YarnsThroughout the 18th century stockings, mittens and men's caps were commonly made of wool knitting yarn and knit on bone needles. We have selected these yarns because of their appropriateness to the 18th century. We carry three types of yarn: Sport, Fishermans, and Acadian Tweeds. They are available in 2 ply and by special order 3 ply. Special order minimum is 4 skeins. These are full 4 oz. (113 g) skeins with about 210 yards (192 m) per skein 4 1/2 stitches per inch using size 8 needles (5 mm). Always check the gauge by knitting a sample as suggested by the pattern before beginning your project. Between 1760 and 1783 it has been estimated that 11% of the stockings in New England were knit of mixed wool. Regardless, throughout the colonies mixed stockings were common. |
Acadian TweedIn The Providence Gazette in 1776 "RUN away . . . a Negro Fellow . . . had on when he went away . . . a thick black and white mixed Jacket and Breeches, Stockings much of the same Colour". 4oz. Skein $7.50 2-Ply Yarn |
Medium Sheep's Gray/Natural  |
Acadian TweedIn Virginia in 1775 "a convict servant" man ran away "who is a native of London . . . He had on, and took with him . . . a pair of mixed red coarse sale do. [stockings]". 4oz. Skein $7.50 2-Ply Yarn |
Garnet/Midnight  |
Sport Weight YarnBlack was a very common color for stockings. Cited in Wenches, Wives and Servant Girls The Pennsylvania Gazette in 1770, "Run away . . . a servant girl . . . had on, and took with her . . . black yarn stockings". 4oz. Skein $8.50 2-Ply Sport Weight Yarn |
Charcoal  |
Fisherman's YarnBlue was among the most common colors for stockings. In Virginia in 1774, "a servant man named JOHN MASON," ran away. He "is by trade a perukemaker; had on . . . pale blue stockings." 4oz. Skein $7.50 2-Ply Fisherman's Yarn |
Denim  |
Fisherman's YarnSurprisingly brown appears less frequently than blue, white and grey for stockings. Nonetheless brown is present as this Virginia ad from 1768 shows, "RUN away . . . a convicted servant man . . . a butcher by trade; had on when he run away . . . brown stocking" 4oz. Skein $7.50 2-Ply Fisherman's Yarn |
Oatmeal  |
Fisherman's YarnWhite is probably the most common color for stockings estimated at 24% of those in New England but common in all the colonies. In West-Jersey, within three miles of Philadelphia a servant man ran away in 1776 with "white yarn stockings". 4oz. Skein $7.50 2-Ply Yarn |
Undyed Natural  |
Fisherman's YarnGrey is one of the most common colors for stockings estimated at around 20% of those in New England but common in all the colonies. In Virginia in 1774, "a stout down looking fellow . . . born in Wales, and speaks on the Welch dialect . . . he took with him . . . several pair of coarse grey stockings". 4oz. Skein $7.50 2-Ply Fisherman's Yarn |
Light Undyed Sheep's Gray  |
Fisherman's YarnIn Rhode Island in 1772 "a Mulatto Man Servant . . . had on . . . Sheep's Gray Stockings". 4oz. Skein $7.50 2-Ply Yarn |
Medium Undyed Sheep"s Gray  |
Fisherman's and Sport Weight YarnIn 1764 from Rhode Island "a Negro Man Servant . . . had on when he went away . . . Sheeps Black Stockings". 4oz. Skein $7.50 2-Ply Fisherman's Yarn |
Dark Undyed Sheeps Gray  |
Fisherman's Yarn4oz. Skein $7.50 2-Ply Yarn |
Gold  |
Fisherman's YarnAn ad cited in Wenches, Wives and Servant Girls The Pennsylvania Gazette of 1777, described "Run away . . . an Irish servant girl . . . had on, and took with her . . . one pair of crimson coloured stockings, with white silk clocks". 4oz. Skein $7.50 2-Ply Yarn |
Cranberry  |
