About the pattern
The pattern is for a woman’s knitted bonnet is based on a pattern from Godey’s Lady’s Book and Magazine, published in September 1874.

The pattern includes several lace patterns, picking up sts, and basting edging. Sts used include: CDD, M1R and M1L, SSK, K2Tog TBL, and basic sts). The pattern is written out, not charted.

Materials needed: size 1 circular and DPN needles; Approximately 220 yards of fingering (14 wpi)

This pattern fascinated me. The beautiful lace flower that begins the pattern at the back of the head seems like a common design for bonnets. The garden trellis and climbing vine motif making up the main portion of the hat continues the naturalistic themes. Finished with an applied sawtooth edging lace completes the typical ‘more is more’ look of Victorian design. It’s lovely in a light-colored solid or ombre yarn.

This pattern is offered with two brim sizes: small, and large. Increasing needle size is not recommended, even if you are a tight knitter.

Adaptations to the original pattern
The original pattern was often vague, misleading, missed entire lines of the pattern, and was peppered with typos. No directions for gauge, needle size, or yarn type were provided. Through testing, the vast majority of errors, omissions, inconsistencies, and typos have been corrected. The most significant correction is the size of the brim – which was nearly triple what it should have been. A few modern stitches replaced outdated ones for a smoother and consistent look (specifically K3tog was replaced with CDD).

I’ve also included the use of an optional ribbon embellishment through the eyelets (because more is more!)

About the Author
Heather Vaughan Lee is an author and fashion historian whose work focuses on the study of dress in the late 19th through the 20th century. Covering a range of topics and perspectives in dress history, she is primarily known for her research in American fashion history, the history of knitting in America and the UK. Her research and patterns have been published by Piecework Magazine and Knitting Traditions Magazine since 2013. Her recent books include Artifacts from American Fashion (2019) and Clothing and Fashion: American Fashion From Head to Toe (2015). Learn more at www.fashionhistorian.net