Border of Netted Mitten from Treasures in Needlework

On pages 46 and 47 of Treasures in Needlework are the instructions for a pair of lacy net fingerless mittens.  I took the directions for the border or edge of the mittens and reproduced the edge.  There were a few changes made to have the edge work out.

Here are my directions for the Border and Edging shown above:

Row 1: (000 or 5/0 knitting needle)
          Net 18 knots in the foundation loop. [multiple of 5 +3 - ie 8, 13, 18, 23, etc.]
Rows 2-3: (000 or 5/0 knitting needle)
          Net 1 knot in each loop.
Row 4: (000 or 5/0 knitting needle)
          Net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops, * 5 in the 1st loop, 5 in the 2nd; net 3 loops plain; repeat from * all round.
Row 5: (000 or 5/0 knitting needle)
          Net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops, *net 9 loops together, net 1 knot in each loop for 4 loops; repeat all round
Rows 6-7: (000 or 5/0 knitting needle)
          Net 1 knot in each loop.
Row 8: (#3 knitting needle)
          Net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops, * 5 in the 1st loop, 5 in the 2nd; net 3 loops plain; repeat from * all round.
Row 9: (000 or 5/0 knitting needle)
          Net 1 knot in each loop for 3  loops, *net 9 loops together, net 1 knot in each loop for 4 loops; repeat all round
Row 10: (000 or 5/0 knitting needle)
          Net 1 knot in each loop.
Row 11: (#3 knitting needle)
          Skip 3 loops, *net 10 knots in the next loop, skip 4 loops*; repeat from * to * ending with skip 3 loops and net 1 knot in the last loop.
Row 12: (000 or 5/0 knitting needle)
          Net 1 knot in each loop.

Netted Lace from Treasures in Needlework

In 1855, Mrs. Warren and Mrs. Pullan published Treasures in Needlework. Among the patterns were several which included net edges. The instructions for Netted Lace, found on page 13, recommended using a "bone mesh a quarter of an inch wide; steel mesh gauging, No. 13." I used a 1/4" mesh stick and a #1 knitting needle (having converted the Old English size 13 to a modern US size 1 or 2.5 mm).
I also discovered that when the thread is wrapped once around the knitting needle before the netting knot is tied, the finished loop is the equivalent of a 1/4" mesh stick.  So I changed the mesh stick used in rows 11-14 to reflect this. I tried to get my instructions to produce a sample that looked similar to the picture of the stitch.

Here's my version of the directions for this edge.

Row 1: (1/4" mesh) Net 9 loops (or any odd number) in the foundation loop.
Row 2: (1/4" mesh) Net 1 knot in each loop.
Row 3: (#1 knitting needle) Net 1 knot in each loop.
Row 4: (#1 knitting needle) Wrap the thread around the mesh stick one time, net 1 knot in the first loop (creating a double-length loop), now net 1 more knot in the first loop (creating a regular-sized loop), *wrap the thread around the mesh stick one time, net 1 knot in the next loop (creating a double-length loop), in the same loop, net 1 more knot (creating a regular-sized loop)*; repeat from * to *.
Rows 5-6:  (#1 knitting needle) Only netting into the double-length loops, repeat row 4.
Row 7: (#1 knitting needle) Net 1 knot in each loop.
Row 8: (1/4" mesh) Net 3 knots in the first loop, *skip the next loop, net 7 knots in the following loop*; repeat from * to *, ending with net 4 knots in the last loop.
Row 9:  (#1 knitting needle) Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, *wrap the thread around the mesh stick one time, skip the same loop as in the last row, net 1 knot in each loop for 6 loops*; repeat from * to *, ending with net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops.
Row 10:  (#1 knitting needle) Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, *wrap the thread around the mesh stick one time, skip the same loop as in the last row, net 1 knot in each loop for 5 loops*; repeat from * to * ending with net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops.
Row 11: (1/4" mesh) Net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops, *skip the 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.
Row 12: (1/4" mesh) Net 1 knot in the first loop, *skip the next loop, net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops*; repeat from * to *, ending with net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops.
Row 13: (1/4" mesh) Net 1 knot in the first loop, *skip the next loop, net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops*; repeat from * to * ending with net 1 knot in the last loop.
Row 14: (1/4" mesh)  *Skip the next loop, net 1 knot in the following loop*; repeat from * to *.

Another Edge from The Lady's Manual of Fancy-Work

Another Edge, the final net edge included by Mrs. Matilda Marian Pullan, is found on page 93 of The Lady's Manual of Fancy-Work: a complete instructor in every variety of ornamental needle-work.

Row 1: Using a #3 knitting needle
Net 12 more knots in the foundation loop.

Rows 2-3: Using a #3 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in each loop.

Row 4: Using a 3/8" flat mesh stick
Net 1 knot in each loop.

Row 5: Using a #3 knitting needle
*Working with 2 loops at a time, draw the 2nd loop through the 1st loop, then draw the 1st loop through the 2nd loop, net 1 knot in the 1st loop, then net 1 knot in the 2nd loop*; repeat from * to *.

Rows 6-7:  Using a #3 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in each loop.

Another Lace from The Lady's Manual of Fancy-Work

This net lace edging, Another Lace is found on page 93 of The Lady's Manual of Fancy-Work: a complete instructor in every variety of ornamental needle-work by Mrs. Matilda Marian Pullan. It uses a netting needle filled with a double thread as well as a a netting needle filed with a single strand of thread. I did not "Conclude by taking some of the silk four times doubled and working one stitch between every two of last row, with a somewhat coarser mesh". I thought the 8 strands of thread looked too heavy for a final row.

Here are my instructions without the final row.

Row 1: Use #0 knitting needle and a single-thread shuttle
Net 9 more knots in the foundation loop.

Rows 2-3:  Use #0 knitting needle and a single-thread shuttle
Net 1 knot in each loop.

Row 4: Use 1/2" mesh stick and a double-thread shuttle
Net 3 knots in the first loop, *skip 1 stitch, net 3 knots*; repeat from * to *.

Row 5:  Use #0 knitting needle and a single-thread shuttle
Net 1 knot in each thread of the first 2 double-thread loops, making 4 loops, treat the next double-thread loop as one loop and net 1 knot in that double -thread loop, *net 1 knot in each thread of the next 2 double-thread loops, making 4 loops, treat the next double-thread loop as one loop and net 1 knot i that double-thread loop*; repeat from * to *.

Row 6: Use #0 knitting needle and a single-thread shuttle
Net 1 knot in each loop.

Row 7: Use #0 knitting needle and a single-thread shuttle
Net 1 knot in each loop for 4 loops, *skip a loop, net 1 knot in each loop for 4 loops*; ending with net the last 2 loops together.

Row 8: Use #0 knitting needle and a single-thread shuttle
Net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops, *skip a loop, net 1 knot in each loop for 3 loops*; ending with net the last 2 loops together.

Row 9: Use #0 knitting needle and a single-thread shuttle
Without a mesh stick, net 1 knot in the first loop, net 1 knot in the next loop, *skip a loop, net 1 knot in each loop for 2 loops*; ending with net the last 2 loops together.

A Small, Neat Shell Edge from The Lady's Manual of Fancy-Work

This "small neat shell edging" is very similar to the Shell Edge from last week.  It is found on page 93 of The Lady's Manual of Fancy-Work: a complete instructor in every variety of ornamental needle-work by Mrs. Matilda Marian Pullan.  There were just two changes made: one by the author to use 8 loops in the shell and the one by me to use smaller mesh sticks.

Here are my instructions.

Row 1: Using #3 knitting needle
Net 13 more knots in the foundation loop. (13 loops)

Rows 2-3: Using #3 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in each loop. (13 loops)

Row 4: Using 1/4" mesh stick
Net 8 knots in the first loop, *skip 3 loops, net 8 knots in the next loop*; repeat from * to *.

Row 5: Using #1 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in each loop for 7 loops, *pass the next loop (the open loop) down through the middle of the skipped loops and net 1 knot in the open loop , net 1 knot in each loop for 7 loops (closed loops)*; repeat from * to *.

Row 6: Using #1 knitting needle
Net 1 knot in each loop.

Another Shell from The Lady's Manual of Fancy-Work

Another Shell found on page 92 of The Lady's Manual of Fancy-Work: a complete instructor in every variety of ornamental needle-work, by Mrs. Pullan. This edge uses a multiple of 4 loops, plus 1 (for example: 13, 17, 21, 25). Her directions were clear and easy to follow. These shells are connected to each other.

Here are the instructions as I wrote them down as I made the sample.

Row 1: Using 1/4" mesh stick
Net 13 more knots in the foundation loop.

Rows 2-3:  Using 1/4" mesh stick
Net 1 knot in each loop.

Row 4: Using 1/2" mesh stick
Net 11 knots in the first loop, *skip 3 lops, net 12 knots in the next loop*; repeat form * to *.

Row 5: Using the #3 knitting needle (3.00 mm)
Net 1 knot in each loop for 11 (closed) loops, *pass the next (open) loop down through the middle of the skipped loops, net 1 knot in each loop for 11 (closed) loops*; repeat from * to *.

Row 6: Using the #3 knitting needle (3.00 mm)
Net 1 knot in each loop.

Shell Edging from The Lady's Manual of Fancy-Work

The Shell Edging is found on page 92 of The Lady's Manual of Fancy-Work: a complete instructor in every variety of ornamental needle-work. Each shell in this edging is not connected to the other shells. I found when using the #2 knitting needle (2.75 mm) and a 1/2" flat mesh, I had to leave 10 loops between the shells.  That number may change if different size mesh sticks.

Here are the instructions as I phrased them.

Row 1: Using #2 knitting needle (2.75 mm)
Net 23 more knots in the foundation loop. (23 loops)

Rows 2-3: Using #2 knitting needle (2.75 mm)
Net 1 knot in each loop. (23 loops)

Row 4: Using 1/2" mesh
Net 12 knots in the first loop. (12 loops)

Row 5: Using #2 knitting needle (2.75 mm)
Working in the loops just formed, net 2 knots in each loop.

Row 6: Using #2 knitting needle (2.75 mm)
Working in the loops just formed, net 1 knot in each loop.

Row 7: Using #2 knitting needle (2.75 mm)
Net 1 knot in each loop. Cut the thread. Skip 10 loops of Row 3 and tie the thread from the netting shuttle to the next loop.


Repeat rows 4-7 across the netting.