Sunday 27 January 2013

Penwiper in Shape of A Turkish Fez


Another pen wiper for my joint collection of pens and knitted reproducitions. This one comes from Weldon’s Practical Knitter, Eleventh Series, No. 46, 1889, and can be found in Interweave Press’s facsimile, Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume Four, 2001.
The original pattern called for “pretty coloured Andalusian wool” and “a small skein of black single Berlin wool.”  Knit in the round, “The first six rows make a roll over at the bottom of the penwiper.” The “very tiny tassel” should also be made from another colour of “Andalusian wool.”
The 19th century needles suggested were “four steel needles, No. 17” (modern equivalent 1.75mm/US 00.) I used that size with Knit Picks Palette in Pimento and Paton’s Kroy Socks 4 Ply in Coal. The tassel was made from a bit of pale blue Paternayan Persian wool.
The hat was knit first, turned inside out, and the interior black tassel then attached. Used with a small cloth or rag for wiping ink from the nib of pen after writing, this little hat, measuring 2 ¼” high, would have been a whimsical but useful desk accessory.
All quotations are from Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume Four, Interweave Press, 2001








2 comments:

=Tamar said...

Somehow I never realized that penwipers were lined with stuff. I thought they just used the knitted object itself.

One More Stitch said...

Oh, no. Every little bit of material helps, especially when I think I have wiped my pens clean after use. : )