Free Pattern - 1940's A Charming Stitch Jumper

This knitwear model has an amazing hair do! And those eyebrows! I think this is such pretty jumper, perfect for under your suit for spring. It is knit in a lacy rib and has a moss stitch yoke and has typical 1940's strong shoulders. It is finished with a set of crochet buttons. The pattern is for a 32-34" bust. Remember to check your tension before you start!

I like finding a pattern with the stamp of the wool shop that sold it. This one was sold at The Readicut Wool Co Ltd, Briggate, Leeds. I managed to find a picture of it here. If you know Leeds the wool shop was where Harvey Nichols is now. Readicut was founded in 1928 in Wakefield. They supplied pre-cut wool for rug making. Prior to this crafters had to cut the wool themselves from skeins. I have some vintage rug patterns somewhere, it was a very popular activity. I will have to dig the patterns out.

So here is another pattern to add to my ever growing list!

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!

Knitted trunks are best - 1940's & 1950's knitted swimwear

I did a tour of my 1930's swimwear patterns in my last post and I'm finishing up my pattern tour today by travelling through the 1940's and 1950's.

July 1945. 'Bathing trunks and top'. A two colour halter neck top and bathing trunks with a solid colour trim. The top cleverly buttons onto the trunks.

July 1946.  'There's still time'. An all in one swimsuit with a contrast trim around the legs and neck. This is a super stylish yet plain option.

July 1946. A two colour swimsuit and bolero for an 8 year old. These were often referred to as sun suits and seemed to be very popular as I have quite a few patterns for them. They always consist of a swimsuit or trunks with a cardigan or bolero to match.

May/June 1947.

'Sunbathe or swim'. A brassiere top and briefs with contrast colour rope details and straps. Very nautical!

'Swimsuit with a tailored look'. A colour work swimsuit with a fitted mid panel and contrast trim. I wish the picture was in colour.

April 1948. 'Knit for your holidays'. Trunks and a bra top with a zig zag centre panel and twisted rope details and straps. Love that contrast panel.

April 1948. A child's colour work sun suit with a swimsuit and cardigan.

May/June 1948. 'Going to the sea'. A firm halter neck swimsuit in a three colour stitch. I think this one is lovely though I'm not convinced that those straps are up to much.

May/June 1948. Striped trunks with a contrast waist and leg trim.

June 1949. 'Going swimming'. A halter neck, blue and white diagonal stripe swimsuit. This one is very glamorous.

May 1950. 'Beachwear for the family'. Women's trunks and halter neck top. I think this is lovely, again, simple and stylish.

Men's trunks with a contrast trim.

Child's sun suits. Gorgeous picture knits featuring anchors, boats, ducks and fish set within a wave pattern.

June 1950. 'Your swim set'. A top and trunks in a lovely blue and white diamond pattern. This is just fabulous!

June 1951. 'Knitted trunks are best'. Men's trunks, plain colour with a contrast belt.

I couldn't find any more knitted swimsuits for adults past this date in my pattern collection. I am assuming that this coincides with the development and wider availability of manmade fabrics and their use in swimwear. I think these lovely woolly numbers have a distinct style and glamour!