Dogwood Mountain Arts

Mademoiselle Eleonore Riego de la Branchardiere (Mlle. Riego) was born in England in 1828 to an Irish mother and a French father.

A prolific authoress, she published over 70 pattern books during her lifetime. Her very first publication was in 1846, when she was just 18 years old. It is titled “Knitting, Crochet, and Netting with twelve illustrations” and can be found on Project Gutenberg as a free download.

Even though she was only 18, under her name on the title page is said “Teacher of Fancy Works” and the preface includes, “The Authoress, having had much experience in teaching, and always writing her own directions, has been induced to publish this little Volume for the use of her pupils”.

What proceeds is nothing short of astonishing. It is written in such clear, concise language with each stitch including the alternative terminology used during that day.

Some of the key features in her crochet designs are the flowers and botanical motifs. She states in ‘The Crochet Book: second series’ (1848)
“Flowers and Leaves in Crochet, were studies which I found comparatively easy in their separate forms; but to combine them with effect in one design, with concise and simple directions, was a task of great difficulty, labor, and time.”

I find myself wishing I could travel back and take many lessons from Mlle. Riego. She was a master of all fiber arts of the time and published amazing books on Knitting, Crochet (10 books), Netting, Tatting (12 books), and Point Lace (needle lace). Unfortunately her works are difficult to find.

Although there are multiple of her crochet publications and a few others on Project Gutenberg and Antique Pattern Library,(look in the 1840-1870’s section or search her name), without professional or academic access, there is a hard limit to diving into her world of beauty.

I do not recommend you start your lace journey with Mlle. Riego’s crochet books, get aquainted with lace by creating a few doilies first. When you believe you are ready; be prepared to spend some time creating these beautiful designs in, what feels like, a ‘free-form’-like style of working stitches in order to achieve the same incredible pieces she created.

No matter what, if you complete one of her beautiful motifs you will end it with an immense feeling of accomplishment and increase in your lace skills.

Email me or comment if you have any tips or ideas on finding her publications!