In sending this little work before the public, I have tried to remedy
one fault which I have often heard complained of, namely, that
knitting-books generally give so many more stitches than are really
required. This is partly owing to the different qualities of wool used
by different knitters, and partly also, to a certain extent, whether
the worker knits loosely or tightly. The following directions are for
medium knitters. As knitting sometimes shrinks in the washing, I should
advise my readers to try and knit moderately loose. But, of course,
the principal thing is to have the same sized wool or silk as that for
which the directions are given; and this is especially important in
socks and stockings. I will therefore state that Charity wheeling is
the thickest and most harsh kind of yarn made; Scotch wheeling is a
trifle less coarse. Scotch fingering is the usual yarn sold for socks
and gentlemen’s stockings: it ought to be very strong, and to appear
about the same size as Berlin. If it looks finer (and some does) put
on more stitches than are given. For couvrettes, and things of that
kind, the size of the wool and pins is, of course, a matter of less
importance, as it does not signify whether the work is a trifle larger
or smaller than intended; but in stockings, a slight thing makes a good
deal of difference in the fit.
I have also endeavoured to explain everything at full length, so as to
enable inexperienced knitters to find out the patterns by themselves;
the cost of each article is put, whenever possible, at the head of the
pattern.