5. Knitted Trimming

"Knitted Trimming," a garter stitch curved edging, features faggoting along the upper edge, two rows of large eyelets below formed by working two stitches into double yarn overs, and a shallow saw-tooth lower edge. The stitch count increases from 11 to 13 in the first row and returns to the original number in the fourth.

You can download the full-size chart, verbal instructions and notes here.

As I was knitting the sample I could see that the edging wanted to curve and would, therefore, be a good choice to border a round doily, tablecloth or shawl. I thought, however, that I would be able to block it straight for the photo. This proved not to be the case. When the sample was pinned as a conventional edging, there was no way to stretch the lower section sufficiently for the eyelets to open up. So I have concluded that this pattern is not merely suitable for round pieces, but in fact can be used only for such designs. If attached to a straight edge it might form a ruffle, but I think it would have to be blocked (curving) prior to being joined to the piece.

Next time: Torchon Edge

4. Torchon Insertion

This week's pattern is "Torchon Insertion," a garter stitch panel of 17 stitches with a 10-row repeat. The number of eyelets on either side of the central stitch decreases with each row and then increases again to form a horizontally stretched diamond in the center. Each row of stitches is pulled into an arch which becomes less and less pronounced the further it is from the cast-on edge.

You can download the full-size chart, verbal instructions and notes here.

Tweaking the Pattern

The absence of balanced decreases is notable. Left-leaning decreases (SSK, sl1 k1 psso, K2tog tbl, et al.) are rare in 19th Century patterns, even in a symmetrical design like this one where they could be expected. A modern designer would likely use opposing decreases on each side as the center diamond grows and then reverse the order as the diamond tapers, like this

where \ is a left-leaning decrease. On the rare occasions where a left-leaning decrease is found in the patterns in this sample book, sl1 k1 psso is always the version used.

Next week: Knitted Trimming

3. Narrow Edging

This week's pattern is "Narrow Edging," a garter stitch border with a close row of eyelets above and a spaced row of larger eyelets below formed by working two stitches into the double yarn overs. The stitch count increases by one in the first pattern row and returns to the original number in the fourth, creating a barely perceptible notch in the lower edge.

You can download the full-size chart, verbal instructions and notes here.

Although many knitters today associate lace knitting with cobweb shawls of wool, the surge in the popularity of knitted lace in 1880s America was part of a larger trend in "whitework" for the home. Most of the designs we will see were primarily used to trim curtains, table linens, counterpanes and the like. One can easily imagine Narrow Edging, worked in fine cotton or linen thread, embellishing a bread cloth or a lady's dainty handkerchief.

Next week: Torchon Insertion

2. Fence Row Insertion

The next pattern is "Fence Row Insertion," a garter stitch panel with 14 stitches across and a 12-row repeat featuring eyelets arranged in two diagonal lines. Each double yarn over is worked as a single stitch on the next row.

You can download the full-size chart, verbal instructions and notes here.

I find I don't have much to say about this one, so I will leave it at that.

Next time: Narrow Edging