fascinator

A pretty, light covering worn on the head or about the neck as a kerchief. — The Delineator, October 1895

…A contagious, ringing peal of laughter heralded the approach of Mrs. Smith, and her brilliant face appeared, encircled by the fleecy folds of her fascinator. – Winnie Louise Taylor, His Broken Sword

     
Can’t you just see this in something light blue to go with Mary’s blonde hair? Or on one or more of Laura’s crowd as they rode on the hand-bobsled pulled by Ben and Cap, “heels kicking helplessly, skirts blowing, fascinators and mufflers and hair whipping in the wind”?

And doesn’t it remind you of the airy crocheted head coverings worn by Melissa Sue Anderson and Melissa Gilbert in the Little House on the Prairie pilot movie?

In 1888, Godey’s Lady’s Book and Magazine published an easy knitted fascinator pattern. One hundred stitches were worked in any desired lacy pattern back and forth until a piece was knitted that was two yards long. The ends were tapered or gathered with a tassel added to each end, and the fascinator was worn over the head with the ends wrapped around the neck.

The July issue of Godey’s Lady’s Book and Magazine (see page 274) contained a pattern for a crocheted fanchon (fascinator) with the suggestion to be worked in “ice white wool.” The piece was constructed in lacy pattern of scallops that began at the top of the head and was worked in rounds, then back and forth to create the long ends that were wrapped around the neck.

     

fascinator (TLW 32; LTP 21)