Knitted hoop skirt

[vbetts]

This month I've been driving over to the Texas Collection of Baylor University looking at transcripts of the Civil War diaries of Lucy Merry Pier and her daughter Sarah Pier Wiley of Travis, Austin County, Texas. On Sunday March 15, 1863, Lucy (age 49) writes: "Sis gave me a nice netted skirt to put hoops in. Aunt Julia Bracy knit it." On Friday, July 3rd 1863, she writes: "Sarah fixing the hoop in my nett skirt that Sis gave me Mrs. Julia Bracy knit."

Does anyone have any idea what this might look like? Any instructions from a period source?

Vicki Betts

[Carolann Schmitt]

Re: Knitted hoop skirt

Vicki -

I don't have instructions for a home made knitted crinoline. I do have patents for several manufactured netted crinolines. The mesh resembles the mesh used for fishing nets. I suspect this one is probably similar in appearance. It would probably be very easy to knit - a simple yarn over pattern will create the mesh easily and quickly, and an experienced knitter could figure out the size fairly easily. Let me find the photos for you.

Carolann

[Spinster]

Re: Knitted hoop skirt

Eeeppp!!! Excitement! Excitement! :)