Free Knitting Pattern: His or Her Vintage Pullover

Every once in a while, I browse through the vintage pattern booklets inherited from my mom and MIL. It’s fun to check out the styles from way back then, and some of them, I have to admit, make me laugh out loud. Once in a while, there’s a pattern I might consider making. I’ve used their two needle mitten pattern many times when I don’t feel like knitting in the round.  This sweater  is one of the nice ones, from American Thread Co. Star Book No. 185, Fashions. Probably 1960’s. Click on photo and link to access. I haven’t made it, but if you do, I’d love to see a photo, and with your consent, would post it here.

 

 

Vintage Christmas Stocking (1940’s)

12/13/14  Note to those wishing to access this pattern:

The link to the pattern and the charts is posted below, in red. This is the only one that I have access to myself, and it’s the only one I’ve knitted myself.  Someone commented that she had a similar pattern, which has prompted many to post here asking for it. Apparently she has not responded to requests posted in comments.

While browsing knitting patterns, this vintage 1940’s pattern caught my eye. More than 20 years ago, my mother-in-law, Louise, knitted this stocking for my husband, using the Christmas tree and Santa motifs, and how could I not post the pattern here?!  Ours is shown on the left, and the generic  below.

Pattern can be located here: http://www.knitting-and.com/knitting/patterns/christmas/1945-stocking.htm

As of today (12/13/14), this link works.

Worsted weight yarn and size 5 (US) double pointed needles.

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. Click on the image at left to see enlarged instructions.

Addendum 8/1/12, for those having trouble with the instructions above:

1st round: ch4, join, ch3, work 15dc in ring, do not join. Place a marker at beg each round.
2nd round: # Skip 1 st, 5 sc in next st, rpt from # all around (8 inc pts)
3rd round: Skip 1 st, # 1 sc in next st, 5 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st, skip 2 sc, rpt from # all around.

4th round: #1 sc in each of next 2sts, 5sc in next st, 1sc in each of next 2 sts, skip 2 sts, rpt from # all around
5th round: # 1sc in each of next 3sts, 5sc in next st, 1sc in each of next 3 sts, skip 2 sts, rpt from # around
Next 7 rounds: Same manner as last round having 1 more st between pts in each round

13th round: 2sctog, # 1sc in each of next 9 sts, 3sc in next st, 1sc in each of next 9 sts, 2sctog, skip 2sts, repeat from # all around
14th round: 2sctog, # 1sc in each of next 8sts, 3sc in next st, 1sc in each of next 8sts, 2sctog, skip 2 sc, rpt from # around
15th round: 2sc tog, #1sc in each of next 15sts (no inc at pts), 2sctog, skip 2sc, rpt from # around
16th round: 2sctog, # 1sc in each of next 11 sts, 2sctog, skip 2sc, rpt from # around

17th round: 2sctog, # 1sc in each of next 7sts, 2sctog, skip 2sc, rpt from # around
18th round: 1sc in each of next 7sts, skip 2sts, rpt from beg all around
19th, 20th and 21st rounds: 1sc in each sc. Cut yarn.

Peak: Right side 1st row: with right side facing, work into front loop of sts only attach yarn in 4th sc before any dec pt, sc in same space, 1sc in each of next 8sts, cut yarn (4sts each side of dec pt with 1sc at dec pt) Do not turn at end of rows of peak.

2nd peak row: Attach yarn in 2sts before 1st sc of peak, working in front loop of sts at beg and end of rows of beret throughout 2sc in same space, 1sc in next sc, working into back loop of sts across peak sts throughout, 1sc into each of the 9sc of 1st row of peak, 1sc in next sc, 2sc in next sc, cut yarn.

3rd peak row: attach yarn in 2sts before 1st sc of previous row, 2sc in same sc, 1sc in next sc, 1sc in each sc of peak, sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc, cut yarn.
4th and 5th peak rows: attach yarn in sc before 1st sc of prev row of peak, 3sc in same space, 1sc in each sc of peak, 3sc in next sc, cut yarn
6th peak row: attach yarn in 2sts before 1st sc of prev row, sc in same space, skip next sc, 1sc in each sc of peak, skip 1sc, sc in next sc, cut yarn

Wrong side: with wrong sides of peak tog attach yarn in 1st free loop at base of 1st row of peak, 1sc in each remaining free loop of peak, cut yarn. Work 3 more rows of peak same as right side, but work through both loops of sts.
6th row wrong side: same as right side but attach in st before 1st sc, complete row.
7th row wrong side: work in sc attaching yarn in 1st sc of peak, cut yarn.

Finishing: with right side facing attach yarn and sl st both sections of peak tog, working through back loop of sts. Continue all around beret with a sl st, join, cut yarn.

Thanks to knotrune for the transcription.

Historic Knitting: Our Boys Need Socks

Red Cross poster circa 1918. Reproduced and available for purchase at The Library of Congress online shop.

As during the War Between the States, knitting played an important role on the home front, providing those left behind with a purpose, and those fighting with a few comforts. The American Red Cross played a vital role in organizing knitting drives across the US.

Below is a link to the socks pattern distributed to volunteer knitters by the Red Cross. This page features a clip of one of the newspapers in which the pattern was originally made available to the public. There are numerous other vintage patterns available on the net.

pattern

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

Historic Knits: the Sanquhar Gloves

Excerpted from the Dumfries and Galloway Museums website:

The distinctive two-coloured patterned knitting which is widely known as ‘Sanquhar knitting’ takes its name from the small parish and ancient burgh of Sanquhar,  located in the south of Scotland in Dumfries and Galloway, on the River Nith.  The wool trade had been an important one in the coastal trading towns of Dumfries and Kirkcudbright since medieval times and by the 18th century Sanquhar had developed as an inland market centre. The Sanquhar Wool Fair, held in July, regulated the prices for the south of Scotland. The beginning of the 19th century saw the end of the prominence of hand-knitting in the local economy. Fortunately, the oral traditions carried on, passing from one generation to the next the skills necessary to continue this unique local craft. It was not until the 1960s that the main patterns were published by the Scottish Women’s Royal Institute.

Today, there are about a dozen known, named, traditional patterns with as many variations of cuff patterns. Some of these have interesting historical anecdotes as to their origins, such as the most popular and most commonly knitted one, the ‘Duke’. Patronage by the local gentry (the Queensberry and Buccleuch families) which was important economically in the 18th and 19th century, became a matter of prestige and honour in the 20th century. Visits to the Royal Burgh of Sanquhar by dignitaries and royalty, as well as honours conferred on people, have all been commemorated by the naming of a pattern or the presentation of a pair of gloves. One of the lesser known patterns is the ‘Glendyne’, knitted in 1922 by Jessie Wilson for Robert Nivison who, when elected to the peerage, took the title Lord Glendyne of Sanquhar. Another is the ‘Fleur de Lys’ reputed to date from the time of the Napoleonic Wars when French prisoners were in Sanquhar.

Now the dedicated knitters at the Japanese website tata-tatao-to have developed a pattern based upon the research they completed on an original glove. They do not claim certainty that their pattern incorporates the traditional techniques. Beware: this doesn’t look easy. But it sure is impressive! Good luck, and let the knitting begin!

pattern

Vintage Knits: Nine 2-Needle Mittens Patterns

Doreen knitting book #91, 1945.

Sizes from infants to men’s.

link

Scroll down a bit to see the patterns, by size.

Vintage Lace Gloves

pattern

Roll over link to see photo. These instructions are in jpg form. When you get to the link, click again on the image of the instructions to enlarge.

 

Cable Knit Mitts with Crochet Cuff

Pretty and practical. Adapted by Deborah Pulliam for Piecework magazine. Original pattern from Weldon’s Practical Needlework, Volume 8.

The holiday season will soon be upon us. A pair of these charmers would make a great gift, especially with the price of heating oil these days!

pattern

Historic Knits: Victorian Drawers

A while back I wrote a  post about a knitting article on Suite101, with an adapted pattern for a medieval undershirt. For those readers who are members of Ravelry, there’s an interesting discussion about this garment here .

The pattern for these open crotch (oooh la la! those Victorians!) drawers is on the same site, with knitted lace edging and shaped legs. This pattern is original, from England. The knickers are open to ease the struggle of coping with long layers of clothing in the loo. Bagginess in the seat kept the opening from gapping. Of course, most drawers were probably sewn, from linen or cotton, rather than knitted.

Prior to the mid 19th century, “knicker(bockers)” were not commonly worn. The change in fashion to crinolines and hoop skirts, however, made them essential for modesty in case of a fall or a string wind.

Link