Fairfax Reticule by Anne Carroll Gilmour

Fairfax Reticule

Knitting
October 2013
Lace ?
6.5 stitches and 10 rows = 1 inch
in Lace pattern in the round, blocked
US 3 - 3.25 mm
238 - 242 yards (218 - 221 m)
21" circumference at opening, 7" deep
English
This pattern is available for $8.00 USD buy it now

In researching Regency Era textiles, I ran across a lovely little reticule from the Museum of London (dated 1801-1836) that inspired the textured lace version now offered here. I adapted a unique twisted rib lace edging from the old Anchor manual as the main motif for this because it has a certain swirly depth & elegance which reminds me of the Hollyhock blossoms in Fairfax, where I was born. It’s combined with a classic star and net roundel base which lends it a regency era look & feel (netting of all sorts being very popular for bags of this type at the time). It’s easy to imagine Jane Fairfax creating something similar.
Knit in the round over 6 pattern repeats from the center to the edge, it features double twisted cord drawstrings, an optional bottom center tassel & contrast lining (so a little sewing will be required along with good lace knitting and chart reading skills…)
Finished size: 21”(53cm) circumference at opening, 7”(18cm) deep
Yarn: 1 50 gram ball Finca #5 Perle Cotton 242 yards(221 m) in ecru/natural
Needles: 1 set of 4 US #3(3.25mm)dpns & a 16”(40cm) circular in same size as dpns. Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Notions: 1 stitch marker; 1 small tapestry needle; a sewing needle & thread to match yarn; A 7½”(19cm) diameter circle of lining fabric with finished edges; a 22”(56cm)x 6 ”(15cm) strip of lining fabric with finished edges (shade is your choice, plum shown here); Optional: Standard size pack of playing cards for tassel template
gauge: 6.5 sts per1”(2.5cm)10 rnds per1”(2.5cm) blocked