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Those Weird Victorians: What is a Couvrette?

The word “couvrette” is not commonly used in today’s crafting communities, but Victorian needleworkers were familiar with the term.

Knit a Silky Camel Cowl (and Tips for Knitting Flies)

The Silky Camel Cowl Kit features a glorious camel/silk blend laceweight yarn, Treenway Silk’s Camelot Chameau.

Happy President’s Day from all of us at PieceWork!

I hope you enjoy these remarkable crochet patterns inspired by historic first ladies of the White House. Happy President's Day!

What in the World is Weldon's?

One company, Weldon’s, began as a paper pattern company and became one of the most recognized needlework publishers in Victorian England.

Weldon’s Practical Bent Iron Work

In an era when newspapers are more often read through a Facebook feed on tablets and smartphones, it is hard to imagine a need for a bent-iron-work newspaper rack constructed from gridiron.

Enigma

This riddle is included in Ladies’ Needlework; Crochet Tales and Poetry: A Melange of Instructions and Amusements, originally published in 1849.

5 Traditional Albanian Socks

As a self-proclaimed knitting nerd, I was delighted to review Mimi Seyferth’s new eBook, 5 Traditional Albanian Socks to Knit: A Travel Memoir in Stitches.

Laura Ingalls Wilder

February 7, 1867 Beloved author of the Little House series of books (and needleworker) Laura Ingalls Wilder is born. Here’s the needlework connection to this date.

Looking for Perfect Buttons? Make Your Own

I first encountered Dorset buttons when reading Burning Bright, a Tracy Chevalier novel that follows a family of button-makers as they make a new life in London during the eighteenth century.

Making Silk for Embroidery

Silk is one of the marvels of the natural world, and making silk for embroidery is one of the wonders of human ingenuity.