Miss Lambert

“ A dividing, or seam stitch,—called also a raised stitch, is made by putting the needle through both meshes of the chain, and working two stitches in the same hole. These stitches must always be made exactly over each other. In crocheting circles they form a kind of star pattern, and serve the purpose of increasing stitches. They should not be employed when working with chenille.
To increase a stitch,—to make two stitches in the same loop.
To decrease,—to take two stitches together, or to miss one stitch. Decreasing is always done in the same ratio as increasing. ”

“ Those who are accustomed to follow the technicalities of one writer on knitting, are not unfrequently perplexed to comprehend the directions of another, however clearly and concisely they may be laid down. ”

“ Commence the centre as follows:—working one row of pearl knitting, before the pattern commences.
First row—bring the wool forward, slip one; knit one, pass the slip stitch over it; knit one; pearl one.—Repeat to the end of the row.
Second and following rows—repeat the first,—every row being alike.
If the wool be split, it exactly imitates the Shetland wool. In splitting, the wool will frequently break; but this is not important, as by laying the ends contrariwise, and twisting them together, a few stitches may be so knit, that the joins are not perceptible. ”

“ The narrow stripes are repeated round the back of the slipper; they are gold colour, blue, scarlet, white, and green.
For a moderate-sized gentleman’s slipper in crochet silk, the toe might be commenced with twenty-four stitches, and increased in the succeeding rows, until the width across the instep were eighty stitches,—but, as some persons work so much tighter than others, a positive number cannot be given. The silk also may [87] vary in size, as well as the dimensions required for a slipper. The increasing is made by the addition of a stitch on each side of the work. ”

“ In short, the work justifies its title; it possesses an elegant exterior, and we prognosticate that few ladies will willingly dispense with so much silent instruction."—Sunday Times.
"The pretty volume now before us, has been compiled with exceeding care, and strict attention to the most minute details; all is well-arranged.... The illustrations are a valuable addition to the interest and information of a volume which deserves a place on the table of every lady."—Art Union. ”

“ To slip, or pass a stitch.—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 stitches with both together: but, when knitting with silk, or fine cotton, a weaver’s knot will be found the best.
A Loop Stitch.—Made by bringing the thread before the needle, which, in knitting14 the succeeding stitch, will again take its own place. ”

“ For a sofa pillow, eight-thread zephyr fleecy; for a tidy, three-thread fleecy; for a window mat, eight-thread common fleecy; for a flower mat, German or English wool; for a cradle quilt, eight-thread zephyr fleecy; for a bed quilt, six-thread fleecy; for a d’oyley, rather fine knitting cotton. The size of the article, however, must in the first instance be determined, and the number of stitches counted, so as to bring in the pattern as suited to that size. The simplest colouring will be the most effective,—a plain ground, with the pattern in any bright colour. ”

“ Knit, on the forty stitches, one of the two pieces, that pass over the shoulders and form the front of the shirt, as follows.
N.B. The border (of eight stitches) is continued on the outer side at the same time. The borders, at the top of the back, and of the inner sides of the front pieces, are knitted afterwards.
Knit four patterns, increasing on one side only—between the pattern and outer border.
Knit four patterns, increasing, as before, on the outer side, between the pattern and the border; and plain knitting four stitches on the inner side of every row. ”

“ Continue these stripes, until the back be sufficiently long to be sewn to the front on the other side. It is advisable, before commencing a slipper, to cut a paper pattern of the desired size and shape.
The above form chaussons to wear over the shoes, the sole being formed of coarse crochet in black; or they may be made up in the usual way for slippers, either for ladies or gentlemen. In crochet silk they are extremely warm and durable.—The ends of the wool or silk, are to be threaded with a needle, and run into the work on the inside. ”

“ If larger needles and coarser wool be employed, the knitting will be still more elastic, and a fewer number of stitches will be required. The same directions, with a change of material, are equally adapted for a large loose night, or bath, sock. ”

“ Plain crochet-purses are exceedingly strong, and may be made very prettily with a moderate sized netting silk. Those, worked in rows the length of the purse, are the most easily made.
Make a chain in scarlet netting silk of one hundred and forty stitches, on which crochet three plain rows with the same colour. Then, five plain rows in shades of green, or stone colour. These two stripes are to be repeated until the purse is of a sufficient width. When completed, it is to be neatly sewn up, or joined by crocheting the two sides together. The ends are then to be drawn up, and the purse trimmed. ”

“ Murray's series of Handbooks, which seem destined to embrace all the arts of life as well as all the sights in the world. Miss Lambert's [ii] treatise is one of practical utility, its information being the product of experience: after sketching the history of needlework, it proceeds to describe the various kinds of materials used, such as wool, silk, gold thread, beads, &c.; the canvas, patterns, frames, and implements, required; the different kinds of stitches; the mode of working certain patterns and shapes; the processes of embroidery, knitting, and netting. ”

“ When beads are introduced, the wrong side of the work becomes the right. It is possible to crochet with the beads on the right side, but they never lay so firmly, nor indeed is it the proper way of using them.
The average number of stitches for the length of a purse, in fine silk, is one hundred and sixty. In coarse silk,—one hundred and ten.
From ninety to one hundred stitches form the circle of a purse in fine silk.
One hundred and thirty stitches may be taken for the round of a bag, in crochet silk. ”

“ Cast on four stitches, with fine flat scarlet worsted braid, No. 19 needles.
Plain knitting, but slipping the first stitch of every row.
Hints on Knitting.
A plain stitch at the beginning of each row, commonly called an edge stitch, is a great improvement in most instances, as it makes an uniform edge, and the pattern is kept more even at its commencement. ”

“ Work four similar rows, but alternating the stitches, by pearling on the knitted stitches, and knitting on the pearled stitches, of the previous four rows,—so as to form a checked pattern.
Repeat the last eight rows, alternately four and four, until twenty patterns in height be worked; when twenty-five patterns in width should count on the needle. ”

“ A good-sized ivory or steel crochet needle, with six-thread fleecy, will be required. Instead of working the rows backwards and forwards, as before described, begin each row separately at the same end. When the last stitch of each row is finished, draw the wool through, and cut it off, leaving an end of two or three inches. It is impossible to determine the exact number of stitches,—that must depend on the article, and its required size ”

“ With the blue wool, commence forming the bowl of the jug; increasing, by knitting two stitches in one,—first knitting the front of the stitch, and then the back; which will prevent the appearance of the increasing. ”

“ It will be perceived that the sprigs run in a diagonal direction; and the commencement of the first two rows of the fourth stripe, on referring to the corresponding part of the previous stripe, will show where the next sprig is to be begun.
If worked for a bag, or sac de voyage, the pattern should be commenced from the bottom, thus forming a border at the lower part; but if a pillow, table cover, or couvre-pied, is intended to be made,—first crochet two plain rows, and then commence the pattern as at the sixteenth row. ”

“ The widest part, which forms the bottom or foot of the sock, should be sewn, or loosely knitted, up. A leathern sole, if desired, may afterwards be attached. This sock, although when in the hand it does not exhibit much form, when drawn over the foot will be found to fit exactly to its shape. ”

“ When the purse is worked to the size desired, cut a piece of stiff cardboard, and sew the purse firmly to it,—the wrong side outwards; then, damp it with water, and allow it to remain until dry. This process will stretch the purse, tighten the stitches, and bring them all into their proper places. Then, having sewn or crocheted up the sides, draw up the ends and put on the trimmings.—This purse should only be made with fine silk. ”