Patterns for Net Gloves and Mittens and a Couple of Simple Net Bags

Occasionally I have been asked by someone where they can find a pattern for a net glove or mitten.  Until I began my search through old books and magazines available online, I didn't know what to tell them.  Today I've gathered together the net glove and mitten patterns I found during my search.  They were printed from 1840 to 1885.  Some of them are very detailed, and some are not; some have illustrations, although most do not.  I have not tried any of these patterns, but I would suggest it not be your first net project.

Here are the ones I found in books:

1. The ladies' knitting and netting book – first series (5th ed) by Miss Watts, published in 1840 
1. Netted Mittens (page 19) 
2. The ladies' knitting and netting book – second series (2nd ed) by Miss Watts, published in 1840
1. Netted Gloves (page 3)
2. Annet Mittens (page 11) 
3. Another Plain Mitten (page 10)
4. Honey-comb Mittens (page 13)
5. Lambs'-wool Mittens (page 15)
6. Matrimony Mittens (page 15)
7. Mitten in Round Netting (page 17)
8. Plain Open Mittens ( page 8)
3. The Lady's Assistant for Executing Useful and Fancy Designs in Knitting, Netting, and Crochet Work by Mrs [Jane] Gaugain, various editions published between 1840 and 1847 
1. Netted Mitten of Purse Silk (page 184, item # 115) 
4. The Handbook of Needlework by Miss Lambert, published in 1842 
1. Mittens in Grecian Netting (page 234) 
2. Netted Mittens with Silk and Wool (page 241)
3. Plain Netted Mittens (page 232) 
5. The Ladies' Hand-book of Knitting, Netting, and Crochet by the author of 'The ladies' hand-book of fancy needlework and embroidery', published in 1843 
1. Plain Netted Mittens (page 39) 
6. The Illuminated Ladies' Book of Useful and Ornamental Needlework by Mrs. Henry Owen, published in 1844 
1. Netted Silk and Wool Mittens (page 9) 
2. Silk Mittens (page 8) 
7. The Ladies' Work-table Book (2nd ed), published in 1844 
1. Honeycomb Mittens (page 171) 
2. Netted Mittens (page 178)
8. The Ladies' Work-table Book, published in 1845 
1. Honeycomb Mittens (page 136)
2. Plain Netted Mittens (page 139) 
9. The Practical Companion to the Work-Table Containing Directions for Knitting, Netting & Crochet Work by Elizabeth Jackson, published in 1845 
1. Netted Mittens (page 137, item # 89) 
2.  Netted Mittens (page 138, item # 90) 
10. The Handbook of Needlework (5th edition) by Miss Lambert, published in 1846 
1. Mittens in Grecian Netting (page 442) 
2. Netted Mittens with Silk and Wool (page 450)
3. Plain Netted Mittens (page 439)
11. Parlour Recreations for Ladies, published in 1848 
1. Mitten (page 85)
2. Another Pattern, Suitable for a Purse or Mitten (page 85) 
12. A Winter Gift for Ladies being instructions in Knitting, Netting, and Crochet Work by An American Lady, published in 1848 
1. Netted Mittens (page 20)
2. Double Netting for a Mitten (page 38) 
3. To work the backs of Netted Mittens (page 42)
13. The Lady's Album of Fancy Work, published in 1849 
1. Lady's Silk Mitten (page 24, item # 28) 
14. The Ladies' Self Instructor, published in 1853 
1. Netted Mittens (page 162)
2. Double Netting for a Mitten (page 180)
3. To work the backs of Netted Mittens (page 184) 
15. Treasures in Needlework by Mrs. Warren and Mrs Pullan, published in 1855 
1. Netted Mitten - with illustration (page 46)
16. The Ladies’ Complete Guide to Needle-work and Embroidery by Miss Lambert, published in 1859
1. Plain Netted Mittens (page 232)
2. Mittens in Grecian Netting (page 234) 
3. Netted Mittens with Silk and Wool (page 241)
17. Handbook of Plain and Fancy Needlework, published in 1882 
1. Netted Mitten (page 110, item # 195) 
18. Ward and Lock’s Home Book by Ward, Lock and Company, published in 1882 
1. Netted Mitten (page 831, item # 1503 ) 
19. The Young Ladies' Journal Complete Guide (2nd edition) by E. Harrison, published in 1885 
1. Netted Mitten - with illustration (page 135) 

Here are the ones I found in magazines:

1. Peterson's Magazine (Vol. 33-34), published in 1858 
1. Netted Mittens - with illustration (page 239 ) 
2. Godey's Lady's Book (Vol. 60-61), published in 1860 
1. Long Black Silk Mitten (page 449 ) 
3. The Ladies’ Companion - second series (Vol. 23 ), published in 1863 
1. Long Black Silk Mitten - Netting (Ladies' Page, page 336 ) 
4. Godey's Lady's Book (Vol. 68-69), published in 1864 
1. Netted Mitten - illustration (page 11 ) 
2. Netted Mitten (page 75) 

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Several weeks ago I asked two of my granddaughters, ages 11 and 9, if they would be willing to help me make some net bags using the patterns I planned to include in my beginning netting book.  They just learned to net, and I thought it would be fun for them and helpful to me if they would make some.  This week I took photos of the bags they made.

The one on the left is a medium bag with a short handle.

The one on the right is a small bag with a shoulder length handle.

That means I now have all the photos I need for The Lost Art of Netting, A How-To Book with Pictures and Patterns for the Beginning Netter.  

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 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.

Ward and Lock’s Home Book

Both this book, Ward and Lock's Home Book, and the one from last week were published by Ward, Lock, and Co.  Since both books were published in 1882, it makes sense that the patterns would be similar.  Or in this case, all the netting information in this book is identical to what is found in the Handbook of Plain and Fancy Needlework.

1. Netting, or Knotting (page 829, items 1499, 1500)
2. The Implements Required - with illustration (page 829, item 1501)
3. Netting (page 829, item 1502)
4. Square Netting (page 830)
5. Round Netting (page 830)
6. English Netting (page 830)
7. Netted Mitten (page 831, item 1503)

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Several months ago I converted my website from one format to another.  When I made the change, I did not have the time to get all the netting photos on the original format changed to the new format.  My youngest son has graciously consented to help me make those changes now.  This week he was able to get all the doilies, mine and my grandmother's, posted.  To view the results, you can go to either my doilies or my grandmother's doilies.  

Handbook of Plain and Fancy Needlework

There is no author, editor, or compiler given for this book.   Handbook of Plain and Fancy Needlework was published in 1882 by Ward, Lock, & Co.  The first part of the book endeavors "to supply the teacher with a manual which has been arranged in accordance with the new code of regulations issued by the Government for the Education Department."  I found it interesting that on page six, netting is described as an alternative to knitting for the boys to learn.  "They will be likely to prefer this as distinct from the 'girl's work' going on around them, and it will increase their interest in it to be told of the various uses to which netting can be put."

1. Netting - with illustration (page 6)
2. Netting, or Knotting (page 108)
3. The Implements Required - with illustration (page 108)
4. Netting (page 108)
5. Square Netting (page 109)
6. Round Netting (page 109)
7. English Netting (page 109)
8. Netted Mitten (page 110)  

The mitten described seems to be decorative and finger-less.

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I have not even thought of trying to find all the on-line netting patterns given in magazines.  However, this week I was made aware of an "Invisible Hair-Net" found in an 1861 issue of Godey's Magazine and Lady's Book.

Here is what I think the instructions meant.

The Ladies’ Complete Guide to Needle-work and Embroidery by Miss Lambert

In 1859, Miss Lambert published another needlework book, The Ladies’ Complete Guide to Needle-work and Embroidery.  While items 1-28 listed below appear in her earlier books, items 29- 41 are not included in either of her other books.

1. Netting (page 15)
2. Plain Netted Gentleman's Purse (page 228)
3. A Lady's Purse (page 229)
4. A Gentleman's Purse with Ends of Different Colours (page 229)
5. A Lady's Purse with Points (page 229)
6. A Pretty Purse with Chine Silk (page 230)
7. Netting With Beads (page 230)
8. A Plain Netted Purse with a Bead Mouth (page 230)
9. A Pretty Seme purse with steel or gold beads (page 231)
10. An Elegant Netted Purse with Steel Beads (page 231)
11. Plain Netted Mittens (page 232)
12. A Knitter's Bag with Ring (page 232)
13. A Checked or Dice Pattern Purse (page 233)
14. Grecian Netting, or Filet Rose (with illustration) (page 233)
15. A Purse in Grecian Netting (page 234)
16. Mittens in Grecian Netting (page 234)
17. Netted Fringe (page 235)
18. Single Diamond Netting (with illustration) (page 235)
19. Treble Diamond Netting (page 236)
20. Diamond Netting of Five Stitches (with illustration) (page 236)
21. Seme Purse, Diamond Pattern (page 238)
22. Plain Open Netting, or Filet a Baguette (page 239)
23. Fond de Berlin (in French) (page 239)
24. Filet Rose (in French) (page 240)
25. Filet a Baton Rompu (in French) (page 240)
26. Filet Rond (in French) (page 241)
27. Netted Mittens with Silk and Wool (page 241)
28. Netted Cuff with Silk and Wool (page 242)
29. Long Net Purse for a Lady (page 301)
30. Long Net Purse for a Lady (different pattern) (page 301)
31. Round Netting for a Gentleman's Long Purse (page 302)
32. Honeycomb Netting for Veil (page 303)
33. Very Pretty Long Grecian Net Purse for a Lady (page 304)
34. Grecian Net for a Veil (page 305)
35. Single Diamond Netting (page 306)
36. Diamond of Five Stitches for a Long Purse (page 306)
37. Dotted Net (page 308)
38. French Ground Net (page 309)
39. Scollop for Borders of Veils, Collars, Caps, Etc. (page 310)
40. Another Scallop for Border (page 310)
41. Scollop (page 310)

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Since I  have only one of my grandmother's patterns left to make, and that one is over 38 inches in diameter, I decided to make some smaller doilies for a few weeks.  There are still many doilies I designed that need to be made again so I can photograph the entire doily instead of photocopy just a rectangular portion.

I started this one, Double Star, during the afternoon I was demonstrating at the Connecticut Sheep, Wool, and Fiber Festival.  

This doily was originally the result of two questions:

1. How would a 5-pointed star look in the center of a doily? 
2. Can I make a doily with only 5 points for its edge?

Many of my grandmother's doilies had centers with multiple points.  Those centers all had more than 5 points.  She had also made several doilies with multiple points along the edge, but none with only 5 points.  The answer was this 13 inch doily.

Treasures in Needlework by Mrs. Warren and Mrs. Pullan

Many of the net patterns included in Treasures in Needlework by Mrs. Warren and Mrs Pullan are accompanied by an illustration.  Several of the patterns, both diamond-mesh and square-mesh, have designs darned into them.  The digitized copy was published in 1855.

1. Introductory Chapter - page xi
2. Piece of Netted Lace (with illustration) - page 13
3. Net for the Hair (with illustration) - page 42
4. Netted Mitten (with illustration) - page 46
5. Lady's Netted Cap (illustration on p. 131) - page 132
6. Netted Tidy - page 176
7. Instructions in Netting (with illustrations) - page 178
8. Round Netting (with illustration) - page 178
9. Square Netting - page 178
10. Grecian Netting (with illustration) - page 178
11. Honeycomb Netting (with illustration) - page 179
12. Herringbone Netting (with illustration) - page 179
13. Netted purse (with illustration) - page 185
14. Netted Mat (with illustration) - page 186
15. Fairy Purse (with illustration) - page 227
16. Harlequin Hand-screen in Netting (with illustration) - page 229
17. Gentleman's Long Purse in Netting - page 234
18. Doyley, in Portuguese Guipure (with illustration) - page 238
19. Netted Music-Stool Cover (with illustration) - page 258
20. Netted Shell Edging - page 289
21. Nepaul Smoking Cap (with illustration) - page 295
22. Square-Netted Antimacassar (with illustration) - page 300
23. Round Netted Antimacassar (with illustration) - page 344
24. Darned Netted Vandyke Edging (with illustration) - page 373
25. Octagon Antimacassar (with illustration) - page 384
26. Netted Vandyke Trimming (with illustration) - page 407
27. Doyley in Portuguese Guipure (with illustration) - page 440

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Back in the early 1980s I was able to obtain photocopies of many of my grandmother's doilies.  My aunt, who still had the doilies, placed the doily on a copier, covered it with something black, and copied it.  That meant I could tell how big it was supposed to be and what size mesh sticks Grandmother had used.  Over the years I have gradually written up the instructions.  Once I got a digital camera I photographed the doilies.

One of the doilies was too large to entirely fit on one copier screen, so my aunt made two photocopies of that doily.  Eventually I combined the two photocopies into one - to remind me what the doily looked like. 

I kept putting off making this doily because I knew it would take many hours to complete.  Then, in January of this year, I had the opportunity to travel for several hours and no other project to work on, so I started Grandmother's Pineapple Doily.  I finished it in March.  It contains 13,240 knots, measures 38" in diameter, and uses 400 yards of size 10 crochet thread.

Looking back, it did not take me nearly as long to make as I had anticipated.  Life is like that sometimes.  We put off doing something, only to find that when we get started, it is quicker and easier than we expected.

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. 

The Handbook of Needlework (5th edition) by Miss Lambert

Several weeks ago I listed the netting patterns that were in The Handbook of Needlework by Miss Lambert.  This week I decided to list the netting information found in The Handbook of Needlework (5th edition).  The digitized copy of the 5th edition of Miss Lambert's book was published in 1846.

Many of the patterns listed in the two editions appear to be the same, since the name is the same, but that is not necessarily true.  In looking closer at such patterns, I noticed a difference in the number of starting loops between the patterns in the two editions, the mesh stick size, or the number of rows.  These small changes are easy to miss and may make a difference in the way the final product looks.

There is one new pattern - #21 - Chain Pattern Netting for a Purse.

1. Netting (page 431)
2. Plain Netted Gentleman's Purse (page 435)
3. A Lady's Purse (page 436)
4. Gentleman's Purse with Ends of Different Colours (page 436)
5. A Lady's Purse with Points (page 436)
6. A Pretty Purse with Chine Silk (page 437)
7. Netting with Beads (page 437)
8. A Plain Netted Purse with a Bead Mouth (page 437)
9. A Seme purse with steel or gold beads (page 438)
10. An Elegant Netted Purse with Steel Beads (page 438)
11. Plain Netted Mittens (page 439)
12. A Knitter's Bag with Ring (page 440)
13. Grecian Netting (page 440)
14. A Checked or Dice Pattern Purse (page 441)
15. A Purse in Grecian Netting (page 442)
16. Mittens in Grecian Netting (page 442)
17. A Fringe (page 443)
18. Single Diamond Netting (page 443)
19. Treble Diamond Netting (page 443)
20. Diamond Netting, with Five Stitches (page 444)
21. Chain Pattern Netting for a Purse (page 446)
22. Seme Purse, Diamond Pattern (page 447)
23. Open Plain Netting, or Filet a Bagaette (page 448)
24. Fond de Berlin (page 448)
25. Filet Rose (page 449)
26. Filet a Baton rompu (page 450)
27. Netted Mittens with Silk and Wool (page 450)
28. Netted Cuff with Silk and Wool (page 451)

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I am gradually going back through my net doily patterns and remaking the ones that have only a partial picture - such as this one.

Here is how it looked when I finished it this week.  

I designed the pattern back in the 1980's and named it Friendship in honor of the wonderful friend to whom I gave it.  When I made it, I knew how to make only spiral netting.  In looking at the directions I discovered I needed to either increase or decrease the number of loops in the center by 16 to make the pattern work.  Since I no longer have the doily, I have no idea how I got the numbers to work the first time.  I chose to decrease the number of loops, since in my opinion it was already too full and did not show the stitches to their best advantage.

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 Practical Companion to the Work-table by Elizabeth Jackson

The best digitized copy I could find for The Practical Companion to the Work-table Containing Directions for Knitting, Netting & Crochet Work by Elizabeth Jackson is located here.  Even though it is missing pages 14 and 15, which tell how to use the knitting needle gauge she has pictured in her book, at least it has all the netting patterns, which some online copies do not seem to have. This copy of the book was published in 1845.

These netting patterns all include the material and the mesh to be used.  Care needs to be taken, though, when selecting the mesh.  The numbering starts with the largest size at 1 and the smallest at 26.

1. Remarks on Netting (page 135)
2. Netted Mittens (page 137, item 89)
3. Netted Mittens (page 138, item 90)
4. Netted Border for a Cap (page 139, item 91)
5. Tulip Purse (page 140, item  92)
6. Purse in Points (page 141, item 93)
7. Handsome Long Netted Purse (page 143, item 94)
8. Netted Long Purse (page 144, item 95)
9. Round Netted Gentleman's Long Purse (page 144, item 96)
10. Round Netted Mat (page 145, item 97)
11. Netted Scarf (page 146, item 98)
12. Round Netted Scarf (page 146, item 99)
13. Netted Cuffs (page 147, item 100)
14. Netted Cuffs (page 147, item 101)
15. Netted Half Square Handkerchief (page 148, item 102)
16. Netted Cardinal Cape (page 149, item 103)
17. Scallop for Veil Borders, &c (page 150, item 104)
18. Scallop for Curtains, &c (page 150, item 105)
19. Single Diamond Netting (page 151, item 106)
20. Grecian Netting (page 151, item 107)
21. A Round Netted Purse (page 153, item 108)

Last week I mentioned I had received an email from Solange Oliveira.  What I did not mention was that she included in her email some net jewelry.  I wanted to get her permission to share these photos before I posted them.  These works of art are from a group of women in the city of Marechal Deodoro, in the state of Alagoas, Brazil.

Corresponding with someone who speaks a different language is a challenge.  Google Translator is fine for an overview but is poor when it comes to specifics like types of laces.

When describing what type of lace these ladies made, Solange wrote in Portuguese, "O nome de artesanato e 'clareza de Renda' e é igual ao italiano faça chamado 'ad Puntino atrás' na cidade de Latronico. O artesanato que faço chama Renda turco, mas é semelhante ao Singeleza de Renda."

Google translated it as, "The name of handicrafts and 'Income Plainness' and is equal to the Italian make called 'ad Puntino ago' in the city of Latronico. The crafts I make calls Income Turkish, but is similar to Income Plainness."

Hoping for some clarity, I contacted my son who lived in Brazil for about two years.  He replied with this translation, "This type of craft/art is called 'Clearness of Lace, or Lace Clarity', which is the same as the Italian art called 'ad Puntino atras' from the city of Latronico.  The craft I make is called Turkish lace, which is similar to Single Lace (or Solitary Lace)."

He also added, "The translation problem with the craft names is that I haven't really met anyone who does these in English.  If I recall correctly, Turkish lace is similar to macrame, but not identical.  Clearness of Lace could be something as simple as needlepoint, knitting, or netting, since I never met anyone who called it that while in Brazil, and don't have the photos.  Renda can mean lace, but there's a feel there of a woven (or worked) textile as well."

Whatever you call it, it is beautiful and demonstrates something else that can be made with netting.

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 Illuminated Ladies' Book of Useful and Ornamental Needlework by Mrs. Henry Owen

There are two digitized copies of  The Illuminated Ladies' Book of Useful and Ornamental Needlework, which was published in 1844.  One is located here and the other is located here.  I found it interesting that Mrs. Henry Owen thought it necessary to discuss how to use a netting and knitting gauge.   Apparently there were enough people using it incorrectly that she felt it necessary to include an illustration as well as a description of the proper way to use it.  Besides that, she gave a variety of netting patterns, including another cardinal.

1. Netting and Knitting Guage (page 5)
2. A Gentlleman's Purse (page 7)
3. Silk Mittens (page 8)
4. Netted Silk and Wool Mittens (page 9)
5. Netted Muffatees (page 10)
6. A Purse of Two Colours Netted in Points (page 11)
7. Grecian Netting (page 11)
8. A Purse in Squares of Different Colours (page 12)
9. A Shaded Silk Purse (page 13)
10. Treble Diamond Netting (page 13)
11. Diamond Netting (page 14)
12. Netted Fringe (page 15)
13. Netted Ruffle Cuff (page 15)
14. A Pretty Netted Ruff for a Child's Neck (page 16)
15. An Elegant Purse with a Cornucopia Pattern (page 17)
16. Netted Cardinal (page 19)
17. Flower Baskets or Stands (page 19)

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My completed project for this week has nothing to do with netting.  Three years ago I knit some helmet-type hats for two of my grandchildren.  

I was informed recently by my granddaughter, who was a new-born at the time the other hats were made, that she did not have a hat like her brother and sister.  She needed a hat like theirs.  Then she asked politely if I would make one for her.  When asked what her favorite color was, she replied, "Green."

So this week I knit a green helmet.  I had to get it done and shipped to her before winter is gone.  

And since she has had to wait for more than three years, I sent another type of hat along to add to her collection.

The Ladies' Hand-book of Knitting, Netting, and Crochet by the author of "The Ladies' Hand-book of Fancy Needlework and Embroidery"

There are at least two digital copies of  The Ladies' Hand-book of Knitting, Netting, and Crochet  by the  author of The Ladies' Hand-book of Fancy Needlework and Embroidery.  This link is to the one that seems to have all its pages scanned.  The other copy is missing many of the even numbered pages.  As far as I could tell, the earlier book by this author, The Ladies' Hand-book of Fancy Needlework and Embroidery,  does not appear to have been digitized yet.  A few libraries and museums have copies.

The following list of netting history, equipment descriptions, stitches and patterns are included in The Ladies' Hand-book of Knitting, Netting, and Crochet:

1. history of netting (page vii)
2. Necessary Implements for Netting (page 7)
3. Plain Netting (page 13)
4. Net with Points (page 16)
5. Net with Beads (page 16)
6. Grecian Netting (page 17)
7. Diamond Netting (page 17)
8. Plain Open Netting (page 19)
9. Plain Netted Mittens (page 39)
10. Netted Cuff, with Silk and Wool (page 40)
11. Netted Fringe (page 41)
12. Plain Netted Gentleman's Purse (page 41)
13. A Lady's Purse (page 41)
14. A Purse with China Silk (page 42)
15. A Seam Purse, with Beads (page 42)
16. A Netted Bag, with Ring (page 42)
17. Dice Pattern Purse (page 42)

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Mother Nature has a way of putting a hold on activities otherwise planned.  The beginning netting classes I was planning to teach today at  Novice Schola were cancelled because of the feet of snow dumped on us last night.  

This is what I saw when I opened the door to the carport.

The front door would not open because of the snow piled against it on the outside.

We measured about 21" depth of snow in the driveway. (photo on the right)

Last week, while we still thought the event would happen, I was trying to come up with a quick, easy project to make in square-mesh netting.  My SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) friends made a suggestion.

When I showed it to them, they agreed it was just what they had envisioned -- a Cup Cover

What is that?  Think back to the last picnic you had.  You had a cup of something to drink that the flies wanted to sample.  This net cup cover, placed over your cup, will keep the flies, bees and other flying creatures out of your drink.  At least that's what my friends assured me.  Today, there are no flies outside to experiment with, and I'm not going to take a cup of anything outside in this weather.  I'll sip my hot chocolate by the heater.

The netting is 6" square and made with string and a 3/8" mesh stick.  The glass beads at the corners add weight to the cover so it won't blow off.

The Handbook of Needlework by Miss Lambert

Published in 1842, Miss Lambert's book The Handbook of Needlework can be found online in two different places.  Click here to see it at one location and here to find it at the other location.  She includes information on the tools used in netting, some information on the history of netting, a description of how to tie the netting knot, some stitches (with illustrations of the finished stitch), and some patterns.  Four of the instructions are in French, and, since I don't read French, I can't say what she is describing in those four portions.

1. Implements: Netting Needles and Meshes (page 92)
2. Antiquity of the Art (page 224)
3. Plain Netted Gentleman's Purse (page 228)
4. A Lady's Purse (page 229)
5. Gentleman's Purse with Ends of Different Colours (page 229)
6. A Lady's Purse with Points (page 229)
7. A Pretty Purse with Chinè Silk (page 230)
8. Netting with Beads (page 230)
9. A Plain Netted Purse with a Bead Mouth (page 230)
10. A Pretty Sème Purse with Steel or Gold Beads (page 231)
11. An Elegant Netted Purse with Steel Beads (page 231)
12. Plain Netted Mittens (page 232)
13. A Knitter's Bag with Ring (page 232)
14. A Checked or Dice Pattern Purse (page 233)
15. Grecian Netting or Filet Rose (page 233)
16. A Purse in Grecian Netting (page 234)
17. Mittens in Grecian Netting (page 234)
18. Netted Fringe (page 235)
19. Single Diamond Netting (page 235)
20. Treble Diamond Netting (page 236)
21. Diamond Netting, with Five Stitches (page 236)
22. Sème Purse, Diamond Pattern (page 238)
23. Open Plain Netting, or Filet a Bagaette (page 239)
24. Fond de Berlin (page 239, written in French only)
25. Filet Rose (page 240, written in French only)
26. Filet a Baton Rompu (page 240, written in French only)
27. Filet Rond (page 241, written in French only)
28. Netted Mittens with Silk and Wool (page 241)
29. Netted Cuff with Silk and Wool (page 242)

I have been asked to teach a beginning netting class for Novice Schola this coming Saturday.  I have been trying to come up with a pattern that teaches the basic skills, uses the sizes of the inexpensive mesh sticks I got, can be finished within 2-3 hours, and is something that might have been used several centuries ago.  I decided on a net bag.

In trying to create a pattern that would fit my needs I felt a bit like Goldilocks.



The first bag had way too many knots - 618.

The second bag was better, but still had too many knots - 558.

Finally, the third bag looked just right - 360 knots.

I can finish it in under an hour.  I hope the students can get close to being done within two to three.