Patterns for Netted Caps

Caps are similar to hairnets in that they both hold hair. Here is a list of patterns for netted baby's caps, mourning caps, nightcaps, and opera caps that can be found online.  They were published from 1838 to 1916.

Here are the ones I found in books:

1. The Ladies' Knitting and Netting Book (2nd edition) published in 1838
1. Netted Baby's Cap (page 98) 
2. The ladies' knitting and netting book – second series (2nd ed) by Miss Watts, published in 1840
1. A Cool Night-cap (page 107) 
2. Cephaline (page 84) 
3. The ladies' knitting and netting book – first series  (5th ed) by Miss Watts, published in 1840
1. Netted Baby's Cap (page 110) 
4. The Ladies' Work-table Book (2nd ed) published in 1844 
1. Netted Opera Cap  (page 173) 
5. The Practical Companion to the Work-Table containing directions for Knitting, Netting & Crochet Work by Elizabeth Jackson, published in 1845
1. Netted Border for a Cap (page 139, item 91) 
6. Mee's Companion to the Worktable by Cornelia Mee, published in 1845
1. Pretty simple Netted Cap for wearing under a Bonnet (page 112) 
7. The Ladies' Work-table Book published in 1845
1. Netted Opera Cap  (page 138) 
8. Mee's Companion to the Worktable by Cornelia Mee, published in 1845
1. Pretty and Simple Netted Opera Cap (page 56) 
9. Knitter's Friend by Mrs. Hope, published in 1847
1. Circassian Cap (page 86) 
10. The Drawing Room Magazine or Ladies Book of Fancy Needlework and Choice Literature, Vol 1, published in 1848
1. Knitted Opera Cap with Netted Border - designed by Mrs. Warren (page 34) 
11. Treasures in Needlework by Mrs. Warren and Mrs Pullan, published in 1855 --  
1. Lady's Netted Cap - illustration on  page 131 (page 132)
2. Nepaul Smoking Cap - with illustration (page 295) 
12. Beeton's Book of Needlework by Isabella Beeton, published in 1870
1. Netted Nightcap - with illustration (page 361, item 343)
2. Netted Nightcap - with illustration (page 363, item 344) 
13. Tatting and Netting by Butterick Publishing Company, published in 1895
1. Infant's Netted Cap - with illustrations (page 144) 
14. Handicrafts For The Handicapped by Herbert J. Hall and Mertice M. C. Buck, published in 1916
1.  Baby's Cap (Chapter III, part 2) 

Here are those I found in magazines:

1. Godey's Lady's Book (Vol. 36-37)  published in 1848
1. Knitted Opera Cap with Netted Border (page 53) 
2. Godey's Lady's Book  (Vol. 38) published in Jan-Jun 1849
1. Netting the Helen Cap (page 361) 
3. Godey's Lady's Book  (Vol. 47)  published in 1853
1. Netting - Sortie Du Bal, or Opera Cap (page 551) 
2. Opera Cap - Netting - illustration (page 484) 
4. Godey's Lady's Book  (Vol. 48)  published in 1854
1. Netted Cap, for Morning Wear (page 360) 
5. Godey's Lady's Book  (Vol. 52-53)  published in 1856
1. Cap for the Concert Room or Theatre (page 260) 
6. Godey's Lady's Book  (Vol. 56) published in Jan-Jun 1858
1. A Lady's Netted Cap for Mourning [illustration] (page 4)
2. A Lady's Netted Cap for Mourning (page 66) 
7. Godey's Lady's Book  (Vol. 68-69)  published in 1864
1. A Netted Opera or Useful Cap (page 481) 
8. Godey's Lady's Book  (Vol. 70-71)  published in 1865
1. Lady's Netted Nightcap (page 177) 

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This week, due to the weather and a cold that won't go away, I found enough time to finish two more of the rectangular net bags I need to complete.  

The bag on the left is a large bag with a short handle.  The bag on the right is a medium bag with a handle long enough to place on your shoulder.

I have three more bags to finish, and if I leave right now and go watch the Olympics, I may finish one of those tonight.

Handicrafts For The Handicapped by Herbert J. Hall and Mertice M. C. Buck

In Handicrafts For The Handicapped,  the authors, Herbert J. Hall and Mertice M. C. Buck, have gathered together a variety of crafts and skills, including netting.  While the book, published in 1916, mentions many different and practical ways netting has been used, it gives only a few patterns.

1. Netted Loops and Borders  (Chapter III; part 2)
2. Baby's Cap  (Chapter III; part 2)
3. Hammock  (Chapter III; parts 1 and 2)

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This week I've remade another of my doily patterns.  I called this one Aurora.  It is 16 inches in diameter and used 94 yards of size 20 crochet thread.

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)

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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' 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.