Knitted With Love - 1930's Jumper

Another woolly post today!  Not a garment that I've completed this year, I'm not that speedy, but one I managed to squeeze in just before Christmas.

The jumper in question is the one I knitted for my mum.  In 2013, as well as giving shop bought gifts, I made my family and close friends a handmade Christmas present.  Some edible, some felty things, others woolly.

I hadn't really planned anything similar for 2014, we'd had such a busy run up to the festive season that making gifts for family hadn't even crossed my mind.  However, come mind November, I realised I'd be disappointed in myself if I didn't make something for my much loved parents (why do we put such pressure on ourselves??) so I sorted out the patterns and wool and cracked on!

My mum's pattern was an easy choice, it was one she'd long admired, a stylish long sleeved jumper from a pattern originally printed in "My Home" in May 1936.  

The pattern was found in "The 30s Family Knitting Book", edited by Jane Waller, and printed in 1981; proves that loving vintage isn't a "new" thing! 

I think the male model has a look of Dracula about him!

I opted for Adriafil Azzurra in Azio Blue as she, unlike me, loves the pretty colour.  

I did struggle a bit with my tension on the sleeves.  They are worked from the top down, and the heavy size 8's with such few stitches on we're hard to handle, so I switched so short double ended needles, and that helped a bit.  I use metal needles, but am going to try some bamboo needles to see if they are easier to handle.

I'm really pleased with how the jumper turned out, and more importantly, so was Mum!  It's not my best work, I can see a couple of wrong stitches, but as I put on the gift tag, every stitch was done with love, and that counts for a lot in my book.

No chance to show you a picture of her wearing it yet, so you'll have to make so with some shots of it on the dummy :)  Please excuse the rubbish shots, they were taken on my phone one evening, and the light was appalling.

I'm currently working in a bolero in a scrumptious shade of mustard, and will soon be picking up the needles on my next commission piece xx

Bluebells in Spring Jumper - Free 1940's Knitting Pattern

Every now and again, we step outside the knitting comfort zone and attempt a pattern that is more intricate than our normal offerings. 

As soon as I bought this pattern, I knew it had to be attempted.

One of my favourite Spring flowers is the bluebell, so what better shade to choose for a jumper covered in said flowers than to opt for a springtime shade of blue?  Ordinarily, I’m not actually a fan of blue, and favour autumnal shades instead, oh, and green of course, you can’t beat a bit of green, especially that scrumptious 1930’s green!  :o)

Anyway, getting good 4 ply, which isn’t wool, in a shade other than your very basic colours, can prove troublesome, especially with blue, which is often offered up in baby blue, or dark navy, neither of which took my fancy.  However, good old Stylecraft came up trumps again, with a divine shade called aster. 

When knitting a complicated pattern, I always want the stitch detail to show up.  I mean, what is the point in spending so much time knitting in a colour which is so dark that you can’t see the intricacy of the pattern until you are 12” in front of it??

Aster proved to be the perfect shade, showing up the little clusters of bluebells perfectly.  And what’s more, it was incredibly economical to knit, using just 190g of wool, which works out at roughly £6.00 for the materials.  Not bad, hey?! 

The finished design is so pretty, a definite eye catcher, even from afar ;-)  The only slight downside is that it is a fairly open work design, so you would need to wear a little camisole underneath. 

For anyone wanting to give this pattern a go, you can print off a copy of the pattern for free by clicking HERE.

Although I wouldn’t want to put anyone off from having a go at this jumper, I think it’s only fair to say that it isn’t really for a beginner.  It is an intricate pattern, with a pattern repeat of some 36 rows, and really does take maximum concentration.  I wouldn’t be confident sizing this jumper up by adding stitches, but you could go up or down a needle size to give a bigger/smaller woolly.  You may also want to look at the neck opening.  I found that it came up really small, so I adapted the pattern slightly, and added a buttoned neck opening to the left shoulder instead.

On a Roll!!

So, we’re almost at the end of the month!  Hasn’t January flown by?  The festivities of last month seem but a distant memory.  I don’t mind though, for as much as I love the winter, I am always pleased to welcome in the New Year and see the daylight hours increasing.  A fresh month stretched out before me brings an enthusiasm to push forwards and get things done!

Despite my best intentions, 2013 was an epic fail in terms of number of garments sewn.  I can clearly remember sitting down at the beginning of the year to map out a plan of all that would be achieved.  I listed how many pieces of sewing and knitting I would get done, and the number of corsages and turbans that would be finished, but when December came, I had achieved very little in the sewing stakes.

I don’t know whether any of you crafty folk have the same problem, but, from a making perspective, I can be a bit of a butterfly.  One day I wake with an eagerness to sew corsages, the next day I can be hankering after cutting out a garment.  I forever want to start something new.  With a jumper, once I’ve knitted the back and the sleeves, I really have to push myself to get the front finished, and often things get left languishing in a heap, never to see the light of day again. 

Well, this year I have decided to try to finish off those unloved projects, before moving onto something new.  It’s a hard task, I can tell you.  Mr Y got me some seriously scrumptious patterns last month and I’m itching to get at them, but, for now at least, I’m determined to stay on track!

So, without further waffling, the first item to see the light of day in 2014 was a neat little bolero, from this Bestway pattern.

It was started last year when I was going through a stash busting phase, trying to use up some of the copious amounts of double knit yarn that seems to breed under my bed! 

Green being my favourite colour, I couldn’t pass up the chance to see my favourite Stylecraft DK shade of meadow be used for such a pretty project.  Sadly, I should probably have taken more care with my calculations because, yet again, I ran out of wool! 

It took weeks to find more wool from the same dye lot, and by the time it was found, I’d moved onto my next project, and the bolero was consigned to the cupboard.  

The task of completing it wasn’t too daunting, as it was only the one sleeve to get finished.  Here it is in all its green glory!

 

I posted a picture of it on Facebook and was astounded by peoples’ reaction.  When it was listed on Etsy, it sold within 10 minutes!  The new owner is none other than the lovely Fleur De Guere, I think she wears it well :o)

Because of how popular it is, I’ve already cast on another one, this time in a pretty blue shade that reminds me of spring.

Next to be pulled from the cupboard was a blouse, made from an original 1940’s New York pattern.  The only finishing it required was bound buttonholes!  Oh, how I hate doing bound buttonholes.

It has been made from original 1940’s novelty print fabric that I bought from America, and was stung for import tax on; don’t you just love an £8.00 handling fee?!!  Anyway, the fabric is pure cotton, in a sort of spring green, with the sweetest stylised telephone design!

It’s quite a blousy kind of blouse, low fastening, with just two buttons.   It’s definitely a statement piece and not one for the modest.  It has been finished with 1940’s black Bakelite buttons, and is currently for sale in my Etsy shop, which can be found here.

Last, but by no means least, is a dress made from an American Hollywood pattern from the 1940’s.

The fabric was originally bought to make a blind for the kitchen, but when it arrived, it wasn’t the modern cotton that I expected, but was actually a piece of original 1940’s heavy cotton rayon mix. 

It was a squeeze getting the dress out of the narrow 35” by 2 7/8yds piece that I had, but, because it had no nap, I was able to follow the pattern, just, but it meant I didn’t have enough fabric left for ruffles. 

I decided to do self covered buttons, because they looked best, and to keep it as authentic as possible, I fitted a vintage metal zip.  It's a simple dress, but I love it, especially the little bit of gathering in the front. 

It’s a fairly decent size, measuring a 36" bust, but it just won’t squeeze onto Doris the dummy, so I’m afraid we’ll have to make do with a rubbish hanger shot! 

  

I still have a few more projects to finish off, a couple of jumpers, and another dress, but they are waiting in the wings while I frantically try to get my Knit For Victory piece finished. 

   

I’m getting there, and I’m sure my dad will be pleased with it, but I still have half of the back and then the neck and armholes to finish, so I’m sure you can guess what I’m going to be doing for the next few evenings :o) 

Knit for Victory knit-along - I'm In!

So, dear readers, are any of you joining in with the knit along which has been organised by the lovely Tasha, who blogs over at By Gum, By Golly? 

I have, and I can’t wait to get started!  The Knit Along follows a 1940’s theme, and since I’m somewhat addicted to the patterns from that era, it would be silly if I didn’t sign up, right? 

It has come at a perfect time for me.  This year, I have decided to try and make a handmade gift for each of my immediate family, so joining in with the knit along will be the kick up the backside I need to actually get started.  After all, 6 weeks today, folks, is Christmas Eve, so I should really crack on!

So, what to knit?  Well, the knit along is open until January 31^st which gives me plenty of time to tackle more than just the one project! 

My other half and my brother wouldn’t thank me if I gifted them something of the woolly variety, so both of my parents and my two girlie's will be the recipients of my work. 

Choosing for my dad is really easy.  When not a work, he wears a lot of 1940’s original and vintage inspired clothing.  His normal outerwear is a CC41 overcoat and 1940’s trilby (which does get him the odd sideways glance!).  To go with his overcoat and chocolate brown trilby, I’m going to knit him a scarf!  While it’s not the most imaginative of gifts, I hope he’ll really like it. 

The pattern is a Weldons one, printed on wartime paper, and was advertised as being suitable for both civilian and service wear. 

If I’m going to do it, he would want me to do it properly, and as period correct as possible, so I have chosen a pure wool Merino mix, by King Cole, in the most delightful chocolate brown colour.

It’s quite a fine 4 ply, and I have 3 balls of it, which is about 6oz.  The original pattern calls for 4 ¾ oz, so I should have enough.  The beauty of it is that if I do run out of the wool, the scarf will simply be slightly shorter than intended!  At approximately 50” long, I need to get cracking!!

I also want to try to tackle another Fair Isle jumper for my Dad.  I knitted this one for him about 4 Christmases ago. 

  

He absolutely loves it and as he’s so slender, he is a joy to knit for because I don’t have to adjust the patterns to fit his skinny frame.  I haven’t found quite the right pattern yet, but I hope to knit it in shades of brown and beige to go with his brown pinstripe suit.  His birthday is in February, so, if I manage to finish it in time, it will make the perfect gift.

Next up is my mum.  I won’t be knitting a jumper for her, as I still have one on the needles that I was meant to have finished for her birthday 3 years ago!  I have done the front and the sleeves, but it’s being knitted in crepe and I’m finding it hard on the hands, but that’s another story entirely! 

Instead, she’ll be getting a tea cosy.  Mum and Dad live in a beautiful house, decorated and furnished, in the most part, with original 1930’s and 1940’s items.  One day, I hope that they will let me take some photographs of it to share with you all.  There is a huge dresser in the kitchen which displays a collection of Beryl ware, and a knitted tea cosy will be just the job to keep the pot warm.

The pattern is one from the ‘40s, this time produced by Bestway.  I haven’t decided on a colour way yet, the original calls for 4 shades of 4 ply.  I’ll probably try to get some green in there somewhere.  It should be a good way of using up some of the odd balls of wool I have lying around. 

Last, but by no means least, my little pair of pickles!  My girls are truly easy to knit for, and while I won’t have time to knit them a jumper each, I want to make them a beret and matching mittens.  Neither of them likes pure wool, as they find it far too itchy, so I’m off to Norwich on Saturday, without my babies, to see what I can find.

They are also both still young enough to love playing with their baby dolls.  My oldest has a girl doll, so for her I’m knitting a Little Red Riding Hood outfit that I have in a 1930’s Good ??? magazine.  Although not from the 1940’s, I’m sure the pattern would still have been used well beyond the era it was made in.  Obviously it will be done in red, probably using up some of the Stylecraft cardinal that I have left from when I completed this jumper.

For my youngest, her doll is a boy.  Interesting boy doll patterns have proved much trickier to find!  So much so, in fact, that I have yet to choose one and am still looking.  I'll be back to show you when I do! 

So that’s me done, and my next few months of knitting mapped out for me.  The hope is that all, bar the Fair Isle, will be completed in time for Christmas.  I’m sure that’s achievable, providing I stay flu free!! 

I’ve joined the Flickr group that Tasha has set up, so those joining in can add photographs of their work for all to see.  I’m loving looking at the things people have decided to make. 

If you want more information about it, or are tempted to jump in and join in, then there is a link in my sidebar which will take you to Tasha’s original post, where she explains how to go about it! 

xx

Third Time Lucky - 1940's Jumper Without a Mistake!!

I hope this post finds you well.  I’m so pleased it’s almost the weekend, and a bank holiday weekend no less!!

Today’s post is all about the knitting!! 

If you saw my previous posts about the two most recent jumpers that hadn’t gone entirely to plan, then I’m sure you’ll understand why I’d somewhat lost my enthusiasm for knitting. 

After my previous failures, I was uninspired by the knitting patterns in my own collection and decided I needed something new.  Turning to Etsy, as you do, I stumbled across Bex’s rather fine collection of PDF patterns. 

There are some beautiful patterns in Bex’s Etsy shop but in the end, I went for a simple jumper which was predominantly stocking stitch, but that had the iconic 1940’s style.

 

I’m trying to be sensible and use up some of the 20+ Kgs of wool that is threatening to break out of the various suitcases under my bed.  Although I would have loved to have gone shopping for some pretty wool for the new woolly, I instead went to my stash and picked out some Stylecraft 4 ply in cardinal, which is a lovely rich red.

The jumper was easy to knit and came along quite quickly.  The loop detail across the front was really simple and the instructions were nice a clear, which isn’t always the case with vintage patterns.  I made an alteration to the pattern which was to change the ties across the front from knitted ties to satin ribbon.  There was no collar, just a row of double crochet, the only kind of crochet I can manage, round the neckline.  Simple black buttons and a snapper closed the back and voila, the jumper was done!

I did a happy dance when I slipped it onto Doris, for a photo shoot in the sunny garden, and found that is was all as it was meant to be!  No mistakes this time!

The jumper was sewn up just in time to be taken along to the 1940’s weekend at Ramsey and I’m pleased to say it found a new home.  Ramsey was brilliant this year, lots of displays and stalls.  I have added some pictures to my Facebook page which you can see here :o)

Back to the knitting!  I find knitting a real pleasure; you’ve probably already guessed that by the number of posts about my woollies that you’ll find on this old blog.  However, recently, I’ve found that knitting for other people puts me under great pressure.  In my very busy little life, homeschooling my little ladies etc, etc, etc, something’s gotta give and after great thought, I have decided to stop offering commission pieces.  I’ll still be knitting, of course I will, just try and stop me, and my jumpers will still be offered for sale either at the various events and fairs I go to or on my Facebook page, but the pressure will be off and a weight lifted :o) 

Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny 1940's Style...............

Jumper!!  Yes, I know that doesn’t rhyme but that was the song that popped into my head when I was stitching up this jumper of most minute proportions and I bet you’ll soon find yourself humming that song too! :o)

This is my most recently stitched up jumper, a rather stylish 1940’s number knitted from a Lavenda pattern.  Don’t know about you, but I think this pretty model might just be wearing a hair piece!! ;o)

I’d wanted to knit the pattern for a long time having seen some other people knit it in the rather popular red, white and blue colour way, but tracking down the pattern had proved difficult.  After much lurking on eBay, I managed to get a seriously tatty copy for just a couple of pounds!  A bargain in my book when you consider a good copy of the same pattern went for over £10!  

Anyway, the jumper should have a base colour and 5 contrasts but with 4 ply colours being somewhat limited, I couldn’t find 6 colours that went well together and so ended up with just 4 instead, opting for cardinal, fern, silver and cobalt.  They might seem like an odd batch of colours to mix up but I’ve used them before for the waffle jumper and they have been very popular.  

It’s such an easy pattern to knit but the end result makes it look far more complicated than it really is – always a plus point :o)  Once the K1, P1 rib is done, it’s simply a case of working in stocking stitch with every 4^th stitch carried as a slipped stitch over 3 rows. 

  
Sewing up is a different matter though with a grand total of over 150+ ends to sew together/run in but the final result is definitely worth the extra time taken in sewing it up properly.

Button wise, I didn’t have any which were just the right shade.  I don’t know about you, but I find reds are one of the hardest shades to match up.  Instead, I went for my "go to" button, the little faceted plastic ones.  I think we have over 2000 of these which were picked up at a car boot sale a couple of years ago for just £5.00!  Bargain! :o)

When knitting straight from a pattern i.e. not making any size adjustments at all, I find that the jumpers come out pretty close to the original size, give or take an inch.  In my enthusiasm to get it knitted, I didn’t think to look at the pattern size.  I should have checked though because the original was for a petite 32”-34” bust! 

True to the pattern, and proof that using modern 4 ply on a vintage pattern that states 3 ply is ok, this jumper has come up at the 32”-34” bust it was meant to.  I just managed to wriggle it on to the well travelled “Doris”, but it is very much “sausage in a skin” like and needs to be on a much smaller model. 

This jumper is coming with me to the fair in Norwich tomorrow.  Lets hope it can find a loving new home with a petite, vintage loving lady :o)

If you fancy giving the pattern a go yourself, I have a PDF versions for sale through my Facebook page which you can find here.

1940's Bestway jumper

We're still a poorly household here but there has been an upside to my 3 family members being under the weather; while they've been sleeping I've been sewing and so I have another jumper to show you! 

I apologise in advance for the poor quality photographs.  It's been gloomy here all day and so I've had to resort to using the flash which creates a shadow!!

The pattern I chose was a Bestway one from the 1940's, I'm guessing mid '40s due to the fair style??.  I've had the pattern for a while and finally managed to find a wool which I thought would do it justice. 

Although the pattern called for 3 ply, I used Stylecraft 4 ply in a shade rather tastily called butterscotch :o)  I opted for a fairly neutral shade because I wanted to show off the pretty design of the jumper.  While I know not everyone favours acrylic, I'm a fan and although you can't get the same range of colours in 4 ply acrylic as you can in DK, Stylecraft have brought out a few new shades, namely butterscotch, camel and mocha, which are rather fitting to the 1940's so I've done a bit of stocking up!

The rib and yoke are worked on rather titchy and fiddly no 13 needles.  They're so fine to work with but give a really good finish on the delicate wool.

The sleeves have an interesting little bit of detail which I've never seen on a jumper before.  Quite sweet don't you think??

I cheated a little on the buttons.  The original called for tiny crocheted ones but I had the most perfect little glass 1930's ones and so opted to use them instead.  I need to tighten the button holes a little because the buttons are so tiny but I don't think I could have colour matched them any better!

I'll be taking the jumper to our first fair of 2013 which is "The Old Hollywood Vintage Fair" which is being held on March 10th in Norwich Cathedral - I'm SO excited :o)!!

If you fancy knitting this pretty little jumper for yourself, I hope to get the pattern posted up by the end of the week thanks to the help and words of wisdom of the lovely fellow bloggers who emailed me!