Finishing Hairnets

Once a hairnet if finished it is necessary to place something through or fastened along the last row of loops to help it stay on one's head. There are four cords that are fairly quick to make that can be used for this purpose.

The easiest for me to use is elastic. I like the round cord elastic. It comes in various sizes and at least white and black. Just cut off enough to fit around the head plus enough to tie the ends together in a knot.

If it is desired that the color of the cord match the thread used for the hairnet, the easiest way I've found is to make a twisted cord. Cut several strands of thread into 4 foot lengths. Fold each length in half and tie all the loose ends together in one overhand knot. The more strands there are, the thicker the final cord will be. Put a pencil, knitting needle, or hook through each loop and twist the cord. When the cord is tightly twisted, remove the pencil or whatever tool was used and carefully bring the two ends of the twisted cord together. Tie the two ends together with another overhand knot. Allow the cord to twist together to form a thicker cord. Work out any kinks in the cord by running one's hand along the cord. Now this twisted cord is ready to be put through the edge loops and tied to fit the head.

It is also possible to take several three-foot strands of the thread used in making the hairnet and braid them together using the same braiding technique as is used with hair. I had two problems with this method: it was hard to maintain consistent tension throughout (the beginning would be loose and the end tight) and the loose ends of the cord became tangled every time I  moved a section of the braid. However, it can be done with help, patience, and practice.

The final way I've tried is finger-braiding the cord. This method has the same problems as the regular braiding. Again,  it can be done with help, patience, and practice. The internet provides many examples of how to make this type of braid. With this sample I used five loops. One of them was a darker color then the other four.

To learn more about netting and hairnets visit these sites:

https://www.knotsindeed.com/category/product/snood-product/

https://nettingnook.com/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/768509306644288/

Hairnet with a Square-mesh Circular Center

Over the past several years I've been working on square-mesh netting. Recently, when I wanted to make a new hairnet, I was looking at the Simple Hairnet and the Invisible Hairnet. I didn't want to make a grommet, and I didn't feel like working around a square or rectangle of netting. Then it dawned on me -  I could use one of the circles of square-mesh netting and work around that. I thought it might be easier than either, or at least it was different. 

As I worked through the center I realized that the first section used increases.

The second section was plain netting - one knot in each loop for several rows.

The final section was made of decreases.

Once the center was finished it was time to remove the foundation loop, stretch it out, and create a new foundation loop by going around the circle with a foundation loop cord.

The first round is the trickiest. There are two loops, one on the first row and one on the last row, that belong to the side as well as the top or bottom. These are the last loop of the first row and the first loop of the last row. These two loops need two knots net into them.  After that it is just net 1 knot in each loop until the hairnet is as long as desired. 

Instructions

A 3/8" mesh stick is used for all rows and rounds.

Circular Base

Row 1

Net 6 loops into foundation loop.  (6 loops in row)

Row 2

Net 1 knot in each loop except the last loop, net 2 knots the last loop. (7 loops in row)

Row 3

Net 1 knot in each loop except the last loop, net 2 knots the last loop. (8 loops in row)

Row 4

Net 1 knot in each loop except the last loop, net 2 knots the last loop. (9 loops in row)

Row 5

Net 1 knot in each loop except the last loop, net 2 knots the last loop. (10 loops in row)

Row 6

Net 1 knot in each loop except the last loop, net 2 knots the last loop. (11 loops in row)

Row 7

Net 1 knot in each loop except the last loop, net 2 knots the last loop. (12 loops in row)

Rows 8-18

Net 1 knot in each loop. (12 loops in row)

Row 19

Net 1 knot in each loop except the last 2 loops, net those 2 loops together. (11 loops in row)

Row 20

Net 1 knot in each loop except the last 2 loops, net those 2 loops together. (10 loops in row)

Row 21

Net 1 knot in each loop except the last 2 loops, net those 2 loops together. (9 loops in row)

Row 22

Net 1 knot in each loop except the last 2 loops, net those 2 loops together. (8 loops in row)

Row 23

Net 1 knot in each loop except the last 2 loops, net those 2 loops together. (7 loops in row)

Row 24

Net 1 knot in each loop except the last 2 loops, net those 2 loops together. (6 loops in row)

Circular Sides

Remove the foundation loop cord from the netting.

Spread the netting out on a flat surface in the shape of a circle.

Replace the foundation loop cord around the inside of the circle. Tie the ends of the foundation loop cord together to create a new foundation loop.

 

Round 1

Net 2 knots in the loop to the right of the last loop formed (it will be along the side);

Mark the first loop formed in this round;

Net 1 knot in each loop for 15 loops;

Net 2 knots in the next loop;

Net 1 knot in each loop for 10 loops;

Net 2 knots in the next loop;

Net 1 knot in each loop for 4 loops.

If the marked loop is loop number 1, there should be 36 loops around the edge of the netting.

Round 2-24

Net 1 knot in each loop for 24 rows or 12 diamonds below the marked loop. 

Last Knot: 

The last knot is tied over the knot from the row above. This creates an extra loop and makes the edge look even. (37 loops around the outer edge)

Adapting Hairnet Patterns

About a year ago my homework load became too heavy for me to even think about posting. (Yes, 45 years and seven children after receiving my Associate Degree I started an online degree program to finish my Bachelor's Degree.) I did keep netting and will see if I can begin posting again.

I've been working on some hairnets recently. I find I have a hard time making the same pattern over and over several times without wondering how or what to change. 

I started with the Simple Hairnet. A fairly basic pattern.

Round 1

mesh stick: 3/8”

Form a grommet with 40 loops, the last loop tied with a Connecting Knot (CK).  (40 loops in the round)

Rounds 2-29

mesh stick: 3/8” 

Net 1 knot in each loop.  (40 loops in round)

         

Simple Hairnet

Simple Center

Then I began to wonder what would happen if I used fewer loops in the center and put some increases in the first few rounds.  I decided to start with nine loops in the center, put 2 knots in each loop for the next row, and then put six increases evenly spaced the next few rows. 

That gave me the Windmill hairnet.

Round 1

mesh stick: 3/8”

Form grommet with 9 loops (last one tied by hand with CK). (9 loops in the round)

Round 2

mesh stick 

Net 1 more knot in loop formed by CK, net 2 knots in all other loops.  (18 loops in the round)

Round 3

mesh stick 

Net 1 knot in next loop, net 2 knots in the next loop, *net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, net 2 knots in next loop*; repeat from * to *, tie the CK. (24 loops in the round)

Round 4

mesh stick 

Net 1 knot in next loop, *net 2 knots in next loop, net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops*; repeat from * to *, ending with net 1 knot in the last loop, tie the CK. (30 loops in the round)

Round 5

mesh stick 

Net 1 knot in next loop, *net 2 knots in next loop, net 1 knot in each loop for 4 loops*; repeat from * to *, ending with net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, tie the CK. (36 loops in the round)

Round 6

mesh stick 

Net 1 knot in next loop, *net 2 knots in next loop, net 1 knot in each loop for 5 loops*; repeat from * to *, ending with net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops, tie the CK. (42 loops in the round)

Round 7

mesh stick 

Net 1 knot in next loop, *net 2 knots in next loop, net 1 knot in each loop for 6 loops*; repeat from * to *, ending with net 1 knot in each loop for 4 loops, tie the CK. (48 loops in the round)

Rounds 8-30

mesh stick 

Net 1 knot in each loop. (48 loops in round) 

    

Windmill Hairnet

Windmill Center

                                      

           

As I was making this hairnet, to double-check the instructions, I found myself wondering what the center would look like if the increases were in the small increase loops.  Finally, to satisfy my curiosity, I tried it.

It looked like a small asterisk, and since, according to sources online, asterisk means "little star", so I had another similar, but different, hairnet - Little Star.

Round 1

mesh stick: 3/8”

Form grommet with 8 loops (last one tied by hand with CK). (8 loops in the round)

Round 2

mesh stick: 3/8”

Net 1 more knot in loop formed by CK, net 2 knots in all other loops.  (16 loops in the round)

Round 3

mesh stick: 3/8”

Net 2 knots in the next loop, *net 1 knot in the following loop, net 2 knots in next loop*; repeat from * to *, tie the CK. (24 loops in the round)

Round 4

mesh stick: 3/8” 

Net 1 knot in the next loop, *net 2 knots in next loop, net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops*; repeat from * to *, ending with net 2 knots in the last loop, tie the CK. (32 loops in the the round)

Round 5

mesh stick: 3/8” 

Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, *net 2 knots in next loop, net 1 knot in each loop for 4 loops*; repeat from * to *, ending with net 2 knots in the last loop, tie the CK.  (40 loops in the round)

Round 6

mesh stick: 3/8” 

Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, *net 2 knots in next loop, net 1 knot in each loop for 4 loops*; repeat from * to *, ending with net 2 knots in the last loop, tie the CK. (48 loops in the round)

Rounds 7-30

mesh stick: 3/8” 

Net 1 knot in each loop. (48 loops in the round) 

Little Star Center

Little Star Hairnet

                 

For more netted hairnet / snood patterns, visit https://www.knotsindeed.com/category/product/snood-product/.

                   

Netted Edging from Tatting and Netting & Quantity of hair that fits into a net hairnet

On page 109 of  Butterick Publishing Company's Tatting and Netting is found Netted Edging.

I found it interesting that the "medium bone mesh stick" appears to have been a 1/8" wide flat mesh stick and the "course knitting needle" seems to have been a size #0 knitting needle. I based my guesses on the fact that the largest row at the bottom used a 1/4" mesh stick.  When I measured the photo in the book, the largest row near the bottom was indeed 1/4" wide.  I used the measurements of the other parts of the edging to determine the other mesh stick sizes.

Row 9 was a bit challenging for me.  I like to visualize what I am doing and how it will work before I make a new stitch.  I could not visualize the process described and the results for this row.  Finally I just decided to try exactly what it said.  It worked, somehow.  I'm going to need to take a larger mesh stick and try it again to make sure I am doing the stitch correctly.

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

People often ask how much hair a net snood or hairnet will hold.  The best way I have to explain is to show them a before and after photo.

I had a friend with long hair come over to visit. I asked her to model the hairnet I mentioned last week.

On the left she is wearing the hairnet.  

On the right is a photo of her hair.

All her hair fit nicely into the hairnet.

Trimming, with Thick Loops and Fan Edge from Tatting and Netting and a hairnet from the early 16th century

On page 108 of  Butterick Publishing Company's Tatting and Netting is found Trimming, with Thick Loops and Fan Edge.

The instructions are fairly straightforward.  They do not tell exactly what size knitting needle to use, but they leave it up to you to decide.  I used a #5 knitting needle along with the 1/2" flat mesh stick they suggest.

The one problem I found was that row 5 should be deleted, at least if you go by the illustration included with the instructions.

I wonder what the edge would look like if, in the next to the last row, I were to skip 1 loop instead of the 3 loops the pattern suggests.

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

Several weeks ago I was browsing online for hairnets and snoods.  I wanted to see what had been found before 1700. One hairnet that caught my eye was labeled "Hairnet, beginning of the 16th century, Linz Museum."

I liked the stitch pattern and decided to see if I could figure out how it had been made, just using the photo online.  It took several attempts, but here is my version of that hairnet.

I made this hairnet as a rectangle, instead of my customary circle or triangle. That created a few problems for me at the upper corners. I suspect if I had sewed the cord to the loops, I might not have had the same problems - probably different ones though.

I experimented with different size mesh sticks and found that a 1/2" and a 1/8" seemed to give the same look and ratio that the online photo had.

I was surprised to find that the stitch was based on what I've called the Crisscross Decorative Stitch. The difference in look was created because this hairnet used one row of large mesh and two rows of small mesh.  The Crisscross Decorative Stitch version used two rows of large mesh and one of small mesh.

Patterns for Net Hairnets

Over a year ago I decided to see what old netting patterns I could find online.  I focused first on books and then branched out to magazines.  It's been interesting to see what was out there.  I was surprised at how many books and magazines from the 1800s had been digitized.

Starting today I'm going back into my database and organizing it by the type of pattern or information that I found.  This week I'm focusing on hairnets, snoods or whatever you want to call the net bag that holds you hair.

Here are the books:

1. The Lady's Album of Fancy Work published in 1849
1. Net for the Hair (page 15, item 16) 
2. Treasures in Needlework by Mrs. Warren and Mrs Pullan, published in 1855
1. Net for the Hair - with illustration (page 42)
3. The Ladies’ Hand Book of Fancy and Ornamental Work by Florence Hartley, published in 1859
1. Net for the Hair - with illustration (page 182)
4. The Illustrated Girl's Own Treasury published in 1861
1. Silk Net for the Hair (page 144)
5. The Young Ladies' Journal Complete Guide (2nd edition) by E. Harrison, published in 1885
1. Netted Night-net - with illustration (page 135)

Here are the magazines:

1. Peterson's Magazine (Vol. 15-16) published in 1849
1. Net for the Hair (page 183)
2. Netting -- Lady's Nightcap (page 148)
2. Godey's Lady's Book (Vol. 43, July-December) published in 1851
1. Netting - Net for All the Hair (page 370)
3. Godey's Lady's Book (Vol. 46) published in 1853
1. Net for The Hair (page 459)
4. Peterson's Magazine (Vol. 25-26) published in 1854 
1. Net for the Hair (page 126)
5. Godey's Lady's Book (Vol. 59) published in 1859 
1. Silk Net for the Hair (page 451)
6. Peterson's Magazine (Vol. 35-36) published in 1859 
1. Silk Net for the Hair (page 363)
7. Peterson's Magazine (Vol. 37-38) published in 1860 
1. Netted Net for the Hair - with an illustration (page 161)
8. Godey's Lady's Book (Vol. 62-63) published in 1861  
1. Invisible Hair-nets (page 544)
9. The Illustrated Magazine published on the Ladies' Page in 1864 
1. Simple Sleeping Net (page 57)
2. Invisible Net (page 57)
10. Godey's Lady's Book (Vol. 68-69) published in 1864 
1. Hair Net with Ribbon Coronet (page 75)
2. Invisible Net (page 83)
3. Marie Louise Hair Net (page 82)
4. Simple Sleeping Net (page 83)
11. Peterson's Magazine (Vol. 45-46) published in 1864 
1. Hair-net with illustration (page 156)
12. Godey's Lady's Book (Vol. 98-99) published in 1879
1. Round Hairnets  (page 86)

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

I have needed to finish a few more bag samples for my beginning netting book.  Here is the one I finished just today.  

The bag is large enough to hold a few things like a wallet or keys or lunch.  The strap is long enough to go over you head and fit under your arm.

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

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

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 - Peterson's Ladies' National Magazine (1842-1849)

Charles Peterson started publishing his Ladies' National Magazine in 1842 as a competitor to Godey's Lady's Book.  It was merged into another magazine in 1898.  There is more on the history of this magazine here and here.

I was pleasantly surprised to find most of the volumes of the magazine available online.  The missing volumes were 1-2 (1842), 3-4 (1843), 9-10 (1846), 97-98 (1890), and 102-114 (1892-1898).

Not all of the magazines contained information on netting.  Between 1842 and 1849 there were three years I could not find on-line; however, of the remaining five years, only two years contained netting instructions.

1845 (Vol. 7-8)

1. page 34 Plain Netted Gentleman's Purse
2. page 34 A Lady's Purse
3. page 34 Seam Purse with Beads
4. page 106 Plain Netting

1849 (Vol. 15-16)

1. page 108 Cover for Sofa
2. page 183 Net for the Hair
3. page 148 Netting -- Lady's Nightcap
4. page 148 Cover for Tassel or Window Blind

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

This week I remade one of my grandmother's smaller doilies. It was the first one she gave me to duplicate. The only instructions I had was the doily.  All the other times I've made it, I've neglected to note how much thread it used. This time I checked.  It used 32 yards of DMC 12 crochet thread.  

It measures about 9.75 inches in diameter.

Netting in Magazines - Godey's Lady's Book (1870-1898)

I was going to group the remaining netting entries which I found in Godey's Lady's Book by decades: 1870-1879, 1880-1889, and 1890-1898.  The only problem with that was that the years from 1881 to 1898 (when the magazine ended publication) either had no articles on netting or I could not find them digitized and posted on-line.

Here are the volumes I could not locate on-line:  Volumes 102 (1881), 103 (1881), 104 (1882), 105 (1882), 106 (1883), 108 (1884), 109 (1884), 110 (1885), 111 (1885), 112 (1886), 113 (1886), 114 (1887), 115 (1887), 121 (1890), 122 (1891), 123 (1891), 124 (1892), 126 (1893), 127 (1893), 131 (1895).

Here are links to the articles I did find:

1870 (Vol. 80-81)

1. page 468 Instructions in Netting
2. page 469 Round Netting
3. page 469 Square Netting 
4. page 470 Grecian Netting
5. page 213 Oriental Table-Cover [illustration]
6. page 280 Oriental Table-Cover
7. page   73 Lady's Watch-Pocket in Netted Embroidery
8. page 466  Weaver's Knot

1871 (Vol. 82-83)

1. page 182 Cover to be Placed Over Dishes
2. page 563 Spool Basket
3. page 467 Netted Sponge Bag     

1872 (Vol. 84-85)

1. page 413 Square in Darned Netting [illustration]
2. page 490 Square in Darned Netting
3. page 280 Casket Pincushion  

1873 (Vol. 86-87)

1. page   74 Ornamental Bag
2. page   79 Work-Basket of Netting and Beads
3. page  464 Net for Boiling Eggs, in netting and crochet

   
1874 (Vol. 88) -  Jan-Jun

1. page 77 Netted Nightcap
2. page 78 Netted Nightcap [illustration]    

1874 (Vol. 89) -  Jul-Dec

1. page 370 Fringe   

1875 (Vol. 90) -  Jun

1. page 561 Clothes Bag

1876 (Vol. 92)

1. page  557 Swing Hammock (Netting)
2. page 466 Bag: Crochet and Netting 

1877 (Vol. 94)

1. page 82 Netted Piece-Bag

1877 (Vol. 95)

1. page 516 Fringe for Dresses, Etc.    

1878 (Vol. 96)

1. page 514 Netted Purses
2. page 163 Fringe for Trimming Dresses, Etc.    

1879 (Vol. 98-99)

1. page 86 Round Hairnets

1880 (Vol. 101) - Jul-Dec

1. page 193 Fichu with Jet Necklet
2. page 385 Hammock
3. page 481 Hints for Articles for Fairs (small net bags)

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

I've been experimenting with some simple netting patterns.  They are mostly in plain netting, or increase and decrease stitches.  I finally finished the dishcloths.  My husband has large hands and he wanted a big dishcloth, while I have smaller hands and so needed a smaller one.  Here are the ones I've finished.

Three of them are large, three are medium size, and three are a small size that would work for a child.  The patterns for them will be included in my upcoming basic netting book, The Lost Art of Netting.

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.