WG 139 - Man's Sweater with Polo or V Neck

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This is one of those classic sweaters that will last for ages and always look smart.

Date: late 1940s

• Measurements: 38-40", and 40-42" chest; length 24"
• Materials: aran or worsted; 4.5mm US 7 and 4mm US 6 needles for the 38 to 40" size - for the larger size, go up an needle size
• Original used 19 ozs of WG Ancuba all wool double knitting 3-ply
• Tension: 5 stitches 1 inch
• 5 Pages

Please note that you are buying a digital copy, not the original nor the finished item

 

Bairnswear 498 - "Truda" Lady's Jumper

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This is a lovely close fitting ladies jumper with a fabulous all over butterfly stitch and puffed sleeves. The sleeves can be either long or short 

Date: early 1940s

• Measurements: Bust 34"; length 20”; sleeve seam 18" and 6"
• Materials: 3-ply or Light Fingering; 3.75mm US 5 and 3.25mm US 3 needles; 3 buttons
• Original used 9 ozs (long sleeves) or 7 ozs (short sleeves) Femina Botany Fingering 3-ply 
• Tension: 2 patterns to 1.75"

5 Pages

Bairnswear 2250 - Lili Lady's Jumper

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This lovely lacy sweater or jumper can be worked with either long or short sleeves. The overall pattern is fully written out and easy to follow.

Date: late 1940s

• Measurements: 32 to 33" bust; length 19"; sleeve seam 7 or 18"
• Materials: 3-ply or light fingering; 3.75mm US 5 and 2.75mm US 2 needles
• Original used 7 or 8 ozs of La Laine Super Fingering 3-ply
• Tension: 7 stitches 1 inch

5 Pages

Bestway 2030 - Leaf Patterned Jumper

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This is a lovely late 1940s short sleeve jumper with a leaf patterned design and has a shoulder fastening

Date: late 1940s

• Measurements: Bust 34"; length 19"; sleeve seam 3.5"
• Materials: 4-ply or fingering (maybe 2-ply or lace); 3.25mm US 3 and 2.25mm US 1 needles; crochet hook, 4 press studs
• Original used 4 ozs Lister Lavenda 2-ply
• Tension: 8 stitches and 10 rows to 1 inch using 3.25mm US 3 needles

Bestway 1318 - Lacy Jumper in Leaf Pattern

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This is a lovely close fitting ladies jumper with a great arrow lace pattern and a sweet turn down collar

Date: early 1940s

• Measurements: Bust 34"; length 17”; sleeve seam 4"
• Materials: 3-ply or Light Fingering; 3.75mm US 5 and 2.75mm US 3; 3 buttons and crochet hook
• Original used 6 ozs (approx 170g) of Emu 3-ply Pure Botany Fingering
• Tension: 1 pattern repeat to 1.75" after a light pressing using 3.75mm US 5 needles

Marriner's 20 - Lady's Jumper with Long or Short Sleeves

 

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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

Ladyship 3048 - Lady's Twin Set

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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

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

Argosy 144 - Angela Lady's Fair Isle Jumper

 

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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

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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

 

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

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 - 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

Free Friday - My Weekly 1913 - Roses, Roses All The Way

 

Roses, Roses All the Way

Not sure that these are quite roses but these pretty flowers make for a sweet short sleeved jumper or sweater for spring and summer

The pattern is in one size but working it on larger needles should give you an extra couple of inches.

Measurement: bust 34" 86cm; length 19" 48cm; sleeve seam 7.5" 19cm

Materials: 4ply or fingering wool; 3.25mm US 3 and 2.25mm US 1 needles; 5 small buttons

Original used 6 ozs white, 1 oz rose, at least 8 yards green and 1 yard black Sirdar Crepe Wool 

No tension is given

Click on the link above to access the pattern

 

 

 

Free Pattern - Ribbed Twin Set - Weldons 375

 Twin sets seem to be the main stay of pre-1960s British knitting. They are practical for homes that had limited heating and came in all sorts of varieties. Some have a plain cardigan but a fancier jersey; some match the patterns across the set and some go left at the lights and have a completely different 'matching' set.

This pattern is a classic ribbed twin set with puffed shoulders and neat double breasted cardigan. I especially like the single ribbing across the shoulders on the jumper.

It's slim fitting (which you'd expect with all that ribbing) but stretches to a 34" bust and is made from a vintage 3-ply or more 4-ply judging by the needles. .

Click on the image to download the pattern and have a go at making a classic of 1940s fashion.

Copley's 1076 - Lady's Jumper

Lady's Jumper

This pattern is a great easy sweater where the back and front are the same. As the heading on the pattern says "serviceable for mornings, smart for afternoon occasions with a neat neck and ribbed yoke". It has minimal shaping and produces a great vintage look. It can be made with either long or short sleeves and although it is 32 to 33" bust, by increasing the needle size and even the yarn weight this could easily be adapted to fit a 36 or 38" bust.

• Measurements - 32 to 33" bust; length 18.5"; sleeve seam 18.5" or 5.5"
• Materials - 4ply or fingering; 3.75mm US 5 and 3mm US 2.5 needles; small oddments for the embroidery
• Original used 6 ozs for short sleeves and 7 ozs for long sleeves of Copley's Excelsior Crepe Wool
• Tension - 7.5 stitches and9.5 rows to 1 inch using 3.75mm US 5 needles

Easy and Quick . . .

. . . . well until I get distracted again and start something else.

I have been working on a pinwheel cardigan and it's gorgeous but it takes so long to go round now I wanted a rest. And I found this wonderful late 1930s beauty to give me some quick and easy relief.

It's a great blouse that is made from thick yarn and big needles so shouldn't take too long to make. I have 2 of those huge 400g balls of aran something with wool and hunted down my 7mm needles and away I went. In just over a day I have made the front so if I'm lucky I might even get to finish is this weekend.

Free Pattern Friday - A Simple Rib Bestway 912

This Friday is a nice and simple pattern that a beginner could handle with easy and makes a great bit of telly knitting. The back and front are the same and it has those wonderful boxy sleeves of the early 40s that makes it a much have.

Although this is for a 34" bust, the finished garment is 29" so lots of negative easy and this should be easy to up-size if needed. One of the easiest ways is simply to go up a needle size but you could also use a thicker yarn to get the next size up. I think a combination of both should give you a couple of sizes difference but be careful that you don't get the fabric too loose or those sleeves could go floppy.

Click on the link below to get the pattern
Bestway 912 - A Jumper in Simple Rib

'Tis done. The ending of an epic

This is my depression. Not that this jumper has caused my depression but this is what my depression represents to me. Neat enough to get through life without drawing too much attention but random with loose ends and not complete.

It might sound strange, even I’m not sure if the analogy works but it kind of makes sense and kind of is close enough.

I’ve been knitting this jumper for a couple of years. Well I say knitting: I work at it for a few days and then put it down. I might sew a few ends in every now and again and try to kid myself that it’s getting sorted but really I’m just playing at the edges. Every time I think about finishing it, my heart sinks a little and I get a little more paralysed. If I can finish it I can move onto other things. I can find the joy in things, I will not have this hanging over me.

But every now and again I realise that the pressure is coming only from me. When I finish the jumper, my friend will be overjoyed to have it. She’s not demanding and my lackadaisical approach to making it hasn’t hurt out friendship so why am I dragging my feet?

Depression is selfish. This jumper is for someone else. A wonderful person but I just couldn't get round to finishing it for her. When it finally leaves my house, the depression will not go with it but I will always live with the legacy of making it and the small but many joys it brought me. It will exist in my somewhere and if I am careful, I will remember the things that it has taught me. Things do not have to be perfect. Everything doesn't have to be neatly wrapped up and finished and to do the things you love does make life so much better. To not get overwhelmed, that everything has an ending, that with support and a rough plan you can get through it, that things should always give you joy, and that friends are the most important of things.

It is not perfect but it is beautiful and it is loved

 

Spring is Springing . . .

. . . and what better way to celebrate than with this great Spring Jumper from Good Needlework and Knitting 1938? 

Worked in a fancy rib with lovely long, close fitting sleeves and a  wee bow at the neck this is a classic 1930s design and will fit up to a 35" bust.

I love how a colour scheme is given for your whole outfit. Soft Tulip Green is suggested with a matching green angora woollen skirt; brown shoes; suntan stockings; and brown, green and yellow bangles. I like to think that those bangles are the big, chunky Bakelite ones that stack half way up your arm.

The second colour scheme is no less vibrant being Poker Red but toned down with a grey flannel skirt and jacket, grey suede shoes and belt and natural stockings.

Unusually the sleeves are worked from the top down so this could easily be made with shorter sleeves if you choose.

To download the pattern, just click on the image above