The textured stitch pattern used in these mitts resembles barathea, a woven fabric with a twill weave and pebbled texture. Barathea was originally created for use in mourning cloth; in the Regency era, mourning etiquette was well established and included guidelines for suitable attire. Women who couldn’t afford to buy new clothes for mourning often took items they already owned and dyed them black.

NOTE
• The Texture Stitch is worked inside out from the cast-on to the lace pattern. Shaping decreases are placed on either side of the beginning-/end-of-round “seam.” To keep the Texture Stitch continuous everywhere else, on the following rounds after shaping, work the remaining stitches in pattern as established.