Proto Vegan Fox

I found this pattern in a collection of patterns from Godey's Lady's Book; I consider it the Victorian Vegan Fox (for those familiar with the Knitty pattern). In truth, it looks like some sort of weasel-snake crossbreed; when I get around to making this one up, I'm going to at least give the thing some legs so that it will look 100% mammal. I thought about adding fangs but if I end up with bitemarks in my neck, no one will believe it was from my scarf. I can imagine some mishap that would have the damned thing sever a major vein or artery in my neck - "Woman Bleeds to Death After Deadly Bite From Knitting Project."



Muff Crocheted in Imitation of Fur

The following articles crocheted in imitation of fur are recommended for the warm winter toilets of young girls, as they are not expensive.

With a fine bone hook, No. 12 Bell guage (sic), and the grey wool, single Berlin (of which you require six ounces), make a chain of 78 stitches.

1st Row: Dc (double crochet), at the end 1 ch.

2nd Row: 1 dc in the first dc, taking up the back of the loop, which is done throughout the work, take up the back of the 2nd loop, draw the wool through, pass the wool round the needle, take up the same loop again, making 3 loops on the needle in this one stitch, draw the wool through these 3, then trough the 2 on the needle; take up the whole of this row in this manner.

3rd Row: Plain dc worked from the back of the loop as before.

Repeat the 2nd and 3rd Rows.

Work a piece wide enough for your muff, then make it up; for this you require blue silk in the piece, two pair of black tassels, some blue ribbon to run in the runner, and a sheet of wadding. Lay your wadding the size of the piece of crochet you have worked, cover it on both sides with silk, then sew together; make a slot at each outer edge, sew up the piece of crochet, place it over the silk, run the edges of the crochet to the extreme edge of the slot, then pass your ribbon in; add the tassels by the join.



The Boa

This is also crocheted in the same stitch as the muff. You require five steel knitting needles, No. 12, for the head as it is knitted, 2 jet buttons for the eyes. For the length of the body make a chain of 117 stitches. Commence with a row of double crochet, then a row of pattern, always working a ch stitch at the end of each row. Work about 8 inches of this crochet for the width of the body. Sew it together, and stuff it with wadding covered with silk.

The Tail

The tail is worked separately, and is crocheted in looped crochet. Make a ch of 20.

1st Row: Dc.

2nd Row: Take up the back of the loop, pass the wool three times round a mesh one and a quarter inch wide, or your 2 fingers of the left hand, put the needle under these loops, loop the wool over, then take up the st again, draw through, then draw through the 2 on the needle; work the row in this manner. Work these 2 rows until you have ten rows of loops; then work 2 more rows, decreasing one stitch on each side now, cut the loops in the middle and comb them with a fine comb. Sew the tail together, then to the body.

The Head is Knitted

Cast on 10 stitches on each of the 4 needles; knit a round. Then 3 rounds knit plain.

4th: Knit 17; You now commence the increase for the forehead. In the 18th st work 2 st thus: knit 1, then purl 1; work the 19th st in the same manner; 20th st, knit plain; the 21st and 22nd st like the 18th and 19th; the rest knit plain.

5th: Knit plain.

6th: Increase like the 4th round in the 2 st on both sides of the 22nd st.

7th: Plain.

8th: Increase like the 4th round on both sides the 24th st; rest plain.

Knit 6 plain rounds.

14th: K 7, k2 together; k 1, knit 2 together; knit plain until the last 12; then k 2 together, k 1, k 2 together.

15th: Plain.

16th: K 5, knit 2 together 3 times; knit plain until the last 11, when knit 2 together 3 times; knit 5.

17th: Like 14th.

18th and 3 next rounds plain.

21st: K 5, knit 2 together twice, knit plain until the last 9, then knit 2 together twice, knit 5.

22nd: Plain.

23rd: K 7, join the black, knit 2 together in black until the last 7, which knit plain in grey.

Knit 8 rounds plain, knitting the black stitches with black and the grey with grey; cast off.

Wad the head to the shape, stitch on the buttons for the eyes, add some shreds of black wool for whiskers, then stitch on the ears, the directions for knitting which follow.

The Ears

Cast 12 st on 1 needle with grey wool. Knit back.

2nd Row: Purl.

3rd Row: Knit 2 together, knit 8, knit 2 together.

4th Row: Purl 2 together, purl all but the last 2, which purl together.

Repeat the 3rd and 4th rows until you have only one stitch left, then cast off, and sew to the head.

Crochet Miser's Purse

{Articles from The Young Ladies Journal, January 1901}

Purse: Crochet

Purse silk and a medium size steel hook are used for this purse. The stitches must be tightly and evenly worked.

Commence at one end with 3 chain, join round.

1st Row: 2 doubles into each stitch.

2nd Row: Work 1 double in the 1st stitch, 2 in the next, and so on, till the end of the row.

3rd Row: 2 doubles in every 3rd stitch.

4th Row: Increase in every 4th stitch by worked (sic) 2 doubles into the stitch.

5th Row: Increase in every 5th stitch.

6th Row: Increase in every 6th stitch.

7th Row: Increase in every 7th stitch.

8th Row: Increase in every 8th stitch.

9th Row: Increase in every 9th stitch.

10th Row: Increase in every 10th stitch.

Now continue to work without increase until you reach the opening, that will be measuring 2-1/2 to 3 inches from the first row according to the size you wish the purse to be.

For the opening, work backwards and forwards with 1 double into each stitch for about 1-1/2 inch. When this is done, begin to work in the round again, and work the same length without decrease as you did for the other end, then decrease in the same proportion as you increased. Sew a tassel to each end and slip on two steel, silver or gilt rings. A simple design may be worked in on each end in cross-stitch with silk of another colour, or with steel beads.


Description of Fashion Engravings

Bodice - Mercerised spotted velveteen makes up well in this style. The chemisette of lace is threaded through with the narrowest black ribbon velvet; this is attached to the tight-fitting lining on the right side, and is hooked over to the left. No bust seams are taken up in the velvet; it is strained over the lining, and what little fulness there is is gathered and sewn to the lining. The right side crosses over to the left, and fastens under a bow of ribbon velvet on the bust, which is connected by a strap to another bow at the side. The edge is trimmed with rows of ribbon velvet in two sizes.

The sleeves are trimmed at the top by velvet threaded lace, over silk, the edge being trimmed with ribbon velvet. Ruffles of lace finish the wrists.

Materials required: 2-1/2 yds velveteen, 5/8 yds lace 18 inches wide, 3-1/2 yds narrow velvet, 2 yds wider width, 3-1/2 yds for bow and waistband.

Recipes

Baked Apple Batter Pudding - 1/2 lb flour, 1 saltspoonful salt, 1 pint milk, 3 eggs, 3/4 lb apples, 2 tablespoonfuls white sugar, 2 oz butter. Make a smooth batter with the flour, salt and milk, mixing the flour to a paste, and gradually stirring in the milk; when quite smooth, add 3 eggs well beaten, butter a pie-dish, and pour in the batter; take the apples, peel and cut them in slices, put them in the batter with the sugar; place the butter on the top in small pieces, and bake for 3/4 hour. When baked, sprinkle sugar on the top, and serve very hot.

Boiled Celery - Cut the celery in convenient and equal lengths; boil in salted water until tender, but not watery; drain, and serve with white sauce. Put in a small saucepan a tablespoonful of butter, and when melted stir in as much flour; add a cup of boiling milk, graduatlly, so that there will be no lumping, season with pepper and salt, and pour over the celery.

I Wonder What They Serve Here

A few years ago a coworker sent me this photo that he'd taken with the above title (and no, I've never eaten there). He said that the sign was missing the 'g' on both sides. Undoubtedly a fine instance of workplace sabotage. For further tales of workplace sabotage and pranks, I recommend Sabotage in the American Workplace. If you've ever had or currently have a shit job, you'll appreciate this book and perhaps be inspired.

Belding Corticelli Bk KP 13

This is one of my most favorite vintage knitting books; the designs are not too haute or over-the-top, but they are classic 1930's. You'd look right at home on the set of "The Black Cat" in any of these outfits (although whether you'd match the creepy repartee of Lugosi & Karloff in that film is another story entirely - Bela warms my cardiac cockles when he says "Superstitious? Perhaps. Baloney? Perhaps not.").


I bought this and some other 1930's knitting books in a flea market in Landisville, NJ a couple of decades ago. I'll be posting patterns from this book periodically (as well as others). If you've got something you're particularly interested in, send me an email and I'll see if I have a pattern for it. WARNING: It may take me awhile to get back to you or post something. If you're in a huge hurry for that perfect pattern, I'm not the person you want. Hey, at least I'm not pretending to be organized.

I would love the pattern for this hat!

My guess is that it's made of Red Heart Super Saver. His ma probably knitted it for him - sweet! {I highly recommend that you click on the photo for the enlarged view - not only can you appreciate the hat that much more, but you can appreciate that it was taken on what looks to be a firing range...this should be hanging in a museum next to American Gothic.}

Rather Stupid Article About Knitting

http://www.webpronews.com/topnews/2007/05/02/searchers-up-for-wild-knitting-nights

I must say, I like the 21st cent. revival of knitting better than the early/mid-1980's version (many ugly patterns during that time). Perhaps because there was nothing like the internet, anyone doing odd, radical, creative, punk knitting never got noticed or known. I only had a couple of friends in the punk scene who were into knitting, and no one was getting all that creative (I was the weird one with my vintage patterns).

On an unrelated topic, I learned something new about Blogger; if you take months or years to publish a draft, it shows up on the date you started it, not the date you published. Since it takes me forever to publish anything, if you're looking for old patterns, you may wish to check the archives for previous months. I just published something I started in Feb, and that's where it is on the post now. Arse biscuits! I have a suit from the late 1910's - early 1920's that I hope to publish, but I started it last month, so it won't show up in May...you'll have to travel back to April something or other to see it.

Swagger Scarf

1930's Scarf pattern from Lorraine Yarns vol W1 (magazine has F.W. Woolworth's imprint on the back). I haven't made this one up yet, but I thought I'd post it for anyone interested in vintage accessories. I'd love to get photos of the FO, if someone makes it up! (Apologies for my unsophisticated presentation of the visuals - perhaps someday I'll be inspired to improve my blogging skills, just keep holding your breath!)

The Harmsworth

Knitting suit from Harmsworth's Household Encyclopedia vol. 6

I recently scored this book for a ridiculously low price; I found it on a sale cart at a used book store, and the first article it fell open to was an article on taxidermy for amateurs. Too wonderful, I thought, and immediate a list of at least half a dozen people came to mind who had to see this (yes, I know people who are almost as, er, unique as I am). $2 and 2 hours later, I discovered what an amazing book this is! If civilisation ever collaspses, this is the book you want to have, absolutely. I found too many articles to mention, tons of recipes, instructions for furniture, fences, and wireless receivers, among other things. It's so wonderful I'm almost afraid to track down the other five volumes - I might never leave home again, my consciousness possessed by such volumes of wisdom from the turn of the 20th cent. I really do love old books.


Anyway, I found these lovely knitting patterns contained within, and thought I'd share them with you. I hope to post other fascinating tidbits from this book from time to time, and if there's anything you'd like me to look up in there, lemme know and I'll see what I can find and send you a scan. You'd be amazed what you find between the letters STR-Z in this book (like knitted suits!). Click to enlarge, folks, click to enlarge!



PS - I haven't knitted these up, but I thought some would find them interesting. Also notice, on the first page, the article on suicide - ha!

Kiki

My orchid is in the process of having a baby (a kiki apparently is what these offspring are called). This flower is growing out of the little three-leafed two-inch-long kiki (which is still growing out of the mother). This flower is huge (four inches from top to bottom, about the same across) - you can't even see the kiki behind it. And kiki is producing a second flower just like this one. I know nothing about orchids - but I'm really impressed with the huge, beautiful bloom my little kiki has produced! (Click on the photo to see a larger version of it - the better to appreciate her intricate beauty!)

The Surge

Sometimes reading doesn’t pay off, at least not in a positive way. I was just reading the latest edition of the NYRB (3-15-2007); the first article is “The Surge” by Peter W. Gailbraith about Bush’s Iraq policy (in case you had some other surge in mind). He relates the following about General Petraeus (hopefully this quote doesn't piss the copyright gods off):

“Petraeus, on whom so much now rests, served two previous tours in Iraq. As the American commander in Mosul in 2003 and 2004, he earned adulatory press coverage — including a Newsweek cover story captioned “Can This Man Save Iraq?” — for taming the Sunni-majority city. Petraeus ignored warnings from America’s Kurdish allies that he was appointing the wrong people to key positions in Mosul’s local government and police. A few months after he left the city, the Petraeus-appointed local police commander defected to the insurgency while the Sunni Arab police handed their weapons and uniforms over en masse to the insurgents. Neither this episode nor the evident failure of the training programs for the Iraqi army and police which he ran in his next assignment seemed to have damaged the general’s reputation.”

Not that I actually thought the surge strategy would be successful but, without a doubt, Bush picked someone to lead it who is pretty much guaranteed to make sure it’s a failure. Of course, the Democrats are holding lots of hearings about Petraeus mismanagement of his previous Iraqi assignments – or not. Definitely not.