My Knitting Book Part 1

My Knitting Book.

by Miss Lambert.

PREFACE.

The examples of knitting, contained in the following pages, have been selected with the greatest care,--many are original,--and the whole are so arranged as to render them comprehensible even to a novice in the art.

Knitting being so often sought, as an evening amus.e.m.e.nt, both by the aged and by invalids, a large and distinct type has been adopted,--as affording an additional facility. The writer feels confident in the recommendation of "MY KNITTING BOOK," and humbly hopes it may meet with the same liberal reception that has been accorded to her "HAND-BOOK OF NEEDLEWORK."

The numerous piracies that have been committed on her last mentioned work, have been one inducement to publish this little volume; and from the low price at which it is fixed, nothing, but a very extended circulation, can ensure her from loss. Some few of the examples have been selected from the chapter on knitting, in the "HAND-BOOK."

_3, New Burlington Street_, _November 1843._

MY KNITTING BOOK.

Explanation of Terms used in Knitting.

_To cast on._--The first interlacement of the cotton on the needle.

_To cast off._--To knit two st.i.tches, and to pa.s.s the first over the second, and so on to the last st.i.tch, which is to be secured by drawing the thread through.

_To cast over._--To bring the cotton forward round the needle.

_To narrow._--To lessen, by knitting two st.i.tches together.

_To seam._--To knit a st.i.tch with the cotton before the needle.

_To widen._--To increase by making a st.i.tch, bringing the cotton round the needle, and knitting the same when it occurs.

_A turn._--Two rows in the same st.i.tch, backwards and forwards.

_To turn._--To change the st.i.tch.

_To turn over._--To bring the wool forward over the needle.

_A row._--The st.i.tches from one end of the needle to the other.

_A round._--A row, when the st.i.tches are on two, three, or more needles.

_A plain row._--That composed of simple knitting.

_To pearl a row._--To knit with the cotton before the needle.

_To rib._--To work alternate rows of plain and pearl knitting.

_To bring the thread forward._--To bring the cotton forward so as to make an open st.i.tch.

_A loop st.i.tch._--Made by bringing the cotton before the needle, which, in knitting the succeeding st.i.tch, will again take its own place.

_To slip or pa.s.s a st.i.tch._--To change it from one needle to the other without knitting it.

_To fasten on._--The best way to fasten on is to place the two ends contrariwise, and knit a few st.i.tches with both together. For knitting, with silk, or fine cotton, a _weaver's_ knot will be found the best.

_To take under._--To pa.s.s the cotton from one needle to the other, without changing its position.

_Pearl, seam, and rib-st.i.tch_--All signify the same.

N.B. The _sizes_ of the _needles_ are given according to the _Standard Filiere_.

The following engraving represents the _Standard Filiere_, or knitting and netting needle gauge, an instrument invented some time since by the auth.o.r.ess, and now in general use, by which the different sizes of knitting and netting needles can be ascertained with the greatest accuracy.

[Ill.u.s.tration: The Standard Filiere.]

It is necessary, in giving or following directions for knitting, to caution knitters to observe a medium in their work--not knitting either too loose or too tight.

Siberian Cuffs.

Nine shades of German wool, used double, will be required.--No. 8 needles.

Cast on sixty-four st.i.tches with the darkest shade;--knit three plain rows.

_Fourth row_--bring the wool forward, knit two together.

Repeat these four rows, (which form the pattern), nine times,--taking a lighter shade of wool each time.

A Knitted Silk Cuff.

Coa.r.s.e black netting silk.--Four needles, No. 22. Cast on twenty-eight st.i.tches on each of three needles:--knit two plain rounds.