Here on this page, you can see photos I took from an original Victorian era publication called The Last and Best Book on Art Needlework by the Brainerd & Armstrong Company. I used to own an original vintage edition of this book.
The original price of this softcover book was only 10 cents! The book has 98 pages all together.
In it are exquisite projects in crochet, beadwork, knitting, embroidery, and mountmellick work, plus a variety of lovely antique ads.
The patterns are so gorgeous that knitters, crocheters, and needleworkers of all skill levels are sure to enjoy browsing this book; it is wonderful inspiration! The book is illustrated in black and white.
Some of the contents you will find in this issue:
Knitting Silks and How They Differ
Victoria Knitting Silk
Scale For Socks and Stockings
Various Stitches- Knitting
Things Worth Knowing
Appropriate and Useful Presents
Abbreviations and Explanation of Terms
Child’s and Ladies’ Silk Stockings
Gentleman’s Silk Sock
Ladys’ Knitted undervest
Infant’s Long Silk Shirt
Infant’s Boot
Wristers- Infant’s crocheted socks
Infant’s Mittens
Lady’s Fancy Mitten
Lady’s Jersey Mitten- Wristers
Knitted Gloves for Gentlemen
Knee Warmers- Fancy Pattern
New and Charming Stitches- Knot Stitch
Roll Stitch- Daisy
Rose Stitch- Roll Picot Stitch
Scarf Wheel
Passementerie Wheel
Guipure Wheel
Chatelaine Chain
Daisy Lace
Black Crocheted Beaded Bag
Long Crochet Purse (this is a beaded miser bag- an extremely hot item with handbag collectors these days)
Baltimore Crocheted Tie
Crocheted Umbrella Case
Tobacco Bag
Work Bag
Hair Receiver
Crochet Rings
Card and Flower Basket
Sleeve Holder-Burnt Match Receiver- Needle Book
Photograph Holder-Scissors Chatelaine- Postal Card Case
Mouchoir Case- Scarf Wheel- Dress Trimmings
Twine Bag- Spool Bag
Tennis Belt
Crocheted Tassel
Mountmellick Work
Spray of Blackberries and Leaves
Maiden Hair Fern
Passion Flowers and Leaves
Crocheted Suspenders
Crocheted Fan Tidy-Silk Slippers-Lamp Shade
Crocheted Handkerchief Case
Fancy Work Made With Silk- Face Figured Terry and Art Satin
Ascot Scarf
Crochet Garters
Illustrated Embroidery Stitches (35 illustrations- if you are into antique-style samplers, here are some great options for stitches you can use in designing your own sampler)
Proper Shades in Embroidery
All-over Designs
Ecclesiastical Designs
Where to Buy This Book
I don’t currently know of any place to reliably find original editions of this exact book for sale.
However, there’s a seller on Amazon offering the 1891 edition of this book (which was published the year before the one you’re looking at; these photos are from the 1892 edition of the book.) I’ve owned several different copies of this book, and the ones I owned were substantially similar to each other but not identical. So if this book’s contents appeal to you, you’ll probably like the 1891 version, too, even if it isn’t exactly the same.
You can click here to shop for a reproduction of the 1891 version of this book on Amazon.
About Brainerd Armstrong, the Original Book Publisher
The Brainerd and Armstrong Silk Mill was located in New London, Connecticut. Brainerd and Armstrong manufactured silk thread, and was also well known for their needlework books, particularly their “Embroidery Lessons” series of books featuring colorful illustrations.
I’ve owned several of their books in the past, and all of the ones I’ve looked at have been delightful. Many of their publications, to the best of my knowledge, did not feature crochet patterns, concentrating mainly on embroidery patterns that utilized their silk embroidery flosses. However some of their books did feature crochet patterns as well.
This publisher had offices in New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Boston, Mass; Baltimore, MD and Toronto, Canada.
Thanks for checking out this preview of The Last and Best Book on Art Needlework by Brainerd Armstrong. I appreciate your interest!
You’re Invited to Stay Awhile, and to Come Back Again Soon!
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Basic subscriptions are free; I send out regular newsletters to let my subscribers know about new craft articles and tutorials as they are posted. I also share details about the craft projects I’m working on, and invite my readers to share their projects, too. So there is no need to feel like it’s just you, crafting all alone at home. I’d love to have you join us! You’re invited!!
By Amy Solovay
Please Visit My Ko-Fi Shop HERE to Find My Sample Sale, Destash Sale and Digital PDF Pattern Downloads for Sale.
About Your Book Reviewer:
Amy Solovay is a real, live, human content creator and educator who holds an Associate of Arts degree in Textile Design from FIDM LA (The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Los Angeles) and a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics from Sweet Briar College. She is NOT a robot and does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to write book reviews or articles for this website.
Amy learned to crochet as a small child, and she still enjoys crocheting all these years later.
As an educator, Amy Solovay used to teach in-person college courses in trend forecasting, marketing and surface design at California Design College in Los Angeles. Nowadays she uses online platforms for sharing her knowledge about textiles, crafts, current color trends and current design trends.
Find More Vintage Needlework Patterns
- Vintage Needlecraft Home Arts Magazine: Are They Worth Anything? Plus Pictures
- Vintage Purse Patterns
- Mary Card’s Vintage Crochet Patterns
Build Your Needlework Skills:
This page was last updated on 12-26-2025.