Photographs from the past

I always enjoy a good rummage in dusty old boxes in junk/antique shops to see what I can unearth. I had a good look a few weeks ago in my local antique shop and I found these beauties. I spent quite some time deciding which to have. I couldn't afford to buy them all and I do find abandoned photos touching. I don't like to think that no one cares about the people photographed any longer and I always think that I need to rescue them. That is coupled with the fact that I love seeing fashions worn by real people in the past. So here are the choices I made:

Edith Dolan 1940's

One fantastic thing about these photos is that most of them had names written on the back and I do like to be able to put a name to a face. Many of them also had date stamps which is so very useful, especially for the starts and ends of decades where the fashions of one are merging into the new fashions the next and clothes alone aren't always enough to go on.

Isn't she just perfect?! Amazing hair, the arches on her eyebrows, glimmering pearl studs, puff sleeved jumper. I think the jumper is a hand knit and it looks to have dark thin stripes knitted in from the bust down. I think I have a similar pattern. I would love to know more about her.

Winnie Gibson and Douglas 1940's

Winnie's hat stopped me in my tracks and she went into the 'must keep' pile straight away. It is pretty amazing and so very big! Her dress is worth a good look too with those big round buttons on the shoulders and the diagonal stripes that cross at the bust. I wish I could see the rest of it. Douglas looks rather jolly and very smart in his uniform. I hope they came through the war unscathed and were happy together.

Ethel Booth 1920's

Ethel Booth 1920's

I couldn't leave Ethel behind for two reasons. One is that I found two photos of her and I wanted to keep them together. The other is her gorgeous 1920's day wear. I particularly like the first dress, the second is very pretty but a bit floaty for me. The first however, is one that I can imagine wearing. It appears to be a leaf print with a central white bib in the front and a long, pointed collar. Lovely shoes too.

I think Ethel is older in the second photo. Her face has slightly changed shape, her eyes are more defined like she may have some make up on and she has waved her hair. Her floral print dress has pointy, plain cuffs and collar. The floral fabric appears to be see through with a slip underneath, I think the slip is lace trimmed. Great shoes again. I can't quite see what she is holding but I think it is a beaded purse and so that is what it shall be.

Elsie Godard 26th October 1930

Bob and Elsie Godard 6th April 1931

I think Elsie Godard is such a glamorous beauty and I was so pleased to find two photos of her. I just love the top one; the casually knotted pearls, the big fur collar, the sparkle from the ring, the waved hair and that beret. It looks to be tweed, possibly with a bow at the back. I want it.

It is a bonus to get to see whole of her coat in the second photo; I'm sure it is the same one. I would like to know why they are in their outdoor clothes. Are they pretending that they lived in or visited the thatched cottage on the painted backdrop? Elsie looks more set for town than country to me though. Elsie still has her pearls on and I'm wondering if that is a dress clip on her cloche? Her shoes are marvellous too, with white edged bow shaped cut outs on the front.

Bob appears to be in a rather nice three piece wool suit, I can just about see his waistcoat. I like his big turn ups on his trousers. Nice tartan scarf too. I would like to know more about them.

Hilda and I 1920's

On the back of this photo it looks like the writer (I), on the left,  has written that they were 15 and a half and that Hilda is 17. I found out who was who as the next few photos are clearly labelled as Hilda. I think from their positioning that this is Hilda with her sister and I will come back to this in a couple of photos time.

I do like these dresses. You can clearly see the dropped waist of the one on the left, it is marked by several rows of small pleats. From the waist down the skirt are decorations which look rather like rosebuds. These appear to go all the way around the skirt. Hilda's dress has printed flowers and leaves which seem to reach just above waist level. There is a lace insert in the V neck. They both have lovely pearl necklaces and Hilda is spotting some very pretty, glittery star slides in her hair.

Hilda Price 11th April 1931

I would like to know what Hilda is thinking here; she has an interesting expression. I like her smartly belted coat with the big buckle and the thick fur collar with the corsage pinned on. I think her hat is woven fabric though it is hard to tell.

Florrie and Hilda Price 1930's

This was taken on 1st November but I can't read the year of the date stamp sadly. I think it is safe to assume that they are sisters. I am certain that Florrie is the I in the first photo with Hilda.  I have studied them a lot to make the connections. I like the matching huge bead necklaces and the carefully set hair. Hilda could well be wearing the same coat as in the previous photo.

Hilda 7th My 1939

Another interesting expression. What were you pondering Hilda? This photo really has something about it. Here she is a few years older, still liking a big pearl like necklace and a fur collared coat and a star shaped hair clip.

Hilda and hubby 1930's

I loved finding this and realising that I had photos of Hilda from her teenage years to her wedding. The back of the photo just said hubby, so sadly we don't know his name. I'm surprised that the writer didn't say having been so good at writing the names in the first place.

It is a perfect vintage wedding photo. Floor length veil, gigantic bouquet, beautiful full length, long sleeved dress and the groom is carrying his white gloves. I hope they were very happy.

Hilda Price and hubby

I nearly left this one when I first found it as it isn't my kind of thing and as I said I couldn't buy them all. But then I realised it was Hilda and it kind of finished her story off for me. I want this to be a honeymoon memento and I really think it could be. It was taken in a studio that has two branches, one in London and one in Blackpool. I'm so sure that Blackpool is where this was taken, it just feels right!

I think that these photos all came from one person's collection. I wish we knew the links between them all.

Free Pattern - 1930's cruising coat

I recently bought a few 1930's copies of The Needlewoman magazine. I really like finding this magazine as it covers a wide range of needlework projects but usually contains at least one knitting pattern. It also has some lovely illustrations for fashion and styling inspiration.

This 'jaunty little cruising coat' is from the July 1933 edition. I think it is a lovely little jacket, perfect for in-between weather or a walk along the sea front. I particularly like how the scarf is integrated as part of the jacket, I haven't seen that in any other knitting patterns that I have from this period. I thought I would share the pattern here so enjoy it if you make it.

2017 knitting wish list - 1930's-1950's

I have recently been looking through my knitting pattern collection, (one of my favourite pastimes!), and I have come up with a wish list of makes for this year.

It is very much a wish list, not a plan or a schedule, for several reasons. Given that it is already the end of January it is highly unlikely that I could make all 12 garments this year, even if I knitted like the wind and didn't knit anything for anyone else, commissions, presents etc. Secondly, whilst my neck and shoulder have improved and keep on doing so I still can't knit as much as I would like to do. Sadly. I want to do all the knitting!! All the time! Finally, I know a plan would make me feel under pressure, which my head wouldn't deal with at all well and I would feel like a failure if I didn't do everything. So for me, that is best avoided and instead I will go to these patterns first when I want to start a new project and hopefully complete at least a couple of them this year.

Let's look at the patterns!

I love this twinset. Love her make up too. In fact I'm hoping that her look will transfer itself to me if I knit the garments. It is hard to see but the heart panels cover the front of the jumper too. I don't know if I would make both items to wear together as I'm not sure it is ever really cold enough here for that but I can see both working well in my wardrobe and a twinset has been a long held wish of mine.

The pattern states 'Collar - NEW; Buttoning - New; Back - NEW' making it very clear that this was a really up to the minute make. I do indeed like the collar and the button positioning and the back has a kind of vent in it which looks good and would be interesting to knit. I do have the yarn lined up for this one, it was a Christmas present and is two shades of Fyberspates Scrumptious 4ply in a rich deep purple and dark grey. This is quite near the top of the making list.

This is such a lovely image and I'm impressed that she looks so glamorous when she is poorly enough to be in bed and need a house call from the doctor. I do like a bed jacket pattern and I would really like to make one. Whilst I am not adverse to wearing a bed jacket to lounge about at home and for reading in bed I would also be totally happy to wear this one out and about over a summer frock. It seems a shame to restrict the wear of good knitwear!

Apparently this jumper can be knitted in 12 hours. I'm not sure I believe that. I knit at a reasonable speed but I think you would have to be properly speedy to achieve that. However, I am intrigued to know how long it would take me and it is a neat little jumper so maybe I will give it a go.

I really want a sleeveless pullover and have many pullover patterns that I really like. I'm not sure why I want one so much as I never wear blouses but I'm sure other tops would work just as well. Hopefully. I have the yarn for this one too, it is Fyberspates again, in gold and slate (hello grellow!)  and I bought it at Yarndale last September.

This 1930's pattern was a surprise find, it was tucked inside some other patterns I bought and I didn't know it was there until I got it home. Many knitters seem to dislike knitting rib but I actually really, really like it, I find it ever so soothing to my head to do so a whole jumper in rib is very much a 'good thing' in my book. Plus, I like the collar and the fit so this is definitely a winner.

It is a bit wrinkled and folded but I really like this pattern cover, as well as really liking the jacket. I like the interesting buckled fastening and waist detail and the shawl collar patterning which is repeated on the cuffs. I think it is super stylish and it looks great over a full skirt as we can see.

I have been hankering after a Tyrolean style cardigan for some time and this is one of the loveliest patterns in that style that I have found. There are plenty to choose from as this style was very popular for a period. This cardigan has the pattern panel repeated up the centre back too which is a really pretty touch. It would take a lot of knitting and embroidering but it would definitely be worth it.

This just amazes me and ticks so many boxes - the v shaped deep rib, the stripes, the v neck, the dolman sleeves. It is gorgeous. It is also knitted in 2 ply which is super fine so in knitting maths fine wool plus thin needles equals a long time until your jumper is ready to wear. But, I love it. So it is a definitely maybe project.

Here is another speed knit. Again I'm not convinced. But I am intrigued and I like it lots and it would work well in my wardrobe and if it did only take 5 hours I could have one in every colour so, actually, yep, better give it a go.

This is a 'Lady's Lumberjacket' and it is a beauty. The fit is great, those sleeves and that big ribbed welt. I like the colour work and the collar. I have yet to knit anything that needs a zip sewing into it so that would be a new skill to learn. Plus who doesn't want to be a lumberjack when they look this glamorous? Perfect red nail varnish and tree chopping?! No problem. In the interests of full disclosure I have helped to chop down some trees and have swung an axe before. I did not do it in wonderful knitwear, with coiffured hair or in nail varnish. I feel I maybe need to up my game.

It is hard to see the details of this 'smart sweater' from 1954. The bottom black half is all knitted in rib (yay) with this fabulous colour work top half. The original is done in monochrome which I like and I also think it could look very pretty in other colour combinations. Choices!

So, will I make any of them this year? All of them? None of them? Who knows? I will report back and in the meantime I will be leaving the patterns, needles and yarn lying about in case any Elves and the Shoemaker type situations should occur.

2016 in knitting

Happy New Year. Wishing you a wonderful year full of many more ups than downs, health and happiness and plenty of time for crafting!

I have to admit to feeling rather disappointed about my knitting output this year. I have so many, many things that I want to knit and looking at this year's rather paltry output makes me feel like I will never get to knit all the things like I really want to do. But then I have to remember two important things. Firstly, I am proud of what I have made and have really enjoyed making it. Secondly, and significantly, my neck and shoulder problems which I discussed in last year's round up are still having a large impact on my ability to knit as much as I want to. I have seen big improvements in the problems this year; I have been having regular physio and it is really helping. I have moved on from hardly being able to knit at all and being in constant discomfort to much more regular knitting and much less pain which is a definite win. So I need to be a bit more patient and a bit less unrealistic and a bit more satisfied with what I can do rather than thinking about what I can't. But that is hard. And all the things need knitting!

I have only made one garment for myself this year and it isn't a vintage knit which is unusual for me.

It is a boxy raglan cardigan, reminiscent of a 1950's jacket which is why is appealed. It is knitted in Debbie Bliss Roma Weave which is a super chunky yarn with lovely colours in it. I mostly knit 4 ply and double knitting so it was quite a change and I did feel like I was knitting on sticks. Whilst I wish that I had knitted a size smaller I am very pleased with it as it is lovely and warm. I don't have a photo of the whole thing yet though.

This is a first size baby cardigan for my friend's little girl who was born in October. It is a dolman jacket from a 1950's pattern and is knitted in Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino. It has mother of pearl buttons. It was great fun to knit and I like the shape and the little lace panels.

These bootees are for the same baby and are knitted from a vintage pattern which I think is an early 1950's one. They were a lovely little knit, interesting and reasonably quick. They are knitted in Cygnet Superwash DK.

I did some pattern testing for Ribbon Circus. Helen designed two fabulous new hat patterns, both of which are lovely and snuggly.

This is the Love Hat, knitted in Debbie Bliss Roma Weave and it would make a great first hat project. It also has a massive pompom which is always good. I don't have a photo of me in mine yet.

This is the Stoodley Beanie and I loved choosing the colours and knitting the cables. Though I did mess some of mine up as I was knitting it when I was ill and I later found out that my brain had been too hazy to manage it! It is knitted in Sublime Extra Fine Merino Worsted which I just love, both for colours and softness.

This 1940's jumper was a commission knit for the lovely Bianca who blogs at The Closet Historian. If, by some chance, you don't know Bianca's blog I suggest you go and visit straight away. She is a fabulously talented seamstress and makes some very gorgeous outfits. You can see her in this jumper here. The jumper is knitted in Debbie Bliss Rialto 4 ply which is very nice to work with.

This 1930's tennis jumper was also a commission knit and was for the wonderful Cate who blogs at Vintage Gal. Again, if by some chance you don't know her blog you should head right over. Cate is another super talented seamstress who makes the most amazing, period accurate outfits.

It was a joy working with these two fabulous vintage wearers.

I knitted a lot of autumn leaves, way more than are seen here. I loved making them, they were so satisfying. I had hoped to make them into an autumn garland and also into a hat. I ran out of time for these as other, more urgent, projects needed attention. So I'm going to finish them off during this year so that come autumn I am all ready in my leafy splendour.

I'm sneaking these two in as they are so nearly done that most of their knitting counts as 2016! They are both scarves. The top is for my niece, she requested, repeatedly, a pink scarf with yellow spots so I am doing my best to oblige. It is knitted in Sublime Extra Fine Merino Worsted. The bottom scarf is for my husband, actually it is part of his Christmas present but it isn't quite ready. I just had to wrap a ball of wool for him to open and apologise for the delay! It is knitted in the Sublime Worsted too.

These are my completed (mostly) projects of 2016. I have knitted a few other things but they are languishing in various works in progress piles. They are mostly incomplete as they needed to be put aside for other things that had completion deadlines. However, my incomplete works pile is quite large, and a little shameful, so one aim for the start of this year is to finish some stuff before starting all the other stuff. I love a shiny new project though so this is going to be tough. I might put them together into a blog pot to spur me into action!

A sneak peek and a free pattern!

Ta Da!

This is the first glimpse of the swimming costume that I am knitting for the Swimsuit Knitalong. I am using the suggested colours from the original pattern and I like the look of it so far. I am making this:

This is from the July 1945 Stitchcraft and is a top and bathing trunks. I can't wait to see how it turns out.

I thought that it would be fitting to finish my journey through vintage knitted swimwear, see here, here and here, with a free pattern incase anyone else has an urge to knit along.

This is the front cover of the magazine that I have taken the pattern from, The Needlewoman July 1938.

This is the pattern, I featured it in my 1930's swimwear round up. It is a plain, well fitting swimsuit with trunk legs that also come with a cute detachable skirt. I nearly decided to knit this one, it was beaten by the one I have chosen as I wanted to knit in two colours.

Here is the pattern.

Do let me see the result if you knit one!