Amazing Old Crochet Book

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/20776/20776-h/chapter_8.html  (Knitting)

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/20776/20776-h/chapter_9.html  (Crocheting)

This is the link to a book on Project Gutenberg called Encyclopedia of Needlework by THÉRÈSE DE DILLMONT.  I left her name in capitals to preserve the French marks. 

You might wish to check out the illustrations that accompany some of the clearest instructions I have ever read.  When you get to the laces and larger pieces of work, she may have used a camera.  However, under the explanation of the basic stitches, every illustration is done in pen-and-ink and you can note every stitch plainly.

Should your needlework interests lie outside of knitting or crochet, you will find chapters on sewing, darning, and how to set whalebone stays in your corset.

"Fixing whale-bones (fig. 38).—Before slipping the whale-bone into its case or fold of stuff, pierce holes in it, top and bottom, with a red hot stiletto. Through these holes, make your stitches, diverging like rays or crossing each other as shown in fig. 38."

Fig. 38. Fixing whale-bones.

Happy crafting,

Kathi