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!

2015 in knitting

2015 was a funny old year for knitting. I thought about it often, made lots of plans, sought out many patterns and fondled much wool. However, in terms of knitting itself I wasn't able to do as much as normal and frankly, this has been a disaster! I have a very painful neck and shoulder which has been affecting my knitting capability for a while and towards the end third of 2015 I realised I really had better do something about it.

I was too scared to go to a Physio for a long time in case they told me that the only solution would be to stop knitting. I knit because I love it, I knit for pleasure, I knit because it means I can make what I want to wear, I knit because I love wool, I knit because it is my hobby, I knit because I love and collect vintage patterns, I knit because it is sociable, I knit because I love my knitting friends but I also knit because it does me enormous good in terms of my mental health and the thought of not being able to do so makes my mind go kind of fuzzy at the edges and I feel rather panicky.

So, finally, I stopped being an ostrich and made a physio appointment. She turned out to be marvellous and very understanding about the knitting situation, promising it wouldn't be banned, just maybe lessened for a while. I can just about cope with that. Sort of. So I am doing my exercises and am making progress and 2016 will be the year that my neck/shoulder fixes and I can knit all of the things all of the time again.

Despite the setbacks some things have come off my needles so I want to do a bit of a round up. They are not necessarily in chronological order as I often have several things on the go at once, a project that needs brain space, a simpler one for knitting groups and one that has queue jumped because some kind of occasion has sneaked up on me and I need to crack on with it.

I really enjoyed knitting this 1950's pixie hat as it just made me smile all the way through and the end result is such fun! I made it for the baby of a lovely blogging friend so it was a very happy project to do. It is knitted in Millamia 5-ply and the pattern is a Patons and Baldwin booklet.

This 1950's Marriners romper has a matching cardigan which is also completed. I started this in 2014 and it was meant to be a present for my niece's first birthday. I really hated the yarn I was using, a bamboo blend 4-ply and I kind of got cross with it when I couldn't knit the rabbit nicely. So I put it away for a bit and then realised I still couldn't face it. So, I wailed to my mum and she took it off my hands and finished knitting it up! Thanks Mum!! So my niece got it about 6 months late but as it was always going to be on the big side it still fitted. Phew!

This is a cardigan for me, knitted in Sublime Extra Fine Baby Cashmerino double knit from a 1951 Stitchcraft, which I previously blogged about here, when I had knitted up the back. I am so proud of this as it is quite a complicated stitch pattern and I had to learn how to crochet to make the button bands and neck band. It is long overdue it's own outfit post; I need to remedy that!

I knitted this cardigan for my cousin's new baby. It is knitted in Millamia 5-ply and the pattern is from a Paton and Baldwin's booklet from the 1950's. I really enjoyed the chain stitch yoke and using such a beautifully cheery bright colour. Apparently he liked the buttons so all is good!

I blogged about this cardigan here. It is a cabled cardigan from a 1950's Wendy pattern and I knitted it in Sublime Extra Fine Baby Cashmerino. I think I must have started it in 2014 and just finished it off in 2015. This is such a staple of my wardrobe, it is squishy and cosy to wear and I loved knitting all those cables.

Excuse the blurry second photo. This is a jumper knitted in Sublime Extra Fine Merino 4-ply from a 1941 Stitchcraft pattern. I really enjoy knitting rib so I didn't mind how much there was to do in this and I enjoyed the construction as it was fascinating seeing the rib change direction. This is another knit that is overdue an outfit post so I am adding it to the list!

I loved knitting this pretty little bolero, the little lace pattern was fun and it is really cute. I knitted it for my niece as a second birthday present and this year she actually got it in time! I knitted it in Millamia 5-ply from a 1950's Paton and Baldwin's booklet.

I don't have many photos of this cardigan that I am knitting for myself and the colour is not at all true here, it is really teal. I haven't finished this yet as it got overtaken by projects with pressing deadlines. I have completed the back, left front and both sleeves so there is not much left to do and I hope to be wearing it soon. It is knitted in Millamia 5-ply and it is from a 1950's Paton and Baldwin's booklet.

Sometimes, I do knit modern patterns and these four hats are knitted from a pattern written by the fabulous Helen from Ribbon Circus. It is called the Chamonix Ski Hat. I was asked to test knit the pattern which was such fun to do and I loved knitting it so much that I have now knitted five (one finished yesterday and yet to be photographed). The top two were birthday presents for friends, the third is mine and the last is a slouchier version for my sister for Christmas. They are knitted in a combination of Millamia Aran and Sublime Extra Fine Merino Worsted. Choosing the colours has been such a joy, I really recommend this pattern if you want a cosy, warm and cheerful hat.

This lovely double breasted jumper was a Christmas present for my niece. I saw her wearing it yesterday paired with an orange shift dress, stripey tights and fox socks. She looked lovely and I was so pleased to see it being worn. It was a really enjoyable knit, especially seeing the collar take shape. I think it is a 1950's Marriners pattern and I used Wendy Merino 4-ply which is a lovely yarn to work with.

So, that is the round up of 2015's knitting. I am looking forward to all the projects I have planned for this year, as long as my shoulder co-operates! I tend to post pictures of my knitting on Instagram so if you want to see projects as they progress you could take a look here.

A P&B helmet for a baby.

One of my final knits for 2013 was a Christmas present for my four month old niece. I am really enjoying knitting for her, as is my mum, and she already has a fine knitted wardrobe, many of which come from vintage patterns.

I knew that I wanted to make her some kind of bonnet or helmet for when she goes out in her pram. After sifting through my patterns I came across this one. Excuse the quality of the photo, the pattern has obviously been well used and it is creased and battered and won't lie flat.

I had a firm idea of what I wanted to knit for her and it was down to a photo that I could half remember of my dad as a baby. I knew that he had on some kind of helmet and I was quite sure that it had a peak of some kind at the front.

So I decided to knit this helmet for my niece.

This is the photograph that my parents dug out of my dad in his bonnet, sat in his pram, at about one year old, in the early 1950's.

I think this is such a superb photo. I can't decide if Dad is quizzical or grumpy! He definitely looks interested in what is going on. I don't know for certain but I think he is wearing a knitted matinee jacket too, maybe it is an entire pram suit. I would like to know more about it.

I know the two helmets are not an exact match but this is really all about my inspiration, not a perfect replica.

This is the finished helmet, knitted in a teal double knit that I found in my stash. Whilst I love shopping for new yarn I do try to find small projects that will help to reduce my stash, especially as I can then build it up again!

I really enjoyed knitting it as it is an interesting pattern which is full of shaping and for a long time it is hard to see how it is going to turn into anything which remotely resembles a helmet. This added a certain frisson of panic to the knitting process!

Here is a close up of the shaping showing the all important peak. The piece going across the bottom is the chin strap which fastens with a press stud.

This is the back view. It fits closely all around the baby's head so it is nice and warm and cosy. No draughts are getting in there!

The original helmet is finished with a covered button. I decided to make a change here and finish it with a naked (for want of a better description) button and I knew just the place to look. I went through my grandma's button tin, which I feel very privileged to have), and found a vintage one which matched perfectly. I also found a press stud in there for the chin strap.

So, although I knitted my niece's helmet I feel like it is quite a family affair. Knitted by her auntie, inspired by her grandad in a photograph taken by her great granny, the photo found by her grandma and the helmet completed with items from her great grandma's button tin. It feels like the joining of a circle and that makes me very happy.

A plethora of patterns. Part Two.

My friend's pattern pile that I talked about here also contained several Stitchcraft magazines from the 1940s and 1950s. Because she is very lovely she let me keep the ones that I did not have in my collection which I was overjoyed about. I have been building up my collection over the past couple of years but am not near to completion yet! I love Stitchcraft for its interesting mixture of knitting patterns for the whole family and for all the other craft projects that it contains. As with any vintage magazine it gives a real flavour of the times and a peek into other lives.

I thought it would be nice to have a look through these magazines here. I am going from earliest to latest in date and from the front of the magazine to the back so that it is as near as possible to flicking through it yourself.

December 1943.





 Fancy fur bonnets on the front cover; patterns for adults and child's sizes are inside.

As this is the Christmas issue there are some ideas for gifts for young and old. At the top is a necklace of a butterfly and flowers made from wood or cardboard that has been enamelled and then tied with a shoe lace. This gives a great insight into the inventiveness needed for wartime gift giving.

The cigarette stand is made from painted cardboard or wood. It is interesting that this was a really acceptable gift, showing clearly that it is from the time when the health risks of smoking were not widely known about and were not publicised.

The part photographed item is a belt made from a length of binding with buttons, wool and stitching for decoration.

This is a boy's pullover which has socks to match. It is knitted in a lovely cable stitch in 3-ply.



Titled 'This little jumper is Teddy Bear's parade ground', this is a lovely jumper for a small child knitted in 3-ply. I love the marching teddies.



These three patterns are featured on a double page spread entitled 'Ready for the cold spell'. The first is 'Bobbles and Rib for the slim'! It is knitted in 3-ply and suggests using a dark shade for the ribbing and a lighter shade for the body and sleeves. In another nod to wartime austerity they suggest knitting the body and sleeves with pulled back wool if you have any available.

The second is the 'Brick patterned cardigan-jumper', again in 3-ply and with a lovely collar. I like this stitch pattern.

The third is called 'With pockets in the welt' made in 3-ply. You can just see the pocket on the left hand side of the picture.

I think it is amazing that all these patterns and more are found in a magazine that is A5 in size due to wartime paper shortages and is only 19 pages long.

The back cover

This lovely rabbit and duck require transfers that readers could send away for. The rabbit design cost 11d and the duck design 6d. Within the same series there is also a fox-terrier, a squirrel and a teddy bear.

April 1948.

 The front cover features a 'pretty jumper' knitted in 3-ply. It uses a main shade and two contrast shades and involves slipping and dropping then knitting stitches to create the pattern.

This 'Design from the East' was inspired by an oriental panel and is for the 'critical needle-woman'. To make the tea cosy and accompanying tray cloth you would need to send off for a transfer for the pattern. It is worked in a delicate colour scheme of pinks, peach, blues, gold and greens.

This sun-suit, knitted in 3-ply, is for  a little boy or girl. It has a pretty two colour pattern and comes with a matching cardigan.

 'A smart jacket' knitted in 3-ply. This is such a bright and cheerful colourway and uses moss stitch and stripes to create texture. I think it is very elegant but I am not sure that I actually like it.

 Another two page spread containing three patterns 'For sunny days'. 'Woollies for warm spring and early summer days. Stitchcraft selects these three lovely designs for your new knitteds.'

The first is a square neck jumper knitted in 2-ply. The lovely stitch pattern is a twisted rib.

The second is a two colour short sleeved cardigan, knitted in 3-ply. It has crochet scrolls across the yoke.

The last is a tuck in sports shirt, knitted in 2-ply to give warmth without weight. The main part is worked sideways.

Back cover.

'If you are going to the sea this year start early and knit yourself this attractive two-piece beach-suit - for sunning or swimming. The suit will behave itself in water as the main fabric is a close twisted stitch and the two colour cable panels are very firm and help keep the shape'. Would you wear it?

April 1951

 Look at this totally fantastic set! I love it! A matching cardigan and gloves  worn by a quite severe but stunning woman, accessorised with a puppy. What is not to like?! This is a 'Set for the Summer'. It can be knitted in 4-ply with long or short sleeves and with or without the necktie. The finished items are embroidered with satin stitch hearts and lazy daisies with stems and leaves.

'White is right for the sun, and what could be prettier than this attractive holiday twosome, with a Tyrolean air, for those days when the sun is shining but a chilly breeze makes it not quite as warm as it might be. Wear this light-hearted set and you will look cool and fresh and be comfortably warm. Quick to knit in inexpensive and hard wearing wool you can make the complete outfit very cheaply'.

This 'Summer Roses' cross stitch chart could have been obtained for 7d and is suggested as a picture or a cushion. I really like the colours they have chosen.

'Cables or stripes add colourful touches and use up those precious half ounces'. Of the first pattern it says 'this cheerful outdoor sweater for a girl in her teens, in the best-loved-of-all classic shape, with diamond patterns adding a gay, youthful note. If you want to use up really small scraps don't stick to one colour for the diamonds and cables'.

For the second pattern you are advised to 'go as gay as you like with this jazzy cardigan, specially designed to introduce three or more shades. Stick to one colour for the foundation - white would be pretty for summer - but use as many colours as you like for the stripes'.

These three pictures show garments which have been decorated using the transfer 'Nursery friends to embroider' which cost 11d. The instructions to make the heart shaped pinny and the dungarees are also included in the magazine. I really like the blue tits and the ducks, they are so cute.

Following on with the cute animal theme are these 'Nursery friends to knit for boys and girls of 3 and 6'. The animals are a duck, dog, puppy, lamb, rabbit and a cockerel. I would have adored this cardigan when I was a little girl. My Grandma knitted me one with Scottie dogs around the edge and I loved it.

At first glance it is a little difficult to decide what this is but it is a candlewick knitting bag. 'Candlewick is very popular at the moment, chiefly, I think, because it is cheap and quick to do, and gives cheerful, striking effects that go well in the average living room of today.' To do it doubled cotton is sewn in running stitch in the desired pattern. The stitches are not pulled down flat to the material, a little loop is left. The loops are then cut and rubbed over by hand to fluff them up and remove any loose bits'. My Grandma had several candlewick bedspreads and I used to enjoy playing with the patches of different textures on them. It is funny how something that was once as common as a bedspread is now so out of fashion.

'For the men at home'! Some lovely patterns for men and boys - a school pullover, a weekend waistcoat and diamond socks. I think the socks, in particular, are a lovely interesting pattern.

Back cover.



This image is just so pretty and I do love an ensemble! I am sure I would be better dressed if I thought about ensembles more often. Perhaps that can be something to aspire to! This ensemble consists of an angora twin set, the jumper is cabled and the cardigan is in stocking stitch. These look lovely either worn separately or together. I have several twinsets on my to knit list as they are so versatile and really increase your possible outfit combinations. The skirt is knitted in 4-ply. I really like the thought of a knitted skirt but I don't know how flattering they would be to all figures. Also, I can not imagine how long they must take to do!

This is already a giant post so I have decided that A Plethora of Patterns will continue into a Part Three.

To finish here are Stitchcraft's three golden rules for the good knitter:

Follow the instructions carefully, paying particular attention to materials and tension.

Take great pains with the making up and don't rush this.

Wash often and wisely.