On these pages you will find lots of information covering various forms of mid 19th century needlework. I have left all the spelling, italics and punctuation as I found it in the books. Each source is listed before the instructions. I hope that they help you in your journey through Civil War knitting and crocheting patterns. Please note that these instructions may be confusing to a beginning needle worker. I would suggest a basic modern book for you to use to learn either skill.

Most of the focus is on the Civil War years, but needlework skills did not change much during the period so I have included sources from 1840-1865. Please do not confuse needlework skills with fashion, that definitely did change!!

While you are here don't miss reading "Blue Yarn Stockings". This is a fun little fictional short story that I found in "Harper's New Monthly Magazine" December 1861. It is interesting on a number of levels first of all for my purposes, you will note that when George Mason meets Katie Maxwell in the street and is asked to guess what is in the bundle, with very little prompting he exclaims "Blue yarn and knitting-needles! Ha! ha! Soldiers' stockings, of course." This story is also interesting in showing the way women's opinion helped staff the army!!

Please enjoy the pages I have created and have fun using them in your own explorations. If you have any additional photos, illustrations or instructions that you would like to share please contact me. I will credit any information that you let me publish on my web site.