Wednesday 12 December 2012

1, 2, 3 Wartime Woollies!

It's decidedly nippy here this evening, it has been all day actually, with the mercury staying firmly below zero.  We've reached the half way mark on our advent calendars - how can that be??  December the 12th already yet there is still so much to do!

Things have been moving at a snails pace here.  Some kind and very generous sole (the finger of suspicion is pointed firmly in Mr Y's direction) has shared their germs with me so I've been feeling rather under the weather and haven't felt like doing anything very productive.
In a bid to cheer myself up (and because I've been having a little play with the immensely frustrating Photoshop) I've done a little collage of what I've been up these past few days!

1. A "must" at Christmas     2. A paper snowflake decoration (although we still don't have the tree up!!!!!)         3. Finally got round to writing my Christmas cards     4. Tiny Christmas cupcakes which were enjoyed at the home education party     5. Our sweet smelling Christmas wreath   6. Mini gingerbread men (they were tasty)
  Taking an enforced rest, I've spent a lot of time knitting and crafting and have almost put together my parcel for the Christmas Swap! 

Snuggled in the warm I've also finally been able to bring some kind of order to the snaps I took of my most recently completed woollies and so I have not 1, not 2 but 3 to share with you!!

First up is one from a 1943 pattern featured in one of my beloved Stitchcraft magazines. 


I've knitted it before in Stylecraft melon and a beautiful, unbranded, pale pink cashmere so you might think that it would have been easy.  Well, so did I and so I motored through the front and both sleeves before tackling the back.  Having reached the shoulders, I discovered that I'd gone 2 stitches out of sync which meant the nice neat "square" design was wonky!  Argh, I can't tell you how I swore.  Disheartened is an understatement, furious and frustrated with myself is closer to the mark. 

However, not to be defeated, I pulled it back and started again and am pleased to say that it "turned out nice again" ;o)  The yarn chosen for this one was Stylecraft 4 ply in pale rose and I used little clear patterned buttons.  It's a really pretty little cardigan jumper which I think, and hope, will be perfect for spring, although I know it's had a little outing already! :o)




Next up is another of the ever popular waffle jumpers which was originally featured in a Needlewoman and Needlecraft magazine.


Again, Stylecraft yarn was used, this time in shades cardinal, fern, cobalt and silver grey.  I really like Stylecraft for both quality and value.  You get good yardage and the 100% acrylic isn't at all itchy, which from my point of view, is a very good thing.

The waffle is quite a time consuming jumper to knit because the colour of the wool has to be changed every 4 rows.  It's also quite a time consuming one to sew up because the stripes get sewn together in the corresponding thread so lots of needle threading and snipping of wool.  It really is worth it though because it's such a pretty jumper in a really easy stitch - well worth a try :o)



Last, but by no means least, was a cardigan knitted from this Bestway pattern.


Knitted with King Cole DK in a shade called petrol, this cardigan actually ended up being my favourite.  The yarn is good quality, isn't itchy, gives a lovely finish and is wonderfully snugly - perfect for this chill we're currently experiencing. 



The pattern, again, was quite easy, just 5 rows of 3, 1 rib divided by a knit row.  The band was knitted separately and proved to be the trickiest piece of the entire thing because achieving the scalloped edge in the thicker wool was somewhat of a challenge!


From a button point of view, it was impossible to find vintage ones to match but luckily there were these 4 plastic faceted buttons in the stash which matched perfectly - result!


I have to admit that I felt somewhat relieved when I ran in the last thread because it meant I could finally get them posted to the incredibly patient customer.  The order had been going on for many months, far longer than I would have liked, and I was very frustrated with myself that I hadn't been able to get through them more quickly as I try so hard not to disappoint people . 

This was the jumpers, packed and ready to go.


Sending a jumper to the new owner is something I find really nerve wracking.  Silly as it might sound, I always worry that I've not got the fit right or the jumper won't have turned out as the customer had envisaged. 

Thankfully, this time, I needn't have worried because the knitteds have found a happy new home with the lovely Hen and if you take a peek at her lovely blog, HenHouse, you'll see that the pink cardi has already had an outing and looks amazing! :o)

That's it for orders for me now until January 2013.  I'm giving my fingers a much needed rest for the next few weeks so I can concentrate on getting rid of this blasted bug and can then focus on all things festive!!

If you haven't already entered, there are still a few days left to be in with a chance of winning the Christmas Give Away for the Daniela Turudich 1940's Hairstyles book, just click here for more details :o)

16 comments:

  1. I love the colours selected for the waffle jumper... I have the pattern and am dying to make it. It will come after I have finished a jumper for a friend's daughter though! I just finished my Christmas stocking and baby knitting so I am enjoying a bit of a break. Well that and because someone knocked a glass of wine over on my unfinished cotton cardigan which resulted in having to wash it all and getting the yarn into a real tangle :/
    I am glad your customer loved her knitteds- they look gorgeous!

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    1. The waffle colours are pretty special and really do go well together. I look forward to seeing what colours you go for, it's a real pleasure to knit.

      As to the wine spill, you must have been distraught!! I hope you manage to untangle it and carry on :-) x

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  2. What a lucky lady I am! All three of my jumpers have been worn and I'm looking forward to Saturday when one shall accompany me to Lewes, home of the original Needkework Ilustrated haul! They were well worth the wait, I can't tell you how pleased I am and how thrilled I was with your box of goodies. I only hope, most selfishly, that not too many people discover your talents!
    You take care now and enjoy that well earned rest.
    Hen xxx

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  3. Gahhhhhh amazing! In love with your work. My faves are the 2nd and 3rd!! Love! Cannot wait to learn how to knit! xox

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    1. Hi Bunny, I'm pleased you like them. Once you've mastered the basics of knitting, let me know and I'll send you a copy of the waffle pattern. It's a truly simple one to knit and looks amazing :-) Xx

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  4. I would love to make the blue cardigan...Any chance of a pattern trade? I have some very nice 1940's American paterns you might like. I am making one right now to wear for my Christmas party...Cranberry red.

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    1. Hi, I think a pattern swap is a wonderful idea. If you want to send me an email to lucyjyeo@yahoo.co.uk we can sort it out :-)

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  5. Wow! your knitting is wonderful. I used to sell Stylecraft Yarns, so I can vouch for everything you say about the yarn. I am currently knitting the jumper in Needlewoman and Needlecraft No.14
    Julie xxxxxxxxx

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    1. Thank you :-) I'll have to take a look in the magazine now to see what's on your needles xx

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  6. Love all of those, but especially the pink cardi and the waffle jumper. I've been knitting for years, but you've inspired me to seek out some 40s patterns and make myself some vintage knitwear.

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    1. Thank you. I hope you enjoy knitting from the vintage patterns. I find the instructions in the '40s patterns far easier to follow than the modern ones :-)

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  7. Lovely knitwear as always, Hen's a lucky lady! Hope you feel better soon :) x

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  8. Gorgeous knits! Just started to follow your 1940s blog and loving it. Did one vintage knit in acrylic and didn't feel right at all! Doing another now in wool and feels much better, but will look into Stylecraft as it seems to have turned out lovely for yours. An avid Stitchcraft fan and collector - wish I had more time on my hands to pursue my vintage knitting habit!

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  9. gorgeous jumper and cardigans. i knitted 2 40`s cardigans and a jumper for friends for xmas all lovingly accepted and now just finished another for my self which i LOVE. i,ve also knitted Gauntlet Gloves and a 3 piece baby`s pram suit. So glad i,ve taken knitting up again after a long long time . love your blog to :-)

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  10. Hiya! I'm a huge 1940's fan, and am looking for a nice jumper. Do you ever sell the ones you make as my knitting and crochet are pretty basic ;)

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  11. Back in the 1960's my mum would knit me and my brother jumpers, but they grew and grew ! but made the best clothes ever until late teens


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