Looking back at the history of knitting and how patterns have developed over the past couple of centuries can be fascinating.
But this always mean disappearing into a dusty archive, the University of Southhampton has an extensive collection of knitting books,journals and patterns dating back to 1840 including a run of Girls Own Annuals starting from 1881 collected by Montse Stanley.
The university has digitised its Victoria knitting collection meaning that we can browse these works from home.
We have taken a look at just a few books in this amazing collection.
The Lady’s Knitting Book from 1874 shows how knitting patterns have changes as what knitters are expected to understand has altered over time. This comprehensive tome has a two paragraph pattern for a Shetland shawl which tells us that “any fancy stitch will do: it had rather be a simple one” if you want to personalise your shawl. Each pattern includes an estimated cost of the yarn based on the price list of Haig and Vincent of London’s Oxford Street.
The stocking-knitter's manual : a handy book for the work-table would come in handy for many sock knitters today with information on working different types of sock heel. It provides sock and stocking recipes for different sizes from infants to adult men and has a selection of stitch patterns you can use with these. One of our team says she is very tempted to have a go following one of these patterns.
We have enjoyed browsing The seventh book of "hows" : or how to knit and crochet wools from 1911 which includes photographs of each project such as the “Matron’s Scarf” and the “Bath Slippers” (crocheted mules) as well as a simple lacy scarf that would appeal to many modern knitters. It is also worth looking at the knitted and crocheted underwear and the adverts.
There are many, many more books in the collection to look at and we’d love to hear if you have read any of them – or better still tried any of the patterns.
