A friend of mine, Silvana Siddali, has been researching mid-19th
century kittting patterns, so I asked her about the knitting yarn in
question. She has also produced some really nice volumes, with a
friend, reproducing period knitting patterns with reconstructed
instructions called "Knitting a la Mode: and "Knit Two a la Mode."
The original patterns are all from La Mode Illustree 1860-1865. I
have just added her books to my website:
http://www.vintagevictorian.com/Ordering.html
Silvana's reply about yarn and knitting resources follows the original
h-costume post.
Katy
Original post:
http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/cw/1864sontag.html
could someone comment on what yarn would be a good
substitute for Zephyr in this pattern? I'm wondering if
we are talking something like fingering yarn? Angora?
I'm aware this is probably not still available, but what
would make a similar garment, not necessarily period
correct, but just as pleasing
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Silvana Siddali <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Jan 19, 2007 11:38 AM
Subject: Re: [h-cost] 19th cen Knitting pattern help
To: Katy Bishop <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
First of all, here's an excellent link for anyone who is interested in
reproducing 19th century knitting patterns authentically:
http://www.raggedsoldier.com/knitting_1.pdf
I'm on a lot of historic / victorian / civil war era knitting lists,
and I can tell you that there's a great deal of discussion about
zephyr yarn. Although there are currently zephyr yarns being produced
today, some experts say that they're not really perfect repros of
mid-19th century yarns. However, Halcyon makes a really lovely zephyr
yarn that I believe works very well, both in terms of texture and
fineness:
http://www.halcyonyarn.com/Yarn_pages/yarn027.html This is a
wool-silk blend. Colleen Formby, who has done extensive research in
this area, has said that period zephyr yarn was probably all-wool. In
any event, I would say that a very fine pure wool, either fingering or
sock weight, would work with a pattern calling for zephyr.
Angora wasn't used in this country, not for knitting anyway, not
during the civil war era. I've found some evidence that Parisian
ladies were experimenting with angora wool (at least that's what I
think right now); they called it soie de lapin. To the best of my
knowledge, american women didn't knit with angora or mohair until much
later in the 19th century.
One other thing -- I highly recommend these knitting reference cards
for people attempting to reproduce period knitting:
http://www.raggedsoldier.com/
You might have to get onto the site itself to search for them under
craft supplies, since there doesn't seem to be a direct link. They
are very useful -- I always take them with me when I shop for yarn or
needles.
Hope this helps!
Regards,
Silvana
On 1/18/07, Katy Bishop <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Hi, this was posted on h-costume, any thoughts? If I sent in an
answer I could also plug your booklets.
Katy
Specific quote from the original pattern:
"In the front of the number we give a very beautiful pattern, in
colors, for a Crocheted Sontag, Shawl Pattern.
Materials. – 3 oz. scarlet double zephyr; 3 oz. black; 2 oz. white. "
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Kirsten Felton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Jan 18, 2007 10:19 AM
Subject: [h-cost] 19th cen Knitting pattern help
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/cw/1864sontag.html
could someone comment on what yarn would be a good
substitute for Zephyr in this pattern? I'm wondering if
we are talking something like fingering yarn? Angora?
I'm aware this is probably not still available, but what
would make a similar garment, not necessarily period
correct, but just as pleasing.
thanks, kitty
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--
Katy Bishop, Vintage Victorian
[EMAIL PROTECTED] www.VintageVictorian.com
Custom reproduction gowns of the Victorian Era.
Publisher of the Vintage Dress Series books.
--
Katy Bishop, Vintage Victorian
[EMAIL PROTECTED] www.VintageVictorian.com
Custom reproduction gowns of the Victorian Era.
Publisher of the Vintage Dress Series books.
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