Exercises in Knitting

Exercises in Knitting by Cornelia Mee
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I had a hard time figuring out how many stars to put on this book.  For knitters in the 1800's, it was probably a 5 star book, but I wouldn't like to deceive the modern reader.  On the other hand, it is great reading and a window into the past.

Much of the detailed instructions for gauge, type of yarn, neeedles today's knitter's expect is missing.  A half-cap for wearing under a bonnet only gives us Pins #14. The pattern for a "Raised Knitting, a kind of bell pattern, for a Counterpane starts out with, "Cast on any number that will divide by 4."

In my reading of Victorian novels, I have come across the term "Muffatees" before and had no idea what it was.  I find it is the same thing we call fingerless mitts, but they were designed to be worn inside the home where chores had to be done and there was no central heating.

Some of the interesting pattern names I found were, Corkscrew muffatees, Gentlemen's Cuffs: an Excellent Pattern, an under Spencer, Children's gaiters, a Fish Serviette, a knitted penwiper, and directions for the Sugar Plum stitch.

None of the patterns use abbreviation and many call for s "seamed stitch" which I can't figure out.  Often it is the first group of stitches after the cast on.  Since none of the patterns have purled stitches, I am assuming that a "seamed" stitch is a purled stitch.

At any rate, it was a fun book to read and I even think I might try one of the edgings or even the "half cap" to wear under my bonnet...which I don't have.


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