The Layette

Through the ages babies have had to survive cold and hunger, often never reaching their first year. In chilling conditions they were smeared with animal fat and swaddled tightly to keep in body heat. As many centuries passed, little changed until modern times when families could settle in permanent homes and enjoy spending a regular wage that provided a new standard of living that was not so desperate.

The manufacture of wool into skeins and the flourishing of shops meant mothers, now less burdened with the raw basics of life, could readily knit tiny items for baby. More servants gave even more hours per day that could be spent not just on the needs of baby but developing patterns that were decorative to the point of being astonishing. By late Victorian days babies were less restricted, well fed and gowned and bonneted like wedding cakes. The poor were always there of course, but the middle-class housewife took full advantage of her more comfy position and united with other women to produce that most sweet and wonderful thing "the layette". The infant, born into a better life than before could now be adored as a rosebud. Exceptionally beautiful lace dresses and shawls were knitted in fine wools on thin steel needles and kept the female relatives busy for months before the arrival of the "little stranger". Indeed, some of the poor but skilled women earned a small income from knitting and intricate knitted lace was in demand.

Even today, spending a nostalgic afternoon carefully turning the pages of far outdated knitting books and magazines, the splendor still touches. One is reminded of the "fancywork hour" and ladies circle where these patterns were knitted as a ritual. The wheel has rolled around again and babies are back to simple, no-fuss clothing (though we may not grease them and sew them into skins). We are past physical survival, so the modern reason for uncomplicated clothing is largely lack of time as we busy ourselves with our financial commitments. What a twist it is that never before have we had so much in the way of quality yarns, needles and access to patterns. The choice is spoiling. Knitters are discovering the gossamer designs of yesteryear and recreating them - an excitement looms. However, where is the time?

Next week we will look at the makings of a layette and begin some patterns. Here is a list of "first clothing" for a late-Victorian baby:

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