Friday, 15 July 2011

Old craft book finds online

I discovered recently that the Book Depository offers many digitised old books as free downloads, among those some about arts and crafts. Here is a short overview of my favourite finds.



The Ladies' Work-book
Patterns for knitting, crochet, point-lace, etc.

The Ladies' Work-book


Point collar in crochet:

The Ladies' Work-book: point collar in crochet


Crochet purse with beads:





The Lady’s Album of Fancy Work for 1850,
'consisting of novel, elegant, and useful designs in knitting, netting, crochet, braiding, and embroidery with clear and explicit directions for working the patterns.'

Knitting bags and fingerless gloves were already discovered:

The Lady’s Album of Fancy Work for 1850



The Art of Modern Lace-Making, 1891
History and techniques for making various types of lace, for example, a darned-net edging with overwrought stitch:

The Art of Modern Lace-Making 1891



Art in Needlework: A Book About Embroidery, 1900
Many illustrations and embroidery stitch examples.

Darning designed by William Morris:

Art in Needlework 1900: darning


Embroidered renaissance ornament:

Art in Needlework 1900: renaissance ornament



Handbook of Wool Knitting and Crochet, 1918
Knitting and crochet patterns for the entire family.

Handbook of Wool Knitting and Crochet, 1918


This pattern for ladies' gloves with fancy backs is certainly worth trying out someday:

Handbook of Wool Knitting and Crochet, 1918: ladies' knitted gloves with fancy backs



2 comments:

  1. Seems we have the same taste for the old and the quaint! Thanks for the comment on my blog, just discovered yours. I'll be back for sure.

    ReplyDelete