An historical look at crochet and crochet terms

Carol Alexander, publishes an excellent e-newsletter called Talking Crochet. In an article for Annie's Attic in 2005, she used an excerpt from an old needlework book. It's quite entertaining, and gives us a glimpse of ladies' lives in the 1800's. I came across this because I'm searching for the term "plain stitch" in old crochet patterns.

Someone in the Antique Pattern Library group was looking for an explanation of the "plain stitch" used in the pattern she's working. The most helpful item I've found so far is a table in the Antique Pattern Library. This table is set up with British (UK) modern terms and US modern terms, then under those catagories there are references to antique or vintage books.

For example - the UK modern term slip stitch, which is also the US modern term, is refered to as a "plain single crochet" in My Crochet Sampler, published in 1844, London by Miss Lambert; and a single stitch in Mlle Riego's Crochet books published in London from 1845-1970; but is called a "plain stitch" in the Royal Crochet Worker published in London 1850's. But, to confuse matters further, the UK modern term double crochet, which is the US single crochet, is refered to as a "plain stitch" in the Mlle. Riego Crochet books. So depending on where and when the pattern was printed, this could refer to a slip sstitch, a single crochet or a double crochet. I've posted some information to the group, but also asked the lady to give us more information from her pattern. It's not only helpful to the person with the question, but hopefully, we've started an interesting and informative discussion. I do love to research!