The Ladies' Work-Table Book Part 9

In this manner proceed raising and narrowing alternately, until you have twelve rows as before. You then reverse, and again work as in the first part of the pattern.

PLAIN OPEN St.i.tCH.--The st.i.tches set on must be an even number. The two first rows are plain. Then commence the third row, by knitting one st.i.tch; pa.s.s the material in front, and form a new st.i.tch, by knitting two together. This is to be repeated, until you come to the last st.i.tch, which must be knit. Then knit two plain rows and proceed as before.

PORCUPINE St.i.tCH.--This is proper for a purse, and when properly executed, is extremely pretty. You cast on, upon each of three needles, thirty-six loops, and knit one plain round. For the next, you knit four st.i.tches: and, having brought the silk forward, knit one loop: this will form the middle st.i.tch of the pattern. Then, again bringing the silk forward, knit fourteen st.i.tches; after which, slip one, and leaving the under part, knit two together, and draw the st.i.tches, last slipped, over it. Then knit four st.i.tches, as at the commencement, and so proceed for six rounds, increasing before and after each middle st.i.tch. You knit till within one of where you decreased. The st.i.tch thus left is to be slipped, and you then knit two together, and draw the slipped loop over it. You are then to knit one plain round, and the next row is also plain, except the loops which are over the middle st.i.tches, where you are to insert a bead, by bringing it through the st.i.tches. You next knit a round plain, and must be careful to keep the beads on the outside of the purse, or rather in the inside while knitting, as this purse is done the wrong side out. You are to knit, until you come within one loop of the bead, which must be slipped, and you knit the next two together. You are then to increase six rounds on each side of the st.i.tch decreased as in the proceeding pattern, which will make that the middle or bead st.i.tch. The material should be done in middle sized purse silk, on needles, No. 18.

ROUGH-CAST St.i.tCH.--Any odd number of st.i.tches may be cast on. Each row is begun with a plain st.i.tch, and the others are plain and pearled alternately. This is very suitable for borders, as it is firm and looks neat.

WAVE KNITTING.--This is proper for a pin-cus.h.i.+on, and looks extremely neat. Commence by casting on seventy-nine loops. Then proceed as follows. First row, knit four loops plain, pearl one, knit nine plain, and repeat to the end of the row, finis.h.i.+ng with four plain loops.

Commence the second row with three pearled st.i.tches, knit three plain, pearl seven, repeat as before. Third row, knit two plain, pearl five, knit five plain, repeat. Fourth row, pearl one, knit seven plain, pearl three, repeat. Fifth row, pearl nine, knit one plain, pearl nine, and repeat to the end. This finishes the pattern.

CHAPTER XIII.

KNITTING.

EXAMPLES IN KNITTING.

A BIROCHE.--The st.i.tch is very simple. You bring the wool forward, slip one, and knit two together. This elegant cus.h.i.+on is made up of sixteen narrow rows, and sixteen broad stripes, which decrease gradually toward the centre. It may be made in double German wool, or other material, with No. 19 ivory or wooden pins. Cast on ninety st.i.tches, and knit two turns; then in gold color three turns, and again two in black: this forms the narrow stripe. Then form the broad stripe thus: knit two st.i.tches, and turn; then knit two of the black, and turn; this must be continued, taking every time two additional st.i.tches of the black, until you are within two st.i.tches of the top, and then turn. You will now find the wool has descended to the wide part of the stripe. You then again commence a narrow stripe, and so go on, until the whole is completed.

When the last wide stripe is finished, knit it to the first narrow stripe, and make up the biroche in any manner you please.

A BABY'S CAP.--Cast on 240 st.i.tches, on three pins; knit twelve rounds, and be sure you pearl every alternate st.i.tch: in the succeeding round you must pearl the st.i.tches which were left plain in the preceding ones.

Then take in eighty st.i.tches, namely; one at every fourth, which will form a full border; then proceed to knit the cap thus: one row plain, the next open, then three plain, and twenty-four double knitting; again knit three rows plain, one open, repeat the three plain rows, again repeat the double knitting, and the plain and open rows as before; you next proceed to form the hinder part of the cap, by casting on twenty-four st.i.tches at each end of the pins; knit forty-eight rows of double knitting, take in to the size of the crown, and knit three rows plain, one open, and repeat the three plain rows; then fasten off at top, unite the open s.p.a.ce at the back, and repeat the plain and open rows as before. You form the crown, by casting on sixteen loops; then increase a loop at each end, for sixteen rows; then knit sixteen, and decrease as you increased, and thus the circle becomes regularly formed.

BABY'S HOOD.--Use No. 18 needles, and double German wool; cast on fifty st.i.tches, and knit eighty rows plain; roll up sixty, to form the front.

Three inches of the cast off part are to be sewed together, and the rest is to be drawn up for the crown. Then cast on fifty st.i.tches to form the foundation of the hood, and knit forty rows plain. Line with white silk, and trim with satin ribbon.

BABY'S SHOE.--Work with two colors, in stripes. You cast on twenty-eight st.i.tches, _in blue_, and knit one row plain; then knit a plain row in white, adding one st.i.tch at the end to form the heel, and turn; then a similar row in blue, to increase and turn, repeat this without increasing, and changing the colors each time, until you have ten stripes. Then knit one row in blue, and turn, casting off seventeen st.i.tches. You begin from the heel. The remaining thirteen st.i.tches are knitted with white; turn; knit a row with blue; turn: and so continue, until you have five rows of one color, and four of the other. The thirteen st.i.tches are then to be done in blue, and seventeen to correspond, are to be added; turn: this side is finished like the other, decreasing from the heel. You then sew up the heel and toe, so as to form a shoe. You are then, with four needles, to pick up the st.i.tches round the ankle and fore foot, putting an equal number upon each of the three needles, and knit five rows plain; make a st.i.tch by bringing the wool forward, then slip one; knit the next two, and pa.s.s the slip-st.i.tch over them; again bring the wool forward, and repeat the process for one round: knit eighteen rows, five plain, four pearled; repeat and finish, bringing the wool forward, knitting two together; then knit two rows plain, and cast off. You must use No. 14 needles, and double German wool.

A BEAUTIFUL FRINGE AND BORDER.--This can be applied to a variety of useful purposes. It is executed as follows. The number of st.i.tches must be even, and of any depth you deem desirable. Begin, by making a st.i.tch, laying the material over the needle; put it through two loops, and knit them as one; repeat to the end of the row; thus continue to knit as many rows as you please, and when the stripe is of sufficient length, fasten off, letting from four to ten st.i.tches fall off the needle to unravel for the fringe.

A COMFORTER.--On a moderate sized pin, cast on forty st.i.tches; and in knitting, carry the wool twice round the pin for each st.i.tch. The comforter is to be done in double knitting, and may be finished with a fringe and border at the end. Without the fringe, you will require a quarter of a pound of six-thread untwisted lamb's wool; for the fringe a little more will be required.

ANOTHER COMFORTER.--You are to cast on thirty st.i.tches, and knit plain sixty-four ribs, knitting them backwards and forwards; then take twenty-two st.i.tches from the middle of the side, and you will have twenty-one left one each end. Form a chest-piece, by knitting as before, twenty-two ribs, and fasten off: you have only to sew up the end, and it is done.

ZEPHYR.--This is a light shawl for a baby, and may be made either of a half-handkerchief form, or a square. Cast on about 130 loops, and knit in French or honey-comb st.i.tch, which you like; or any other pretty pattern you prefer, as embossed hexagon, &c. You may add a fringe and border, which gives to the zephyr a rich and finished appearance.

AN OVER-SHOE.--These are useful to wear in the house, or to slip over a satin shoe, when occasion requires. The number of st.i.tches to be cast on is thirty-four. Knit a square, plain, which is to be doubled, and sewn up on one side, to the heel; then sew up three inches for the instep, and form the toe by puckering in the end.

A KNITTED m.u.f.f, IN IMITATION OF SABLE.--You cast on seventy or eighty st.i.tches. Knit the first three rows plain; then, for the fourth row, bring the wool forward, and taking two st.i.tches at the back, knit them; repeat to the end: these four must be repeated, until the piece is about half a yard long, taking care that the shading is as correct as possible. You must here use No. 19 needles, and double German wool. The shades required are four, and you begin with the lightest, proceeding to the darkest, and then reversing them. The m.u.f.f must be stuffed, and lined with silk.

A STRONG KNITTED PURSE.--Any number of st.i.tches, that can be divided by three, will do. First and third row: The wool is to be brought forward, then slip one, knit two, and pa.s.s over them the slip st.i.tch; repeat second and fourth row plain. Third and fifth row: knit two, before commencing the pattern; the holes will then fall in a diagonal direction: It will require to be well stretched.

BAREGE KNITTING, FOR SHAWLS.--In this kind of work, you commence with any number of st.i.tches you require: and, after knitting one row plain, you begin the second, by knitting three st.i.tches; then, bring the wool forward, and knit three together, taking them off at the back; again you bring the wool forward, and knit three, as before. The third row is pearled; and the fourth is the second repeated, only beginning by knitting three st.i.tches together. Fifth row, the same as the third; and thus proceed with any number of rows you choose. You may introduce any patterns in flowers, &c., you may desire, by breaking off the ground color, and fastening on that which is designed for the pattern, by means of a slip knot, made at the end of the wool. All flowers, &c., must be done in plain knitting.

CHECKED PATTERNS.--Any number of st.i.tches may be cast on, that can be divided by six. Then knit the first three rows three pearl st.i.tches, and three plain; second three rows, knit three st.i.tches plain, and three pearl. This pattern may be worked for children's socks, bags, mats, (if done in coa.r.s.e materials,) &c.

CLOSE St.i.tCH, FOR A WAISTCOAT.--This is to be done in two colors, and cast on any odd number of st.i.tches. First and fifth row, with one color; knit one, and slip one, in succession. Second and sixth row, with the same color; knit one, bring the wool forward, and slip one; pa.s.s the wool back, knit one, repeat. The third is the first reversed, and the fourth is worked exactly as the second, omitting the first st.i.tch.

PINE APPLE PURSE.--The material is purse twist, and you will require two colors; one skein of green, and one and a half of orange. Cast on 159 st.i.tches, and proceed as follows. Knit the first row, and turn it, then knit two rows, and again turn. To have ten points you must narrow and widen alternately every seven st.i.tches. Proceed in this way with the green twist for fifteen rounds; then with the orange knit one plain row and turn, knit seven rows as before, knit one plain row and turn, then reverse the narrowings, so as to take up the loops at the beginning of every row of points, and make a loop on each side: you are to have eight rows of points. You make no loops in the second row, but having counted when you have finished the points, you seam in the first row of green and reverse the narrowings without taking up the loops, proceed to knit twelve rows; after which, you must narrow until you have but four loops on each pin, then knit the stalks, and narrow off.

STAR, WITH EIGHT POINTS.--This is proper for the bottom of a bag or purse. In working it, proceed according to the following directions. You work with five needles, on each of four of which you cast on two st.i.tches, eight in whole, knit one plain round. Then, first row, raise, knit one, raise, knit one, and put on one bead at every knitted loop.

Second row, you knit a plain round. Third row, raise, knit two plain, raise, two plain; the raising is at the beginning and middle of each needle; and you thus proceed, until you have fifty beads on a needle, for a bag, and eighteen for a purse. To take off the points, proceed as follows: first row, raise one, knit one, raise one, slip one off needle as in knitting, knit one, and draw the one not knitted over it; knit plain, and put on beads until you come to the middle of the needle; thus proceed with each pin, and the star will be completed.

KNEE CAPS.--You commence with casting on eleven loops, and knitting eight rounds; then begin to raise every alternate round until you have forty-seven loops on the pins, knit eleven rounds plain, and then narrow until you have reduced the loops to eleven. Take off.

KNITTING FOOTING.--The material is fine cotton, and you cast eleven st.i.tches. Knit one row plain. Second row, knit one, make one, knit two together, knit three plain, make one, knit two together knit three plain. Third row, is the second row reversed; the fourth is the same as the second; and you thus proceed with each row, alternately, for any length you please. A bag knitted the same way, and put over blue or crimson silk, looks extremely handsome. The material for a bag is fine worsted, and you may cast on any number of st.i.tches that can be divided by eleven, taking care to have one additional st.i.tch for each twenty-two; that is, for four elevens, cast on forty-six.

DOUBLE NIGHTCAP.--You will find five needles are required. You must cast on two st.i.tches on each of four needles, and in the first row increase two, and in the second one plain st.i.tch in each. In the third row, the centre st.i.tch on each needle must be seamed, and you must increase on each side of it every other row, until you have attained the width required. You then knit the fourth and every succeeding row plain, until the cap is of a sufficient length, say twenty-four to twenty-eight inches, then decrease the first row, and make the other end to correspond with the one first knitted.

DOTTED KNITTING, FOR BABY'S SHOES, &C.--Cast on and knit as many rows as you desire, knitting one st.i.tch plain, and the next pearled. Begin every other row with a pearled st.i.tch. An odd number of st.i.tches are required, and No. 8 needles.

KNITTED FRINGE.--This may be made of any material deemed most suitable for the purposes to which it is to be applied. Cast on eight st.i.tches.

First knit two, then make one by bringing the cotton round the needle, and knitting it when it occurs in the next row; then knit two st.i.tches together, knit one, make one as before, knit two together, knit eight, and so proceed to the end of the row. When you have knitted as many rows as you require, cast off five st.i.tches and leave three, to be unravelled, for the fringe. They may be knitted in two or more colors, taking care to knit them in equal s.p.a.ces; that is, with an equal number of st.i.tches in each color.

GENTLEMAN'S TRAVELLING CAP.--You first cast on an even number of st.i.tches, and thus proceed; the first row is plain; then slip off the first st.i.tch in each row, and make one, by bringing the material in front; then slip a st.i.tch the contrary way, knit the next, and so proceed to the end of the row: you commence the next by slipping a st.i.tch as before; then knit two st.i.tches together to the last, which is to be knitted plain: repeat these rows alternately.

HERRING-BONE PURSE.--The number of st.i.tches must be so as to be divided by four. The silk is to be brought forward, then slip one, knit one, and bring the slip st.i.tch over it. Knit one, again bring the silk forward, pearl one, and so repeat. This purse should be knitted with second sized netting silk, No. 13.

HALF HANDKERCHIEF.--This is extremely pretty, when properly executed.

Begin with one st.i.tch to form the point, and knit as many rows, increasing one each row as is required to give you seven loops upon the pin. You must increase always at the same end: then commence the pattern. Make one st.i.tch, slip one, and knit two st.i.tches together, putting the slipped st.i.tch over the two knitted as one. Repeat this until you have got to four st.i.tches from the end; then again make a st.i.tch, and knit the remainder plain. The next row is to be done in pearl st.i.tch, and the succeeding one as the first pattern. Every row of pearl st.i.tch must be increased one, and the three last st.i.tches are to be knitted plain. This handkerchief must be one yard and a quarter long on the straight side. When completed, fasten off.

HABIT s.h.i.+RT.--These are worn under a shawl, and are extremely comfortable: they protect the chest from cold. The material most proper for them is floss wool, and they should be knitted with steel pins. You knit the front first, and begin by casting on as many loops as will form the length required. As it is necessary that one end should be a good deal more sloped than the other, you must be careful to increase at the end most sloped, at each end of the row; but at the other, you are only to increase at the end, and not at the beginning: having knitted one of the fronts, knit the other to match it, and then begin the back.

Commence at the bottom, or narrow part of the waist, and increase at each end of every row, until it is wide enough to reach from one shoulder to the other, and then decrease at both ends of each row for the neck. You then finish the centre st.i.tches, and knit up first on one side and then the other, decreasing each row, until a proper hollow is obtained. You then knit the collar straight, and of any depth you please. Make up, by sewing the various parts together, and set on a ribbon to the back, to tie round the waist, and another to secure it at the throat.

HARLEQUIN QUILT, WITH TUCKS.--This is done in double knitting st.i.tch, with six threads fleecy. The pieces are six inches square. Each square consists of about 24 st.i.tches, and they are to be sewn together with a tuft of wool, black or white, at each corner. The square should be knitted in at least three colors, including white; in a quilt one yard and a half square, there will be 225 pieces, 113 of which should be white. Make the tufts as follows: wind four-thread fleecy about 12 times round a grooved wooden mesh, one inch in width: then slip a coa.r.s.e thread in the groove, and tie the wool quite tight, but taking care that an end is left to it, which can be drawn through and fastened to the quilt. The loops of wool are to be cut through on the other side of the mesh; after which it is to be combed and dressed as neatly as possible.

PATTERN FOR A LIGHT SCARF.--Cast on the number of st.i.tches required upon No. 18 needles, and any kind of material you choose; three-threads fleecy is generally preferred. Knit one plain st.i.tch, then two together, and so on alternately, to the end of the row: each succeeding one is but a repet.i.tion of the first: it may be done in stripes, with various colors.

PLAIN KNITTED m.u.f.fATEES.--For these you will require four needles. On three of these cast on an equal number of st.i.tches, according to the size required, and knit each round three pearl and three plain: finish with one plain and two pearl rows.

STOCKINGS.--Cast on first size 73, second 85, third 91, fourth 99, fifth 109, sixth 133. Then knit rounds to the commencement of the narrowings, 40, 52, 54, 56, 60, and 74, respectively, according to the sizes given above. The narrowings in the leg are according to the size, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, and 21. After which you knit 18, 20, 25, 27, 30, or 45 rounds to the heel, which is to be formed in the following manner. The st.i.tches are to be divided in half, taking care to have the seam st.i.tch for the middle, and the heel is to be knitted in alternate turns of plain and pearled st.i.tches. The length, of course, varies in proportion to the size, being 12 turns for the first and second, 13 for the third, 14 for the fourth, 15 for the fifth, and 20 for the sixth. The heel is finished by knitting the nine middle st.i.tches in rows, the same as the heel, and taking up one of the others with the last loop of each row, till all is taken off. There will thus be nine st.i.tches when the heel is finished.

Having got thus far, you proceed to form the foot as follows. You take up sixteen on each side of the heel, in the second row, and taking them up, you make a seam on each side of the instep, knitting another st.i.tch in the loop under the first and last, which prevents holes in the corners, that would otherwise occur. Then narrow every second round on the heel sides of the seam until the number of st.i.tches are the same as those in the instep, or what is commonly called the fore foot needle.

You will have for the instep 28, 32, 34, 40, or 46, as the case may be; and the rounds between the heel and toe narrowings, will be 14, 18, 23, 26, 30, and 34, respectively; and the narrowings for the feet will be 6, 8, 8, 8, 9, and 10, on each side, according to the measurement given.

You begin the toe by narrowing double at the seams, leaving only the seam st.i.tch between, and narrowing twice with three, and twice with two rounds left between each narrowing: then narrow twice, leaving but one round between, and then every round until sixteen st.i.tches only are left. Finish by putting the two needles having st.i.tches on them together. And when two st.i.tches are done in this manner, cast them off, the first over the last, until the whole is taken off the needles. It should be noted, that the st.i.tches in the heel vary with the size of the stocking, and are as follows: first size 29, second 33, third 33, fourth 37, fifth 41, and sixth 45.

Some workers take off the heel, in the same manner as the toe is here directed to be finished.

OPEN-WORK STOCKINGS.--On each needle cast on 52 st.i.tches with fine cotton, knit the welts and raise one st.i.tch for the seam. When you arrive at the narrowings, narrow every eighth row, and when you have 38 st.i.tches on each needle, cease, and knit until the article is completed; then take half the st.i.tches to form the heel, knit 23 loops, and narrow on each side of the seam for three rows. In forming the heel, narrow every row once the fourth loop from the seam, and then the loops must be taken up, the end one as close as possible. Take three st.i.tches from each side of the fore foot needle to the other, and knit a round plain; after which, widen every fifth st.i.tch on both sides of the heel.

Alternate rows of the heel needles are then to be narrowed until only 36 loops remain on each. The st.i.tches to be narrowed are the fifth and sixth from the ends. Knit the feet of a proper length, and then narrow at the ends of the needles every other row, until only ten remain on each; narrow every row until you have only three, which you cast off in the usual manner. The open pattern is produced by knitting every fifth round thus: take two st.i.tches in one, and bring the cotton in front of the needle, that it may form a st.i.tch before taking the succeeding two into one. The more open you desire the work to be, the fewer st.i.tches and the finer needles you will require.

A NIGHT STOCKING.--This is easily done: cast on 54 st.i.tches on large needles, and pearl every other st.i.tch, narrowing gradually toward the end.

SOCKS.--These are very useful articles, and are easy of execution. In the first size there are 49 st.i.tches, in the second 55, and in the third 85; they have 16, 23, or 24 turns to the heel, in which there are 25, 29, or 43 st.i.tches, as the size may require. The instep has 24, 25, or 42 st.i.tches; and the length of the heel is 10, 12, or 14 turns. The length of the foot between the narrowings, is 10, 15, and 28 rounds.

CORNER FOR A SHAWL.--This, if properly executed, according to the directions, looks extremely handsome. Begin by casting on two loops, to form the point; knit them, and proceed as follows. First row, make a loop, knit the two original ones together, make a loop; you will then have three loops upon the pin; knit four additional rows in plain and pearled alternately, increasing a st.i.tch at the beginning and end of each row, and then on the fifth row you will have eleven st.i.tches. In the next row commence the pattern thus. Sixth row begin with six plain st.i.tches, pearl one, knit six plain. Seventh row plain knitting. Eighth row, knit six plain, pearl one, knit two together, pearl one, knit two together, pearl one, knit six plain. Ninth row plain. Tenth, knit six plain, pa.s.s the material in front to make a st.i.tch, knit two together, again make a st.i.tch, pearl three, make a st.i.tch, knit two together, make a st.i.tch, knit six plain. Eleventh row plain. Twelfth, knit six plain, knit two together, make a st.i.tch, pearl three, make a st.i.tch, knit two together, make a st.i.tch, pearl three, make a st.i.tch, knit two together, knit six plain. Thirteenth row plain. Fourteenth, knit six plain, pearl three, knit two together, make a st.i.tch, pearl three, knit two together, pearl three, make a st.i.tch, knit two together, pearl three, knit six plain. Fifteenth row plain. Sixteenth, knit six plain, knit two together, make a st.i.tch, pearl three, make a st.i.tch, knit two together, make a st.i.tch, pearl five, make a st.i.tch, knit two together, make a st.i.tch, pearl three, make a st.i.tch, knit two together, knit six plain.

Seventeenth row plain. Eighteenth, six plain, pearl three, knit two together, make a st.i.tch, knit two together, make a st.i.tch, pearl three, knit five plain, pearl three, make a st.i.tch, knit two together, make a st.i.tch, knit two together, pearl three, knit six plain. Nineteenth row plain. Twentieth, knit six plain, knit two together, pearl three, knit two together, make a st.i.tch, pearl four, make a st.i.tch, knit two together, make a st.i.tch, pearl three, make a st.i.tch, knit two together, make a st.i.tch, pearl four, make a st.i.tch, knit two together, pearl three, knit two together, knit six plain. The twenty-first row is plain, and you then decrease as you increased, knitting the twenty-second row as the twentieth, and so proceed until you have two loops on the pin.