1860’s Afghans

If you have ever considered making your very own historical afghan, here are some patterns that may catch your eye. All of these patterns were published in period magazines between 1858-1865. Most are simplistic in nature, and worked in smaller portions that are stitched together. There are period patterns for both crochet and knitters alike! However, almost all of these crochet afghans are worked in Tunisian or long hook crochet.

Knit Pattern – From Godey’s 1858. This is the only afghan pattern I have seen thus far made of cotton! As you see, they call it a quilt. I’ve seen multiple names for afghans include quilt, afghan, blanket and carriage wrap.

Crib Cover to Knit Peterson’s 1860 – I made this blanket for my daughter, and have a modernized free version of it here.

New Design for Crochet Afghan -Peterson’s 1861

Crib Cover to Knit – Peterson’s 1861 This is just a picture. There is not written pattern

Carriage Wrapper to Crochet – Godey’s 1862

Carriage Wrapper Godey’s 1862

Traveling Blanket in Crochet – Peterson’s Magazine 1862

Velvet Ribbon Afghan – Godey’s 1863

Velvet Ribbon Infant Blanket Godey’ 1863

Baby’s Carriage Afghan in Crochet – Peterson’s 1865: I made this afghan for my son. You can access the free modernized pattern here

Links to Raverly and our Historical Closet

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Godey’s Volume 71, July-December, 1865

Dear Sis,

This is the final post in our ladies book pattern campaign!

Fancy Crochet Trim

Mitts to Wear Over Gloves in Knit

Lady’s Jacket in Crochet

Little Girl’s Knit Cape

Fashionable Earrings

Handle for a Riding Whip in Crochet

Notes: I made this for a friend, whom is a period rider. Unfortunately, I didn’t write down the pattern at the time. But, hopefully these notes will be of some assistance.

- Take a 2 – 2.5 inch piece of elastic. Cut it long enough to fit over hand, and rest nicely or a little loose (as you are going to crochet over it) at the wrist.
- Sew the elastic together, with some long stitches. I didn’t overlap my elastic, I didn’t want a chunky feel. So, I did some long stitches that smashed the two edges together. Don’t sew close to the edge, because that wouldn’t hold.

Take silk lace yarn, and double crochet a band that is big enough to stretch over the widest part of your hand. Make it twice as wide as the elastic. You can work in the round, or sew it up the side.
Fold in half, put in the elastic, and do a single crochet row to close the band over the elastic.
Swap colors, and do a row of single crochet and chains that are a size you like.
Single crochet the next round, putting enough stitches into the chains for a nice look. Make sure you have an odd number of stitches in the chains, as you need a center stitch for the chevron.
Over the next few rows, you are going to do a chevron. That means 3sc in the center stitch of the loop that you made from the chain. Then you are going to crochet three stitches together in the valley. The last stitch of the chain loop, the sc between it and the next loop, and the first stitch of the next chain loop. Repeat row as many times as you like.
Make a simple braid or other style of cord that isn’t particularly stretchy. Tie the center of it into one of the loops. Add tassels to one end.
Godey’s 1865 Crochet Handle for Riding Whip