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**Jenna N.** · 02-11-2004, 01:49 PM

Re: Crochet Patterns

Originally posted by Jenna N.

Hello to all. I am new to your website, though my husband is not. I am very excited about the depth of knowledge that I can tap on this forum!
My question is regarding crochet patterns of the times. I am not a solid knitter, and am more confident crocheting. I am just finishing my first sontag/bosom buddy from a pattern that I found on-line (and it is turning out quite well!). I was wondering if anyone has additional sources for period crochet patterns (for hats, bags, other accoutrements!). Any help would be much appreciated!
Thanks!

Forgot to sign my name! Sorry,
Jenna Neilsen

**Miche_Todd** · 02-11-2004, 04:11 PM

Re: Crochet Patterns

Originally posted by Jenna N.

I was wondering if anyone has additional sources for period crochet patterns (for hats, bags, other accoutrements!). Any help would be much appreciated!
Thanks!

Hi Jenna!!! I started out crocheting and am just learning to knit, so I can really see your point. Now, I am not claiming to be an expert here, but rather parroting what I have been told by others that are much more knowledgeable on this subject than I. :tounge_sm Many of the items that we see being sold and used by reenactors actually date from much earlier or later in the century. I'm not sure what you mean by hats, but it you are talking about day caps to the best of my knowledge they were becoming very out of fashion by the time the CW rolled around and as such only older ladies would have worn them. Another item I see crocheted and worn by many (and I myself was guilty of this a couple of years ago!) is a watch pocket. In the period watch pockets were actually used to hold the watch in an upright position when it was not being worn. They were hung on a wall or furnishing, not on the person. :-) Now, that being said, for a good cache of period crochet patterns can be found at www.onceuponapattern.com She also dates them!!! Another great pattern can be found by emailing Mary Azzariti, she has a pattern for a crocheted Zouave that is much easier to work with then the pattern available at the Once Upon a Pattern site. Sorry, I thought I has her email address on the pattern but unfortunately I don't. Hopefully someone here will have it. As for bags, there is some debate right now about the authenticity of the so called reticules that a lot of people wear, I have been told and most of my research indicates that they were not very common because most ladies would use pockets to carry what they needed, and they didn't carry anywhere near the volume of all the little articles that we seem to think we need now. :wink_smile It seems that most are leaning towards them not being very common as well. They do appear in period magazines, but we have to take into consideration how often they were actually worn or whether they were in fact a "novelty item". In other words, an item that very few ladies would have taken them time to make or have use for. Think of some of the gee gaws we see in modern day high fashion magazines. Although we are told it is all "the rage" how many of us would actually use them? Also, another thing to take into consideration is the effect of gossip and how high the value of one's reputation was in the period. A proper lady would never resort to do anything that would be determined outlandish by her peers, so, therefore, would it look like she was behaving as if she had so many valuables or money that she needed something in addition to her pocket to carry it? And what would be the opinion of other ladies if that happened? Sorry, I know I gave you a really long answer and have started to ask all sorts of theoretical questions!!! I'll stop now! :tounge_sm

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