Woolcraft & Other Handbooks

The Woolcraft “Practical Guide to Knitting & Crochet” was published in many different editions from before the First World War onwards. It was originally published as the Penny Guide to Knitting & Crochet by J. & J. Baldwin & Partners of Halifax. Updated and revised editions were produced by Patons & Baldwins after the two companies merged in 1920 (the 25th edition was published in 2001). As well as an introduction to knitting and crochet, it contained a wide range of patterns for useful garments for all the family.

The Universal Knitting Book was a similar booklet, published by John Paton & Son. Here you will find the 1st edition (1890) and the 4th (1913). In spite of the changes in fashion over the 23 years, many of the patterns for underwear, stockings, etc. stayed the same. After the merger to form Patons & Baldwins, The Universal Knitting Book continued to be published, but was superseded by Woolcraft.

Fleming, Reid & Co., owners of the Scotch Wool & Hosiery Stores, produced several editions of a similar manual between the late 1800s and the 1930s.