Translated from Jane Gaugain’s The Lady’s Assistant for Executing Useful and Fancy Designs in Knitting, Netting and Crochet Work (1840). Includes notations about historic color choices, and alternative fine-gauge and beaded versions.

Notes from Franklin:

Yardage. After knitting the sample, I was left with about 1/2 of each ball (slightly less, in the case of the green) - so yardage required for the sample was approximately 375 yards. Remember, if you’re estimating, always err on the side of buying a little too much.

Substitution. Sock/fingering weight yarn makes a good substitute for the silk. (In the original pattern, this larger size was made from wool.) Lisa Souza offers both “Artichoke” and “Glory” in her sock wool lines. Do be sure to ask for “Pineapple Glory,” because in dyeing the yarn for this project she made slight adjustments to the original colorway.

Gauge. Whatever your yarn, the gauge for your pineapple should be firm. A firm gauge will give you a bag that holds its shape well. You may well find yourself going down a needle size, or even two, from that which you would normally use with the yarn in question.