Victorian Ladies’ Mitts (aka muffatees)

Circa 1860’s, very delicate lacy effect. Pattern as written calls for

very fine needles and yarn. Multicolored but can be made in single color as well.

http://www.geocities.com/vintageconnection/VintageConnection–KNITladysmitts.html

Vintage Shortsleeved Cardigan

From McCall’s Needlework book- Fall/Winter 1953-54.

BLUE NYLON CARDIGAN

Sizes: Directions for size 10. Changes for sizes 12, 14, 16 are in parentheses.

Materials: Spinnerin Nylon, 7 (7-8-9) 1 oz. Pull skeins. Knitting needles Nos. 1 and 2. (Or, English sizes, 12 and 11.) Eleven buttons.

Gauge: 81/2 sts = 1″; 12 rows =1″.

PATTERN (Multiple of 6 sts plus 1):

Rows 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 (right side: *K1, p5, repeat from * across, end k1.
Rows 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14: *P1, k5, repeat from * across, end p1.
Rows 15, 17, 19: *K1, p1, repeat from * across, end k1. Be sure to have k1 over the k1 rib already established.
Rows 16, 18, 20: *P1, k1, repeat from * across, end p1. Repeat these 20 rows for patt.

BACK: With No. 2 needles, cast on 115 (125-131-139) sts.
Note: Sizes 10 and 16: Work in pat as given above. Sizes 12 and 14: Beg row 1 of patt: P5 (2), repeat between *s in patt, end k1, p5 (2). Beg row 2 of patt: k5 (2), repeat between *s in patt, end p1 k5 (2).

Work in patt for 3/4″. Keeping to patt, dec 1 st each side of next row, then every 8th row 6 (7-8- times more. Work even on 101 (109-113-121) sts. until 5″ (5″-51/2″-51/2″) from start. Mark center of each side of next row, then every 6th (6th-5th-5th) row 14 (14-17-17) times more. Work even on 131 (139-149-157) sts until piece measures 13″ (131/2″-131/2″-14″) from start or desired length to underarm. Keep track or patt row ended.

Shape Armholes: Bind off 8 (8-10-10) sts at beg of next 2 rows, then dec 1 st each side every other row 7 (8-9-10) times. Work even on 101 (107–111-117) sts until armholes measure 7″ (71/2″- 71/2″-8″) above first bound-off sts.

Shape Shoulders: Bind off 11 (9-10-11) sts at beg of next 6 rows, 0 (8-7-6) sts next 2 rows. Bind off remaining 35 (37-37-39) sts for back of neck.

LEFT FRONT: With No. 2 needles, cast on 83 (87-91-95) sts. Starting at side edge, beg row 1 of patt: p3 (1-5-3), repeat between *s only to last 20 sts, k20 (center border and facing). Keeping 20 sts at center edge in stockinette st and remaining sts in patt, work even for 3/4″. Dec 1 st at side edge of next row, then every 8th row 6 (7-8- times more. Work even on 76 (79-82-86) sts until 5″ (5″-51/2″-51/2″) from start. Inc 1 st at side edge of next row, then every 6th (6th-5th-5th) row 13 (14-15-15) times more. Work even on 90 (94-98-102) sts until same length as back to underarm, end same patt row as on back underam.

Shape Armhole: Bind off 9 (9-11-11) sts at beg of arm side, then dec 1 st every other row 8 (9-9-10) times. Work even on 73 (76-78-81) sts until armhole measures 51/2″ (53/4″-6″-61/2″)
Shape Neck: Bind off 20 sts at beg of center edge once, 9 sts once, 6 sts once, 2 sts once, then dec 1 st every row 3 (4-4-5) times. When armhole measures same back, Shape Shoulder: Bind off 11 (9-10-11) sts at beg of arm side 3 times, 0 (8-7-6) sts once.

With pins, mark position of 11 buttons on left front center border: first one 1″ from lower edge, last one 1/4″ below neck edge.

RIGHT FRONT: Work as for left front, reversing center border, facing and patt: also forming buttonholes to correspond to buttons>
Double Buttonholes: k3 sts at beg of center edge, bind off next 4, k6, bind off next 4, finish row. On next row, cast on 4 sts over bound-off sts.

SLEEVES: With No. 1 needles, cast on 91 (91-97-97) sts. Work in stockinette st for 2″, end p row. Change to No. 2 needles. Work in patt, inc 1 st each side every ½” 5 (5-7-7) times. Work even on 101 (101-111-111) sts until piece measures 6″ (61/2″-61/2″-7″) from start or 1″ longer than desired length to underarm, end same patt row as back underarm.

Shape Cap: Bind off 5 (5-6-6) sts at beg of next 2 rows, then dec 1 st each side every 4th row 2 (2-3-4) times, then every other row until armhole measures 5″ (51/4″-51/2″-6″) above first bound-off sts. Bind off 3 (2-3-2) sts at beg of next 4 rows. Dec 1 st each side of next 6 rows. Bind off remaining sts.

COLLAR: With No. 1 needles, cast on 120 (126-130-130) sts. Work in stockinete st for ½” Change to No. 2 needles. Work even for 1″. Change to No. 1 needles. Work even for ½”. Bind off.

FINISHING: Matching patt, sew shoulder, side and sleeve seams. Sew in sleeves. Make a 1″ hem at each sleeve edge and sew to wrong side. Turn in and sew front facings in place (buttonholes meeting). Pin bound-off edge of collar to neck edge, having right side of collar facing right side of cardigan, and leaving ½” free at each center edge, sew to neck, easing in fullness. Sew cast-on edge of collar to wrong side of neck. From right side, sc tog each short end of collar and top of center borders. Finish buttonholes. Sew on buttons. Steam carefully, using light pressure to avoid flattening pattern.

Vintage Knits: Little Jacket

Another from American Thread Co. Star Book No 185. Amazing how trendy this jacket is after 40 years. The timeless influence of Chanel .

Vintage Batwing Sweater

from American Thread Co. Star Book #107

http://www.freevintagecrochet.com/women/bat-wing-bulky-sweater-pattern.html

Vintage Raglan V-neck sweater

1966 Bernat Yarns

click on picture for instructions:

I haven’ t made this one, so can’t offer comments. I found it in a stack of old knitting mags my mother-in-law gave me ages ago. But it lends itself to your choice of sport or worsted weight yarn. Click on image for instructions and photo.

Sport weight yarn:

• 1 pair each size 3 and 5 (US) straight needles.
• gauge: 6 sts = 1 inch; 8 rows = i inch on size 5 needles in stockinette.
• Yarn requirements: sizes 10-12-14-16-18

# of 4 0z skeins 4- 5 -5 -6 -6

Worsted weight yarn:

• 1 pair each size 5 and 8 (US) straight needles.
• gauge: 5 sts = 1 inch; 7 rows = 1 inch on size 8 needles in stockinette.
• yarn requirements: sizes 10-12-14-16-18

# 4 0z skeins 4- 5 -5- 5- 5

All directions written with the figures in the first set of parentheses for sports weight and in the 2nd set for worsted weight. When only 1 set of figures is given, it applies to both weights.

Tomboy Hat - vintage crochet

From Fashion, number 185, an American Thread pamphlet from the 1960’s. The yarns specified are no longer available, but this should work with other worsted weight yarns.

Optical Illusion Crochet

This is amazing. I was just surfing around randomly this evening and hit upon this ingenious 3 dimensional pattern, which in reality is a simple mat/potholder. The pattern reminds me of the magnificent marble floors

in the grand Italian churches, which in reality are flat but convey the illusion that each block is a stairstep beneath your feet.

Link to pattern:

http://www.freevintagecrochet.com/potholders/tumbling-block.html

25 Vintage Sweater Patterns

Cardigans, sweater-coats, slipovers, sleeveless vests.

Casual Quick Hand Knits - Columbia-Minerva book Vol 735.

http://www.freevintageknitting.com/patternbook/colmin735.html

His or Her Vintage Knit Pullover

From American Thread Co. Star Book No. 185, Fashions. Probably 1960’s.

Vintage crocheted shawl with collar

A lovely crocheted shawl that looks nice and warm, a vintage pattern from an American Thread Co. booklet published in the 1960’s. I haven’t made this yet so can’t offer comments. American Thread is no longer producing the yarns for which this booklet was written. If you decide to crochet this shawl, I’d love to hear how it comes out!Click on the images for instructions.