Saturday, February 13, 2016

Open Lace found in Beeton's Book of Needlework




There are three edges included in Isabella Beeton Beeton's Book of Needlework, (published in 1870). The first one Lace Edging (page 305, item 309) is written in such a way I found very difficult to understand. It was only when I looked at instructions given in another lace book, The lady's manual of fancy-work: a complete instructor in every variety of ornamental needle-work, by Mrs. Matilda Marian Pullan, for the same type of edge, that the edge on page 305, item #309 in Beeton's edge made sense.


The Open Lace (page 305, item 310) edge had both instructions and an illustration - which did not match.  So again I did both.

Here is Open Lace, done by following the instructions



Here is my diamond mesh version of the instructions. It needs a multiple of 3 loops
Row 1: using a #0 knitting needle
Net 12 loops in the foundation loop.

Rows 2-3: using a #0 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in each loop.

Row 4: 1/4" flat mesh stick
Net 1 knot in each loop.

Row 5: using a #0 knitting needle
Net 3 loops together across the row.

Row 6: 1/4" flat mesh stick
Net 3 knots in the first loop, net 5 knots in all other loops except the last loop, end with net 3 knots in the last loop.

Row 7: using a #0 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, *skip a loop, net 1 knot in each loop for 4 loops;* repeat from * to *, ending with net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops.

Row 8: using a #0 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, *skip a loop, net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops*; repeat from * to *, ending with net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops.

Row 9: using a #0 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in the first loop, *skip a loop, net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops*; repeat from * to *.


Here is Open Lace, based on the illustration in the book.




Here are my instructions based on the the illustration. It needs a multiple of 3 loops

Row 1: using a #0 knitting needle
Net 12 loops in the foundation loop.

Rows 2-3: using a #0 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in each loop.

Row 4: 1/4" flat mesh stick
Net 1 knot in each loop.

Row 5: using a #0 knitting needle
Net 3 loops together across the row.

Row 6: using a #3 knitting needle
(Wrap the thread around the mesh stick once, then net 1 knot in the first loop) repeat 2 times,  *net 1 knot in the next loop, (wrap the thread round the mesh stick once, then net another knot in the same loop) repeat 3 more times into this loop (a total of 5 knots in the loop with 4 long loops)*; repeat from * to * ending with net 1 knot in the last loop of the row, net 3 wrapped loops into the last loop of the row. There are now 3 long loops in the last loop of the row.

Row 7: using a #0 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, *skip a loop, net 1 knot in each loop for 4 loops;* repeat from * to *, ending with net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops.

Row 8: using a #0 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, *skip a loop, net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops*; repeat from * to *, ending with net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops.

Row 9: using a #0 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in the first loop, *skip a loop, net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops*; repeat from * to *.





I liked this edge so much that I asked my granddaughter if I could use it to edge the linen handkerchief I was making for her.  She said, "Sure."



Here are the instructions for making this edge in rounds for a handkerchief.

Round 1: using a #0 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in each hemstitch or every 1/8" and 4 knots (3 loops) in each corner.

Round 2: using a #0 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in each loop except at the corner.  At the corners, starting 3 loops before the first of the three corner loops, net 2 knots in each loop for 9 loops.

Round 3: using a #0 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in each loop.

Round 4: 1/4" flat mesh stick
Net 1 knot in each loop

Round 5: using a #0 knitting needle
Without a mesh stick, net together the loop formed by the CK and the 2 loops to the right of the CK, *net 3 loops together*; repeat from * to *.

Round 6: using a #3 knitting needle
*Net 1 knot in the next loop, (wrap the thread round the mesh stick once, then net another knot in the same loop) repeat 3 more times into this loop (a total of 5 knots in the loop with 4 long loops)*; repeat from * to * ending with net 1 knot in the first loop of the round, net 3 wrapped loops into the first loop of the round. Tie the CK to form a long loop - there are now 4 long loops in the first loop of the round.

Round 7: using a #0 knitting needle
*Skip a loop, net 1 knot in each loop for 4 loops*; repeat from * to *.

Round 8: using a #0 knitting needle
*Skip a loop, net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops*; repeat from * to *.

Round 9: using a #0 knitting needle
*Skip a loop, net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops*; repeat from * to *. End by netting 1 more knot in the loop formed by tying the CK for round 8 (where the loose end is), then tie an overhand knot up tightly against the CK knot in that loop.

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