This no-image, no-name pattern from 1875 has a 6-stitch, 8-row repeat with 4 selvage stitches (2 on each side). Except for the selvedge stitches, all 4 wrong-side rows are purl across.

An 1882 pattern that looked like a conifer in an engraving wasn’t so tree-like in real life. 2 days of knitting and 12 variations later, I think I have something that suggests a Douglas Fir.

This no-image, no-name pattern from 1875 looks a lot like a spinning stars quilt block. It has a 10-stitch, 16-row repeat. It’s still easy, though, as the knitting is easy to “read” and every wrong-side row is simply: k5, p5.

This eye-catching pattern is from Weldon’s Practical Needlework, vol. 8, p.5, ca. 1892. A lot of pattern is packed into just 4 rows but the results are worth it! Seaweed stitch could be used for anything you choose: scarves, shawls, baby gowns, etc.

This stockinette stitch hat will fit a 5.5 inch circumference bald Pukifee or Lati Yellow head. The hat will also fit a smaller doll head with a wig. The roll brim will adjust for slightly larger or smaller doll heads. This doll hat takes about 1.5 hours to make.

This fun and fast, no-name pattern from 1875 is all knit and slip stitches – not a purl stitch to be found! The Willamette (will-LAM-met) is an important river in Oregon. The pattern has a 2-stitch, 4-row repeat and looks good (but not identical) on both sides! It takes about 1 hour to knit 5 inches of a 22-stitch-wide swatch.

The original Lemon Stitch from Weldon’s Practical Needlework, vol. 11, p.8, ca. 1898 wasn’t quite what I wanted, so I added 2 more rows and changed a double yarn over to a single one. The new quick-to-learn pattern has a 6-stitch, 6-row repeat. 5 of the rows are simple k3, p3 ribbing.

Keep this fun and easy pattern in your back pocket – just in case! The large eyelets are perfect for weaving in ribbon, yarn or anything else you can think of. Imagine the textures you could add to your project with a column or two of Salmon Ladders in a scarf, sweater or blanket! This stitch pattern is quickly memorized; you won’t need the ins...

Nehalem (nuh-HAY-lum) Bay Netting started with a no-image, no-name 1875 lace pattern with errors, so I had to improvise. Nehalem Bay is a beautiful state park on Oregon’s coast. This pattern has a 4-stitch, 6-row repeat. The double yarn overs are worked as 2 stitches in the next row: knit the first loop, purl the second loop. The wrong-side row...

This no-image, no-name lace pattern is from The Lady’s Book of Knitting and Crochet, published by J. H. Symonds, ca. 1875. I named this reversible pattern for Netarts (NEE-tarts) Bay, a beautiful place on the Oregon coast. I made an afghan strip swatch but feel free to work the pattern for anything you like! The lace pattern has a mere 3-stitch...

This lacy, no-image pattern was in Weldon’s Practical Needlework, vol. 5, p. 12, ca. 1892. It has a 20-stitch, 8-row repeat with 5 border stitches. The pattern is a mirror image around a center purl stitch, using k2tog and SSK to shape the crescent. The wrong side rows are just knit and purl. At the stated gauge, each repeat is 2.25 inches wide.

After working the “Snow Flurries” pattern from The Lady’s Book of Knitting and Crochet, ca. 1875, I changed it to be a bit more visually organized. The result reminded me of Mt. Hood’s snowy, craggy edges. The simple, quick-to-work pattern has a 2-stitch, 4-row repeat. The selvage stitches (1 stitch on each side) can be omitted, if needed.

This lace stitch from The Lady’s Book of Knitting and Crochet, p.86, ca. 1875 was unnamed, so I named it “Snow Flurries” because the repeating pattern is so visually subtle.

I’m very excited to present an afghan pattern I haven’t seen anywhere but in Weldon’s Practical Needlework, vol. 8, p.6, ca. 1895. I’ve altered a few things including changing garter stitch edges to background stitches. Victorian needleworkers probably improvised, so we can, too! I recommend purists refer to Weldon’s original instructions; they...

This is my 150th free Ravelry design and it’s a perennial favorite! It’s in at least 4 different vintage publications! The earliest I’ve found was in The New Knitter or Lady’s Work Table Companion from 1848. My pattern revival is from Weldon’s Practical Needlework, vol. 1, p.6 from 1888. You could make a strip, a square or a one-piece afghan ou...

This beautiful but simple stitch should be on every knitter’s radar! Weldon’s Practical Needlework, vol. 1, p.10, calls it “Crow’s Foot” and the not-so-great image is of an unblocked swatch from the wrong side. When blocked and shown from the right side, this pattern reminds me of tiny teapots with upturned spouts! The pattern has just 2 rows (...

Here was another mystery (no image) pattern from Weldon’s Practical Needlework, vol. 3, p.11. I’m very glad I tried it! The 10-row pattern is symmetrical about the center double decrease, so the order of stitches is predictable. Except for the border stitches, all wrong-side rows are purl across. I changed the selvage stitches for easier sewing...

I modified the “Ears of Corn” pattern in The Harmony Guides 440 more Knitting Stitches, vol. 3, p.59 for a subtler look with more defined rows of corn. The pattern is still 12 rows but I increased the separation between ears and decreased the ear size. Now 6 of the 12 rows are stockinette stitch: without 3 stockinette rows between corn ears, th...

This afghan strip from Weldon’s Practical Needlework, vol. 3, p.14 could have slipped into obscurity as there was no image of it. Very few knitters would try a pattern without knowing what they were making! I had to knit and hope it was Ravelry-worthy. Although the original pattern is attractive, I added 4 stitches for better proportions. With ...

This pattern is popular in knitting and quilting! The original pattern in garter stitch is in Lady’s Book of Knitting, Containing New and Easy Patterns… from 1886. The diamonds’ light/medium/dark arrangement is essential for the illusion of a 3-dimensional box. I recommend using a 60 degree diamond template for blocking. (I had to re-block my t...

It’s fun to knit this unusual newborn-baby hat with a variegated or striped yarn! I love the vertical stripes! Weldon’s Practical Needlework, vol. 3, p.14 pattern inspired me but it needed rewriting for a current yarn and current newborn head size. The large cuff provides room for growth. This pattern is recommended for intermediate knitters an...

This simple and attractive afghan block is from ca. 1890 Weldon’s Practical Needlework, vol. 3, p.3. Repeating rows make this block work up quickly. The 2 sides are almost identical. Either side can be the right side; just take care when sewing the blocks together to have all the same sides facing up. (Yes, I had to re-sew a seam!) The top and ...

This edging requires more concentration than the average knitted edging because it has a bit of everything: attractive header, eyelet diamonds, leaves and a lacy zigzag edge. From 1902 Butterick Publishing’s Fancy and Practical Knitting, p. 88, this edging was paired with Butterick’s No. 7 “Knitted Tidy” pattern (see my “Butterick’s Tidy Triang...

These doll-sized spats will fit a doll foot with a 4” circumference around the instep while wearing a shoe. Feel free to alter the number of stitches and rows to fit your particular doll. This spat style can make shoes look more boot-like when color-matched to the shoe and can save you money if you prefer not to buy doll boots. Feel free to add...

This simple little knit square is full of options! It’s a variation of “Parallel Ridges” in ca. 1893 Weldon’s Practical Needlework, vol. 6, p.6. The original pattern has 121 rows, which made me tired just lookin’ at it! I developed a smaller version with a few changes. This square can be any size: use any yarn and needles, slowly increase 3-row...

I’m so happy to post this: I love leaves and Myrtle was my dear grandmother’s middle name! This charming edging is from 1902 Butterick Publishing’s Fancy and Practical Knitting, p.33, no. 41. It starts with 26 stitches. Over 12 rows, it increases to 34, then returns to 26 stitches on the 12th row. Every row is a “fancy” row. I changed the selva...

This triangle is from 1902 Butterick Publishing’s Fancy and Practical Knitting, p. 86, no. 7. It’s the top half of the “Knitted Tidy” square. The bottom half of this square is already on Ravelry: “Rosedale Counterpane/Apricot Leaf Square” and “Bedspread (Counterpane w/Leaves)”. Neither pattern includes this top half. This pattern will also work...

Weldon’s Wicker Square makes me think of picnic baskets! This square is in Weldon’s Practical Needlework, vol. 6, p.8. The Sidney and New South Wales Advertiser republished Weldon’s pattern on Saturday, 12 March 1892. The Advertiser wrote that many squares sewn together makes for an “effective, warm and durable” quilt. This handsome square has ...

Clover Powdering: what a name! The pattern is from Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 9, p.12, ca. 1896. This sweet, simple pattern is useful for many things. I turned it into an afghan strip but use it however you like. There are 16 pattern rows but the 8 wrong-side rows are purl across and 4 right-side rows are knit across. That leaves onl...

Happy New Year! I’m starting the year with something easy and fun! This “Grandmother’s Table Mat” is from 1892 Butterick Publishing’s The Art of Knitting, p.100, #8. I decreased the size a bit so only 1 skein of sock yarn would be needed. The 2 big advantages of this pattern are how simple it is and how the number of points can be adjusted to m...

My inspiration for this afghan square is from 1902 Butterick’s Fancy and Practical Knitting, p.69. I challenged myself to create a version with fewer rows and different stitches but staying with simple slip, knit and purl patterns.

This edging from 1892 Butterick Publishing’s The Art of Knitting, p. 44, no. 55, starts with 23 stitches, slowly increasing to 28 stitches before returning to 23. There are 20 pattern rows. The 10 wrong-side rows are identical and almost all purl stitch.

The original pattern is from 1892 Butterick Publishing’s The Art of Knitting, p. 13, no. 12. I corrected some significant errors, changed the pattern to knit flat and added edge stitches. Dropped yarn overs make the moth bodies. All 8 pattern rows are “fancy” rows.

So easy and reversible! So adjustable!

I love leaves! This afghan strip from 1902 Butterick Publishing’s Fancy and Practical Knitting, p.18, starts with 26 stitches, increases gradually to 46 stitches, then back down to 26 stitches to begin the next repeat. I added a few extra stitches to the background to keep the leaves from distorting the edge stitches and modified the selvage st...

I’m SO excited to show you something different! This eye-catching pattern is from Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 10, ca. 1898. Although this pattern has 87 rows, it goes quickly due to the easy, repeating pattern before the tassel section is knitted. The “fancy” rows 69 through 84 might look a little daunting but they’re just 3 big repea...

This 1884 stitch pattern from The Young Ladies’ Journal, p. 58, has just 2 pattern rows with a 3-stitch repeat. I made it into an easy afghan strip that can be adjusted to any length or width. In a thicker yarn, an afghan with this airy stitch will be surprisingly warm because the eyelets trap air and keep the wearer warm and snug! The sample w...

This is my slightly-bigger version of a quick-and-easy, reversible afghan square from 1880 Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Vol. 1. The original pattern is also in 1988 Hewitt and Daley’s Motifs, Borders and Trims in Classic Knitted Cotton. I added 16 knit rows (8 rows on each end) to the square to make the proportions a little nicer and I change...

From 1884 The Young Ladies’ Journal, p. 58, No. 8, this pattern imitates the woven cane panels on Victorian summer chairs. There are just 4 pattern rows with the 2 wrong-side rows mostly purl. This afghan strip can be adjusted to any width by adding or subtracting multiples of 6 stitches.

From 1902 Butterick Publishing’s Fancy and Practical Knitting, this sweet little pattern has just 4 pattern rows and a 3-stitch repeat. I incorporated the pattern into an afghan strip. The strip can be adjusted to any size needed by adding multiples of 3 stitches. 3 of the rows are simple knit and purl. There’s 1 “fancy” row.

I love leaves! This reversible edging pattern from 24 January 1890 Fitzroy City Press newspaper in Australia starts with 11 stitches and has 12 rows. The pattern is repetitive – in a good way! All the odd rows start the same and all the even rows except row 12 start the same. I corrected an error and changed the selvage stitch for easier sewing...

This reversible edging was called “Edging with close heading” in the Australian newspaper, Fitzroy City Press, 24 January 1890. With just 9 stitches to start and 6 pattern rows with a lot of plain knitting, it’s suitable for a newer knitter. This edging can be blocked straight but, with its natural curve, I recommend sewing it to a curved item.

This reversible edging was called “Edging No. 1” in the Australian newspaper, Fitzroy City Press, 24 January 1890. With just 10 stitches to start and 4 pattern rows, it’s suitable for a newer knitter. I fixed an error in the first row and changed the selvage stitch for easier sewing later.

This is my mini version of the 90-row Barleycorn motif in Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 3, ca. 1890. The 90-row version is also in Motifs, Borders and Trims in Classic Knitted Cotton by Hewitt and Daley, 1993. Baby Barleycorn has 55 rows with only 1 row of barleycorns (small bobbles). I changed the barleycorns to reverse stockinette and...

This tiny edging is from Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 10 from 1898. With just 7 stitches to start and 4 pattern rows, this edging will work up quickly and give a delicate touch to any item. It can be blocked curved or straight. I altered the selvage stitch for easier sewing later.

These pants fit CPFairyland’s 7.5” tall Realfee ball-jointed doll (BJD). The simple pants are knit in 2 identical halves and sewn together. Using the same shaping for front and back works out well, given the doll’s small size. (It also avoids the dreaded “knit second leg, reversing shaping” instructions!) Embroidery threads differ slightly in t...

I took a chance on another no-image Victorian pattern and I’m glad I did! This reversible pattern from Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 7 has a 12-row repeat. It starts with 31 stitches, increasing 1 stitch per row to 37 stitches before decreasing 1 stitch per row to the original 31 stitches. I modified the selvage edge for easier sewing l...

Here’s another way to knit leaves: start at the leaf tip and work toward the stem! This style leaf is also in “Dunraven Square” from Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 6 or Knitting Counterpanes by Mary Walker Phillips. The leaves will point downwards while knitting. Make 4 squares and sew the stem corners together. Make as many blocks as ne...

From Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 8, this 6-row pattern is the original edging for Weldon’s “Dahlia d’Oyley”. (I converted the doily to “Weldon’s Dahlia Hexagon” in another Ravelry post.) The edging starts with 9 stitches with a maximum of 17 stitches in a couple of rows. (It knits up fast!) Weldon states: “This edging is very pretty f...

Here’s a show stopper from Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 8! Originally meant as a doily, I blocked the piece as a hexagon for an afghan. The original pattern was error-free until row 43. From there, I had to improvise the instructions to match the engraving as much as possible.

This easy pattern is from 1841 The Lady’s Assistant for…Knitting, Netting and Crochet Work by Mrs. Gaugain, 4th edition, p. 124, #67. With no image to go by, this pattern was a pleasant surprise and it’s reversible! The original pattern made a fine doily knit on U.K. #17 (U.S. #000) needles but this pattern can be used with any block-able threa...

This sweet rosebud edging is from 1875 The Lady’s Book of Knitting and Crochet, published by J.H. Symonds in Boston. Errors needed fixing but it was worth reviving for today’s knitters. The edging starts with 21 stitches and has 8 pattern rows. It’s 2” wide in the stated gauge but might look even sweeter in a finer thread.

This easy Victorian afghan block from 1888 Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 1 is just the thing when half your attention is needed elsewhere! And, because it’s so easy, it knits up fast and you can easily add or subtract rows to change the size! The non-frilly look is suitable for any decor.

This is the original edging for the 6-pointed double star pattern in Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 3. This 1.75” wide edging can be blocked straight or curved. If sewing to a curved piece, block the edging in an arc to help align it to the main piece. I recommend blocking the main piece first before finishing the edging to ensure there’...

This long-time favorite is from 1880s Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 3. It’s so repetitive and predictable (in a good way) that I finished all but a couple of rounds in 1 day while writing the instructions! I added a couple of rounds to make the star points crisp and changed the last couple of rounds to make it easier to work. This piece...

This is my twist on an old favorite! The original Victorian pattern is attractive and simple. The stitch sequence is so predictable, you could make this motif as large or as small as you need! My version stops at 40 rounds before starting the welt corners. Half the rounds are just plain knit stitch.

This tiny leaf-and-welts motif is perfect for doll beds! 4 triangles are sewn together into a square. The square is a bit big (2” across) for dollhouse scale but would look great on a fashion-doll bed or larger. This motif in #10 crochet cotton thread would make a nice baby afghan or an accent row in a bigger afghan. Because there are just 31 r...

Love these curves! This sweet old pattern from 1892 Butterick Publishing’s The Art of Knitting, p. 19, #5 takes some attention but the results are worth it. The original pattern had an 8-stitch repeat and 7 rounds. I changed that to a 9-stitch repeat and 8 rows to work it flat on 2 needles. I also changed the first and last row’s yarn overs to ...

This mystery pattern from 1918 Priscilla Cotton Knitting Book, p. 47, had no image to work with but it was worth knitting up and rediscovering! This version of an old favorite has a central vine with symmetrical half-vines on either side. The leaves are formed pointing down but you can rotate the strip to point the leaves upward as in the photos.

Not 6, not 8 but 7 points in this doily and it’s very easy to work! The original design was a “catch-all” dish for a vanity from Butterick Publishing Co.’s Fancy and Practical Knitting, pp. 90-91 from 1902. It starts as a 6” doily and a rim is made by working rounds without increasing stitches. I included both doily and dish instructions. An ed...

I modified this reversible, unusual 3-row pattern from 1918 Priscilla Cotton Knitting Book, figure #80, page 36. It’s easy to memorize the 20-stitch pattern and there’s only 1 purl stitch per row. I added 4 stitches to the original pattern and moved a couple of stitches to make the smaller side eyelets more visible. This narrow strip is called ...

Ready for crazy? Here’s something I’ve never done before: pushing a skein of thread or yarn THROUGH the stitch just made and dropping it from the needle! From 1902 Butterick Publishing’s Fancy and Practical Knitting, page 5, there are only 4 pattern rows but this pattern needs a little concentration to make sure your thread/yarn doesn’t snarl a...

I developed this stitch pattern after seeing a “bamboo” knit stitch on Ravelry and wondered if I could make it even more bamboo-like. I used a photo of a bamboo wall for reference. The pattern is simple: a k2, p1 rib with bamboo stitches worked occasionally on the right side. This pattern would make a great companion afghan strip to leaf afghan...

My 100th free pattern on Ravelry! This reversible doily from 1902 Butterick Publishing’s Fancy and Practical Knitting, pp. 61-62, has 4 diamond shapes in k2, p2 ribbing edged with yarn overs on a garter stitch background. The doily would be circular if not for 2 rounds near the end of the instructions! These 2 rounds work 3 yarn-overs over 3 st...

This doily is the center section of the engraving that accompanied the instructions in 1870 Mrs. Beeton’s Guide to Embroidery, Crochet and Knitting. Mrs. Beeton’s “Table Cover” instructions actually stopped at a 9” doily, so I renamed it “Dahlia Doily”. The first 5 rows are worked flat because I just can’t knit in the round until there’s at lea...

I developed an afghan strip from a stitch pattern in 1870 Mrs. Beeton’s Guide to Embroidery, Crochet and Knitting. She calls it “Knitted Quilt” but the pattern looks like willow leaves to me. It’s quite easy to work despite the 28 pattern rows. The last 14 rows repeat the first 14 rows, just shifted over 2 stitches. All the wrong-side rows are ...

I’ve never seen anything like this rosette from 1870 Mrs. Beeton’s Guide to Embroidery, Crochet and Knitting! It’s made by picking up selvage stitches on the left side of previous knitting, eventually making a 10-segment ring. A different color is then used to pick up selvage stitches on the right side of previous knitting. The rosette is compl...

So lacy and so easy, this beautiful net-like stitch is from 1870 in Mrs. Beeton’s Guide to Embroidery, Crochet and Knitting. The pattern also looks great on both sides!

This 1890s pincushion from Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 3 is worthy of the drawing room! Using the original needle size and number of stitches, my project has a 2” diameter center and is about 5” across with 2 petal layers. Use larger thread/yarn and knitting needles, if you’d prefer a larger pincushion.

My ode to May! This afghan/counterpane block combines Barbara G. Walker’s Sprig pattern, p. 32 in her Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns and her Rickrack Ribbing, p. 44 from her first Treasury. I highly recommend her Treasuries for your knitting library!

Even fussy babies like cushy afghans! The texture is created by a short-row rib pattern. The chunky yarn, big needles and only 2 pattern rows make this work up quickly even with the turned rows. The afghan measures about 24” by 32” if worked to gauge. Add multiples of 14 stitches for more width and add rows for more length if a bigger afghan is...

I love this one! This 1884 Victorian pattern was from The Young Ladies Journal: Complete Guide to the Work-table. It’s a lot simpler than the instructions make it look! Six motifs are knitted flat from the outside edge inward and sewn together. The pattern is mostly k2, p2 ribbing with a double decrease in the middle of the right-side rows. The...

This 1884 pattern is perfect for times when you need to keep your hands busy but can’t concentrate on anything complicated. It’s also good as a blank canvas to try a new or favorite stitch in a counterpane. This Victorian pattern is from The Young Ladies Journal, 1884: Complete Guide to the Work-Table. The original pattern was worked in the rou...

This doll hat will fit Nendoroid or any doll with a 5.5” circumference head. This simple little hat takes just a couple of hours to make. It’s fun to decorate it, too! I recommend using colors that coordinate with your doll’s outfit but the colors are up to you – of course!

This cuff pattern from Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 5 circa 1893 was meant for Victorian women or men. Victorians were smaller than we are now, so I increased the cuff to 5” wide by 4” long before seaming to fit today’s average-height woman. I also used U.S. #1 needles instead of the original U.S.#00 (U.K. #15). The cuffs can be knitte...

This edging is modified from a pattern in 1889 Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 2. It varies from 20 to 25 stitches and has 12 pattern rows. Weldon’s version was “Dolphin Lace”. The image was cute but the pattern didn’t make the pictured dolphins and had a few errors. I renamed the edging to correspond to what it actually looks like! This ...

Patterns for pence jug purses started appearing about 1820. They’ve been in various publications in the last 200 years. This 1884 version from The Young Ladies Journal: The Complete Guide to the Work Table called for 3 colors but I chose white. Some versions call for 2 colors.

This 5” knitted tassel is perfect for embellishing a Victorian scene or anywhere you need a little passementerie! All white is one traditional choice but the original pattern in 1899 Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 10 calls for red or any other color as an accent with white as the main color. The knitted tassel takes about 70 yards of cot...

If you like yarn overs, this reversible edging from 1889 Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 2 is for you! This was another surprise, no-image Weldon pattern. The edging varies from 16 to 36 stitches over 12 pattern rows. I changed the cast-on, bind-off and a few other stitches to help the edging lie flat. This edging needs careful blocking a...

Here’s a tidy, reversible edging that’s quick to knit! The edging has 12 pattern rows with the backside rows just knit and purl stitches. The stitch count varies from 10 to 20 stitches through the pattern. This edging is best used on a curved edge.

Here’s another quick-to-knit reversible edging from 1889 Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 2 that had no original image! The edging has 10 pattern rows with 3 set-up rows. Every backside row is: knit across, purl 1. The rows vary from 10 to 13 stitches. I fixed a small error and put in a selvage edge.

This is another nice pattern from 1889 Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 2 that had no original image. The pattern has only 4 pattern rows! It starts with 13 stitches increasing to 16, then returns to 13 stitches on the 4th (last) row. This edging is best for a curved edge.

This reversible edging is a modified version of 1889 Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 2’s “Wheel Edging”. I made several changes. My pattern starts with 13 stitches and has 14 pattern rows. The pattern increases to maximum of 20 stitches before returning to 13 stitches on row 12. The even-numbered rows are all knit and purl except row 12.

Here’s another nice edging from 1889 Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 2 that had no original image! This edging actually makes a small (windblown) fleur-de-lis! The pattern starts with just 14 stitches, increases slowly to 19, then returns to 14 stitches on the last (12th) pattern row. I changed stitches to create a selvage for easier sewi...

Here’s another mystery edging from 1889 Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 2 that had no original image! This reversible, almost all-garter-stitch edging has no header. I changed 2 stitches to make a selvage for ease of sewing later. There are 20 pattern rows but they’re very simple and repetitive. All the even-numbered rows are just knit an...

This reversible edging looks more like shaggy diamonds than lozenges! I changed a few stitches and corrected an error in the original pattern from 1889 Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 2. The edging starts with just 15 stitches. The stitch count increases to 26 over 9 pattern rows before returning to 15 stitches on the 10th (last) row. Exc...

1889 Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 2’s engraving of this reversible edging reminded me of old-fashioned baby shoes! It starts with just 9 stitches, increases to 18 and decreases back to 9 stitches in 12 pattern rows. I changed the pattern by substituting 6 e-wrap cast-on stitches in the middle of row 1 for the original 6 yarn overs. The...

This charming, reversible edging has only 4 pattern rows and starts with just 15 stitches! This edging had no image in 1889 Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 2, so the results were a surprise! I changed the header’s first stitch to ease sewing later. The edging will lie flat when sewn to a curved edge. If sewn to a straight edge, the edging...

“Cold, hard cash” turns into a “comfy coin” with a knitted afghan! Actually, this is a dollhouse-sized item knit in silk thread. It can be a washcloth, handkerchief or an antimacassar on a dollhouse chair. Silk (and rayon) threads drape a little better in 1/12th scale than cotton thread. Magnifiers are recommended for this work. Honestly, knitt...

This quick and easy afghan panel was inspired by a stitch pattern in A Compendium of Knitted Stitch Patterns by Hollingworth, 1985, p. 114. I added 2 extra rib rows to elongate the look and added ribbing all around. This panel has a repeat of 5 stitches; it can be made wider or skinnier by adding or subtracting stitches in multiples of 5. The c...

The “berry” in the original edging from 1889 Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 2 was almost invisible. I made it more prominent in this version by making it a reverse-stockinette-stitch bobble. I also corrected errors and changed some stitches for ease of sewing later. The edging starts with 13 stitches and grows to 28 stitches in row 5 bef...

This reversible edging from 1889 Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 2 starts with 16 stitches and has 8 pattern rows. With no image in Weldon’s, I didn’t know what I’d get! I fixed a couple of errors and changed a few stitches to make sewing easier but this was a pleasure to knit. A lot of the main section is symmetrical, making it easier to...

This sweet, reversible edging has only 12 stitches to start with and only 4 pattern rows! It took just a couple of hours to knit the sample. This edging is best on a curved item. Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 2 from 1889 had the pattern but no image - so the results were a surprise! I altered a couple of stitches for easier sewing.

This is the matching insertion to the Apple Leaf Edging from 1889 Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 2 but Weldon’s calls it “Diamond Insertion”. There are only 15 stitches to cast on. Every row begins the same and ends the same for the headers; only the middle section changes. I changed the selvage stitches for easier sewing later.

This beautiful stitch pattern is from Barbara G. Walker’s Charted Knitting Designs (her Third Treasury book). I developed an afghan strip from it. I added garter stitch edges and added 2 more rows for an even more vertical look. The stitch pattern is only 4 stitches wide! There are 16 pattern rows but 13 of them are just knit and purl! No cable...

April showers bring…leaves! These leaves use the domino knitting method: cast on an odd number of stitches and use a central double decrease every other row until 1 stitch is left. A variegated thread/yarn will show off the angles made by the double decreases but a solid color can be just as attractive. These leaves can be sewn to larger items ...

I altered the Falling Leaves pattern from Knitting Counterpanes by Mary Walker Phillips by using a central decrease instead of a leaning one and by changing the garter stitch leaves to reverse stockinette. The reverse stockinette makes this afghan strip reversible and requires less vigorous blocking than the garter stitch version. As an experim...

Here’s a leaf with a long, winding stem! I changed the original Apple Leaf Edging from Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 2 by substituting tidier increases for Weldon’s double yarn overs and adding 2 more stitches for a straighter header edge. My version starts with just 14 stitches, increasing gradually to 22 stitches before returning to t...

I love palm trees! This leaf pattern is from knitting legend Barbara Walker’s first Treasury of Knitting Patterns, 1968. I designed an afghan strip from it: adding background stitches, stockinette columns and selvage stitches. There are multiple 2-stitch cable crossings but the rest is knit and purl. The afghan strip is a constant 28 stitches a...

I developed this afghan from the Triangles stitch pattern in Knitting Counterpanes… by Mary Walker Phillips. The yarn overs occur mainly between a knit and purl stitch, so make sure your yarn overs aren’t too tight. The wrong-side rows are simple knit and purl stitches. I recommend a light-colored thread and a hands-free magnifier to work the s...

Fast and easy, this edging from 1888 Weldon’s Practical Needlework Volume 2 starts with just 7 stitches and there are only 6 pattern rows. Weldon’s didn’t include an image, so the pattern was a surprise! I altered the first header stitch for easier sewing later. This narrow edging is best blocked curved.

Fast and easy to memorize, this edging from 1888 Weldon’s Practical Needlework Volume 2 starts with just 6 stitches and there are only 4 pattern rows! Weldon’s didn’t include an image, so the pattern was a surprise! I altered the first header stitch for easier sewing later. This narrow edging can be blocked straight or curved.

Yay for leaves! From 1888 Weldon’s Practical Needlework Volume 2, this pattern needed a lot of correcting. There are a multiple of 12 stitches+3 extra stitches. I added 1 selvage stitch on each side for ease of sewing later. There are 20 pattern rows which might be a bit daunting but the 10 wrong side rows are all knit and purl. After working a...

I’m reviving another knit-and-purl-only pattern from Utopia yarn’s 1916 book! There are only 4 pattern rows: row 3 is a repeat of row 1 and row 4 is all knit. This is so fast to learn, you can knit this while multitasking! This textured pattern would look great in a chunky yarn, too. I suggest a light-colored yarn to show off the stitches. The ...

I love knit leaves! I put together stitch patterns from 3 different sources for this edging. There are 28 rows and the stitch count slowly increases from 20 to 39. Every row is a pattern row. The leaf tilt is made by increasing 1 background stitch on 1 side of the leaf and decreasing 1 background stitch on the other side of the leaf.

The first row of this pattern from Weldon’s Volume 1 was so error-filled, it took most of a day to figure out the correct stitches! Weldon’s original image was also upside-down! Mercifully, there are only 6 rows to this pattern. The 3 wrong-side rows are identical and are just knit and purl stitches. The pattern starts at the tops of the wheat ...

This doll hat has a folded-back garter stitch brim and 1 row of eyelets to accommodate an optional accent ribbon or yarn. This hat will fit a 6.5” circumference bald doll head or a smaller doll head with a wig.

This pattern from 1888 Weldon’s Practical Needlework, volume 2, had no original image, so the result was a surprise! Weldon labeled it “Wide Leaf Edging” but I don’t really see a leaf. The pattern has a 16-row repeat. The wrong-side rows are mostly knit stitches. I fixed errors, modified stitches and separated the row instructions into sections...

Here’s a one-color plaid in knit and purl only! From Utopia Yarn Book in 1916, this rare pattern can be the entire afghan or used as a wide afghan stripe. There are 20 pattern rows but most of the rows are duplicates of other rows and are quick to learn. The pattern is multiples of 17 stitches + 7 additional stitches. The texture makes a snugly...

This pattern from 1888 Weldon’s Practical Needlework, volume 1, will make afghan blocks or stripes. You choose the width and length. The pattern has a 6-stitch repeat. The 20-row repeat has 10 purl rows and lots of identical rows: easier than it seems! I added selvage stitches and a garter stitch border at the beginning and ending of the instru...

This pattern from 1888 Weldon’s Practical Needlework, volume 1, can make afghan blocks or stripes: you choose the width and length. There’s only 11 stitches and 4 rows in the repeat and 3 of the rows are stockinette stitch! I added selvage stitches and a garter stitch border at the beginning and ending of the instructions to represent a stripe ...

The engraving from Weldon’s Practical Knitter was crazy; I had to knit it! I corrected 19 of 25 rows and changed the selvage stitches for easier sewing later. The odd-numbered rows are simply knit and purl stitches. The front and back sides are nearly identical.

This edging appeared in The Ladies’ Handbook of Fancy and Ornamental Work by Florence Hartley in 1859. The stitch count varies from 8 to 15 stitches per row and there are 10 pattern rows. The edging can be blocked straight or curved. The points can be blocked into different shapes: arrowhead, sawtooth or gothic arch.

This tailored edging appeared in The Ladies’ Handbook of Fancy and Ornamental Work by Florence Hartley in 1859. I rewrote the instructions in current U.S. knitting terms. There are only 4 pattern rows and 11 to 12 stitches per row. This straight edging works up quickly and is easily memorized!

This edging appeared in The Ladies’ Handbook of Fancy and Ornamental Work by Florence Hartley in 1859. I rewrote the instructions in current U.S. knitting terms. There are only 4 pattern rows – easily memorized! Stitch count varies from 11 to 15 stitches per row. The edging will appear curved while in progress but it can be blocked straight or ...

This tiny edging from 1859 was published in The Ladies’ Handbook of Fancy and Ornamental Work by Florence Hartley in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The edging can be blocked to border a center circle from 1” to several inches in diameter or, if the header is blocked straight, the edging will have large, relaxed ruffles which were used for collars ...

This beautiful pattern is from 1902 by Butterick. The original instructions were full of errors; I made many changes to approximate the original photo. There are never more than 26 stitches to work and 6 of those are easy-to-learn header stitches.

This beautiful pattern from 1902 by Butterick is called an insertion but would make a great accent stripe in an afghan! I reworked the decreases and stitch positions to make the leaves more defined.

This sweet little leaf edging published in 1902 by Butterick deserves another look! There are only 8 pattern rows and half of those are “purl across”! With only 25 stitches and 7 of those being simple header stitches, this edging is quick to learn and make!

This counterpane strip pattern is from the 2 October 1886 edition of Australian Town and Country. I corrected the original instructions to keep the stitch count consistent and to reconcile the 5-stitch rib repeat with the 8-stitch diamond repeat. I rewrote the pattern in current U.S. knitting terms and added 2 selvage stitches on each side of t...

This is the original 1897 Butterick edging for the Seven Sisters Motif. I rewrote the instructions in current U.S. knitting terms and modified the edge for easier sewing later.

This Butterick motif pattern from 1897 is worth reviving! Wrong side rows are almost all knit stitch and the left half of every row is a mirror image of the right half. The yarn overs on all four edges make sewing on an edging or more motifs easier. The motif is worked corner to corner.

This hat pattern will fit any height bald doll with a 6.5” head circumference or a 5.5” doll head with a medium-thick wig. Skills needed are: long tail cast on, knit, purl, knit 2 together from 2 needles for welt, knit 2 together, bind off and sewing seam.

This hat is knitted in the round and features a rolled brim and a reverse stockinette stitch crown with leaves. A rolled brim is useful for growing babies’ and kids’ heads; it can be rolled up or down to adjust the size. There’s no seam to irritate tender skin nor show on the rolled brim. This hat is 14.5 inches in circumference – about a 6-mon...

This hat fits an 8.5” circumference bald doll head or a smaller doll head with a wig.

This mitt pattern will fit a ball jointed doll (BJD) hand with a circumference of 2.75 inches, measured around the fingers and thumb at the widest point. Measure each hand and use the largest circumference when making the mitts. This pattern can be easily altered to fit different sized BJD hands by knitting fewer or more rows.

This mitt pattern will fit a ball jointed doll (BJD) hand with a circumference of 2.75 inches, measured around the fingers and thumb at the widest point. Measure each hand and use the largest circumference when making the mitts. This pattern can be easily altered to fit different sized BJD hands. This pattern was inspired by Mrs. Fitz, a tv cha...

This doll shawl pattern is very simple: a garter stitch rectangle. Skills needed are cast on, slip stitch, knit stitch and bind off. The slip stitch is optional. It helps neaten the edge but isn’t essential.

This pattern for a doll’s cowl/scarf is a simple garter stitch rectangle with 1 pattern row. Skills needed are cast on, slip, knit and bind off.

This hat will fit a 6” circumference bald doll head or a smaller doll head with a wig.

This pattern makes a triangular doll shawl. With only 2 pattern rows, it’s easy to make the shawl smaller or larger to fit different sized dolls. The stripe pattern can be omitted, if desired.

This pattern makes a short capelet for a 22” tall ball jointed doll (BJD) using Paton’s Kroy Socks FX yarn. Pattern uses seed stitch, stockinette stitch, yarn overs and knit front-and-back increases but no sewing!

This super simple pattern fits child-type doll feet of about 1.5 inches long.

This pattern makes a triangle-shaped motif. 4 motifs form a square. Squares are sewn together to create bed scarves, baby blankets, bedspreads, etc. An edging can be added to a finished project, if desired. Recommended for intermediate knitters.

This simple knitted shrug is designed for CPFairyland’s 10” Littlefee doll with a 4.75 inch/12 cm chest circumference. The shrug is knit in garter stitch in the shape of the letter C lying on its face. Skills needed are: cast on, knit, increase, cast off and sewing 2 short seams.

This tiny doll hat pattern offers a choice of garter stitch edging or rolled brim. Instructions include a plain bind-off or I-cord finial. It will fit a bald doll with a 3.5” circumference head or a doll with a very thin wig.

This motif was inspired by a pattern in Hewitt and Daley’s 1990 book “Motifs, Borders and Trims…“.

This doll capelet pattern is worked sideways and uses short rows. The pattern can easily be lengthened and/or widened for bigger dolls. A bigger capelet will take more than 1 ball of 3-strand floss.

This doll hat pattern offers a garter stitch brim or rolled brim. It will fit a bald doll with a 6” circumference head or a doll with a very thin wig.

This motif was inspired by a pattern in Mary Walker Phillips’ book “Knitting Counterpanes…“ but is very different than the original.

This motif was adapted from a pattern in Mary Walker Phillips’ book “Knitting Counterpanes…” who adapted her pattern from much earlier versions. Phillip’s pattern is worked in the round; this version is worked back and forth on 2 needles which is easier for some knitters.

This simple, roll-brim hat pattern will fit a 13” head, doll or human. Stockinette stitch naturally rolls up into a brim. The amount of roll is adjustable, allowing the hat to fit a slightly larger head - a real advantage for growing heads!

This doll sweater is knit sideways (cuff to cuff) to keep the shaping very simple. An asymmetrical neckline allows for a choice in looks. The loose fit should work for a variety of adult-type doll bodies from 22 to 24” tall (SD-size).

This doll sweater is knit with 1 ply of embroidery floss from the top down in 1 piece. Sleeves are seamed. The front edge and neckline are knit last.

This doll dress is knit from the top down in 1 piece, ending in a picot hem. The hem is sewn to the inside and the dress is partially seamed in the back.

This tiny pants pattern takes just over 2 plies of embroidery floss on very fine needles. Each pant leg is knit separately and sewn together. Short rows shape the seat area.

This tiny sweater uses about 1/3 (2 plies) of a standard 6-ply embroidery floss skein. It’s knit from the top down in 1 piece on #5/0 or 00000 U.S. needles.

This doll sweater is knit from the top down in 1 piece. Sleeves are worked flat and seamed but they could be knit in the round, if desired.

This doll sweater is knit from the top down in 1 piece. Sleeves are worked flat and seamed but they could be knit in the round, if desired.

This dress is knitted from the top down on #0000 U.S. needles. It has a picot hem and is partially seamed in the back.

This acorn hat fits a bald 6”circumference doll head. The hat is worked from the bottom up, ends in an I-cord stem and then seamed.

This doll coat is knitted flat in one piece to the shoulders with sleeves knitted separately. The coat and sleeves are sewn together before the front edge/collar stitches are picked up and knitted.

This coat pattern was adapted from a vintage British doll coat pattern for a modern 6” tall Ball Jointed Doll (BJD) such as Pukifee or Lati Yellow. (The model is Fairyland’s Pukifee BJD.)

This pumpkin hat fits a bald doll with a 5.5” circumference head or a smaller doll head with a wig. (The model is Fairyland’s 6” tall Pukifee.) The hat is worked flat and seamed.

Inspired by the tv show “Outlander”, this fingerless mitt pattern fits very large BJDs (ball jointed dolls) such as Dollmore’s 80 cm Lusion. Any heathery fingering-weight yarn will achieve the look.

This pattern is a modified version of a free Ravelry pattern “Non-felted Slippers” by Yuko Nakamura. The pattern uses short rows and 4 types of decreases: k2 tog., k3 tog., sl1, k1, PSSO, and sl1, k2tog, PSSO.

This shrug pattern has the easiest of short row techniques: you simply turn your work. There’s no wrapping of stitches, etc. The small holes created are about the size of a yarn over and are covered by the collar. A ribbon can be threaded through the short row holes to tie at the neck, if desired.

This hat pattern will fit a 6.5” doll head. Doll shown is Fairyland’s 10” tall Littlefee BJD (ball jointed doll).

This cap pattern is for a tiny doll with a 3.5” circumference head. (A bigger cap is needed if the doll wears a wig.) This cap will fit Ball Jointed Dolls (BJDs) such as Realpukis, PukiPukis and Felix Brownies.

This design is an extension of a pattern from Mary Walker Phillips “Knitting Counterpanes”, p. 40. Her design had only 16 rows to it. The pattern is so attractive, I extended it to 40 rows. This simple pattern with yarn overs and decreases is easy to follow visually once you’ve completed a few rows. You could also extend the pattern past 40 row...

This design was inspired by Motif 37 of Hewitt and Daley’s “Motifs, Borders and Trims in Classic Knitted Cotton”. I added curved stems and made smaller side leaves. The leaves are made with simple increases and decreases. The plain background and symmetrical leaves help make this design doable.

This is a 2-needle version of Ribbed Square by Hewitt and Daley from their book “Motifs, Borders and Trims in Classic Knitted Cotton”, 1988. Their version in knitted in the round which is more challenging than this 2-needle version.

This is a 2-needle adaptation of Hewitt and Daley’s “Rosemary Sprigs” pattern knitted in the round from their 1988 book “Motifs, Borders and Trims in Classic Knitted Cotton”. This 2-needle version is much easier to manage and faster to knit.