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.
UK crochet terminology
17 pages
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
Bestway 1873 - Bonnet and Mitts with Fair Isle Bands
Just click on the picture for a copy of the pattern
I had a bit of a 30s splurge this week (it's probably my favourite era style wise). First was a great diagonal striped jumper with a stylish jabot (or decorative ruffle) from Munrospun from the mid 1930s. Munrospun was one of those companies that always produced high end patterns and was seen as being slightly more chic than many of the standard pattern companies. The pattern is for a 36" bust and uses a 4-ply so I think it could easily be resized by using larger needles and thicker wool. Then there is this wonderful lace blouse with a bust measurement of between 33" to 36" depending on how tight you like your clothes. The original was made from an artificial silk or rayon so if you want to match the drape, make sure that you choose something that slips.
This set of 5 jumpers, all different sizes that come from the Good Housekeeping Second Knitting Supplement. I found this tucked into a modern book and was so surprised to find it. The patterns are wonderful and probably date from the early 30s judging by the hair styles. My favourite is the diagonal striped jumper: I love the way they carry on through to the back and the way that one of the stripes coils down the arm. Each jumper has only one size but they are different, so a crafty use of different needles and yarn weights could get you a larger or smaller version. However, no tension is given so you really will just have to see how they feel.
On to the 1940s and there is this stunning cable and bobble twin set in a great petite size. To make this larger, just increase the number of repeats, but remember that you might also need to alter the arm scyth too so you could use a pattern in your size to work out that one.
My final 1940s pattern is this wonderful puff sleeve blouse or evening jacket with an all over shirred design. This one was designed by Munrospun and is, I think, extremely beautiful. I can just imagine it in a midnight blue yarn with a bit of glimmer to it and crystal buttons. The shirring is easy to achieve: it's just a matter of increasing and decreasing at the appropriate points to get the ripple effect.
There are these fabulous 1930s designs. The Patons jumper is for a 34" bust but should be easy to resize as you can just add another pattern repeat to make it larger. Alternative, you could use a slightly heavier yarn and slightly needles to take it up a few more inches.
The Woman's Weekly stretches to 40" bust (despite the sylphlike model) and has a great lace pattern. I made one of these beauties last year and it's fabulous. I went up to a 4-ply yarn and used 4mm needles instead of using 3.75mm to get a larger size. My measurements when the photo was taken was a 49" full bust and 42" waist so you see it adapts very nicely to a larger size.
I also included some great and easy to make jumpers from the 1940s, just check out those victory rolls. The Bestway pattern was reprinted with slightly changes until the mid 1950s (I'll do a post later about that) and has a lovely lace pattern. 
A mainstay of British patterns until the 1970s is the bed-jacket. Most homes until the 1980s, and even the 1990s, didn't have central heating so you had to find something to keep you warm whilst reading in bed or before dressing in the morning.
I've made the socks and they are great, although I did half the amount of leg ribbing as I only had 100g of wool but they fit brilliantly.
This is such an elegant jumper. I love the gently puffed sleeves and the lattice pattern really lifts it.
Date: estimated Early 1940s
Measurements: bust 34" to 36"; length from shoulder 19.5”; sleeve seam 3.75"
Materials: 3-ply or light fingering; 3.75mm US 5 and 2.75mm US 2 needles;
Original used 5 ozs Sirdar Super Shetland Wool in main colour and 2 ozs in red
Tension: 8 stitches and 9 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles over stocking stitch (after pressing)
