Knit One, Purl One

Knitting has become my new thing. It all started with purchasing some beautiful merino wool yarn on my trip to Edinburgh, but it was become a minor obsession lately. Oho! Watch out for those holiday gifts! Ha Ha

Anyway, I was looking up some info on 18th Century knitting, and found of course, that people knit everyday things, basics that everyone needs, every day. Like socks and stockings. From the mundane like the creamy-white ones shown here at left, in wool, or the ones below, quite lovely, in silk.


 
 
 
It wasn't like you went to the store and grabbed a pair. Same with hats, especially for sailors. They generally knit them for themselves. One interesting one is the little Monmouth cap, worn by sailors in the 16th, 17th and 18th Centuries. It gets its name from the town of Monmouth in South East Wales. Its shape is basic, kind of bell-shaped, and mostly made of red yarn. Sometimes they turn up at the back. They were felted to produce a water-proofing effect. Sometimes a little loop is included which can be used to hang.
I guess the Monmouth will be nest on my knitting agenda!                               Go, Madame DeFarge!