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Home » Historical Knitting and Crocheting – Ep. 5 Taixtile Podcast

Historical Knitting and Crocheting – Ep. 5 Taixtile Podcast

In this podcast episode, we delve into the topic of historical knitting and crocheting. We’ll show you our Edwardian knitting and crocheting projects, specifically those inspired of the 1890s and 1900s. These include knitted bicycle sweaters and vests, crocheted lace, and much more.
Additionally, we introduce you to Amber, a skilled pattern designer and costume maker, who also delves into the realm of historical knitting and crocheting.
Make sure to check out our previous episodes on historical knitting (Episode 1) and Fair Isle knitting (Episode 4).
Enjoy!

Done & Delighted

The front view of a light blue sweater with puffed sleeves and a pointed hem
The back view of a light blue sweater with puffed sleeves
A white woman smiling into the camera while wearing a light blue sweater with puffed sleeves and a brown mid-length 1900s bicycle sweater.
The back view of a white woman wearing a light blue sweater with puffed sleeves and a brown mid-length 1900s bicycle sweater.
Detail shot of a light blue sweater with puffed sleeves and long sleeve cuffs
Detail back view of a light blue sweater with puffed sleeves and a cable-like knitting pattern.

Clara presents her “Sportive Spirit Sweater,” a garment reminiscent of the knitted bicycle sweaters from the 1890s. Various elements, such as the pointed hem, the vertically running cable-like pattern, and the wide sleeves, evoke the fashion of the turn of the century. She used “Cotton Yak” yarn from Katia for this project. However, since the sweater is slightly loose around the waist, Clara plans to knit it again with a few modifications.
In the pictures above, the sweater is shown worn in a modern style, and then in a historical ensemble with a corset and a bicycle skirt. Due to the corset, the sweater fits even looser around the waist, requiring the hem to be tucked into the skirt, which unfortunately hides the pointed hem.

Detailed photo of mother-of-pearls buttons
A light blue knitted vest spread over a wooden floor. The side seams still need to be sewn together
A blue knitted west combined with a yellow skirt worn by a mannequin

Last year, Clara started working on another Edwardian knitting project: The “Odice Vest” by Laudy van den Heuvel. After a few months’ hiatus, she has now completed this vest. The silhouette is also inspired by the turn-of-the-century era.

The construction of the vest is quite intriguing. It begins with the back panel, which is knitted in a 1:1 rib pattern. Then, the knitting is divided for the shoulder straps and worked separately to create the neckline. The two front panels are then knitted in a wider rib pattern until reaching the pointed hem, and finally, they are sewn to the back panel along the side seams.

For this project, Clara used “Baby Alpaca Silk” yarn from Drops Design, which is now unfortunately
discontinued.

Work in Progress

Detail of Lace that is pinned to the leg of some Edwardian combinations
Crochet Lace Border in three rows

One of Nany’s first sewing projects in 2020 was an underdress, also known as “combinations. This garment consists of a bodice and some wide knee-length pants and is typically worn under a corset, right next to your skin. Original garments from that era were often adorned with lace – the more, the better.
Nany incorporated this style by making some crocheted lace. Some of the lace patterns were designed by herself, while others were inspired by existing designs.
The only remaining step for these combinations is to add lace to one of the legs. The lace for the other leg has already been completed. However, since this lace is so intricate and a significant amount of time has passed since she crocheted the lace for the other leg, she has currently put the project on hold. Another reason for Nany’s decision to pause the project is the fact that it no longer fits that well.
Within this podcast episode, we have brainstormed a solution for Nany to address these issues and resume the project.

A work in progress of a beige knitted bodice with a lace/ cable-panel in the front
Details of the knitted hem of a beige jumper

Clara’s current knitting project is another sweater with lace elements, also inspired by the fashion of the 1890s. This sweater is worked from the bottom up, featuring lace and cable patterns in the centre front and centre back. The sleeves are knitted in a different colour of yarn. She is using “Highland Wool” from Hobbii for this project.

Clara hasn’t come across a two-coloured sweater like this in Edwardian knitting fashion before, but she finds this colour-blocking concept very intriguing for historical fashion.

A work in progress of a green knitted puff-sleeve

#Taixtiling

Picture of a wide horizon coast line with a boat in the foreground
A historical brick house with light green steel ornaments
A wide view of the Etretat coastline with yellow flowers in the foreground

In April, Clara spent a week in Normandy and, of course, took her knitting with her.
In the #Taixtiling segment of this podcast episode, she shares some impressions from her trip.

Future Plans

Nany’s dream project is to one day crochet a dress made of Irish lace. However, this is a significant and intricate undertaking that will require at least a few years to complete. In this podcast episode, she discusses what inspires her, how she would approach such a project, and the factors that are currently holding her back from actually starting it.

Sportive Spirit Vest Back

Clara’s future plan is a bit more tangible and lies in the nearer future. In the first episode of the podcast, Clara showcased her “Sportive Spirit Vest” and mentioned her desire to release a knitting pattern for it (see photo above).
However, she has not been able to accomplish this yet. Before embarking on that endeavour, she intends to knit another vest, which she plans to gift to Nany.
For this project, she will use the superwash yarn “Merino Baby” from Katia.

Creators of the World

A white woman is wearing a green Edwardian vest and a white shirt underneath.
A white woman in Edwardian attire is standing in front of a tree.
A white woman in Edwardian attire standing on a coastline.

Amber is a pattern designer, costume maker, and businesswoman who owns her own label Virgil’s
Fine Goods
. Feel free to check it out.
Within her business, she sells historical fabrics, haberdashery, sewing patterns, as well as historical
accessories and beauty products. As a hobby, she also explores the world of historical knitting and
crocheting.
In this podcast episode, she shares her journey into her profession and hobbies, discusses the
structure of her knitting and crocheting projects, reveals what inspires her the most and much more.

Thank you, Amber, for being part of this podcast!
If you want to see more from Amber, feel free to visit her personal Instagram account as well as her
business account!

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