A few ramblings about knitting, mainly vintage stuff and other bits and bobs

Vintage Yarns

It can be difficult to find substitutions for long gone yarns so I have listed those in the patterns along with the era as some companies reused the name or the yarn changed along the way. 

I've also added any tension or gauge information, if it's in stocking stitch, to make it easier for you to find substitutions.

All of the wools are pre-1971 (when the UK went decimal) but some might have continued to a later date

Bairnswear

  • Baby Wool 3-ply - 7.5 stitches to 1 inch using 3.25mm US 3 needles
  • Crepe Laine 4-ply - 6.5 stitches to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
  • Femina Botany Fingering 3ply - 7 stitches to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
  • Femina Double Knitting - 9.5 stitches to 2 inches using 4.5mm US 7 needles
  • Gossamer Lustre Wool
  • La Laine 4-ply - 6.5 stitches to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
  • Lambs Wool 3-ply - 7.5 stitches to 1 inch using 3.25mm US 3 needles
  • Lambs Wool 4-ply - 7 stitches to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
  • Scotch Knitting 4-ply - 6.5 stitches to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
  • Shetland Wool 2-ply - 7.5 stitches and 12 rows to 1 inch using 3.25mm US 3 needles over moss stitch
  • Sweet Briar Lustre Wool 3-ply - 7 stitches to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
Bellmans Scotch Wool
  • Baby Quickerknit - 6 stiches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 4mm US 6 needles
Briggs
  • WB Melody Knitting Wool 4-ply - 17 stitches and 22 rows to 2 inches using 2.25mm US 2 needles
  • WB Super Baby Wool 3-ply - 8 stitches to 1 inch using 3.25mm US 3 needles
Copley's
  • Excelsior Super Fingering 2-ply - 8.5 stitches and10.5 rows to 1 inch using 3mm US 2.5 needles
  • Excelsior Wool 3-ply - 7.5 stitches and 9.5 rows to 1 inch using 3.25mm US 3 needles
  • Franchlaine
  • Super Shetland 2-ply

Emu

  • Bri-Nylon Double Knitting - 5.5 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 4mm US 6 needle
  • Bunny Fluff Angora - 8 stitches and 10 rows to 2 inches using 3.25mm US 3 needles
  • Calypso Crepe - 8 stitches and 11 rows to 1 inch using 3mm needles
  • Carousel Double Botany (double knit weight)
  • Double Crepe - 5.5 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 4mm US 6 needle
  • Emu Unshrinkable 3-ply Botany Wool
  • Fanfare - 4.5 stitches and 5.5 rows to 1 inch using 4.5mm US 7 needles. Looks to be a boulce type of yarn. 
  • Filigree - 4 stitches and 5 rows to 1 inch using 5mm US 8 needles
  • Plumage - 4 stitches and 5 rows to 1 inch using 6mm US 10 needles
  • Romany Double Knitting - 5.5 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 4mm US 6 needle
  • Scotch 3-ply - 8 stitches and 11 rows to 1 inch using 3mm needles
  • Scotch 4-ply - 7.5 stitches and 9.5 rows to 1 inch using 3.25mm US 3 needles
  • Scotch Double Knitting - 5.5 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 4mm US 6 needles
  • Super Crepe - 7.5 stitches and 9.5 rows to 1 inch using 3.25mm US 3 needles
  • Zephyr 3-ply Botany - 8 stitches and 11 rows to 1 inch using 3mm needles
  • Zephyr 4-ply Botany - 7.5 stitches and 9.5 rows to 1 inch using 3.25mm US 3 needles

Esplen d'Or 

  • Crepe Silk

Golden Eagle

  • Flufty Angora - 8 stitches and 10 rows to 2 inches using 3.25mm US 3 needles

Greenock

  • Abb Wool 2-ply (looks to be a double knit)
  • Double Knitting - 6 stitches to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
  • Super Fingering 3-ply
  • Super Fingering 4-ply
  • Abb Wool 2-ply (looks to be a double knit)
  • Double Knitting - 6 stitches to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles

Greenwoods

  • Mercer Crochet No. 2 - 8 stitches and 10 rows to 1 inch using 3mm needles

Hedge Nook

  • G***y knitting 3-ply - 7.5 stitches to 1 inch using 3.25mm needles 

Jaeger

  • Feather-fleck - 7.5 stitches and 10 rows to 1 inch using 3.25mm US 3 needles

Johnny

  • Bri-Nylon (Courtelle) Double Knittings - 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
  • Crepe Double Knitting - 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
  • Double Knitting - 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles

Ladyship

  • Babyship Wool 3-ply - 8 stitches and 12 rows to 1 ich using 3.25mm US 3 needles over moss stitch
  • Chubby Wool (Double Knitting) - 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
  • Ladybel 3-ply

Lee Target

  • Campanula 3-ply - 8.5 stitches and 11 rows to 1 inch using 3mm needles
  • Target Dunraven 3-ply Knitting Wool - 8 stitches and 9 rows to 1 inch using 3.25mm US 3 needles

Lister & Co.

  • Amorina Double Knitting - 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
  • Bel Air Double Crepe - 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
  • Bri-Nylon Double Knitting - 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles 
  • Can-Can - 4 stitches and 6 rows to 1 inch using 5.5mm US 9 needles
  • Crimplene Double Knitting - 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 4mm US 6 needles
  • Lavenda 3-ply - 13 stitches and 17 rows to 2 inches using 3.75mm US 5 needles
  • Lavenda 4-ply - 6.5 stitches and 9 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm, US 5 needles
  • Lavenda Double Crepe - 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
  • Lavenda Double Knitting - 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needle
  • Lavenda Double Six - 9 stitches and 11 rows to 2 inches using 5mm US 8 needles
  • Listrada Double Knitting - 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
  • Lochinvar Double Knitting - 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles 
  • Palazzo Double Crepe - 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
  • Velora Double Knitting - 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles


Marriner 

  • Bri-Nylon 4-ply - 8 stitches and 11 rows to 1 inch using 3mm needles
  • Crepe 4-ply - 8 stitches and 11 rows to 1 inch using 3mm needles
  • Croftspun - 6 stitches to 1 inch using 3.75mm needles
  • Hertiage Shrink-less Knitting Wool 3-ply - 7 stitches and 9 row to 1 inch using 3.75mm needles
  • Heritage Shrinkless Knitting Wool 3-ply - 8.5 stitches and 11 rows to 1 inch using 3mm needles
  • Heritage 4-ply - 8 stitches and 11 rows to 1 inch using 3mm needles
  • Mainsail 4-ply - 8 stitches and 11 rows to 1 inch using 3mm needles
  • New Double Knit - 6 stitches to 1 inch using 3.75mm needles

Patons

  • Beehive Baby Wool - 8 stitches and 10 rows to 1 inch using 3mm needles
  • Beehive Baby Wool (3-ply) - 7.5 stitches and 9.5 rows to 1 inch using 3.25mm US 3 needles
  • Beehive Baby Wool Shrinkproof 3-ply - 8 stitches to 1 inch using 3.25mm US 3 needles
  • Beehive Bedjacket Floss (3-ply) - 4 stitches to 1 inch using 9mm US 13 needles (produces an open fabric)
  • Beehive Fingering 3-ply - 8 stitches and 10 rows to 1 inch using 3mm needles
  • Beehive Fingering 3-ply - 7.5 stitches and 9.5 rows to 1 inch using 3.25mm US 3 needles
  • Beehive Fingering 4-ply - 8 stitches and 10 rows to 1 inch using 2.75mm US 2 needles
  • Beehive Fingering 4-ply - 7 stitches and 9 rows to 1 inch using 3.25mm US 3 needles
  • Beehive Fingering 4-ply - 6.5 stitches to 1 inch using 4mm US 6 needles
  • Beehive Vest Wool 3-ply - 4 stitches to 1 inch using 9mm US 13 needles (produces an open fabric)
  • Bracken Tweed Double Knitting - 4.5 stitches and 6.25 rows to 1 inch using 4.5mm US 7 needles 
  • Brilliante 3-ply - 7.5 stitches and 9.5 rows to 1 inch using 3.25mm US 3 needles
  • Diana Knitting Shrinkproof 3-ply - 7.5 stitches to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
  • Double Quick Knitting - 5.5 stitches and 7.5 rows to 1 inch using 4mm US 6 needles
  • Double Quick Knitting - 5 stitches and 6.5 rows to 1 inch using 5mm US 8 needles
  • Fair Isle Fingering - 7.5 stitches and 9.5 rows to 1 inch using 3.25mm, US 3 needles
  • Four Seasons - 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
  • Fuzzy-Wuzzy Angora - 8 stitches and 10 rows to 2 inches using 3.25mm US 3 needles
  • Glenora - 4 stitches and 5.75 rows to 1 inch using 5.5mm US 9 needles
  • Leonora
  • Moorland Double Knitting - 5.5 stitches and 7.5 rows to 1 inch using 4mm US 6 needles
  • Moorland Double Knitting - 5 stitches and 6.5 rows to 1 inch using 5mm US 8 needles
  • Moorland Double Knitting - 4.75 stitches and 6 rows to 1 inch using 5.5mm US 9 needles
  • Nylox Knitting 3-ply - 8 stitches and 10 rows to 1 inch using 3mm needles
  • Nylox Knitting 4-ply - 7 stitches and 9 rows to 1 inch using 3.25mm US 3 needles
  • Purple Heather Fingering 3-ply - 8 stitches and 10 rows to 1 inch using 3mm needles
  • Purple Heather Fingering 4-ply - 7 stitches and 9 rows to 1 inch using 3.25mm US 3 needles
  • Quickerknit Baby - 6.5 stitches and 8.5 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
  • Quickerknit Baby - 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 4mm US 6 needles
  • Quickerknit Botany - 6.5 stitches and 8.5 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
  • Quickerknit Botany - 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 4mm US 6 needles
  • Super Fingering 3-ply
  • Super (or Beehive) Scotch Fingering 4-ply - 8 stitches to 1 inch using 3.25mm US 3 needles
  • Totem Double Knitting - 5.5 stitches and 7.5 rows to 1 inch using 4mm US 6 needles
  • Totem Double Knitting - 5 stitches and 6.5 rows to 1 inch using 5mm US 8 needles
Pingouin
  • Aplin 3-ply - 7.5 stitches and 10 rows to 1 inch using 3mm US 2.5 needles
Poppleton 
  • NippyKnop Double Knitting - 6 stitches and 7 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
Prismar
  • Double Knitting - 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
Robin
  • Bri-Nylon Super Crimp - 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 4mm US 6 needles
  • Classic - 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 4mm US 6 needles
  • Colorama - 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 4mm US 6 needles
  • Conella - 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 4mm US 6 needles
  • Crepe - 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 4mm US 6 needles
  • Glengarry 4-ply - 6.5 stitches and 8.5 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
  • Golden Link Chunky Knit - 3.5 stitches and 4.5 rows to 1 inch using 7mm needles
  • Rhythm Chunky Knit - 3.5 stitches and 4.5 rows to 1 inch using 7mm needles
  • Service Double Knitting -- 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 4mm US 6 needles
  • Sportswear (Bri-Nylon Blend) (4-ply weight) - 6.5 stitches and 8.5 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
  • Super Crimp Courtelle - 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 4mm US 6 needles

Sirdar 
1940s

  • Double Crepe Wool - 5.5 stitches to 1 inch using 4.5mm US 7 needles
  • Double Knitting Wool - 5.5 stitches to 1 inch using 4.5mm US 7 needles
  • Golden Pullman - 3.5 stitches to 1 inch using 6.5mm US 10.5 needles
  • Kasha Wool 3-ply - 7.5 stitches to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
  • Majestic Wool 3-ply - 8.5 stitches and 11 rows to 1 inch using 3mm needles
  • Majestic Wool 3-ply - 7.5 stitches to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
  • Pullman Wool - 3.5 stitches to 1 inch using 6.5mm US 10.5 needles
  • Starfleck Double Knitting Wool - 5.5 stitches to 1 inch using 4.5mm US 7 needles
  • Super Nylon Double Knitting - 5.5 stitches to 1 inch using 4.5mm US 7 needles
  • Super Shetland Wool 3-ply
Templetons
  • Ayrbeam Super Scotch Fingering 4-ply - 7 stitches and 8.5 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
  • Fisherknit - 10 stitches to 3 inches using 6.5mm US 10.5 needles
  • Hi-Ply - 10 stitches to 3 inches using 6.5mm US 10.5 needles

Twilleys

  • Lyscordet Soft Knitting Cotton 

Viyella 

  • 3-ply Knitting Yarn
  • Ramada 4-ply Wool
Woolworth
  • Boy Blue Bri-Nylon for Quick Knitting - 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
  • Chadwick's 3-ply baby Wool - 8 stitches to 1 inch using 3.25mm US 3 needles
  • Glendoon Double Knitting - 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
  • Lightning Double Knittings - 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
  • New Era Bri-Nylon 3-ply - 8 stitches to 1 inch using 3.25mm US 3 needles
  • New Era Courtelle Double Knitting - 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
  • New Era Super Crimp Bri-Nylon Double Knitting - 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
  • Speedfleck Double Knittings - 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
  • Superior Double Knittings - 6 stitches and 8 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles
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