This pattern was published in Peterson’s Magazine, January 1859, Volume XXXV, No. 1. It can be found on page 84 of Peterson’s 1859 annual.

It calls for two sizes of needles, “1 pair steel knitting needles, common size, 1 pair bone knitting needles, small.” The steel needles would have been the smaller of the two, in the range of 21st century sizes of 0 mm/US 1- 3.25 mm/US 3, with the bone needles of a larger size. Since the sleeves are worn under dress sleeves and the suggested yarn is fine, the bone needle size still needs to be on the small size.

The recommended yarn was two different colors of “single zephyr.” Colleen Formby in “Commend Me to a Knitting Wife – Knitting during the American Civil War” (Piecework, March/April, 2009) describes this yarn in two weights. For the modern equivalent of this one, the “four thread (single),” she suggests fingering or needlepoint yarn.

In keeping with the era, there is no gauge given. Stitch numbers are stated but it is advisable to do a gauge of both sections of the pattern, the ribbing and the puff, and then match them to the four parts of the arm.