Pemberley Reticule by Catherine Salter Bayar

Pemberley Reticule

Knitting
May 2012
DK (11 wpi) ?
US 4 - 3.5 mm
US 5 - 3.75 mm
US 6 - 4.0 mm
US 7 - 4.5 mm
861 yards (787 m)
28” circumference and 19” tall, without straps
Flag of English English
This pattern is available in print for $6.50.

“All young ladies accomplished! They all paint tables, cover skreens, and net purses…I scarcely know any one who cannot do all this, and I am sure I never heard a young lady spoken of for the first time, without being informed that she was very accomplished.” Pride and Prejudice

Reticule is an old term for a small handbag which alludes to the fact that they were originally made of netted fabric—Latin rete, “net,” became reticulum, or “netted bag.” Knit as gifts for sisters and friends, rarely for themselves, women would only be able to carry a few coins in them. Not exactly practical for modern day use, so this larger-than-Regency upscales that net to create a bag that goes from market to beach, adding Gothic floral lace motifs that grace and stabilize the base and top.