A Lace Revival: 25 Vintage Knitted Edgings

Here’s a preview of a new PieceWork eBook, A Lace Revival: 25 Vintage Edgings to Knit with our favorite patterns for knitted edgings. The patterns are from Weldon’s Practical Needlework, published in the late nineteenth century in London, and other vintage books, booklets, and magazines in the PieceWork collection. Regardless of the source, each is a treasure.

Some patterns are reproduced exactly as they were printed in the originals, several were translated into modern terminology, and charts replace the original written instructions in others. Translations for any nonstandard knitting abbreviations are included with the pattern.

Some patterns did not include information on the yarn or thread or needle sizes needed, while others did include the information but the materials are no longer available. This offers you an opportunity to experiment and try different yarns and threads and needle combinations. (We do suggest you swatch until you are pleased with the result.)

Torchon Lace is included in PieceWork’s newest eBook: A Lace Revival: 25 Vintage Edgings to Knit. Photo by Joe Coca.

Here’s one knitted edging featured in A Lace Revival: 25 Vintage Edgings to Knit to get you started:

1894

Torchon Lace

This pattern for knitted torchon lace is in Addie W. Heron’s Fancy Work for Pleasure & Profit (1894; reprint, Chicago: Thompson & Thomas, 1905). Although the book’s title page boasts that the text is “Elaborately Illustrated” and there are some charming color plates, there is no illustration for the knitted torchon lace.

As no gauge, thread, or needle size was given, we used 100% cotton thread size 20 and size 1 (2.5 mm) needles. For a finer lace, use size 0 (2.0 mm) or 00 (1.75 mm) needles.

The instructions are reproduced exactly as they appeared in the original. Terms included in this pattern are over (yarn over) and narrow (knit two together).

Cast on 18 stitches. Knit back plain.

1st row, sl. 1, k. 2, over twice, p. 2 together, k. 5, narrow, over, k. 3, over, k. 3.

The 2nd and alternate rows are alike: i.e. knit plain until there are only 5 stitches on the left needle; then over twice, p. 2 together, k. 3.

3d row, sl. 1 k. 2, over twice, p. 2 together, k. 4, narrow, over, k. 5, over, k.3.

5th row, sl. 1, k. 2, over twice, p. 2 together, k. 3, narrow, over, k. 1, narrow, over, k. 1, over, narrow, k. 1, over, k. 3.

7th row, sl. 1, k. 2, over twice, p. 2 together, k. 2, narrow, over, k. 1, narrow, over, k. 3, over, narrow, k. 1, over, k. 3.

9th row, sl. 1, k. 2, over twice, p. 2 together, k. 1, narrow, over, narrow, k. 1, over, k. 5, over, narrow, k. 1, over, k. 3.

11th row, sl. 1, k. 2, over twice, p. 2 together, k. 2, over, narrow, k. 1, over, narrow twice, over, k. 1, narrow, over, k. 1, narrow, over, k. 3.

13th row, sl. 1, k. 2, over twice, p. 2 together, k. 3, over, narrow, k. 1, over, narrow, k. 1, narrow, over, k. 1, narrow, over, narrow, k. 2.

15th row, sl. 1, k. 2, over twice, p. 2 together, k. 4, over, narrow, k. 1, over, sl. 1, narrow, slip the slipped stitch over the one last knitted; then over, k. 1, narrow, over, narrow, k. 2.

17th row, sl. 1, k. 2, over twice, p. 2 together, k. 5, over, narrow, k. 3, narrow, over, narrow, k. 2.

19th row, sl. 1, k. 2, over twice, p. 2 together, k. 6, over, narrow, k. 1, narrow, over, narrow, k. 2.

21st row, sl. 1, k. 2, over twice, p. 2 together, k. 7, over, sl 1, narrow, draw the slipped stitch over the one last knitted; then, over, narrow, k. 2.

Repeat from first row.

Rule 58 Lace Edging is also included in PieceWork’s newest eBook: A Lace Revival: 25 Vintage Edgings to Knit. The instructions begin on page 4. Photo by Joe Coca.

Knitted edgings are so versatile—you can embellish household linens and garments or use them as the foundation for something entirely new.

Enjoy your adventure into knitting vintage edgings!
Jeane Hutchins

Featured Image: Knitted edgings from the cover of the newest PieceWork eBook, A Lace Revival: 25 Vintage Edgings to Knit. Photo by Joe Coca.

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