There are some old craft books to be found among Project Gutenberg free ebooks. Unfortunately, most of these are available without images, so one could practice a lot of blind knitting, for example, and wait for the surprise outcome.
Here are a couple of books that have many inspiring pictures along with instructions, though.
Beeton's Book of Needlework by Isabella Beeton, 1870
This book contains patterns for tatting, crochet, knitting, netting, embroidery, point lace, guipure d'art, Berlin work, monograms, initials and names, pillow lace, and lace stitches. And 600 engraved illustrations.
The knitting chapter looks very interesting. Some patterns, e.g. this knitted neckerchief(!) in black Shetland wool, have been added to Ravelry and the project notes can be very helpful for working the shawl.
Another lovely example, a knitted border with pleats:
Cycling and Shooting Knickerbocker Stockings by H. P. Ryder, 1896
The stockings are worked in ribbing for the most part and decorated with fancy tops. There are many options to choose from for making the top and the stitch patterns come with photos.
Oh, very interesting!
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by and happy vintage-knitting if you plan to do so!
DeleteDon't miss this gem:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.gutenberg.org/files/20776/20776-h/needlework-h.html
Therese de Dillmont was a dynamo in needlework. Gutenberg has done a marvelous job making her most famous work, the Encyclopedia of Needlework, available and easy to use, whether on their site or as a download.
Also, are you familiar with the Antique Pattern Library Catalog?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.antiquepatternlibrary.org/html/warm/catalog.htm
Many of these extremely rare publications are linked with PDFs for easy download.
Happy knitting/lace-making/embroidery/what-have-you!
Thank you for these awesome links! If only there were more time and more hands...
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