1884 Victorian Pence Jug

Revived by Vicki Monthei

Instructions for versions of this pence jug purse started appearing about 1820. It’s been in various
publications throughout the last 200 years. This 1884 version from The Young Ladies Journal: The
Complete Guide to the Work Table called for 3 colors but I chose white. Some versions call for 2
colors.
The jug was meant to hold coins but it’s unknown if it was a decorative object or a working purse.
Some of the patterns call for a metal ring to secure the jug neck before attaching the handle which
would make the jug more practical as a purse.
The jug can be any size; mine is 3.25” tall. The original pattern called for #0000 (1.25mm) needles and
#20 crochet cotton thread which resulted in a 2” tall jug. My pattern starts with 2 rows worked flat,
then joined in the round and worked in one piece from the bottom up. The original pattern was worked
in the round from the start. The only sewing needed is joining the handle on one end and securing the
cast-on stitches at the jug bottom. The bottom of the handle is narrowed to a point by decreases; I
bound off all 5 stitches at once to suit my taste. You can alter this pattern any way you like to suit
yours!
Skills needed: long-tail cast on, knit, purl, k2tog, SSK (slip-slip-ktog), SK2P (slip1-k2tog-PSSO),
kf&b (knit front and back in 1 stitch) and bind off in purl stitch.

Gauge is not important in this pattern. Any yarn/thread and needle size will work. Make a swatch to
check size and appearance.

150 yards of #20 crochet cotton thread will make one pence jug purse in the stated gauge.
One 174 yard ball of DMC #20 Cordonnet thread will make one pence jug.

14 stitches/inch and 18 rows/inch in stockinette stitch

with #20 crochet cotton thread and U.S. #00 (1.75mm) needles

Notes: This pattern uses standard U.S. knitting abbreviations.

The original instructions for the jug’s spout were very vague. I used the original engraving as a
guide to work out what the author intended.
Cast on 9 sts in long-tail cast on.
P 1 row.
Next row: (Kf&b, k1, kf&b) repeat to end. 15 sts

Join in the round with 3 double pointed needles. Mark first st.
For rounds 1 through 7, kf&b in the first and last st on every needle until there are 21 sts on each
needle. In other words:
Round 1: (Kf&b, k3, kf&b) repeat to end. 21 sts
Round 2: (Kf&b, k5, kf&b) repeat to end. 27 sts
Round 3: (Kf&b, k7, kf&b) repeat to end. 33 sts
Round 4: (Kf&b, k9, kf&b) repeat to end. 39 sts
Round 5: (Kf&b, k11, kf&b) repeat to end. 45 sts
Round 6: (Kf&b, k13, kf&b) repeat to end. 51 sts
Round 7: (Kf&b, k15, kf&b) repeat to end. 57 sts
Round 8: (Kf&b, k17, kf&b) repeat to end. 63 sts

K 2 rounds.
P 3 rounds.
K 3 rounds.
Repeat last 6 rounds twice (for a total of 3 bands of p rows on the right side).
P 3 rounds.
K 2 rounds.
P 2 rounds.

Leaf section:
Round 1: (YO, k1, YO, p8) repeat to end. 77 sts
Round 2: (K3, p8) repeat to end.
Round 3: ((K1, YO) twice, k1, p8) repeat to end. 91 sts
Round 4: (K5, p8) repeat to end.
Round 5: (K2, YO, k1, YO, k2, p8) repeat to end. 105 sts
Round 6: (K7, p8) repeat to end.
Round 7: (K3, YO, k1, YO, k3, p8) repeat to end. 119 sts
Round 8: (K9, p8) repeat to end.
Round 9: (SSK, k5, k2tog, p8) repeat to end. 105 sts
Round 10: (K7, p8) repeat to end.
Round 11: (SSK, k3, k2tog, p8) repeat to end. 91 sts
Round 12: (K5, p8) repeat to end.
Round 13: (SSK, k1, k2tog, p8) repeat to end. 77 sts
Round 14: (K3, p8) repeat to end.
Round 15: (SKP, p8) repeat to end. 63 sts
Round 16, 17 and 18: P.

Neck section:
K 2 rounds.
P 3 rounds. Adjust st count to 64 sts, if necessary.
Work 21 rounds of k2, p2 ribbing. On the last round, kf&b in the last st. 65 sts

Lip of jug:
Next round: Kf&b in the first st, k to last st, kf&b. 67 sts
Repeat this round 5 times (6 times total). 77 sts
Next round: Kf&b in the first st, p to end. 78 sts
Next round: P 37 sts, k5, bind off all sts in p st including into the next round except for the 5 k sts for
the jug’s handle.

Handle:
K across the 5 sts. If needed, pick up an extra st from the bound-off edge and knit it together with the
last of the 5 sts to snug up the bound-off edge. K these 5 sts for 2 inches OR whatever length gives a
nice shape to the handle when attached to the 2-row purl ridge directly below the ribbing section.
Next row: K to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Continue decreasing in this way until 1 st is left. Bind off and sew handle securely to jug at the purl
ridge described above. Gather cast-on sts, secure and weave in ends.
Place a 1.5” cardboard circle inside the jug to flatten the bottom. Add weight to the bottom, if desired.
Fill the jug body with stuffing or cotton balls, leaving the ribbed area unstuffed. If desired, starch the
jug or add thread-covered wire to the jug’s rim and handle to maintain a particular shape.

Happy Knitting!