This pattern comes from Weldon’s Practical Knitter,
Number 125, Thirty-First Series (1896). It is also published in Weldon’s
Practical Needlework, Volume 11, Interweave Press, 2004
The original pattern called for “coral or Andalusian wool” and needles, No. 16, whose modern equivalent is 1.75mm/US 00. The edges are crocheted with a 19th century sized “bone crochet hook, No. 12.”
As with most 19th century patterns, there is no
gauge/tension stated in the pattern. There are also no stated finished
dimensions. The pattern is written entirely in text and there are no charts.
There is, however, an illustration.
The original instructions for the crocheted edge are
much more detailed than the single crochet stitch I worked around the purse.
The interior is stranded and, according to the
original pattern, should be treated with a “very weak paste” and left to dry so
as to create an inside surface. I lined this purse with imitation silk.
The finished purse measures 3” tall and 1 ½” wide (body
only, not counting the crocheted edge.) It was knit on 1.75/US 00 needles with
Knit Picks Palette in Bison and Whirlpool. Its diminutive size was useful for
carrying a few small coins although not too many pennies from this era would
have fit in the purse. I do have various coins from the 19th
century, and had wanted to feature them with this purse but I have hidden them
away so well, I cannot, at the moment, find them.
All
quotations are from Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 11,
Interweave Press, 2004
1 comment:
I think that "a few pennies" of that era had the buying power of about five dollars now. Not a lot, but enough to carry around for casual spending.
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