Uncovering the Hidden Secrets of Knitting Journals || How did they knit lace?

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I started my Knitting Journal late last year and have been so happy being able to trace back through my knitting projects. I decided to take out my antique and vintage ones to uncover some of the secrets inside - how did they knit the lace? how old are the patterns? how delicate is the yarn?
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Engineering knits is a place for people who enjoy all kinds of vintage and antique crafts - from sewing to knitting, crochet to embroidery I like to try it all. I definitely have a preference for historical fibre crafts, and it is my dream to one day make an entire outfit from sheep to sweater. I hope you enjoy watching me and my favorite companion, Nutella, struggle through some fascinating projects!

[@EngineeringKnits]

Checkout my new Mugs: www.etsy.com/listing/1461951286/knitting-keeps-me-from-unravelling-mug I hope you enjoyed looking through my vintage & antique knitting Journals - do you think I should try to make the lace cardigan?

[@retrocraftdreams]

Definitely make it! It would be so fascinating to see how it turns out!

[@ramaahbk6596]

I got so happy when I saw the written name in Arabic. Her full name is Zakia Abdullhamid Al-saleh.😍😍😍😍 I'm following you since a year and always stunned by your projects. I work from home also and I was so frustrated for not having a full time for creating and completing my knitting/ crochet projects but after I saw the first video on your channel I feel like I'm not alone and I can work for 8 hours a day and still make my projects going on. You became my inspiration. I'm from Syria (An Arabic Mediterranean country) & have been in Turkey since 10 years because of the civil war. xoxoxoxoxo

[@bamboolaceway]

You should absolutely knit a cardigan in the pattern lace. I don't think your mind will rest util you do. There's something about those projects that linger in the sub-basement of our subconscious that you just eventually have to get it done.

[@marymcrae3773]

The second journal looks like the type of gift an auntie or older sister or friend would give a younger woman to help her get started, either in life or upon marriage or betrothal. So I am imagining that the handwriting is by “Auntie” Zakia, and it is making my heart feel so full

[@tegansinclair6768]

My grandmother and great grandmother could ‘read’ crochet and knit samples, they would also exchange the samples among friends. After my great grandmother passed away, I arranged some of her nicest samples in frames. Astonishing.

[@CeceTruck]

I took some Arabic awhile ago and my guess is that the Arabic writing is a name (maybe her name?). Handwritten Arabic has always been incredibly difficult for me to read but I think the middle part says عبد الحميد or Abdulhamid. The first word could be زكية which is Zakia transliterated into English. I’m not sure what the last word is

[@nisoZ]

I'm an Arab an you're right. It is a name Zakia Abdulhamid. Sadly the last word is completely illegible.

[@catardif4158]

Germans were using ring binders in the late 19th century after Friedrich Soennecken of Bonn, Germany intended them. He also patented the hole punch. :) Gotta love Wikipedia. ;) So that little notebook could very well be antique rather than vintage. It looks like something my grandmother (born in 1895) used in America.

[@petrafinken6546]

I started my knitting journal back in 2012. Now I got two. One for my "normal" knits a.k.a. cardigans, hats. mittens. pullover, babygear, blankets etc. The other one is just for socks. Basically I am a sock knitter. I am now on my second sock book and I love them. Love to look in them and the joy they give me is unmatched. I journal pictures of the finished item, size, for whom I made it, stitches that were cast on, which needles - and much more.

[@robincrockett5087]

My mom had inherited dozens of pillow cases that had been embroidered by my great grandmother. I never checked to see if they crocheted or knitted the edges too. It seems like a really nice craft to elevate a simple home which is why they probably had so many as well.

[@jsmxwll]

I did a little looking around and didn't find anywhere people are cataloging these types of journals. I feel like there is a lot to be learned and shared by making journals like these available to modern knitters and maybe some anthropological value as well.

[@bonniecolleenpappin8807]

This was fun to watch! The three ring binder was patented in 1859 so definitely antique. The handwriting looks similar to, or slightly younger than, my grandmother's so probably 1930's or '40's. I'm no expert but fancy pillow cases were a thing in that era. Diane Sullivan wrote a book called "Enchanted Edgings" that shows how to make lace edges like your pillowslip lace. It requires a Brother knitting machine, tho'., the Singer/Studio/Silver Reeds use a different needle selection method that doesn't allow for her type of edge. I'm still waiting for someone to work it out for the Singer machines. Thank you for sharing.

[@DianeBianchi_MNStormSpotter]

Yes, I was thinking 1940s too.

[@missmeakat]

So cool! I'd recommend replacing the paper clip in the first journal with a brass paper clip. Regular ones rust and cause damage to paper (i work in archives 🙂)

[@eileenhildreth8355]

I am also worried the pins holding the lace samples will rust but have no experience as to what you should use

[@missmeakat]

@@eileenhildreth8355 i wonder if there are archival pins made from brass/non reactive metal? Like for butterfly collections maybe? They might be quite expensive though

[@takaela]

oh, boy! translating antique patterns is hard enough! translating antique patterns from notes and tiny samples? i think my head hurts...

[@goobernin]

Thank you for showing us these journals, seeing the handwriting and personal notes is always intriguing to me. It's so cool to get a small peek into the personal interests of knitters from the past :)

[@rebekkawacherhausenwichman236]

Really fun to see the old journals. Would be super interesting if you chose to knit the whole cardigan!! The pattern looks very pretty!

[@shawnaclair1151]

I can not wait to see the cardigan! That will be such an amazing journey. Please do it! Also the journals were fascinating!

[@Karen-ik6uv]

An entire episode about the mug business would make a brilliant contribution to your channel.

[@gavannapatterns353]

I would love to see that diamond lace sweater, the sample looks so cute😊 I don't know it you follow the channel "just vintage crochet " but she recreates lots of fascinating vintage crochet patterns, and some of the projects are so cool, like a crocheted evening dress from the 1930s!

[@aksez2u]

I watch her, too! I especially love the mystery pattern series 🙂. So calming to watch someone crochet while I am working on my own projects. ❤

[@mond5004]

That vogue pattern remains a mystery. It's possible Vogue included knitting in one of their 1918 or 1919 issues alongside their sewing patterns. You should check out the 1918 Handbook of Wool Knitting and Crochet. There are a few interesting jacket/sweater patterns and some lovely lace gloves. www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/26113

[@ileanaleah2545]

Lace is my passion. You do a remarkable job bringing it to us. Lovely Thank you

[@sonipitts]

Mystery sweater knit-along would be so fun.

[@planningtolive_thebestlife453]

I’m currently crocheting a medium/large doily using size 30 thread😅 I felt your struggles when you were fiddling with the beginning row! There’s hardly anything there to work with at that stage😂😂 I absolutely love that we get to look at these peoples project journals. So cool!!

[@aksez2u]

I've been cleaning out my mom's house and found an entire large tablecloth crocheted with thread! It's so beautiful and completely mind blowing to me that people had the time and patience to create such art. There are also dozens of doilies. My mom didn't crochet, but it could have been my grandma. I don't know what to do with these treasures.

[@joselymartinez1926]

Can you do a video in the future on how to resize vintage knitting patterns please??

[@Lisa_Flowers]

I would love this as well!

[@Stillouttolunch]

Do it! Knit the cardigan!

[@cor3944]

People underestimate how soothing, meditative but also neurostimulating and complicated crocheting and knitting is. And such a beautiful delicacy. I love how you try to preserve old techniques. If you compare that to what young girls nowadays are doing…thank you for all your videos. I love crochet for more than 50 years. Keep up the creativity❤

[@onlyvirtualfriendshipsplea3811]

Diff edge could mean different edge. I use that abbreviation in all my notes

[@alexandraranieri]

Wow, that is such a beautiful pattern for the cardigan lace! I am very tempted to make a whole cardigan with that pattern now...what an adventure! So cool to see the very same lace come to life over a hundred years later.

[@k.s.1737]

Yes you should make the lace cardigan or at least sketch it out based on the stitch counts and shaping instructions. The knitting graph paper would work well for that kind of project. The diamond lace pattern is one I've seen in modern sweater patterns too.

[@emilyann2581]

love this video, very insightful. if you do wanna keep the feel of the pins in the journal, you could replace the steel pins with bronze as the bronze will not rust and theyre not too hard to find, I've seen them at my local hardware store

[@su.mioiyu-5008]

Love the detail! The way I have recorded my collecting of lace patterns is thus: I knit or crochet the pattern as a 6 inch sample then its blocked and tagged with the name of the pattern. I keep each pattern on index cards to see in front of me while making and a back-up notebook with the complete pattern and where it is found. Those notebooks were fun to see as well. I collect as many patterns as meets my eye. My collection consists of a limit of using #1 or 0 size needles and using mainly echru cotton, but just for samples. I enjoyed seeing your notebook as well as the ones you have aquired.

[@Lisa_Flowers]

What a lovely coincidence! I've been rewatching a lot of your past videos this week, including your knitting journal video. And it inspired me to start a knitting journal just yesterday. So it's lovely that I get to see you go through some vintage knitting journals not even a day after! Hope I can get even more inspiration for how I want to keep my journal.

[@saraht855]

I don't know for sure, but I think that second book was actually a gift from an older lady to a younger one. It makes sense for sharing of recipes and knitting patterns (how to do some basics or how to do the next step up) perhaps for someone just getting married or moving out of the home. That explains why there are so many gaps, the gifter included their own instructions with space for the giftee to add their own as they grew. Just a theory but feels very much like something I could imagine being done

[@Eastybeastyy]

If thats the case then I'm gutted the recipient didn't realise the treasure she was given D:

[@saraht855]

@@Eastybeastyy maybe too nervous to add their own in fear of messing it up?

[@Silligoose501]

The manner of making the t's in the first journal is consistent, so I would say it is the same person. This was very interesting! Thank you for sharing!

[@honorinevelay5834]

This is just a fantastic video ! I appreciate you sharing your findings. I usually copy patterns by hand in a notebook because I don't have a printer and seeing those notebooks looking so much like mine helps me find a new appreciation for it. All of this inspire me to maybe start to includes samples !

[@taraloche5578]

I _really_ appreciate your close ups of your hand knitting! I'm trying to teach myself and I was getting a bit anxious over whether or not the uneven lengths of yarn between the stitches on my needles was a Me-problem or A Feature. These books were amazing to see! Thank you!

[@JoelleGrace]

This was a fascinating video!!! Thank you so much for sharing this with us!❤ I have wanted to make myself my own sewing, knitting, and lace journals inspired by antique ones. I hope to start that this year. I already have a journal inspired by the early 1900’s where they put a bit of everything in them, much like a modern day junk journal. I think it is so interesting that even in times where hard work was emphasized they still took the time to make samplers and journals like this, something that we may think of as unnecessary, but it is both a teaching tool and an example of great skill.❤

[@kiami28]

I would love to see you knit the mystery cardigan!

[@HandiworksbyClyne]

Wow vintage knitters are masters.

[@staylor5687]

I love journals! I have sort of a disorganized digital journal of my knitting. I don't like books as they create clutter in my home and they are heavy to move around. I love these knitting journals, but I would do mine on the computer. Pictures last longer and they don't turn yellow like the threads/yarns in the physical journals. But anyhoo, I love journals!! This video inspires me to get my digital journal better organized.

[@amykathleen2]

I would not be brave enough to commit yarn to that cardigan with so many uncertainties of gauge, size, and style, but if you decide to I’d love to see it. Or even if you decide to just chart it out instead of knitting it up, I’d love to see that too! It would still answer at least part of the question of what it’s supposed to look like, and then maybe one of us viewers would decide we want to make one.

[@Bookupied]

I would definitely follow the mystery cardigan pattern knit! ✨

[@katebowers8107]

I’m knitting my first ever pattern that includes lace elements (a shawl in DK weight), and I cannot imagine doing knitted lace in those tiny sizes!

[@glendadavis7451]

Can I add the title of a book of knitting lace from Estonia. Unfortunately my ageing hands can’t knit the gorgeous patterns. Knitting Lace of Estonia: techniques, patterns and traditions by Nancy Bush

[@pauladavitt7554]

I’ve been keeping a knitting journal after watching your videos. I’ve also developed a passion for vintage knitting patterns and books because of watching your channel.

[@aylachipman7583]

have you thought about contacting Max from Tasting History? i'm sure the cookery section of the second journal would be something he'd love to see!

[@veronicahuffines7707]

I havebeen making a project of charting out some lace edging patterns I inherited.

[@lizclements500]

Came from Just Vintage Crochet. My "journal" is on my computer - it's easier for me to punch in the numbers for sts/in., yarn weight, dates, etc. into a spreadsheet app. I tried stapling swatches to index cards but that didn't hold up, then I tried 4x6 photo albums--kinda works. I like the 3-ring binder idea but the depth needs to be flexible as crochet is much thicker. No perfect solution found yet.

[@kindlequeen8593]

My word. I can’t imagine crocheting or knitting with such small crochet thread! I do tat, but that feels so much easier than crocheting or knitting with such small thread. Perhaps I need some practice! 😅😅 Edit: also, I’m pretty sure I have a ball of that rainbow crochet thread!!

[@iamnoraling]

I love these old vintage lace patterns, thank you for sharing! Recently I was able to copy some old leaflets from Christine Duchrow, a German lace designer. There is no date on these, but I was told they are from ca 1920-30. Let me know if you would like to have a digital copy (They are charted but the explanations are in German). :)

[@crossfittxms1]

Yes, can you give us a link? Thank you.

[@VanK782]

I never thought of this use of knitting journals but it's a genius way of preserving history and skill!

[@robintheparttimesewer6798]

I had no idea that knitting journals were sold. I love the idea of finding an old knitting or sewing journal. It also makes me wish I had been journaling my makes over the years. There are some things that there are no pictures of so no one but me remembers them. I should start something now and remember to help my grandson document his makes. I think it would be really wonderful to see what this knits up to. If at some point you are willing to take it on I would love to know!

[@DeniseSkidmore]

All kinds of things go through estate sales that you wouldn't expect. When everything must go out be trashed, and the right sort of person offers $1 for grandma's knitting journal, it goes.

[@SnowPheasant]

Looking at these patterns is so cool! Where do you even find lace needles that small?

[@half-caffcrochet]

That was so fun to see those journals and it definitely motivates me to keep mine up - I've been doing that but I sometimes feel like maybe it's just a little unnecessary - but you never know! I would love to see more content like this. I love everything on your channel though, honestly.

[@franug]

this is so fun! And it made me think...why haven't I started a knitting/crochet journal???

[@michelleheaney3882]

Those journals are SO COOL!! Thanks for sharing!

[@eleonorahof1001]

I totally loved this video. I bought a really nice knitting journal at the Flying Tiger just a bit over a year ago. Each page has a paper pocket to put a sample of yarn. I should try to update it a bit more. Looking forward to the next video.

[@giantslug5427]

These are my favorite videos!! Thank you for sharing your antique collection with us.

[@sheri-rk1po]

This was so wonderful! Thank you!

[@michelleellis1290]

Wow! I would love to see that cardigan. I love seeing vintage and antique knitting,thank you so much for sharing ❤

[@agimagi2158]

Omg I sooo want to see you make the mystery sweater! Also you inspired me to start a sewing journal this year!

[@sophieinspired]

The rainbow lace is just lovely 💖

[@joantionette734]

Someday your knitting journals will be looked at and they will try to recreate the looks you did. Its a great idea to keep journals for future generations . I was also interested in the "cookery" recipes she had . Knitting and crochet are my top two creative pastimes so I always enjoy these videos !

[@Sunshine-et9gl]

I am really looking forward, to seeing your cardigan!!! It is an adventure and I am so curious how it would look like!!!😊

[@KelseyDrummer]

Cute mugs! I want to get one for my mom!

[@jayneterry8701]

So cool to see a vintage journal! 💞 Are the pins holding the samples rusted? I approve of the sewn in sample 😊 . Of your own journal go back and add in the needles you used and maybe the line Things i would do differently or next time . I can picture the Victorian sweater as a vest. Tfs ..and i like your new mugs ❤

[@annh.8290]

Wow, this was cool. Thank you.

[@LeeAnnahsCreations]

If I had those old yarnwork journals, I would scan them into a PDF so I wouldn't have to handle them to see the patterns.

[@hannahv1930]

I love those books, I've started a journal too, but yes I think a sample would be good. I've never gauge swatched so maybe that's what I could start doing and putting them in the journal!

[@retrocraftdreams]

So fun! Over the past year or two, I've found myself ... accidentally collecting crochet thread, even though I am only now knitting as small as 3.75mm needles for the first time. I keep finding vintage balls at thrift stores for 25 cents and haven't been able to resist. Most is size 30, and more than half of it is variegated. I haven't come across a rainbow, but I do have one that's pink, green, blue, and white. I wish I could tell how old they are. They look like 40s or 50s, but could be as recent as 70s or 80s. Much like that binder! Put dates on things, people! I do a lot of different crafts, but have been trying to keep better track of my projects, and finally started using ravelry for knitting and crochet projects. I do a lot from stitchery kits, too, so I have started a binder with plastic pages that I can keep the cover, pattern, and thread/yarn swatches in. I also was adding little sticky notes with the dates I worked on it, but haven't really kept that up very well.

[@brooke_reiverrose2949]

This was amazing

[@AmoCultumAlo]

This was so interesting! I've kept a knitting journal (or a few) for some time now since I prefer to write out patterns, modifications, and notes as I learn and develop my skill set, so it's fascinating to see such journals from other knitters of the past. I'd love to see you do the mystery cardigan! That would be so much fun! :)

[@999Giustina]

This was a very interesting video!

[@janielamie7697]

So Interesting, would love to see the cardigan made up

[@heidiclarke2333]

I was going to say maybe the size 7 needle was old UK size but UK and US 7 are both 4.5mm it is were they cross over! It was so interesting looking at those old journals.

[@karenbarker5018]

I have just set up my brother kh840, annnd bought myself a small notebook for all my swatches!!!!

[@LualaDy]

hohoho, my multi craft journals look like ... ok, you know what I'll just say it also has tactical notes for video games in between the pages so ... yeah, nowhere as neat =D

[@nataliestanchevski4628]

How fascinating! My own notations and hand written patterns from 20 years ago are sometimes hard to read lol. Instead of samples I have free-hand drawn charts of lace or cable patterns. It's a mess. Then there are the sketches and doodles🤣 But I haven't managed to keep a consistent sewing journal, that's a skill I'm still developing.

[@mariebray9831]

I finished a diamond pattern sweater last month, but it is a 16 row repeat from the 1960's so it has a bigger pattern. The smaller diamonds look very cute. Now back to knitting socks.

[@thizizliz]

That lace could be pretty in many ways - as vertical insertion stripes, as a horizontal stripe like your hearts or the daisies, in a table cloth or runner, I'm sure there are more. By the way Wikipedia gives 1886 as the date ringed binders became available - invented by a french man.

[@brokesynthgyrl]

inspiring, thanks

[@kleoqwer]

It would be wonderful if you could share the printed instructions for the last "diamond" pattern (in your store). I'm a beginner in knitting and I would be happy to try that one. I have old samples of how the similar way my grandma and great-grandmother in Ukraine were making window curtains and furniture covers.

[@jodi1978]

That diamond pattern would make a nice throw with a thicker yarn.

[@chandrasilayicenter3855]

Thank 👍

[@mrspilgrim327]

Interesting look at the journals, and I would be curious to see how the cardigan knits up. Did you knit cardigan you are wearing, its adorable, Im sure Im not the only one who thinks so, if you did knit it are you able to direct to the pattern you knitted from?

[@lucasmcinnis5045]

Oh I would die if I found one of these

[@deejustdee1234]

Please knit up the mystery sweater.

[@cindyfrye3026]

Grandma X lace with dif. edge = lace with different edge

[@k.s.1737]

What pattern did you use for the sweater you are wearing in this video? Thank you.

[@rainieraine1192]

There are similar patterned edging lace that you can do on a knitting machine

[@sandrarhule5354]

A good book on lace ? Victorian Lace Today.

[@julieb7270]

"dif" edge, different edge?

[@MrMonet111]

These laces have been washed and probably pressed with an iron. Shrinkage?? I think you are doing well.😊

[@rltejkl]

3 ring binders american patent 1854.

[@EphanyasisOwleyes]

I collect coffee cups 😊

[@bunhelsingslegacy3549]

That second book feels like something maybe an aunt or sister or older friend might give a younger woman when she's moving out of the familial house to get married or live closer to work, as a reference book or maybe as a starting journal for a similar reason and then (like my cooking and winemaking journals attempts) it never got updated as life got busy! I bet Max from Tasting History would be amused by the recipes!

[@erineiaalvesdacosta9156]

Vc faz varios cadernos????

[@a0936628107]

I think i found some similar on ravelry ,pattern name is Lace-Stitch Sweater ,and it’s vogue’s pattern too! I hope this helps!

[@a0936628107]

It’s published on Vogue Knitting, Spring/Summer 1964 and Vogue Knitting Book No. 64 .