Patterns Found Online for Net Curtains and Another Way to Fix a Mistake

If you have wanted netting hanging in your windows, here is a variety of curtain patterns.  Some patterns contain net embroidery or lacis; some are made with fancy netting.  Some curtains are made for windows; some are made for beds.  Some of the patterns have very detailed instructions and some contain instructions for just the basic stitch.

These are the net curtain patterns I found online in books.

1. The Ladies' Knitting and Netting Book (2nd edition), (published in 1838)
1. Netted Curtain (page 66) 
2. The Ladies' Knitting and Netting Book – second series (2nd ed), by Miss Watts, (published in 1840)
1. Netted Curtain (page 103) 
3. The ladies' knitting and netting book – first series  (5th ed), by Miss Watts, (published in 1840)
1. Netted Curtain (page 72) 
4. The Ladies' Work-table Book (2nd ed), (published in 1844)
1. Curtain for a French Bed (page 181)
2. Netted Curtain (page 180) 
5. The Work-Table Magazine or Church and Decorative Needlework (vol 1), by Mrs. Mee and Miss Austin, (published in 1847)
1. Curtains, in stripes of small and large diamonds (page 39) 
6. Lady's Book of Useful and Ornamental Knitting and Netting Work, by Miss Ronaldson, (published in 1847)
1. Long Netted Window Curtains for a Drawing Room (page 165, item # 99)
2. Netted Window Curtain (page 86, item # 49)
7. A Winter Gift for Ladies being instructions in Knitting, Netting, and Crochet Work, by An American Lady, (published in 1848)
1. Netted Curtain (page 33)
8. Parlour recreations for ladies, (published in 1848)
1. Remarks on Netting (page 77)
2. Stitch adapted for Curtain (page 78) 
9. The Ladies' Self Instructor, (published in 1853)
1. Netted Curtain (page 175) 
10. The Ladies’ Hand Book of Fancy and Ornamental Work, by Florence Hartley, (published in 1859)
1. Netted Curtain (with illustration on 183) (page 184) 
11. The Young Ladies' Journal Complete Guide (2nd edition), by E. Harrison, (published in 1885)
1. Netted Curtains - with illustration (page 136) 
12. The Young Lady's Book, by Mrs. Henry Mackarness, (published in 1888)
1. Diamond Netting for Curtains with Scalloped Border (page 185) 
13. Tatting and Netting, by Butterick Publishing Company, (published in 1895)
1. Directions for Making Netted Curtains (page 151) 

These are the net curtain patterns I found online in magazines.

1. Peterson's Magazine (Vol. 29-30), published in 1856 
1. Darned Netted Window Curtains (page 166) 
2. Peterson's Magazine (Vol. 31-32), published in 1857 
1. Darned Netted Window Curtains (page 78) 
3. Peterson's Magazine (Vol. 33-34), published in 1858 
1. Netted Window Curtain (page 79) 
2. Netted Window Curtain - continued (page 80) 
4. Peterson's Magazine (Vol. 37-38 , published in 1860 
1. Netted Window Curtain (page 478) 
5. The Ladies’ Companion (Vol. 20), published in 1861 
1. The Work-Table Netting for Window-Curtains and Fire-Grate Veil (page 317) 
6. Peterson's Magazine (Vol. 39-40), published in 1861 
1. Netted Curtains (page 259) 
7. Godey's Lady's Book (Vol. 64), published in Jan-Jun 1862 
1. Sprigs for Window Curtains in Netting and Darning (page 284) 
8. The What-not; or Ladies’ Handy-book, published in 1863 
1. Netted Window Curtain (page 56) 
2. Border for Curtains in Netting and Darning (page 382) 
9. Godey's Lady's Book (Vol. 68-69), published in 1864 
1. Netted Window Curtains [illustration] (page 23) 
2. Netted Window Curtains (page 76) 

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Last week I took my car in to have the oil changed.  While I was waiting I began to make another doily - one I still don't have a complete photo of, just a rectangular photocopy.  

After netting for some time, I counted the loops for the center of the doily.  I had too many stitches.  I counted again, just to make sure I had the loops I needed.  I did have more than I needed.  So I removed the extra loops and continued making the doily.  It was not until the end of round 6 that I realized I had a problem.  I had only 39 loops and I needed 40.  There was no way to fix that.  I needed to start again, but I did not want to throw away the small circle of netting.  I wondered if I could use it somehow.  

I've thought about that piece of netting all week. Today I decided to try something. I cut off the last two rows and began round 5 again. I decided to try a variation on the center I had learned from Giuseppa Nania several weeks ago and a variation of an edge I had seen on a doily made by Marie Bassett on March 16.  I now have a new 12.5 inch doily.

Here it is.  

My mistake turned into a new pattern, Lucky.

Netting in Magazines - Peterson's Magazine (1870-1879)

Most of the netting patterns included in this ten-year span deal with darned netting, sometimes called net embroidery or lacis.  There are a few patterns which include directions for net borders or give directions as to how to make a circle, octagon, or square-mesh netting.  The only one that contained no darning or embroidery was "Cloud Netting" from the year 1876.  From the instructions I would guess that a cloud is some type of shawl or scarf.

I found no netting in the 1879 volumes.

1870 (Vol. 57-58 )

1. page 409 Tidy in Square Crochet or Darned Netting

1871 (Vol. 59-60 )

1. page 237 Counterpane in Crochet, Netting, etc. - illustration
2. page 292 Counterpane in Crochet, Netting, etc.

1872 (Vol. 61-62 )

1. page 248 Design for Darning Netted Tidy - illustration
2. page 296 Tidies in Darning or Crochet    
3. page 74 Netted Curtains - with illustration    
4. page 75 Netted Curtains - continued    
5. page 89 Bed Quilt in Crochet or Darned Netting    
6. page 146 Round Netted Tidy    
7. page 216 Octagon Antimacassar    

1873 (Vol. 63-64 )

1. page 369 Tidy in Darned Netting    

1874 (Vol. 65-66 )

1. page 79 Insertion in Darned Netting    
2. page 360 Designs for Darned Netting    

1875 (Vol. 67-68 )

1. page 161 Darned Netting - illustration    
2. page 215 Antimacassar Netting    

1876 (Vol. 69-70 )

1. page 77   Cloud Netting   
2. page 449 Square Net Antimacassar    

1877 (Vol. 71-72 ) 

1. page 245 Pattern in Darned Netting - illustration    
2. page 308 Border in Darned Netting    
3. page 309 Curtain in Darned Netting    

1878 (Vol. 73-74 )

1. page 107 Guipure Darning on Square Netting    
2. page 113 Guipure Darning on Square Netting    
3. page 227 Design for Darning on Netting    
4. page 225 Guipure Netting    

1879 (Vol. 75-76 )

Netting in Magazines - Peterson's Magazine (1860-1869)

I was able to find all the years from 1860 to 1869 of Peterson's Magazine on-line.  I am grateful that so many libraries and schools have scanned in many of their public domain holdings.

There are some terms used that are not commonly used today.

1. ruche: A ruffle or pleat of lace, muslin, or other fine fabric used for trimming women's garments.
2. doyley, d'oyley, mat: any small, ornamental mat, esp. one of embroidery or lace.
3. resilla: Resilla usually refers to a head ornament with a fishnet-like design. Fine wires or cords were inter-spaced with pearls, coral, jet and sometimes gemstone beads and secured on the hair with a jeweled comb or other hair ornament. The term comes from the French résille which translates net, network or netting.
4. tidy: A decorative protective covering for the arms or headrest of a chair.
5. escallop: Variant of scallop.

1860 (Vol. 37-38)

1. page 85 Netted Undersleeve 
2. page 161 Netted Net for the Hair - with an illustration 
3. page 247 Anti-macassar in Netting and Darning 
4. page 230 The Resilla - with front view illustration 
5. page 231 The Resilla - with back view illustration 
6. page 309 Netted Tidy 
7. page 478 Netted Window Curtain 

1861 (Vol. 39-40)

1. page 77 Baby's Knitted Shoe and Sock [with net trim] 
2. page 259 Netted Curtains 
3. page 287 To be Darned on Netting 
4. page 345 Lady's Netted Work-bag 
5. page 347 Netted Bed Fringe 
6. page 424 Netted D'Oyley for Tartlet 
7. page 306 Antimacassar 

1862 (Vol. 41-42)

1. page 147 Netted Escallop Borders 
2. page 148 Netted Escallop Borders - illustration 
3. page 149 Opera Hood 
4. page 150 Netted Tidy                                                   

1863 (Vol. 43-44)

1. page 223 Netted Pin-cushion 
2. page 468 Anti-macassar in Netting and Darning 

1864 (Vol. 45-46)

1. page 15 Border in Netting and Darning - illustration 
2. page 76 Border in Netting and Darning 
3. page 156 Hair-Net with illustration 

1865 (Vol. 47-48)

1. page 161 Sleeping Cushion for Back of Chair 
2. page 322 Opera Hood - illustration 
3. page 378 Opera Hood 

1866 (Vol. 49-50)

1. page 274 Netted Night-Cap 

1867 (Vol. 51-52)

1. page 69 Netted Opera Hood 
2. page 304 Hood in Knitting and Crochet [with Ruche of Netting ]

1868 (Vol. 53-54)

1. page 74 Cravat of Knitting and Netting 

1869 (Vol. 55-56)

1. page 337 Darned Tidy 

I would love to see the Netted Under-Sleeve in use.  I wonder how it was fastened to the outer sleeve.  Did it show at all or was it completely covered.

I wonder how many people made the Sleeping Cushion for Back of Chair and how comfortable it was.  

Netting in Magazines - Peterson's Ladies' National Magazine (1850-1859)

I was able to find most of the volumes to Peterson's Ladies'National Magazine between 1850 and 1859 on-line.  The only year I could not locate was 1850 (Vol. 17-18).  There were two years that did not have any netting patterns in them:  1851 (Vol. 19-20), 1853 (Vol. 23-24)

1852 (Vol. 21-22)

1. page 56 Netted Handkerchief

1854 (Vol. 25-26)

1. page 406 Gentleman's Long Purse in Netting
2. page 219 Pincushion for Toilet Table
3. page 281 Netted Music Stool Cover
4. page 126 Net for the Hair

1855 (Vol. 27-28)

1. page 375 Octagon Antimacassar
2. page 314 Jewel Box
3. page 166 Darned Netted Window Curtains

1856 (Vol. 29-30)

1. page 392 Netted Scarf for Evening Wear
2. page 335 Design for a Music Stool Cover
3. page 277 Design for a Music Stool Cover - illustration
4. page 413 Netted Anti-Macassar
5. page 166 Darned Netted Window Curtains

1857 (Vol. 31-32)

1. page 132 Short Purse in Netting
2. page 85 Short Purse in Netting - illustration
3. page 78 Darned Netted Window Curtains
4. page 314 Gentleman's Netted Neck-Tie

1858 (Vol. 33-34)

1. page 79 Netted Window Curtain
2. page 80 Netted Window Curtain - continued
3. page 81 Netting [stitches]
4. page 81 Plain Stitch
5. page 81 Square Stitch
6. page 81 Oblong Stitch
7. page 81 Round Stitch
8. page 82 Honeycomb Stitch
9. page 82 Long, Twisted Stitch
10. page 82 Grecian Stitch
11. page 82 Ground Stitch
12. page 82 Spotted Stitch
13. page 82 Diamond Stitch
14. page 82 Large Diamond Stitch
15. page 82 Spotted Diamond Stitch
16. page 82 Leaf Netting
17. page 82 Netting terms and definitions
18. page 82 Pendant Fly Cage
19. page 238 Netted Mat
20. page 239 Netted Mat [illustration]
21. page 239 Netted Mittens
22. page 239 Netted Mittens - [illustration]
23. page 365 Anti-macassar

1859 (Vol. 35-36)

1. page 364 Knitting Bag [top portion]
2. page 458 Netted Hood with Daisy Fringe
3. page 459 Netted Hood with Daisy Fringe - illustration
4. page 363 Silk Net for the Hair
5. page 165 Gentleman's Neck Tie
6. page 166 Gentleman's Neck Tie - illustration

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Last week I needed to make a simple net project.  It needed to use thread rather than yarn, consist of only the plain netting stitch, be fairly quick to make (not to many knots), and I also wanted it to be something that could be used.  My husband gave me the perfect answer: a bookmark.  I know I'm not the only one that still likes to hold a paper book in my hand.  

Since it was so plain and basic I decided to use some variegated size 10 crochet thread and a 3/8" mesh stick.

Would you use a bookmark?  Which one would you prefer - the narrow or the wide one?

 

Netting in Magazines - Godey's Lady's Book (1860-1869)

I was able to find all the Godey's Lady's Book between 1860 and 1869 on-line.  Of those 20 volumes, only one did not have any netting information.  I included several lacis or darning patterns.

1860 (Vol. 60-61)

1. page 162 Netted Tidy
2. page 449 Long Black Silk Mitten

1861 (Vol. 62-63)

1. page  466 Netted Tidy
2. page  544 Invisible Hair-nets

1862 - Jan-Jun (Vol.64)

1. page 284 Sprigs for Window Curtains in Netting and Darning
2. page 285 AntiMacassar in Diamond Netting
3. page 331 Sponge-Bag [illustration]
4. page 393  Sponge-Bag
5. page 497 Netted Hand Screens

1862 - Jul-Dec (Vol. 65) alternative location  - no netting information

1863 (Vol. 66-67)

1. page 390 Double Netting in Two Colors
2. page 391 Grecian Netting
3. page 25 Netted Border [illustration]
4. page 87 Netted Border
5. page 177 Patterns for Netting or Crochet [darning]
6. page 179 A Netted Tidy
7. page 180 Tuft Netting in Wool and Cotton
8. page 270 Patterns for Netting or Crochet [darning]
9. page 468 Pattern for Netting or Crochet [darning]

1864 (Vol. 68-69)

1. page 82 Marie Louise Hair Net
2. page 83 Simple Sleeping Net
3. page 83 Invisible Net
4. page 436 Darning Pattern for Netting Work
5. page 481 A Netted Opera or Useful Cap
6. page 128 Geometrical or Honeycomb Netting [illustration]
7. page 187 Geometrical or Honeycomb Netting
8. page 188 Netted Pincushion
9. page 190 Netted Cover for Horses' Ears
10. page 75 Hair Net with Ribbon Coronet
11. page 11 Netted Mitten [illustration]
12. page 75 Netted Mitten
13. page 23 Netted Window Curtains [illustration]
14. page 76 Netted Window Curtains

1865 (Vol. 70-71)

1. page 10 Netted Tidy [illustration]
2. page 89 Netted Tidy
3. page 125 German Cushion Cover [illustration]
4. page 178 German Cushion Cover
5. page 177 Lady's Netted Nightcap
6. page 270 Designs for Pincushions
7. page 300 Flower Vase Mat in Tufted Netting [illustration]
8. page 361 Flower Vase Mat in Tufted Netting
9. page 492 Sleeve-Trimming, in Flanders lace [illustration]
10. page 547 Sleeve-Trimming, in Flanders lace

1866 - Jan-Jun (Vol. 72)  an alternate location

1. page 18 Bread-Cloth [illustration]
2. page 81 Bread-Cloth
3. page 126 Opera Hood [illustration]
4. page 174 Opera Hood
5. page 401 Design for Crochet, Netting, or Berlin Work
6. page 490 Netted Tassel Cover

1866 - Jul-Dec (Vol. 73)

1. page 438 Watch-Pocket in the Shape of a Game-Bag

1867 - Jan-Jun (Vol. 74)

1. page 365 Netted Nightcap

1867 - Jul-Dec (Vol.75)

1. page 99 Hanging Basket Pattern [darning]

1868 (Vol.76-77) an alternative location

1. page 269 Netted Kerchief
2. page 450 Invalid's Bed Support
3. page 455 Crochet, or Netting and Darning for Tidies, Quilts, Etc.
4. page 545 Border - Crochet or Netting and Darning
5. page 353 Crochet or Netting and Darning

1869 (Vol. 78-79)

1. page 86 Square in Guipure Netting
2. page 88 Netting Case for a Ball
3. page 395 Circular Cushion in Crochet [net trimming] [illustration]
4. page 449 Circular Cushion in Crochet [net trimming]
5. page 167 Netted Neckerchief
6. page 255 Baby's Boot (knitting) [net edging on cuff]
7. page 353 Border - Crochet or Netting and Darning
8. page 490 Satin Sofa Cushio, with Embroidery on Netting
9. page 531 Sachet in Darned Netting

It's become a family tradition to write our own Christmas poem expressing our feelings for that time of the year.  My husband deserves most of the credit for this year's poem.


That They Might Have Life
(John 10:10)


Happy news is welcome any season of the year.
Silence, even static, can be pleasant to the ear
When compared with bulletins of earthquakes, floods, and war.
Does tumult define our era? Is this who we are?


What if we awoke to see a new star in the sky
Shining over Boston or Detroit or old Shanghai?
On the Web it would go viral and be center stage
On the news shows. In the papers it would be front page.


What response would follow when the story was conveyed
Of a baby humbly born and in a manger laid?
Would we join the wise men in their long and earnest quest,
Kneeling down before this king and giving of our best?


Would a song of peace on earth gain traction in my heart?
Would it factor in the gifts that fill my shopping cart?
Like the shepherds, will I hear what angel voices sing?
Let mine be the joy of truly worshiping my king.


As we do to others, even so we serve our Lord.
He stayed calm and kept his peace when others sowed discord.
With the poor and lowly he shared healing balm and leaven.
For us all he gave his life and showed the way to heaven.

Merry Christmas.

Netting In Magazines - The Ladies’ Companion

I was able to find three issues of The Ladies' Companion online that contained netting.  The years were Vol. 20 (published in 1861), Vol. 23 (published in 1863), and Vol. 27 (published in 1865).  The netting patterns were as follows:

1. 1861
1. Netting for Window-Curtains and Fire-Grate Veil (page 317)
2. 1863
1. Netted Cheese or Cake D'Oyley (page 336)
2. Long Black Silk Mitten - Netting (page 336)
3. 1865
1. Netted Border (page 55)
2. Raised Embroidery on Netting (page 107)
3. A Fly-Catch (page 166)

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Last week I showed the Plain Star I made.  This week I finished another star.

The center for this Fancy Star began as a circle.  It measures five inches from the center to the end of a point.

The Young Lady's Book by Mrs. Henry Mackarness

The Young Lady's Book was published in 1888.  Written by Mrs. Henry Mackarness, this book contains 4 pages with information on netting.  She includes a brief history of netting and a description of how to make it. I found her directions clear, but that may just be because I know how to net.  Here is a list of the netting she put into the book:

1. Netting (page 183)
2. Honeycomb Netting Purse (page 184)
3. Spotted Netting for Purses (page 184)
4. Diamond Netting for Curtains with Scalloped Border (page 185)
5. Round Netted Couvrette (page 186)

And what is a Couvrette?  I'm not sure.  I can't find it in a dictionary.  There is a website that indicates it means doily.  There is another website that gives several books where the word is used, but no definition.

One of these days, when I have extra time, I would like to make the Round Netted Couvrette.  Maybe then I'll know what it is, or at least what one looks like.

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This week I finished Crystalline.  This is one of the doilies that I've wanted to remake so I can see the entire doily instead of just a rectangular section.  

I called this one Star Fire.

I called this one Spider Web (small).

While working with my son to post photos of many of the projects I have completed over the years, I realized that I did not have a good photo of the netting used with some of the potpourri jars I had made, photographed, and given away.   In fact, I had not even named the netting.  I quickly made these from my computerized directions.  

While making Spider Web (small), I wondered what would happen if I put more stitches into the increase portion of the edge.  The result:  Spider Web (large).

Besides adding the net bowl and cup covers to my website, my son also added net coaster inserts and more net bookmarks.

The Young Ladies' Journal Complete Guide (2nd edition) by E. Harrison

There are two sections on netting in The Young Ladies' Journal Complete Guide (2nd edition) by E. Harrison.  The first section is about how to net; the second section has netting stitches and patterns.  There is also a section on Guipure netting, also known as net embroidery, net darning, or lacis.  The illustrations of this book, which was published in 1885, are very clear and detailed.

1. Implements Required - with illustration (page 19)
2. To Fill a Netting-Needle - with illustration (page 19)
3. Netting Mesh - with illustration (page 19)
4. Stirrup (page 19)
5. Knot for Joining - with illustration (page 20)
6. Directions for Netting - with illustration (page 20)
7. Square Netting - with illustration (page 20)
8. Square Foundation of Two Sizes - with illustration (page 20)
9. Oblong Netting - with illustration (page 20)
10. Slanting Netting - with illustration (page 20)
11. Wire Frame for Guipure Netting (page 20)
12. Introduction (page 123)
13. Common Netting  - with illustration (page 123)
14. Mode of working a Netted Foundation with Holes for Embroidering Trefoils in - with illustration (page 123)
15. Round Netting - with illustration (page 123)
16. Loop Netting - with illustration (page 123)
17. Diamond Pattern in Round Netting - with illustration (page 123)
18. Square Pattern - with illustration (page 126)
19. Cross-Netting - with illustration (page 126)
20. Rose-Netting in Plain and Striped Varieties - with illustration (page 126)
21. Star-Netting - with illustration (page 126)
22. Stripe Netting - with illustration (page 126)
23. Honeycomb-Netting - with illustration (page 126)
24. Diagonal-Netting  - with illustration (page 126)
25. Border: Plain, Honeycomb, and Rose Netting - with illustration (page 126)
26. Insertion: Rose and Plain Netting edged with Crochet  - with illustration (page 126)
27. Netting Foundation Interlaced with a Needle and Thread - with illustration (page 127)
28. Trimmings - with illustration (page 127)
29. Trimming: Netting - with illustration (page 127)
30. Doily: Netting (with illlustrations) (page 127)
31. Mode of Beginning a Circle - with illustration (page 127)
32. Foundation with Needlework Pattern - with illustration (page 127)
33. Open-Work and Darned Stripe - with illustration (page 127)
34. Trimming, with Thick Loops and Fan Edge - with illustration (page 127)
35. Loose Loop Pattern - with illustration (page 127)
36. Lappet for Caps - with illustration (page 130)
37. Scallop - with illustration (page 131)
38. Border with Double Loose Loops - with illustration (page 131)
39. Fan Netting - with illustration (page 131)
40. Border with Bunches of Loops (page 131)
41. Edging: Double Fan or Sheaf (page 131)
42. Border with Round-Loop Heading (page 134)
43. Diamond Pattern  - with illustration (page 134)
44. Design with Twisted Loops  - with illustration (page 134)
45. Stripe for Shawls - with illustration (page 134)
46. Border: Rose and Sheaf Pattern - with illustration (page 134)
47. Border with Tufts and Scalloped Edge - with illustration (page 134)
48. Design: Long and Crossed Loops - with illustration (page 134)
49. Border: Cross Netting and Twisted Loops - with illustration (page 135)
50. Neckerchief - with illustration (page 135)
51. Fringe - with illustration (page 135)
52. Design for Antimacassars, Fichus, &c.: Darned Netting - with illustration (page 135)
53. Tassel Fringe - with illustration (page 135)
54. Netted Mitten - with illustration (page 135)
55. Netted Night-net - with illustration (page 135)
56. Netted Curtains - with illustration (page 136)

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This week my son helped me add photos to my website.  They included net belts, bookmarks, dishcloths, and suncatchers.

The Ladies’ Hand Book of Fancy and Ornamental Work by Florence Hartley

Several years ago I ordered a paperback copy of The Ladies’ Hand Book of Fancy and Ornamental Work by Florence Hartley.  It was originally published in 1859.  If I had known that it was online, I would have just downloaded it.  The contents are the same.

1. Netting (page 177)
2. Plain Netting (page 178)
3. Grecian Netting - with illustration (page 179)
4. Plain Open Netting - with illustration (page 179)
5. Diamond Netting - with illustration (page 179)
6. Diamond Netting, of Five Stitches - with illustration (page 180)
7. Netting With Beads - with illustration (page 181)
8. Net for the Hair - with illustration (page 182)
9. Netted Curtain - with illustration on 183  (page 184)
10. Short Purse in Netting - with illustration (page 186)
11. Needles (page 188)

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Over the years I have re-created 62 different doilies patterns that my grandmother created.  She did not write down any instructions; she just made the doilies.  She taught me how to "read" a net doily and then make it.  These doilies included those she gave me to use as patterns, some my mother owned, one owned by her sister-in-law, Ida Winter, and photocopies of doilies in the possession of her daughter, Elaine.  

I finished writing the doily instructions several years ago.  At that time, after I finished making the doily, I made a photocopy of as much of it as I could.  Often that was just a rectangular section from the center to the edge.  Eventually I purchased a digital camera and started taking a photograph of each doily so I could see what the entire doily looked like.  Since I had given away most of the doilies I had made, I had to start making them again.

This week I finished Sunburst.

I thought it was the last one I needed to photograph; however, while looking through my patterns, I discovered an additional Pineapple Doily that Grandmother had made.  The edges of the two doilies are slightly different, so I guess I have one more doily to finish and photograph before I can say I have digital photographs of all the doilies I have access to that my grandmother designed.  To see those I have made, look at Grandmother's Legacy.

The Ladies' Self Instructor

There is no author listed for The Ladies' Self Instructor in Millinery and Mantua Making, Embroidery and Applique, Canvas-work, Knitting, Netting and Crochet-work.  The linked, digitized copy was published in 1853.  Even though it is "illustrated with numerous engravings," none of those engravings are included with the netting information.

1. Explanation of Terms Used in Knitting (page 152)
2. Netted Mittens (page 162)
3. A Net Purse in Points (page 167)
4. Corkscrew Netting for a Purse (page 168)
5. Netted Curtain (page 175)
6. Netted Scarf (page 175)
7. Treble Diamond Netting (page 176)
8. Single Diamond Netting (page 177)
9. Tuft Netting (page 177)
10. Double Netting for a Mitten (page 180)
11. Patterns for D'oyleys, Basket, or Fish Napkins and Purses: No. 1 (page 182)
12. Patterns for D'oyleys, Basket, or Fish Napkins and Purses: No. 2 (page 182)
13. Patterns for D'oyleys, Basket, or Fish Napkins and Purses: No. 3 (page 183)
14. Netted Lambs'-wool Shawl or Handkerchief (page 183)
15. Netted Sofa Tidy (page 183)
16. To Work the Backs of Netted Mittens (page 184)
17. Netted Cuffs (page 186)
18. Netted Bag (page 189)
19. Striped Purse (page 189)
20. Bead Netting (page 190)
21. Bead Netting, with the Bead on the Knot (page 190)

Thanks to this book I have become acquainted with some new terms:  

• Mantua - "loose gown worn by women 17c.-18c.," 1678, from Fr. manteau "cloak, mantle," from O.Fr. mantel (see mantle); form infl. in Eng. by Mantua, name of a city in Italy. Mantua-maker (1694) became the general early 19c. term for "dressmaker."Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper 

• Tidy - (used as a noun) an antimacassar

• Antimacassar - "a cloth covering the back and arms of chairs, etc, to prevent soiling or as decoration"; "coined 1852, from anti- + macassar oil, imported hair tonic from Indonesian island of Sulawesi. The cloth was laid to protect chair and sofa fabric from people leaning their oily heads back against it. Macassar is from native Mangkasara, name of a district on the island." Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper 

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A mobius or moebius strip is a continuous, one-sided surface formed by twisting one end of a rectangular strip through 180° about the longitudinal axis of the strip and attaching this end to the other.  To see how to make one click here or here.

Several years ago I became acquainted with moebius knitting through the delightful Cat Bordhi.  She would knit a moebius strip, thereby creating a scarf.  Sometimes she would add a hat or bag to the moebius strip.  I wondered how I could use the unique and magical techniques she had developed for knitting and apply them to netting.   Then one day I figured out how to net a moebius bag.

Since I am going through my patterns and checking out the instructions, I decided to take the pattern for the spiral net bag I made a few weeks ago, give the handle a twist when joining it, and create a moebius bag.  

The fun thing with a moebius bag is that even though it looks like the bag has an inside and an outside, it is really a one-sided surface.   There is only one surface!   All I did was stretch one portion of the moebius strip a little and put a few extra stitches in it.

The only difference between the patterns for the regular bag and the moebius bag is the twist in the handle. 

A Winter Gift for Ladies being instructions in Knitting, Netting, and Crochet Work by An American Lady

A Winter Gift for Ladies being instructions in Knitting, Netting, and Crochet Work by An American Lady was published in 1848.  I found an interesting netting note at the end of the Explanation of Terms used in Knitting.  It stated, "The netting meshes are numbered from the knitting needle gauge, as I am not aware there is any other rule for them."  If that sentence had been given in some of the first netting books I looked at, I would have been sure much earlier that my hypothesis, that numbered mesh sticks were referring to knitting needles, was correct.

The netting patterns and stitches in this book are as follows:

1. Explanation of Terms used in Knitting (page 10)
2. Netted Mittens (page 20)
3. A Net Purse in Points (page 23)
4. Corkscrew Netting for a Purse (page 26)
5. Netted Curtain (page 33)
6. Netted Scarf (page 33)
7. Treble Diamond Netting (page 34)
8. Single Diamond Netting (page 35)
9. Tuft Netting (page 35)
10. Double Netting for a Mitten (page 38)
11. Netted Lamb's-wool Shawl or Handkerchief (page 41)
12. Netted Sofa Tidy (page 41)
13. To work the backs of Netted Mittens (page 42)
14. Netted Cuffs (page 44)
15. Netted Bag (page 47)
16. Bead Netting (page 49)
17. Diamond Netting (page 49)

No pictures today, sorry.  I spent most of my day at Novice Schola (and most of my week preparing to teach netting).  Novice Schola is an SCA event held annually in Springfield, Massachusetts.  While there, I taught three novices how to tie the netting knot.  When they left,  all three could tie a netting knot.  I hope they retain that knowledge tomorrow.  

While I was at Novice Schola, a friend shared with me a picture she had seen in Woven into the Earth: Textile finds in Norse Greenland by Else Ostergaard.  Included in the picture were two men, and each of them was wearing a net version of our modern belt bag or fanny pack tied around his waist.  One bag seemed to be in diamond-mesh and the other in square-mesh.  Amazing where netting turns up.

The Ladies' Work-table Book (2nd ed)

Recently I discussed the netting patterns and instructions found in The Ladies' Work-table Book.  The on-line copy was published in 1845.  Today I picked up the second edition of The Ladies' Work-table Book to list the netting information it contained.  I was surprised to notice that the online version of the second edition was published in 1844.

The netting information found in the two books is not identical.  Some of the information and patterns are worded differently.  Some patterns included in the first edition are not in the second edition, and there are some new patterns in the second edition.  Here is what the second edition contains for netting:

1. Netting (page 158) [this introduction contains a brief history of netting]
2. Plain Netting (page 160)
3. Bead Stitch (page 162)
4. Diamond Netting  (page 163)
5. Diamond Netting, of Five Stitches (page 163)
6. Grecian Netting (page 164)
7. Shaded Silk Netting (page 164)
8. Dotted Netting  (page 165)
9. French Ground Net (page 165)
10. Honeycomb Netting (page 166)
11. Honeycomb Netting, with Two Meshes (page 166)
12. Another Kind of Honeycomb Netting (page 167)
13. Leaf Netting (page 167)
14. Maltese Netting, in Spots (page 168)
15. Plain Open Netting (page 169)
16. Round Netting (page 169)
17. Shaded Silk Netting (page 170)
18. Honeycomb Mittens (page 171)
19. Netted Cuffs (page 172)
20. Netted Opera Cap (page 173)
21. Netted Scollop Edging (page 174)
22. A Plain Scollop (page 175)
23. Cap Border Scollop (page 175)
24. Net Cravat (page 175)
25. A Net Scarf (page 176)
26. A Long Purse, in Points (page 176)
27. Netted Wool Scarf (page 177)
28. Small Half Neckerchief (page 177)
29. Square Wool Neckerchief (page 177)
30. Netted Mittens (page 178)
31. Netted Fringe (page 179)
32. Striped Netted Purse (page 179)
33. Round Netting Purse (page 180)
34. A Purse, in Points (page 180)
35. Netted Curtain (page 180)
36. Curtain for a French Bed (page 181)

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This week I got an email from Solange Oliveira. She lives in Brazil and has a website devoted to netting.  As I looked at her website again, I was reminded that many of her decorations are made with a stitch I have named Tufts.  She is very creative with that stitch, and I really liked one of her variations.  To be able to refer to it easily, I have called it Tufts Eyelet Decorative Stitch.  This week I decided I would try to make that stitch using a #3 size knitting needle, which is equivalent to a 1/8" flat mesh stick.

It did not look like this before it was starched.  The hole in the middle of the Tufts did not appear.  So, I made another sample.  This time I used a #8 knitting needle, which is the same as a 1/4" flat mesh stick.

Once I starched the stitch, I could see the hole in both of the samples, though I like the first one better.  Solange Oliveira has several patterns on her website which use this stitch.

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. 

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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)

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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?