The amount of attention given in Weldon’s Practical Needlework to knitting stockings gives us a major clue as to their “useful article” of choice to make.
Welcome to the Winter 2018 issue of PieceWork! It’s filled with information on two of my favorite things—magazines and books. That each feature and project includes the historical needlework context is icing on the cake.
The knitted stockings shown below were featured in Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 15, published in London in 1900. They were designed to come above the knee, but I have reworked it as a long sock, 12 inches (30.5 cm) above the heel flap.
Over the years, we have had a variety of PieceWork contests for our readers to showcase their stellar needlework skills. The inaugural contest featuring pincushions was among the most popular—a testament to the importance of this needlework necessity.
This article offers beautiful perspective on life and perseverance and how needlework history provides so many lesssons that can inspire us today.
The split stitch is one of the oldest and simplest of the basic embroidery stitches, visually resembling a small compact chain stitch, but with a much narrower and flatter appearance.
If you enjoy making clothing with vintage flair, check out Jennifer Wood’s Directoire Top from Knitting Traditions 2018.
The Ellis Island Immigration Station reopens after extensive restoration and becomes the Ellis Island Immigration Museum.
Mindy Dickler, granddaughter of Rose and William Sneider, who owned The Yarn Shop in Asbury Park, New Jersey, shared the introduction below to go with the Operation Kid Knit sock pattern Rose designed for the Ladies’ Home Journal.
This project was adapted from Nancy Bush’s Folk Socks: The History & Techniques of Handknitted Footwear. In addition to the Egyptian Socks, there were patterns for seventeen other designs, all inspired by traditional, historic references.