24. Untitled Edging

Here's another pattern without a name. The garter stitch edging combines fagotting along the top with large eyelets arranged within the saw-tooth lower edge. The stitch count increases with every eyelet row, from 11 to 19, and the added stitches are bound off in the last row of the 12-row repeat.

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

The right side and wrong side of this pattern are indistinguishable from one another, making it suitable for a wide variety of purposes.

Next time: Lace Pattern

23. Untitled Edging

This is one of a few patterns which our Victorian knitter copied down without a heading. A nearly identical trim can be found in Classic Knitted Cotton Edgings by Furze Hewitt and Billie Daley. Unfortunately, the book's patterns are identified only by number, not by name (the similar design is #78), so the mystery remains. There can be no doubt, however, that whatever its original name, the word "leaf" must have figured prominently.

The pattern features triangles of large eyelets alternating with solid squares set on their points, each with a puffed leaf against a garter stitch ground. The design is topped off with a row of fagotting set apart from the rest of the arrangement by a narrow band of reverse stockingnet. While not reaching the epic dimensions of 19. Knitted Lace (Wide), this pattern falls outside the average in size, blocking at 4¼" wide when knit in fingering weight cotton on 2.25mm needles. In the first half of the pattern the stitch count steadily rises from 27 to 48. Some of the added stitches are worked off in the process of tapering the leaf motif, and the remainder are bound off in the last row of the 28-row repeat.

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

I find the use of p2tog in place of a left-leaning decrease (SSK, s1-k1-psso, etc.) when tapering the leaf a curious choice. It creates a series of bumps along the right side of the leaf. And the k3tog at the top of the leaf produces a tip that is less defined than would be had with a balanced double decrease (sl2-k1-p2sso). It seems as if the designer knew only one way to decrease-- knit or purl two or more stitches together-- or she considered other decreases unnecessary. Whatever the case, if used for a project, this pattern would definitely benefit from those substitutions in shaping the leaf.

Next week: Untitled Edging No. 2

22. Palm Leaf Insertion

"Palm Leaf Insertion" has faggoting on each side and single large eyelets alternating with diagonal lines of eyelets running down the middle. The effect is suggestive of a tipped diamond with a center hole. The panel is 13 stitches wide and has a 14-row repeat.

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

This is another pattern sent into the newspaper by a reader. In this case the contributor designed it to correspond to a previously published edging:

"Etta" kindly sends these directions for making a handsome insertion matching the Palm Leaf Lace on Page 37 in Knitting Extra No. 62.

Next time: Untitled Edging

21. Oak Leaf

"Oak Leaf" has a row of ladder eyelets along the upper edge and pairs of eyelets cascading down into the curved saw-tooth lower edge. The garter stitch edging begins with 10 stitches cast on, increases by 2 stitches every right side row, and the added stitches are bound off in the final row of the 12-row repeat.

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

Addendum to 8. Wristlets: A reader has suggested wearing the wristlets with the scalloped edge at the hand, where it would catch the eye. I have added a new photograph to the post to illustrate this excellent idea. (Thanks, Jane!)

Next time: Palm Leaf Insertion