Does it mean I am overly tired when thinking about night-caps dreamily?
The directions for most caps seem to be written with the assumption that night caps are so common place that readers already know how to make them in their sleep. Well, that is a bit of a challenge for us a century and a half later. Ladies periodicals show night-caps that are sewn, crochet, and knit.
For me, I think of a night cap when I want to be warm, or, in the modern world when I hav a migrainFrom experience (of a rather mobile sleeper), you want to use materials that will not slide off your head, nor do you want to use materials that cause hair to knot. Some descriptions mention cambric for a fabric. This early 19th century night cap (top right) at the MET uses what looks similar to a crochet cotton. The one on the top left is a little fuzzy making me think it has some wool in it.
Additional night caps (nightcap):
- Knit cotton at the MET
- Sewn linen at the MET (1868 in a very simple construction)
- Simple cotton construction that uses wavey braid (ric-rak)
- Woven plaid cotton with deep tucks.
- Netted cotton (rather open)
- I suspect this may be a night cap as well.
This is a very simple sewn cap I made up previously. I found it to be comfortable and warm to sleep in.
Peterson’s Magazine—1859
Night-Cap
By Emily H. May
Accordingly we give in this number, the pattern for a night-cap, accompanied with the usual diagram. With the aid of these, any lady can cut out and make up this indispensable article, trimming it afterward as in the pattern differently if her taste prefers a different style of trimming.
This fanchon night cap doesn’t appear to have directions accompanying it. But, there is just something about it. Don’t be surprised if a draft for this appears in the future.
An assortment of caps:
Peterson’s Magazine—1860
Lady’s Night-Cap in Crochet
By Mrs. Jane Weaver
This is a comparatively easy pattern, and requires no description; for any lady, accustom to crocheting, can work the cap from the cuts. In order to still further simplify the working, we give a separate pattern of the crown of the cap.
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Peterson’s Magazine 1861
Pattern for Night-Cap
By Emily H. May
We give, in this number by way of variety, a pattern for a Night-Cap. This Night-Cap is made of spotted muslin, and trimmed with lace and narrow satin ribbon. Fifteen inches of muslin, six yards of lace one inch wide, six yards of narrow satin ribbon, and three-quarters of a yard of ribbon one inch wide, will be required to make one cap. Of course, if five or six were made, so much muslin would not be required in proportion, as the material could be cut to better advantage. Cut out the crown to the exact size of the pattern, and cut our the head-piece allowing sufficient turnings for a broad hem down the front. This hem should be quite half of an inch. Gather the crown from where the fullness commences (which will be seen in the illustration), fun that and the head-piece together, letting the raw edge come on the right side, and then lay a very find cording over the join.
Cut out the strings, join them on the head-piece, and then carry one row of lace all round the cap and strings, putting it quite plain on the latter except round the ends. Put the other three rows of lace on, the last row being run on close to the cording, and so hiding the raw edges. A narrow piece of muslin should be run on the head-piece behind from string to string to form a runner, into which the broad ribbon should be placed to draw the cap in to the size required. Cut the narrow ribbon into lengths of rather more than two inches, and arrange the bows in the lace about one inch apart.
If I Had My Own Blue Box: 
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