Spreading the Love – Free 1940’s Knitting Patterns!

So February is upon us.  The month where tradition dictates that we show our loved one how much he/she means to us. 

After nearly 13 years together, Mr Y and I don’t go in for all the hearts and flowers.  Back in the early years of our marriage we would celebrate, but now, come February 14^th, we will most likely be found snuggled on the sofa, tucking into a curry and watching a DVD – bliss!!  We know how to live it up!!! ;o) 

Anyway, getting into the spirit of the month, and as a thank you to all you lovelies for reading my blog, I thought I’d share some knitting love, coming to you in the form of free vintage knitting patterns! 

Every day, from now until February 28^th, I’ll be uploading a free printable knitting pattern, dating from the 1930’s to the 1950’s.  I’ll try to include a range of styles and sizes, making sure that there is something to suit all knitters, from the beginner to the most experienced among you. 

I have stored the patterns in Google Drive, so to be able to access them, I think you have to have a Google account.  If you get any problems, please just send me an email :o)

So, first up is the pattern I used for my Knit For Victory pullover. 

I received such a great response to my version of the pullover, that I thought some of you might like to give it a go. 

As far as Fair Isle pullovers go, this is one of the simpler ones.  Because you only work in two colours at once, it’s a good introduction to Fair Isle.  As with all colour work, you need to take care as you go, but this has a relatively simple pattern repeat and knitted up quite quickly. 

Click HERE for the pattern.

Knit For Victory - My Finished Forties Fair Isle Pullover!!

So today is the last day of the Knit For Victory knit along, which was run by Tasha who blogs at By Gum, By Golly, and do you know what, I actually completed my pullover!!!!

It was touch and go whether I would get there, but I’m so pleased I did.  When I decided to knit another fair isle for my dad, I knew I wanted to work with a pattern that was relatively simple, one that would only require me to work with 2 colours at a time and, more importantly, one that didn’t need to be sized up!  The only one that fitted the bill was this Bairns-Wear one, from the late 1930’s/early 1940’s.

Back in the autumn, I acquired a number of skeins of original vintage wool in some rather delectable shades.  The wool on the skeins was very fine, equivalent to a modern 3 ply, and the only suitable neutral shade I could find was Azzurra, from the Adriafil range.  It’s a 70% wool 30% acrylic mix and, despite my initial concerns, it actually worked well alongside the vintage pure wool. 

In the first instance, I started out well and remembered to take a photograph of how far I’d got each evening.  By the time I reached the second side of the neck, and had to reverse the instructions (which made my brain hurt!), I totally forgot about taking photographs!  Here are the ones I did manage to take.

I didn’t finish the colour work on the front until early morning on Tuesday January 28^th.  I pinned and blocked it the same day, and was really pleased with how it came out.

  

Rather than the Fair Isle back that the pattern called for, I did a plain back in just the Azzurra, which I finished only yesterday!  The rib around the neck was done yesterday afternoon, while the girls were at the library with their grandma, and the armhole rib was finished at 11.30 last night.  I stitched it up, and gave it a final press, this morning!  I cut it fine, to say the least, but I got there in the end, and here it is in all its colourful glory! 

His birthday isn’t until the 26th February, so I don’t have a picture of him wearing it, but I will try and get one in the Spring. 

Before I started the pullover, I did a few other projects, all of which were given as Christmas presents.  I knitted a beret for each of my girls.  C had the navy and red, while M had the green and red.  They were knitted from a 1950’s pattern, which I decreased in size by using smaller needles.  The yarn was a pure wool by Red Heart.  It knits up beautifully, and I shall definitely use it again.

I knitted a tea cosy for my mum using up some DK from my stash.  As soon as I saw the pattern, I knew I had to knit it up, after all, it had felt anemones on!!!  Sorry for the rubbish photograph.  I only remembered to photograph it at my mum's house, late last night.

Last, but by no means least, is the scarf I knitted for my dad.  The pattern was wartime, and the wool was 4 ply, pure wool. 

 

I've really enjoyed seeing how everyone elses projects have progressed and seeing everyones fantastic knitting skills :o)

x  . 

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Vintage suitcase finds + more corsages!

This is a long post with a lot of photographs but please stick with it because I hope you'll think it's worth it :o)

As many of you vintage wearing followers will know, sourcing original 1940's clothing is not an easy task.  We are always on the look out, scouring vintage fairs and buying from re-enactors etc.  Normally we have to "find" the items but, a chance meeting at a 1940's re-enactment, not one that we were trading at, a lady who had discovered some beautiful items while clearing a house, brought them to our attention and we were lucky to acquire them.

First up, a suitcase.  I've riffled through many a vintage suitcase.  Sometimes they are full of treasures, other times the contents are so disgustingly dirty that I have I worry what I might have inhaled!  This unassuming leather suitcase, somewhat battered and tired.......

was full of treasure. 

Please excuse the chapel pew that the case is sitting on.  We have 2 in the garden that came from Perranporth Methodist Chapel where my daughters were christened and they are somewhat of a project!  Back to the case though!
 
It contained;

A half finished dress.  The sleeves are sewn in and the skirt attached to the bodice.  All it needs is buttons and button holes (argh!!), a collar and then a hem.  Why wasn't it finished?  I wish I knew.  It's been beautifully made, neatly finished seams and the like so should be easy enough to follow on and finish it off.  The instructions are in the pattern envelope but sadly no pattern pieces.

A collection of vintage cottons and a rather complicated looking knitting stitch/pattern counter thingy - think I'll stick to paper and pencil to mark off my rows.

Some instruments of torture!  Well, in truth, some 1920's crimping irons but I didn't know that until I asked my Mum.  They are complete with singe marks from when they were heated in the fire before being used on someones hair.  The damage they must have done and the smell - it must have been terrible.

Two rather lovely knits!  The tank top has been feasted on a little by some hungry moths - thankfully it's repairable though.  The cardigan is beautiful with just a tiny moth hole on the front rib and a missing button - better raid my button stash then.  Someone has boiled it and shrunk it which is a shame for us adults but a plus for C as it fits her perfectly.  However, as it's pure wool, she is reluctant to wear it - I shall persevere because I shan't be knitting anything as intricate for her!

More knitting patterns!!!!  I couldn't believe it.  They are in lovely condition and I had been after an original copy of the Bestway "Gifts in Knitting and Crochet" for a while.

Apart from some seriously sharp sewing needles and some random 1960's buttons, the last thing in the case was a little clear bag stuffed full of the most amazing.........

Corsages!!  Just look at them, so very beautiful and each one different.  They are mostly done in perle cotton (thank you Ginny for help on that one :o)!) and each one has a thick green felt back with 2, sometimes 3 safety pins on - no fear of them falling off.  Some require a little stitch here and there and the backs aren't the neatest but, who's going to see that once it's on a jacket?? 

This very talented lady must have spent hours making them and for what purpose?  An artisan with a shop perhaps or simply crocheting for pleasure, we'll never know.  

I would love to keep them all, they were a real once in a lifetime purchase, but I'm being realistic and have only kept 2.  I figure that they have been stored long enough and clearly haven't seen the light of day for many a year.  I'm hoping they will end up with people who will love and cherish them as much as the lady who kept hold of them for all these years did.

When looking through them, I noticed that the Bestway "Gifts in Knitting and Crochet" pattern had been put to good use to make 2 of the corsages.









Along with the suitcase, I bought 2 dresses.  I don't normally "show off" the clothing that I buy but these 2 dresses, both made of moygashel, a linen feel fabric, are so beautiful that I thought you might like to see them.

Patriotic red, white and blue number with it's original belt!

                                              

Cute hey?!

This recent lot of purchases really got to me and it's because there was an actual person associated with the items.  I know that that might sound odd, but a dress brought to us by a re-enactor or purchased at a fair is a stand alone garment with no reference as to the original owner.

 

This lady, whoever she was, couldn't part with her things.  She obviously deemed them important enough to want to hold on to them for many a year.  Worn on a first date perhaps or for a special occasion or maybe, like me, she was just a serious hoarder!!  Whatever the reason, I know that I'm incredibly lucky to have them and will be a willing custodian of them until someone else comes along to love them!