At Yarndale this year I again made a few purchases from the wonderful Judith Mansfield Books stall. Judith specialises in trading vintage and antique items that are relevant to textile hobbyists. Many of the books and needle gauges in my collection were bought from her.
This little book dates from 1846, published in Brighton by Arthur Wallis. It is particularly interesting because it contains tiny knitted samples of the patterns. These have been sewn into the spine, presumably by the book’s owner. I’ve heard of antique sample books like this before, and was delighted to find one. The samples are rather dirty from 150 years or so of being thumbed, and to me that adds even more character to them.
