Flashback Friday: Knitting Muffatees

Knitting has been called the friend of the blind, and is certainly the friend of the aged, as it affords the most easy and graceful employment in which they can be engaged. Then it is a really useful art both for the rich and poor. Knit garments are warmer and more durable than woven. Knitting can be done at times when no other work could be taken up, and during the long winter evenings what a host of useful things can be made by the industrious fingers!--caps, cuffs, comforters, shawls, spencers, stockings, tippets, gloves, mittens. And then what stores of ornamental articles does it afford! What beautiful purses, bags and beadwork will knitting produce! We are sure of the thanks of all ladies, young as well as old, for calling their attention to this useful and elegant branch of female art, and also for the assistance our illustrations will prove. No other periodical attends to these things.

Ladies Work Department--Knitting

Godey's Magazine and Lady's Book Feb 1847; 34, p110.

Photo used by permission of Adrienne Martini, Martini Made

The article goes on to explain the terms used in knitting and gives general tips before providing several patterns for baby's and children's stockings, two muffs and a pair of muffatees. We know the latter today as fingerless mitts. But I demand my friends who knit fingerless mittens start calling them muffatees. Save the muffatees!