Russian Crochet Shawl - Australian Town and Country Journal NSW 1870 - 1907

I love the wording in this turn of the last century pattern.  Use grey and blue single Berlin Wool, No 9 Bone crochet hook, useful for personal wear or to give to the poor.  Doesn't that conjure up vignettes in your mind.

The colours of jumpers and cardigans of my childhood were grey and fawn, with a band of Fair Isle, yes that was it.  I did have a fluffy white bolero and a pink one with spakles in, but that was for special occasions and parties.

Australian Town and Country Journal (NSW : 1870 - 1907)
National Library of Australia
Useful Work Patterns.

HALF-SQUARE SHAWL IN RUSSIAN
CROCHET.

This shawl is easily worked, and is very warm

and useful-either for. personal wear or to give to

the poor. Grey and blue single Berlin wool in

quantity according to the size of the shawl, the

chief part of which is worked with, grey, the blue

being used for the border. Bone crochet needle,

No. 9.- Commence with grey wool with 4 chain,

turn, and work 3 double crochet In the third chain

from the needle, 1 double crochet in the last of the

chain. The double crochet throughout the shawl

is to be worked by inserting the hook into the

small horizontal loop at the back of the stitches

of the preceding row so as1 to form ridges. 2nd

TOW: 1 chain to turn, 1 double crochet in the first

double crochet of last row, 1 double crochet in the

. next, 3 double crochet In the centre stitch of the 3

double, crochet of last row, 1 double crochet In

the. next, and 2 double crochet in the chain that

turned. . 3rd row: 1 chain" to turn, 1 double cro

chet in the first double crochet of last row, 3

- double crochet In 3 consecutive'stitches, 3 double....

crochet in the centre stitch, 3 double crochet" in

3 consecutive stitches, and 2 double crochet In the

chain that turned. 4th row: 1 chain to turn; 1

double crochet In the first double crochet of last

row, 5 double crochet in 5 consecutive stitches, 3

double crochet* in the centre stitch, 5 double ero- :.

chet in 5 consecutive stitches,- and 2 double cro

chet in the chain that turned. Proceed in this

manner,, increasing two consecutive stitches on

each side of every row till the centre part of the

shawl is as large as you wish it to be. Then

join on the blue wool, and work 4 rows in the

same manner; join on the grey wool, and work 6

rows; 'join on the blue again, and work 4 rows;

now return to the grey wool, and work 4 more

rows. For edging round 2 sides of the shawl:

With grey wool, 1 treble lu the first double crochet

stitch of laBt row, 2 chain, another treble in the

same place, miss 3 double crochet of last row, and

repeat. Increase a little round the point by miss

ing only 1 stitch instead of 3, and work the 2 treble

stitches Into the centre stitch of the 3 double cro

chet. 2nd row: 1 treble under the 2 chain of

last row,"- 5 chain, 1 double crochet in the first of'

the chain stitches, 4 chain, 1 double crochet In

the lower part of the last double crochet, 1 treble

under the same 2 chain the last treble ls worked

into, and' repeat.

Christy