Get Inspired by Weldon’s Practical Needlework

Crack open any volume of Weldon’s Practical Needlework, and you’ll be transported in time to the Victorian era. The projects within possess a special charm from the enchanting illustrations to the intriguing instructions. It’s no wonder that PieceWork contributors find inspiration in these pages again and again. Here are a few examples of knitted projects from the pages of Weldon’s and PieceWork:

Katrina King’s knitted scarf was inspired by the knitted Striped Border pattern in Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 5. Photo by Joe Coca.

A Striped Border Scarf

The inspiration for Katrina King’s scarf comes from the Striped Border included in Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 5. It’s one of about 100 knitted borders and edgings in the first six volumes of Weldon’s Practical Needlework. For the March/April 2017 issue, Katrina worked the scarf in oh-so-soft merino wool yarn: Cast-on 40 stitches, work Rows 1-12 of Katrina’s lace chart 48 times (or more or less, depending on how long you want your scarf to be) and bind-off. Voilà—a gorgeous scarf created from a pattern published in 1890!

Heather Vaughan Lee’s Knitted Nightingale is based on the Weldon’s original published in 1891. Photo by Joe Coca.

A Nightingale

The Nightingale is a simple rectangular garment, which was often knitted, crocheted, or constructed from fabrics such as flannel. Traditionally, the Nightingale was worn to cover the shoulders in bed. A pattern for a knitted Nightingale appeared in Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 6, published in London in 1891. Heather Vaughan Lee’s Knitted Nightingale, featured in the January/February 2017 issue, is based on the Weldon’s pattern. However, this modern interpretation is scaled to fit the contemporary woman’s proportions: Heather’s version is large enough to cover a woman’s back from shoulder to hip, yet maintains all of the vintage charm of the Weldon’s original.

Carolyn Wyborny’s captivating shawl in luxurious merino/silk yarn will delight. Photo by George Boe.

A Shawl Based on a Veil

Carolyn Wyborny used a veil pattern from Volume 5 of Weldon’s as the bases for her crescent shawl featured in the May/June 2018 issue. Carolyn says, “For this project, I wanted to create a lace-bordered shawl in the wide crescent shape that is so popular now, but with a lace pattern in the body instead of the solid fabrics shown in many patterns. Additionally, I wanted the construction to be a single piece worked in one direction to make it suitable for a gradient-dyed yarn.”

What have you made from the pages of Weldon’s? Share it with us in the comments below!

—PieceWork Editorial Staff