The Ladies' Knitting and Netting Book – second series (2nd ed) by Miss Watts

Miss Watts must have been very busy in 1840.  She published the 5th edition of The ladies' knitting and netting book – first series, which was discussed last week, and the 2nd edition of The ladies' knitting and netting book – second series.  I would love to see the first edition of both of those books, but they are not available on-line.

There are over twice as many entries for netting in her second series as there were in her first series. While some of the patterns may be the same, many are not.

1. Netted Gloves (page 3)
2. Plain Open Mittens (page 8)
3. Another Plain Mitten (page 10)
4. Annet Mittens (page 11)
5. Honey-comb Mittens (page 13)
6. Matrimony Mittens (page 15)
7. Lambs'-wool Mittens (page 15)
8. Mitten in Round Netting (page 17)
9. Netted Cuffs (page 22)
10. Netted Mat (page 30)
11. Netted Bag (page 40)
12. Netted Fringe (page 41)
13. Striped Purse (page 44)
14. Chequered Purse (page 45)
15. Purse in Round Netting (page 45)
16. Matrimony - For a Purse (page 46)
17. Another (page 46)
18. Annet Purse (page 47)
19. Honey-comb Purse (page 48)
20. Another Honey-comb (page 48)
21. Netted Purse - in two colors (page 49)
22. Single Diamond Netting (page 49)
23. Treble Diamond Netting (page 50)
24. Bead Netting (page 57)
25. Bead Netting - with the bead on the knot (page 58)
26. Netted Scarf (page 76)
27. Cephaline (to be worn in the head on leaving heated rooms) (page 84)
28. Netted Curtain (page 103)
29. Netted Lace (page 106)
30. Puff Netting (page 107)
31. A Cool Night-cap (page 107)
32. Netting Mesh Sizing (page 122) 

I have no idea what the term "Annet" means.  In both cases, the pattern using "Annet" in its name follows a pattern with "Another" in its title.  As for "Cephaline," I'll accept her explanation and assume it's some kind of head covering. 

  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

In January of 2011, I started thinking about a netting class that would teach increases and decreases.  One of the first things to do when preparing for a new class is to figure out what patterns I will use for the class.  I decided to use the Lantern Stitch since it has both increases and decreases.  After making a dishcloth using that stitch, I started making what I thought would be a quick shawl.

I soon decided it was not a quick pattern and was therefore unsuitable for my class.  I didn't entirely quit working on the Lantern Stitch Shawl; it just went on the back burner (for those times that I didn't have anything else to net).

 

Recently I finished it.  Today I took a couple of photos of the back of the shawl.  

While making the shawl, I discovered this stitch stretches more from side to side than from top to bottom.  If I were making it again, I would not start with 358 knots in the netting chain.  This rectangular shawl is about 2 yards long.

The Ladies' Knitting and Netting Book – first series by Miss Watts

Miss Watts, the author of The Ladies' Knitting and Netting Book – first series, wrote or compiled several knitting and netting books.  This book was published in 1840.

Included in this book are netting instructions for mittens, purses, curtains, scarves, a baby's cap, a shawl, some stitches, and some patterns.

It was interesting to see that what she calls a pattern is different from what I call a pattern.  To me a pattern is usually a set of instructions that tell how many stitches to start with and what to do for each row, such as a pattern for a sweater or a shrug.  They lead me through the creation of a project step by step.

Her "patterns" tell what to do for each row, but they do not tell how many stitches to start with or even what size mesh stick to use.  She leaves that up to the person making the pattern.  They could make a large curtain or tablecloth, a small purse, or something in between.

She also includes some of what I would call a pattern, although she does not always tell the exact size mesh stick to use.

1. Netted Mittens (page 19)
2. A Net Purse in Points (page 44)
3. Corkscrew Netting for a Purse (page 44)
4. Netted Curtain (page 72)
5. Pattern of a Net Scarf (page 73)
6. Another Scarf (page 73)
7. Table Diamond Netting (page 74)
8. Single Diamond Netting (page 75)
9. Tuft Netting (page 75)
10. Netted Baby's Cap (page 110)
11. Double Netting for a Mitten (page 120)
12. Patterns for D'Oyleys, Basket, or Fish Napkins, and Purses - No. 1 (page 122)
13. Patterns for D'Oyleys, Basket, or Fish Napkins, and Purses - No. 2 (page 123)
14. Patterns for D'Oyleys, Basket, or Fish Napkins, and Purses - No. 3 (page 123)
15. Netted Lamb's-wool Shawl or Handkerchief (page 124)

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  

It is very frustrating to have to cut off large amounts of netting when there is no way to fudge around a mistake.  Today I learned I can use that netting to decorate.  

I made a lacy votive candle holder.

I took some netting I removed from a doily when I had not found the mistake early enough to untie it.  I cut a piece big enough to put around a clear, glass votive candle holder.  

After that I applied some Mod Podge to the outside of the glass.

While it was still sticky I pressed the netting onto the glass.

Once it was in place I brushed more Mod Podge over the netting.

Then I just needed to let it dry.

The Mod Podge dries clear with just a hint of frosted glass and the tiny candle at the bottom shines through the lace.

P. S.  Does anyone know anything about Miss Watts except for the books she created?

The Ladies' Work-Table Book

The book I chose for today, The Ladies' Work-table Book; Containing Clear and Practical Instructions in Plain and Fancy Needlework, Embroidery, Knitting, Netting, and Crochet, was published in 1845 in Philadelphia by G. B. Zeiber & Co.  There is no author listed.

Chapter 14, which includes an "Explanation of Stitches" on page 125, contains instructions for and a picture of the following stitches:

1. Plain Netting (page 126)
2. Bead Stitch (page 127)
3. Diamond Netting (page 128)
4. Diamond Netting, of Five Stitches (page 128)
5. Dotted Netting (page 129)
6. Shaded Silk Netting (page 129)
7. Grecian Netting (page 130)
8. French Ground Net (page 130)
9. Another Kind of Honeycomb Netting (page 130)
10. Honeycomb Netting (page 131)
11. Honeycomb Netting, with Two Meshes (page 131)
12. Leaf Netting (page 132)
13. Net with Points (page 132)
14. Maltese Netting, in Spots (page 133)
15. Plain Open Netting (page 133)
16. Round Netting (page 133)

Chapter 15, "Netting," contains the following different examples in netting:

1. A Purse, with China Silk (page 135)
2. A Seam Purse, with Beads (page 135)
3. A Netted Bag, with a Ring (page 135)
4. Dice Pattern Purse (page 135)
5. Honeycomb Mittens (page 136)
6. Netted Cuffs (page 137)
7. Netted Cuff with Silk and Wool (page 137)
8. Netted Fringe (page 138)
9. Netted Opera Cap (page 138)
10. Netted Scollop Edging (page 139)
11. Plain Netted Gentleman’s Purse (139)
12. A Lady’s Purse (page 139)
13. Plain Netted Mittens (page 139)
14. A Plain Scollop (page 140)
15. Cap Border Scollop (page 140)
16. Net Cravat (page 141)
17. A Net Scarf (page 141)
18. A Long Purse, in Points (page 141)

It's been a few months since I attended a baby shower.  The shower I went to this week was the first one I've attended for a new little girl in over a year.  I celebrated by making pink and red bibs to go into a small circular net bag.

The Ladies' Knitting and Netting Book (2nd edition)

There is no author listed for The Ladies' Knitting and Netting Book (2nd edition).  The book was published in 1838.  This makes it one of the oldest knitting and netting books I've seen digitized.

There are six netting patterns included in the book.

1. Netted Curtain (page 66)
2. A Net Purse in Points (page 67)
3. Pattern of a Net Scarf (page 67)
4. Another Scarf (page 68)
5. Netted Baby's Cap (page 98)
6. Corkscrew Netting for a Purse (page 107)

There are also three netting stitches described.

1. Diamond Netting (page 68)
2. Single Diamond Netting (page 69)
3. Tuft Netting (page 70)

I finished one more net laundry bag.  

This time I made it of #24 cotton cord.  

Because it was made of cotton, there was no problem tying the knots - and keeping them tied.  

bottom of the bag

top of the bag

This bag also has cord locks attached to both the top and bottom of the bag.

The meshes are smaller than the ones for the pink laundry bag, but bigger than the ones for the brown bag.  One of these days I will have to see which bag holds more.  They are all the same length when pulled from end to end.

Even though I'm really not sure what I'm going to do with all these bags, at least I know that my instructions are written down correctly.