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!

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.

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!

Vintage gloves and a free pattern

In the past few weeks I have read a couple of great posts on vintage gloves. Jessica at Chronically Vintage is a frequent glove wearer, matching them with her fantastic outfits and looking super stylish. She wrote this fab post on the etiquette of glove wearing which is really useful if you want to find out more about the types of gloves that go with different outfits. Then over at Retro Rover Kate wrote a lovely post about the changes in gloves from the 1920's onwards, illustrated with some pictures of her own glove collection and marvellous outfits. 

I really enjoy looking at the different ways in which people accessorise their outfits and I always think that gloves make an outfit look incredibly elegant. I don't wear them myself as I have never found any that fit my man hands! 

Gloves can be made from many materials: leather, suede, fur, felt, tweed, wool and cotton. They can be stitched from fabric or knitted or crocheted. Unsurprisingly, in my small (ahem!) pattern collection I do have some for vintage gloves and I was motivated to seek them out after looking at the gloves of Jessica and Kate. I thought you might like to see them.

This 1940's pair are so fine and fancy! I like the frilly cuffs. I think they might count as occasion wear. Also, look at that hat and dress! I love this outfit!

This 1940's pair are similar but a little more sturdy, perhaps more for every day wear. I like the longer length cuffs. I wish we could see a little more of what looks like a potentially marvellous hairstyle!

I think this monochrome pair are pretty amazing, it looks so effective. Whilst this colour combination is probably the most practical in that it would go with anything, you could make them in many colour combinations to match specific outfits. Nice cuffs again!

I love the delicate lace pattern of crosses on this pretty 1950's pair. They really are elegant. Nice hat too! If you are doing an outfit post with gloves you need to make sure that you copy this pose!

Back to the 1940's with these lovely lace gloves, another gorgeous stitch pattern and great hair.

These gloves are knitted. I like the relatively plain fingers with the lace pattern backs. Looking at these patterns provides lots of outfit inspiration and styling ideas. Some great poses and props too, find yourself an old telephone quickly!

  

Are you inspired to add a pair of vintage gloves to your outfit? I am sharing a pattern here so that you can make yourself a pair if you don't have any. I am sharing the patterns illustrated in the last two images so that you can choose between knitting and crochet. If you make any I would love to see them.