Winter is coming and temperatures are dropping. Records at the Botetourt History Museum show that the lady who donated these stockings and matching glovelettes was Mrs. Jacob K. Rader of Troutville. They were hand knit from white Shetland wool in the 1840s. This “old shell” pattern is still known today but difficult to do. The roll of fingerless gloves in the 19th Century has proved difficult. They were a popular style and can be see in vintage photographs and daguerreotypes. Fingerless gloves are again very popular today to keep hands warm while using the computer, cell phone or as a fashion statement. Artifacts like these help to keep history pertinent.
~ Botetourt County History Museum
