Golden Eagle 976 - Lady's Twin Set

 Golden Eagle 976 - Lady's Twin Set

Another fabulous twin set. The cardigan has a simple wheatear lace on the fronts with plain sleeves and back. This pattern is then matched on the yoke of the short sleeved jumper

Date: late 1940s

Measurements: 33 to 36" bust; Cardigan 20.5" and Jumper 19.5" length; sleeve seam 6" for Jumper, 18.5 for Cardigan

Materials: 3-ply or light fingering; 3.25mm US 3 and 2.75mm US 2 needles; 11 small buttons
Original used 13 ozs Polyknit 3-ply or Lomond Fingering 2-ply (3-ply thickness)

Tension 7 stitches and 10 row to 1 inch using 3.25mm US 3 needles over stocking stitch

5 Pages

Free Pattern - Dunbar & Nairn 2 - Smocked Twin Set with Gloves and Turban

 

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.

Jumper - bust 34"; length 18.5"; sleeve seam 5.5"

Materials: 3-ply or fingering; 3.25mm US 3 and 2.75mm US 2 needles; skeins of embroidery cotton

Original used 6 ozs D&N Super-Fingering 3-ply

Cardigan

Bust 34"; length 21"; sleeve seam 18.5"

Materials: 4-ply or fingering; 3.75mm US 5 and 2.75mm US 2 needles; 7 buttons and 1 skein of embroidery cotton

Original used 12 ozs D&N Super-Fingering 4-ply

Gloves

2 oz D&N Super-Fingering 4-ply and 2.75mm US 2 needles

Turban

3 ozs D&N Super-Fingering 4-ply and 3.25mm US 3 needles

Tension for 3.75mm US 5 needles and 4-ply yarn 6.5 stitches to 1 inch over stocking stitch

For 3.25mm US 3 needles and 3-ply yarn 7.5 stitches to 1 inch over stocking stitch

Bairnswear 543 - Joie de Vivre Teen-Age Pullover

 

Bairnswear 543 - Joie de Vivre

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

Argosy 144 - Angela Lady's Fair Isle Jumper

 

Argosy 144 - Angela

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

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

 

Contessa 268 - Jumper Coat with Magyar Sleeves

 Contessa 268 - Jumper Coat with Magyar Sleeves

This chic 1950s blouse or jumper coat comes in 2 sizes and is great for summer

Date: mid 1950s

Measurements: 34-35" and 36-38" bust; 20.5" and 21.5 length; top of shoulder to sleeve edge 11.5 or 12.5"

Materials: 3-ply or light fingering; 3.25mm US 3 and 2.75mm US 2 needles; 9 buttons
Original used 7 or 8 ozs Contessa 3-ply Fingering

5 Pages

Weldons A790 - Egyptian Fair Isle Jumper

 

Weldons A790 - Egyptian Fair Isle Jumper

 

Wowser!! How amazing is this jumper? Perfect for any archaeologist, Egyptologist, Indiana Jones fan (it has a bit part in the Last Crusade), or just someone who enjoys a fun pattern

Although it says it's Fair Isle, it is intarsia with the motif yarns being picked up and dropped as you go.

As well as the full pattern, I have also added the 2 charts separately to make things clearer and for you to copy and cross the lines out (should you want to) as you go

Also, it's in a great modern size but if you need it slightly smaller, then change down a needle size

Date: late 1940s

Measurements: to suit a 36" to 38" 91-97cm bust; length 18.5" 47cm; sleeve seam 5" 13cm

Materials: 3-ply or light fingering; 3mm US 2.5, 2.75mm US 2 needles; 5 small buttons; medium crochet hook
Original used 6 ozs of main colour (yellow), 1 ozs in tan and scarlet; 0.5 oz of royal blue and 0.25 oz each of grey, green, white, and black of Copley's 3-ply Excelsior Wool

Tension: 9 stitches and 10 rows to 1 inch using 3mm US 2.5 needles over Fair Isle

Twilleys 530 - Charming Lacy Blouse

 Twilleys 530 - Charming Lacy Blouse

 

This is a lovely summer blouse made from cotton. The all over lace pattern and cap sleeves makes it perfect for those hot days

Date: Early 1950s

Measurements: to fit a 34 to 36" bust

Materials: 3-ply or light fingering; 3mm US 2.5, 2.75mm US 2, 2.25mm US 1, and 2mm US 0 needles; 9 buttons
Original used 8 ozs of Lyscordet Soft Knitting Cotton

Tension: 8 stitches to 1 inch

Bestway 1460 - Bolero in Feather Pattern

Bestway 1460 - Knitted Bolero in Feather Pattern

This sweet, short sleeved bolero has an all over pattern and curved fronts

Date: estimated mid 1940s

Measurements: Bust 34; length 14"; sleeve seam 5"

Materials: 4 ply or fingering yarn; 3.75mm US 5 and 2.75mm US 2 needles
Originals used 6 ozs Emu Unshrinkable 3-ply Botany

1930s Belted Cardigan

 

Belted Cardigan

This is a great late 1930s cardigan in a good modern size. The short cardigan has wrap over sides and it held in place with a belted tie.

This pattern does not have any tension or gauge advice

Date: late 1930s

Measurements: bust 36 to 37"; length 18"; sleeve seam 17"

Materials: aran or worsted and 3-ply or light fingering; 4.5mm US 7 and 3.75mm US 5 needles
Original used 7 ozs of tweed effect wool and a little 3-ply wool in a colour to match

Stitchcraft February 1933 - The Chic of Check

 

Stitchcraft February 1933 - The Chic of Check

This is wonderful - that deep ribbing around the waist and cuffs and the check just sets it all off

Measurements: Bust 34"; Length 18"; sleeve seam 18"

Materials: 4-ply or fingering; 3mm US 2.5 and 3.25mm US 3 needles; 7 buttons
Original used 6 ozs brown and 4 ozs natural Patons Super Scotch Fingering 4-ply

Tension: 8 stitches to 1 inch using 3.25mm needles

Language Note
This pattern had a word commonly used to describe dark brown for much of the 20th century: the N-word. I have edited it from the pattern and substituted with the word ‘dark’. The original pattern was a product of its time, and although the word is not being used in a racially hateful way, it allowed prejudices to continue. By editing the word I hope that I am not suggesting that these prejudices never existed, merely that they are not acceptable today (nor were they in the past).

Free Pattern - Munrospun 6751 Twin Set

 Munrospun 675 - Twin Set

 

To download the pattern, click on either the link above or the picture

 

The twin set is a classic for a reason - they look so good together

This beauty is from the late 1940s or even early 1950s. It has a short sleeve jumper and the option to choose either a round or V neck

 

Measurements

Jumper - bust 34"; length 20"; sleeve seam 5.5"

Cardigan - bust 34"; length 21"; sleeve seam 18"

 For a 36" bust use 1 size larger needles 3.25mm US 3 and 2.75mm US 2

 

Materials: 3-ply or light fingering; 3mm US 2.5 and 2.25mm US 1 needles; 11 buttons and 3 snap fasteners

Original used 11 ozs Munrospun Fairytex Wool - 6 ozs for the cardigan and 5 ozs for the jersey

Tension: 9 stitches to 1 inch using 3mm US 3 needles over stocking stitch

 

Free Pattern - Bestway 1873 - Bonnet and Mitts with Fair Isle Bands

 

Bestway 1873 - Bonnet and Mitts with Fair Isle Bands

A sweet bonnet and mitten set for a young girl (6 to 8 years) with Fair Isle bands

Date: early 1940s

Measurements: 

Mittens - length 7.5"

Bonnet - round face 15"

Materials: 3-ply or light fingering; 2.75mm needles US 2, 2.75mm crochet hook
Original used Patons Beehive Fingering 3-ply - 2 ozs in Stone, and small quantities of dark brown, cyclamen pink, blue and yellow

Tension: 9 stitches to 1 inch using 2.75mm US 2 needles
5 Pages

Just click on the picture for a copy of the pattern

 

 

Friday Free Pattern - Jumper for Parties

 

This elegant jumper with plain body and lace puff sleeves comes from Stitchcraft in April-May 1944.

Date: 1944

Measurements: 32 to 34" bust; length 19"; sleeve seam 4.5"

Materials: 3-ply or light fingering; 3.25mm US 3 and 33mm US 2.5 needles; 3 press studs
Original used 4 ozs of Patons Beehive Fingering 3-ply

Tension: 8 stitches to 1 inch using 3.25mm US 3 needles

4 Pages

Just click on the pattern picture for a copy of the pattern

Free Pattern - Bow Jumper from Dorette 3

 

Dorette Designs were published for a few years between 1946 and 1949 and prided themselves on their fashionable designs and high production values

This elegant jumper has a sweet bow at the neck with a great all over texture pattern

Date: 1947

Measurements: 36" bust; length 19"; sleeve seam 19"
For 38" bust use 4mm US 6 and work at a tension of 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch

Materials: 3-ply or light fingering; 3.75mm US 5 and 2.75mm US 2 needles; 3 press studs
Original used 10 ozs of Listers 3-ply Lavenda

Tension: 13 stitches and 17 rows to 2 inches using 3.75mm US 5 needles

4 Pages

Just click on the pattern picture for a copy of the pattern