This pattern is an 21st Century update/translation for a 19th Century “Comforter.” This modern edition of the pattern has been translated and brought up-to-date for the contemporary knitter. Finished objects that are produced using this pattern may be worn by re-enactors looking to wear authentic items that would have been knit in the middle of the 19th Century.

In the spirit of Miss Frances S Lambert’s sentiments, in her Handbook of Needlework (published in 1846), who said “So many books of instruction, on the art of knitting, have of late appeared, that it would be presumptuous in us to hope - and far from our wish or intention - to supersede their use, or to attempt to rival their ingenuity: we would rather humbly endeavor to assist those, who either have not patience or tact to follow the rules given (in some cases, perhaps, with a little too much technicality), and offer a few directions of the simplest kind, as a prelude to a better acquaintance with this useful art.”