This fabulous cable and twist design is perfect for this lovely cardigan or coat.
Date: late 1940s to early 1950s
Measurements - bust 34-36"; length from shoulder 22"; sleeve seam 18"
Materials - double knit or light worsted; 4.5mm US 7 and 3.75mm US 5 needles; 15 buttons; cable needle
Original used 17 ozs of Patons Moorland Double Knitting or 18 ozs Patons Bulldog Double Knitting
Tension - 5.25 stitches and 7 rows to 1 inch using 4.5mm US 7 over stocking stitch
This classic mid 40s sweater has lovely puffed sleeves and a great stripe pattern. The original blue and white could easily be switched out for any colour choice of your own.
Date: mid to late 1940s
Measurements - bust 34-35"; length from shoulder 18.5"; sleeve seam 6.5 or 18.5"
Materials - 3-ply or light fingering; 3.25mm US 3 (with points at both ends) and 2.75mm US 2 needles; 6 buttons
Original used 4 ozs Marriner's 3-ply Heritage Shrinkless Knitting Wool in Pompadour Blue (short sleeves, and 5 ozs for long sleeves, 1oz or 2 ozs in Royal Blue, and 1 oz in white
Tension 7.5 stitches and 9.5 rows it 1 inch using 3.25mm US 3 needles over stocking stitch
5 Pages
This is a great twin set. Not only is it in a good modern size, it is also a simple to follow pattern. The cardigan has a great all over diamond texture and the short sleeved jumper is plain but with a band running up each side of the front.
Date: mid to late 1940s
Jumper
Measurements: bust 35.5 and 37.5"; length 19.5 and 20.5"; sleeve seam 5 and 5.5""
Materials: 4-ply or fingering; 3.25mm US 3 and 2.25mm US 1 needles for 35.5" bust; 3.75mm US 5 and 2.25mm US 1 for 37.5" bust; Stitch holder and 6 buttons
Original used 5.5 or 6 ozs Baldwin & Walker's Ladyship 3-ply Fairlady
Tension: 8 stitches and 10 rows to 1 inch with 3.25mm US 3 over stocking stitch, or 7.5 stitches and 9.5 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 over stocking stitch
Cardigan
Measurements: bust 36 and 38"; length 20 and 21"; sleeve seam 16.5 and 17"
Materials: 4-ply or fingering; 3.25mm US 3 and 2.25mm US 1 needles for 35.5" bust; 3.75mm US 5 and 2.25mm US 1 for 37.5" bust; Stitch holder and 6 buttons
Original used 7.75 or 8 ozs Baldwin & Walker's Ladyship 3-ply Fairlady
Tension: 1 pattern (16 stitches) to 1.75" using 3.25mm US 3 or 1 pattern to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5
9 Pages
This great mid 1930s patterns used odd sized needles to produce an openwork or drawn thread look. It works up quickly and looks fabulous. I mean, just look at the points to that collar
Date: mid 1930s
Measurements: bust 32 to 34"; length 18"; sleeve seam 5"
Materials: 3-ply or light fingering; 3.25mm US 3, 7.5mm US 11, and 5mm US 8 needles
Original used 3 ozs Jaeger Feather Fleck
Tension: 7 stitches and 8 rows to 2 inches (possibly over pattern)
5 Pages
This short sleeved cardigan is a really attention getter. The trellis pattern adds visual interest without being too tricky.
Date: early 1940s
Measurements: bust 34 to 36"; length 19.5"; sleeve seam 7"
Materials: 3-ply or light fingering; 4mm US 3 and 3mm US 2 needles; 6 buttons
Original used 7 ozs Hema 3-ply Super Merino Wool or 7 ozs Dainty Wool
Tension: no tension given
Dunbar & Nairn 2 - Smocked Twin Set with Gloves and Turban
This is the only pattern I have ever seen from Dunbar and Nairn. As far as I can see they were wool exporters based in Glasgow and were active in the decade from the late 1930s. There is a reference to them producing children's patterns too but I can't find any more information.
This pattern came to me in quite a bad way and it suffered water damage (possibly early in it's life). The pages had stuck together but someone in the past separated them and where the type was illegible, wrote the instructions. I added some of the words that were missing but please use caution when making the set and if you become stuck, please get in touch and I can go back to the original.
This fab knitted vest has a great motif of skiers across the front and deep ribbing.
The motif is written and could easily be placed onto another garment if you wanted to increase the sizing
Date: late 1940s
Measurements: 33" bust or chest; length 19";
Materials: 3-ply or light fingering; 3.75mm US 5 and 2.75mm US 2 needles
Original used 4 ozs Femina Botany Fingering 3-ply in Ice Blue and 1 oz in Cornflower
Tension: 7.5 stitches 1 inch
5 Pages
Feminine and elegant with a simple fair isle motif and gently puffed sleeves. This is a classic wardrobe piece and can be worked in any colour combination you fancy.
The motif pattern is written out but it is clear with line for line instructions so you shouldn't get lost.
Date: estimated late 1940s or early 1950s
Measurements: bust 34 to 36"; length of side seams 12.5"; sleeve seam 6"
Materials: 4-ply or fingering; 3.25mm US 3 and 3mm US 2.5 needles 5mm US 8 needles; 4 buttons
Original used 5 ozs Argosy 3-ply Superfine Botany in navy blue and 1 oz each of 2 contracting colours
Tension: 8 stitches and 9 rows to 1 inch using 3.25mm US 3 needles over stocking stitch
5 pages
Bestway 83 - Easy to Make Jumpers
Here are 9 fabulous designs from the early 1920s that are easy to make with simple shapes and contain full instructions (with pictures) on how to knit and crochet. The designs are a mixture of knitting and crochet and I've added clearer descriptions below in the order of the photos. If you need more information of any of the designs, just ask.
The booklet also has some great adverts for vintage knitting and stitching shops and these have been added to my map of Vintage Knitting Shops of Britain
The measurements are taken from the schematics and the fashion of the time meant that garments were worn with positive ease or 4 inches or more. The simple shapes should make it easy to resize the garments.
Four-Leaf Clover Jumper - Crochet V-neck tunic with high back and clover motifs round hem and sleeves. Bust 48", hips 40"
High Neck or Low - Garter stitch knit jumper with an adaptable collar that can be worn high or turned down. Bust 42"
Feather Pattern Jumper or Dress - Simple rectangular shapes knit up to make up a pretty jumper in an easy feather stitch. Bust 44"
Listening-In Jumper No. 1 - Crochet all in one with added basques (welts) with roses. Bust 38"
Listening-In Jumper No. 2 - Crochet all in one blouse with square neck. Bust 52"
Listening-In Jumper No. 3 - Crochet tunic worked across so size can be adapted to figure fuller figure
Moss-Stitch and Crochet - Knit stocking stitch jumper with crochet hem, cuffs and round neck. Bust 38"
Multi-Colour Sports Sweater - Knitted tunic with 2 colour borders round hem and sleeves. Bust 38"
Knitted Middy Jumper - Rose pattern on the waist band, collar and cuffs. Bust 38"
UK crochet terminology
17 pages
