Pattern book, "Joseph McCall"

Traditionally patterns were not written down, but were passed from one generation to another by word of mouth and the copying of existing knitting.   In the 1840s and 1850s instruction books began to appear as knitting, particularly in cotton, became an elegant pastime and the leisured Victorian lady began to experiment.  Many knitters also compiled their own sample books for future reference.   Lace was particularly popular, being used on collars, cuffs and underwear, as well as to decorate household linen.