Weldon’s Mystery Project: Cloud

The name “Cloud” from Weldon’s Practical Crochet, Third Series (in Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 1) gives no hint as to what shape or form this pattern named for vapor takes. Another in our series of mysterious projects, we implore you to chain on and help lift the haze to unveil this obscure project taken from Weldon’s Practical Needlework.

Here is the pattern as it was published in 1886, with neither corrections nor alterations.

CLOUD

For this light and elegant wrap procure 8 ozs. of white 3 thread Lady Betty wool and a bone crochet needle No. 9. Commence with 96 chain in which work 95 double crochet; turn, and inserting the hook into the back thread of the stitches of preceding row, again work a row of 95 double crochet. 3rd row—3 chain, insert the hook in the chain next the needle and draw the wool through, insert the hook in the chain stitch and draw the wool through, do the same in the back threads of the first, second, and third stitches of last row, you now have 6 stitches on the needle, wool over the needle and draw through all, 1 chain, * insert the hook in the little hole formed by the one chain stitch and draw the wool through, do the same in the lower part of the group just worked, in the same stitch of the last row as the group was worked into, and in the back threads of the two next stitches of the last row, now there are 6 stitches on the needle, wool over the needle and draw through all, 1 chain, and repeat from * to the end of the row. 4th, 5th, and 6th row—Ridged double crochet, 95 stitches in each row. Continue these four rows till you have about three quarters of a yard done for half the cloud. For edge work 1 double crochet on the first double crochet of last row, * 10 chain, wool over the needle, insert the hook in the fourth chain from the needle and draw the wool through loosely, raise 6 more loops in the same way, wool over the needle and draw through all the stitches on the needle, 1 chain to keep the ball firm, 1 single crochet in the first chain stitch from the ball, 2 chain, miss two chain, 1 double crochet in the next, 2 chain, 1 treble on the third double crochet of the last row, 2 chain, another treble in the same place, and repeat from * to the end of the row. Fasten off. Then recommence with 2 rows of double crochet on the foundation chain, and work the other half of the cloud to correspond.

Please remember, British crochet terms differ from those used in the United States. Here’s a handy translation of the English crochet terms.

Grab your crochet hook and some white thread and re-create this “mist”-erious project. Then send a photo to us at piecework@longthreadmedia.com. We’d love to see the finished project!

Happy crocheting!
Elizabeth