stitch in beginning to net round the purse will be once round the mesh.

Treble Diamond Netting

On a round foundation of 40 stitches, and with a mesh No. 17 or 18

Net 2 rounds plain. Begin the next round by putting the silk twice round the mesh for the 1st stitch, net 3 stitches, with the silk once round the mesh; repeat these 4 stitches until the round is completed. Take out the mesh and put it in again at the full length of one of the long stitches; net the following stitch, (which will be a long one), net the next a loop stitch, then net the 2 next close to the mesh and slip them off: begin again with netting the long stitch, the loop stitch, the 2 close to the mesh, slip them off; repeat these 4 stitches to the end of the round, finishing of course with 2 stitches close to the mesh. Begin the next round with 2 stitches close to the mesh, 1 loop stitch, 1 stitch close to the mesh, (this stitch must always be slipped off the mesh before netting the next); repeat these stitches to the end of the round. Next round net 3 stitches close to the mesh, 1 loop stitch; repeat these stitches to the end of the round. Begin again with the 1st round, viz.—1 stitch with the silk twice round the mesh, 3 with the silk once round, and proceed as directed until the purse is long enough to begin the opening, which should be begun in a round after that in which you put the silk twice round the mesh for 1 stitch, and once round it for 3. To make the opening: for the 1st stitch pass the silk twice round the mesh, take it out and put it in again at the full length of the 1st stitch, net a stitch, net a loop stitch, net 2 close to the mesh, slip them off, &c. as directed before. When the slit is long enough, begin to net in rounds instead of rows, taking care to make the diamond stitches match.

Knitted Purse

Four needles are required

Cast on any number of stitches that will divide by 5. 1st round; bring the silk forward knit 1 stitch, bring the silk forward slip 1 stitch, knit 1, pull the slipped stitch over the knitted one, knit 2 taken together, repeat this all round. 2nd round; plain knitting. 3rd round, is the same as the 1st. 4th round plain knitting. 5th round; bring the silk forward, knit 2 stitches, bring the silk forward slip a stitch, knit 2 taken together pull the slipped stitch over, repeat the same all round. 6th round plain knitting. Begin again.

Stitches for Purses. No. 1

Four needles are required

Cast 30 stitches on each of three needles. Knit a plain round. In beginning the next round, knit the 2nd stitch (instead of the first,) knit the first; knit the 4th, then the 3rd, the 6th and 5th, and continue the same until the purse is long enough.

No. 2.

With 2 needles

Cast on 60 or 80 stitches; bring the thread forward, slip a stitch, knit 2 stitches and pass the slipped stitch over the 2 knitted ones; repeat the same to the end of the row. Every row is alike.

No. 3.

With 2 needles

Cast on any number of stitches which will divide by 3; bring the silk forward, slip a stitch, knit 2 stitches and pass the slipped stitch over the 2 knitted; bring the silk forward slip a stitch, &c. to the end of the row. Knit a plain row and begin again.

No. 4.

On 2 needles

Bring the thread forward, slip a stitch, knit 2 and pass the slipped stitch over the 2 which are knitted, repeat the same to the end of the row; knit a plain row. These 2 rows form the pattern, but in the 3rd row you must commence by knitting 2 stitches before beginning the pattern, in order that the 1st of the 2 knitted stitches may come over the hole, and for the same purpose you must begin the 6th row by knitting 1 stitch.

This purse is very pretty knitted in 2 colors, alternately 2 rows of each.

No. 5.

Two needles

Cast on the desired number of stitches. Knit 1 row taking 2 stitches together. 2nd row, turn the thread round the needle to make a stitch, rib a stitch, make a stitch as before, rib a stitch, &c. to the end of the row. 3rd row, plain knitting; in the 4th row, which is ribbed when you come to the hole, knit the stitch belonging to this and that of the last row together, repeat the same with every hole. Begin again at the 1st row.

No. 6.

Two needles

Cast on 90 stitches, slip the 1st stitch and finish the row taking 2 stitches together every time, knit the last stitch. 2nd row, slip the 1st stitch, and with the thread twice round the needle knit to the last stitch, which is to be knitted plain. 3rd row, slip the 1st stitch, pick up the thread which is across the hole with the left hand needle and knit it with the next stitch (which is taken at full length) after twinging the thread forward. Bring the thread forward again, pick up the thread which is across the hole and knit it with the next stitch, continue the same to the last stitch which is knitted. 4th row, slip the 1st stitch, knit the 2nd, pick up the thread which is across the hole and knit it with the stitch which is over the hole, continue the same to the end of the row. Begin again at the 1st row.

No. 7.

Knit the 1st row (except the 1st and last stitches which are knitted plain in every row) taking 2 stitches together. Knit a plain row. 3rd row, slip a stitch, bring the silk forward, pick up the thread which is across the hole, taking care not to twist it, and knit it with the next stitch, continue the same to the end of the row; the 4th row is plain knitting. Begin again at the 1st row.

Bead Netting

Net a plain row on a foundation the desired length. 2nd row, net to where you wish to place a bead, slip a bead close up to the last knot and net a stitch; repeat the same wherever you wish to place a bead, and the next row will fix these in their places.

Bead Netting,

With the bead on the knot

Thread a bead needle with some of your netting silk; net a plain row; net to where you wish to place a bead, thread 1 bead and slip it close to the mesh, net the next stitch, slip the bead under the mesh close up to the last knot, and pass your needle and netting silk through the bead, which fixes it on the knot; repeat the same wherever you wish to place a bead. This netting may be done either round or open.

Dice Knitting

For a Purse

This purse is knitted in 2 colors, it must be done with very fine needles and 11 little balls of fine knitting silk.

Cast on 8 stitches of the 1st color and 8 of the 2nd alternately until you have 80 stitches, using a new ball for each change of color, 2nd row, knit the 8 stitches of the 1st color, pass that silk round the silk of the 2nd color and bring it forward; with the 2nd colored silk knit the 8 stitches of the 2nd color, pass it round the next silk and bring it forward; continue the same to the end of the row. Knit on in the same manner for 14 rows, then to change the color take another ball of your 2nd color and join it on at the beginning of your row, knit with the 2nd color 1 stitch, pass the 1st color forward, knit 1 stitch with the 2nd color, pass the 1st back, knit 1 with the 2nd, pass the 1st forward, and the same for the 8 stitches. You will now find that you have 2 threads of the 2nd color and 1 of the 1st together, pass 1 thread of the 2nd color round the others and bring it forward, knit 1 stitch with the 1st color, bring forward the other thread of the 2nd color, knit 1 stitch with the 1st, pass the 2nd back, knit 1 with the 1st, and continue the same for the rest of the 8 stitches, when you will find 2 threads of the 1st color, and 1 of the 2nd together; twist and bring forward 1 thread of the 1st color, and knit the others as you did those of the 2nd color in the last square. Finish the row in this manner, then knit as at first until another row of squares is completed; reverse the color again.