Border with Double Loose Loops from The Young Ladies' Journal Complete Guide to the Worktable

As I attempted to understand the instructions for this edge, I found a source for diamond graph paper - http://incompetech.com/graphpaper/diamond/. I found it helpful to draft the design from the instructions before attempting to net it, since I found the directions hard to visualize, even with the illustration..

Here is Border with Double Loose Loops (page 131, item #36) from The Young Ladies' Journal Complete Guide to the Worktable.

I did add row 12 to fasten down the loose loops made in row 11.  If I were to make them again, I would add one more loop in the beginning row.  That would make the final row come out correctly. Below are the directions I wrote as I attempted to understand and follow what was printed.


Loose Loops Stitch: 
Bring the netting needle down across the front of the mesh stick, around the mesh stick, and then up through the loop above the closest knot to the right in the previous row


To Begin: Net 19 loops into the foundation loop over a #8 knitting needle or 1/4" flat mesh stick.

Rows 1-2:  Using a #8 knitting needle or 1/4" flat mesh stick
Net 1 knot in each loop.

Row 3:  Using a #8 knitting needle or 1/4" flat mesh stick
Net 1 knot in each loop for 5 loops, create Loose Loops Stitch, net 1 knot in each loop for 8 loops*; repeat

from * to * ending with net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops.

Row 4:  Using a #8 knitting needle or 1/4" flat mesh stick
Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, *create Loose Loops Stitch, net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops, net 3 loops together, net 1 knot in each loop for 7 loops, net 1 knot in each loop for 4 loops*; repeat from * to * ending with net 1 knot in the last loop.

Row 5:  Using a #8 knitting needle or 1/4" flat mesh stick
Net 3 loops together, *net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops, create Loose Loops Stitch, Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, create Loose Loops Stitch, net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, net 3 loops together*; repeat from * to *, ending with net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops.

Row 6:  Using a #8 knitting needle or 1/4" flat mesh stick
Net 1 knot in each loop for 4 loops, *net 3 loops together, net 1 knot in the next loop, net 3 loops together, net 1 knot in each loop for 5 loops*; repeat form * to * eding with net 1 kot in each loop for 4 loops.

Row 7:  Using a #8 knitting needle or 1/4" flat mesh stick
Net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops, create Loose Loops Stitch, *net 1 knot in each loop for 4 loops, create Loose Loops Stitch*; repeat from * to * ending with net 1 knot in each loop for 4 loops.

Row 8:  Using a #8 knitting needle or 1/4" flat mesh stick
Net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops, *net 3 loops together, net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops*; repeat from * to *.

Row 9:  Using a #8 knitting needle or 1/4" flat mesh stick
*Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, create Loose Loops Stitch, net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops, create Loose Loops Stitch, net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops, create Loose Loops Stitch*; repeat from * to * ending with net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops.

Row 10:  Using a #8 knitting needle or 1/4" flat mesh stick
*Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, net 3 loops together*, repeat from * to * 2 more times, net 1 knot in the next loop, net 3 loops together, repeat from * to * 2 times, net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops.

Row 11:  Using a #8 knitting needle or 1/4" flat mesh stick
Net 1 knot in the first loop, create Loose Loops Stitch, *net 1 knot in each loop for 8 loops, create Loose Loops Stitch; repeat from * to * ending with net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops.

Row 12:  Using a #8 knitting needle or 1/4" flat mesh stick
Net 1 knot in the first loop, net 3 loops together, net 1 knot in each loop for 7 loops, net 3 loops together, net 1 knot in the last loop.

Row 13:  Using a 1/2" flat mesh stick
Net 3 knots in each loop

Row 14:  Using a #0 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in each loop.

Row 15:  Using a 1/2" flat mesh stick
Net 1 knot in each loop.

Row 16:  Using a 1/2" flat mesh stick
Without the mesh stick net 6 loops together, now with the mesh stick, net 6 loops together across the row.

Loose Loop Pattern from The Young Ladies' Journal Complete Guide to the Worktable

I really wanted to do item #36 on page 131 from The Young Ladies' Journal Complete Guide to the Worktable. However, to understand that pattern I had to go back to the Loose Loop Pattern (item #32 on page 127, illustration on page 125).  Once again the instructions do not seem to match the illustration.

Here is the sample I made up following the instructions.

Below are the instructions as I wrote them for my future reference.




Starting number of loops: (multiple of 3)-11

Use a 1/8" mesh stick throughout the instructions.












To Begin:
Net 11 loops into the foundation loop.

Rows 1-2:
Net 1 knot in each loop.

Row 3:
Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, *bring the netting needle down, around the mesh stick, and then up through the loop above the closest knot to the right in the previous row, net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops*; repeat from * to *.

Row 4:
Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, *net together the next 3 loops (including the 2 loose loops), net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops;* repeat from * to * ending with net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops.

Row 5:
Net 1 knot in each loop.

Row 6:
Net 1 knot in the  first loop, *bring the netting needle down, around the mesh stick, and then up through the loop above the closest knot to the right in the previous row, net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops*; repeat from * to *, ending with net 1 knot in the last loop.

Row 7:
Net 3 loops together (including 2 loose loops), *net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, net 3 loops together (including 2 loose loops);* repeat from * to * ending with net 1 knot in the last loop.

Row 8:
Net 1 knot in each loop.

Row 9:
Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, *bring the netting needle down, around the mesh stick, and then up through the loop above the closest knot to the right in the previous row, net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops*; repeat from * to *.

Row 10:
Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, *net together the next 3 loops (including the 2 loose loops), net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops;* repeat from * to * ending with net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops.

Row 11:
Net 1 knot in each loop.

Here is the sample I made following the illustration. Below I have included my instructions for how to make this version of the pattern.



Starting number of loops: (multiple of 3)-11

Use a 1/8" mesh stick throughout the instructions.

To Begin: 

Net 11 loops into the foundation loop.

Rows 1-2: 

Net 1 knot in each loop.

Row 3: 

Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, *bring the netting needle down, around the mesh stick, and then up through the loop above the closest knot to the right in the previous row, net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops*; repeat from * to *.

Row 4: 

Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, *net together the next 3 loops (including the 2 loose loops), net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops;* repeat from * to * ending with net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops.

Row 5:

Net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops, *bring the netting needle down, around the mesh stick, and then up through the loop above the closest knot to the right in the previous row, net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops*; repeat from * to * repeat from * to * ending with net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops.

Row 6:

Net 1 knot in the first loop, *net together the next 3 loops (including the 2 loose loops), net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops;* repeat from * to * ending with net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops.

Row 7:

Net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops, *bring the netting needle down, around the mesh stick, and then up through the loop above the closest knot to the right in the previous row, net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops*; repeat from * to * repeat from * to * ending with net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops.

Row 8:

Net 1 knot in the first loop, *net together the next 3 loops (including the 2 loose loops), net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops;* repeat from * to * ending with net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops.

For an easier comparison, here are the two samples side by side. 

Scallop from The Young Ladies' Journal Complete Guide to the Worktable

This week the illustration of Scallop (item #35, page 131, illustration on page 132) from The Young Ladies' Journal Complete Guide to the Worktable matched the instructions. Amazing what small events bring joy into my life.

Below are the instructions as I would write them, along with the mesh stick and thread sizes I used.

Fill 3 netting needles with thread as follows:
     1 netting needle with single strands of thread (size 20 crochet thread)
     1 netting needle with double strands of thread (size 20 crochet thread)
     1 netting needle with "coarser cotton" (size 10 crochet thread)

Row 1: mesh stick - 3/8" flat  (single thread needle)
     Form a grommet with 27 loops. Do NOT form the last loop with an overhand knot, just tie one overhand knot to form the grommet

Row 2: mesh stick - #2 knitting needle (double thread netting needle)
     Turn the netting and net 1 knot in the loop just tied in row 1, continue netting 1 knot in each loop across the row.

Rows 3-5: mesh stick - #2 knitting needle (single thread netting needle)
      Net 1 knot in each loop

Row 6: mesh stick - 3/8" flat (coarser cotton netting needle)
      Net 1 knot in each loop

Row 7: mesh stick - #2 knitting needle (coarser cotton netting  needle)
     Pull the 1st loop up through the loop to the right of it, net knot in the 1st loop (loop just pulled up), pull up the part of the 2nd loop that is now centered behind the 1st loop and net through the part of the 2nd loop just pulled up, repeat this process across the row working with two loops at a time.

Rows 8-10: mesh stick - #2 knitting needle (single thread  netting needle)
      Net 1 knot in each loop

Row 11:  mesh stick - 3/8" flat  (double thread netting needle)
     Net 1 knot in each loop.

Row 12:  mesh stick - 3/8" flat (double thread netting needle)
     Net 2 loops together across the row, net 1 knot in the last loop.

Trimming with Thick Loops and Fan Edge from The Young Ladies' Journal Complete Guide to the Worktable

I started following the instructions for Trimming, with Thick Loops and Fan Edge - Item #31 on page 127 from The Young Ladies' Journal Complete Guide to the Worktable. As I finished row 5 I realized that the instructions did not match the photo on page 125. I made the choice to follow the instructions and continued making the sample until I reached row 9. At that point the numbers did not work and the pattern did not center properly. To fix that I added one row of plain netting (row 9).

Since I made some changes in the instructions, I thought I had better include my instructions.

To Begin, using  #4 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Net 11 loops onto the foundation loop.

Rows 1-2: #4 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Net 1 knot in each loop.

Row 3: #4 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, *net 4 knots in the next loop, net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops*; repeat from * to *.

Row 4: #4 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, *net 3 loops together, net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops*; repeat from * to *.

Row 5: #4 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Net 1 knot in each loop.

Row 6: #4 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Net 4 knots in the first loop, *net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops, net 4 knots in the next loop*; repeat from * to *, ending with net 1 knot in the last loop.

Row 7: #4 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Net 1 knot in the first loop, net 3 loops together, *net 1 knot in each loop for 4 loops, net 3 loops together*; repeat from * to *, ending with net 1 knot in the last loop.

Row 8: #4 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Net 2 loops together, *net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops, net 2 loops together*; repeat from * to *, ending with net 1 knot in the last loop.

Row 9: #4 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Net 1 knot in each loop.

Row 10: 1/2" mesh stick
     Net 5 knots in the first loop, *skip 3 loops, net 5 knots in the next loop*; repeat from * to *.

Row 11: #4 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Net 1 knot in each loop for 5 loops, *take the next loop, pass it up through the center of the three loops skipped in the previous row, net 1 knot in that loop (make the loop a long loop with the
knot near the bottom of the the loop from the previous row).

Then, because I liked the way the illustration looked, I decided to make a sample of the illustration of the trimming.

Here are the instructions for the illustration. I'm grateful my husband was willing to spend a couple hours working with me to create these instructions. I could never have done it that quickly, if ever, on my own.  He figured out the math so the instructions would worked out properly.  You don't want to see the one I did on my own.

To Begin, using  #4 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Net 14 loops onto the foundation loop.  [number of loops = (a multiple of 8)-2]

Rows 1-2: #4 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Net 1 knot in each loop.

Row 3: #4 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Net 1 knot in the first loop, net 4 knots in the next loop; repeat across the row.

Row 4: #4 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Net 3 loops together, net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops; repeat across the row.

Row 5: #4 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Net 4 knots in the first loop, net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops; repeat across the row.

Row 6: #4 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, net 3 loops together, *net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops, net 3 loops together*; repeat from * to *, ending with net 1 knot in the last loop.

Row 7: #4 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Net 2 loops together, net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops; repeat across the row.

Row 8: 1/2" mesh stick
     Net 5 knots in the first loop, *skip 3 loops, net 5 knots in the next loop*; repeat from * to *.

Row 9: #4 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Net 1 knot in each loop for 4 loops, *take the next loop (the one under the three skipped loops) up through the center of the three loops skipped, net 1 knot in that loop, net 1 knot in each loop for 4 loops*; repeat from * to *.

Trimming from The Young Ladies' Journal Complete Guide to the Worktable

Item number 23 on page 127 of The Young Ladies' Journal Complete Guide to the Worktable asks for both a netting needle filled with double thread and one filled with single thread. I decided to use size 80 tatting thread for the single thread and size 10 crochet thread for the double thread.  This is what my sample of Trimming looked like.

I like the look of the two different sized of thread, but I didn't like the extra thread ends that result from joining the different threads, so I cleaned the photo up to see what it might look like without all the loose thread ends.

I wondered what this edge would look like if I just used a single thread throughout the netting.  So I tried it using size 20 crochet thread with this result.

My instructions for Trimmings #23 from The Young Ladies' Journal Complete Guide to the Worktable (page 127, illustration on page 126)

Made with either a single crochet thread (size 20 or 30) or with a thin thread (tatting thread size 80) and a thick thread (size 10).

Row 1:  #0 knitting needle for a mesh stick

     Net 10 loops in the foundation loop. (any even number of loops)

Rows 2-4: #0 knitting needle for a mesh stick

     Net 1 knot in each loop.

Row 5: #6 knitting needle for a mesh stick (optional - thicker thread)

     Skip a loop, net 1 knot in the next loop; repeat across the row.

Row 6: #0 knitting needle for a mesh stick

     Net 2 knots in each loop.

Rows 7-9: #0 knitting needle for a mesh stick

     Net 1 knot in each loop.

Row 10: #6 knitting needle for a mesh stick (optional - thicker thread)

     Skip a loop, net 1 knot in the next loop; repeat across the row.

Row 11: #0 knitting needle for a mesh stick

     Net 2 knots in each loop.

Rows 12-14: #0 knitting needle for a mesh stick

     Net 1 knot in each loop.

Row 15: #6 knitting needle for a mesh stick (optional - thicker thread)

      Skip a loop, net 1 knot in the next loop; repeat across the row.

Second of Trimmings from The Young Ladies' Journal Complete Guide to the Worktable

On page 127 of  The Young Ladies' Journal Complete Guide to the Worktable there are instructions given for two net Trimmings, items 20 and 22. An illustration of that pattern is given on page 125.

Last week I showed number 20, here is number 22, also without the "row of darning-stitch . . . worked in scallops at each edge of the star patterns" (rows 9 and 11).  "No. 22 shows a variation of the same pattern, working more rows over the small mesh, and omitting the edge row described for No. 20."

Below are the instructions, with my wording rather than as it was stated in the book. I used size 20 crochet thread.

Row 1:  #2 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Net 11 loops into the foundation loop. (any odd number more than 3 will work)

Rows 2-8: #2 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Net 1 knot in each loop.

Star Netting (rows 9-11)
Row 9: #2 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Wrap the thread around the mesh stick one time before netting in the first loop, *net 1 knot in the next loop, wrap the thread around the mesh stick one time before netting in the next loop*; repeat from * to *.  This will create a long loop followed by a short loop and ending with a long loop.

Row 10: #2 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Net 1 knot in the first loop (a long loop), *net 1 long loop in a short loop, net 1 knot in the next loop*; repeat from * to *.  The knot into the long loops should rest on the top of the mesh stick.  The knot into a short loop will be higher than the mesh stick, creating a loop that is longer than a short loop but shorter than a long loop. This row will be even along the bottom of the row, no long and short loops.

Row 11: #2 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Draw the first loop up through the long loop on the left (the long loop was created in row 6), net into the first loop, *draw the next loop up through the next long loop (created in row 6), net in the loop drawn up, draw the next loop up through the same long loop just used (it may have been drawn up when the other loop was pulled through the loop created in row 6), net into the loop just drawn up;* repeat from * to *.

Rows 12-13: #2 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Net 1 knot in each loop.

Row 14: #6 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Skip the first loop, *net 1 knot in the following loop, skip the next loop;* repeat from * to * ending with net the last 2 loops together.

Trimmings from The Young Ladies' Journal Complete Guide to the Worktable

Today I started looking at net edges in a different book:  The Young Ladies' Journal Complete Guide to the Worktable.  This book has sections that cover different types of handcrafts.  It was edited by E. Harrison, published in 1884, and revised in 1885.  The section for netting begins on page 121 and is called Fancy Netting.  In this section the items are numbered from 1 to 51.  Some of the items are instructions for stitches or edges, other items are directions for netting techniques, while some are patterns for articles of clothing.

On page 127 there are instructions given for two net Trimmings, items 20 and 22. An illustration of that pattern is given on page 125.

Here is Trimming number 20, without the "row of darning-stitch . . . worked in scallops at each edge of the star patterns" (rows 6 and 8).

Below are the instructions, with my wording rather than as it was stated in the book.

Row 1:  #2 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Net 11 loops into the foundation loop. (any odd number more than 3 will work)

Rows 2-5: #2 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Net 1 knot in each loop.

Star Netting (rows 6-8)

Row 6: #2 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Wrap the thread around the mesh stick one time before netting in the first loop, *net 1 knot in the next loop, wrap the thread around the mesh stick one time before netting in the next loop*; repeat from * to *.  This will create a long loop followed by a short loop and ending with a long loop.

Row 7: #2 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Net 1 knot in the first loop (a long loop), *net 1 long loop in a short loop, net 1 knot in the next loop*; repeat from * to *.  The knot into the long loops should rest on the top of the mesh stick.  The knot into a short loop will be higher than the mesh stick, creating a loop that is longer than a short loop but shorter than a long loop. This row will be even along the bottom of the row, no long and short loops.

Row 8: #2 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Draw the first loop up through the long loop on the left (the long loop was created in row 6), net into the first loop, *draw the next loop up through the next long loop (created in row 6), net in the loop drawn up, draw the next loop up through the same long loop just used (it may have been drawn up when the other loop was pulled through the loop created in row 6), net into the loop just drawn up;* repeat from * to *.

Rows 9-10: #2 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Net 1 knot in each loop.

Row 11: #6 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Skip the first loop, *net 1 knot in the following loop, skip the next loop;* repeat from * to * ending with net the last 2 loops together.

Row 12: #6 knitting needle for a mesh stick
     Net 1 knot in each loop.