Vintage Knitting - A Child's Sweater from 1952

 

A child's blazer-style sweater with contrasting trim, from Modern Knitting, Summer 1952. Left-click to enlarge.

Vintage Tatting - A Traycloth motif from 1916

If you are getting started on your Christmas tatting already, the center motif from this tray cloth (first three rows) would, stiffly starched, make a classic snowflake (even if it does have eight points instead of six).  It's from a 1916 Bucilla tatting and crochet manual, with the instructions on p43.

(And if you do filet crochet, there are a variety of fantastic "La Belle et La Bete" beasts on pages 9-12.

Vintage Knitting - A Patchwork Sweater from 1989

 A retro but still very wearable design from Workbasket magazine, October 1989.  Thriftily knit up from 2 skeins of cream worsted and leftover partial skeins of the other colors, this would look stunning in red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet. 

The magazine can be downloaded from the Antique Pattern Library.

Vintage Workbasket Crafts - a Two-fer from 1955

From the June, 1955 issue of Workbasket magazine, a belt to crochet and a rug to knit.  Rug yarn is hard to find these days, but I'm wondering if some of the new cotton t-shirt yarns wouldn't work just as well.

This one isn't on the Antique Pattern Library page yet - it's from my own copy.  Left-click to enlarge.

Vintage Knitting - Doll Bootees from 1959

 

From my issue of the July, 1959 Workbasket magazine, doll bootees for an 8-inch baby doll. Left-click to enlarge or, a complete copy is available as a free download from the Internet archive. 

Vintage Knitting - a Bedspread Leaf Motif from 1962

 

A handy small project for pick-up knitting on winter nights.  I'm not up for a bedspread, but this would look nice as an afghan.  Complete instructions are in Workbasket magazine, December 1962, and can be downloaded from the Internet Archive. 

Vintage Knitting - A Doll's Ensemble from 1964

 

A gift idea as we sneak up on Christmas; a two-piece ensemble designed for 11.5" fashion dolls, knitted in fingering yarn.  From the June, 1964 Workbasket magazine. Two pages of instructions, and available as a free download from the Internet Archive.

Vintage Knitting - A Raglan Cardigan from 1958

 With fall fast approaching (I put another blanket on the bed last night), it's time to start thinking sweaters.  This cardigan and two dozen more classic styles can be knitted up from instructions found in Bernat Handicrafter #65, a free download from the Antique Pattern Library.

Knitting - A Summer Slipover from 1947

From Woman's Day "Found Money" department, August 1947, a classic sweater with Lauren Bacall shoulders.  To knit in two colors (left-click to enlarge).

 

Vintage Knitting - A Lacy Summer Sweater from 1966

From the August, 1966 issue of Workbasket magazine, a summer sweater to knit (although I think I'd make it short-sleeved).  Left-click to enlarge, or go to my  Flickr account to download.

Vintage Knitting - An Italian Cardigan from 1960

 

On the left, a classic and stylish raglan cardigan to match with skirts for a dressmaker look.  From Bernat Handicrafter, Mirsa of Italy, published in 1960.  

"The Marchesa di Gresy has become renowned as a designer and manufacturer of knitted fashions.  Her designs are sought by the great stores of Paris, Milan and Rome, as well as by America's finest stores, and are featured constantly in the leading fashion magazines.

Mirsa of Italy designs hand-knit fashions only for Bernat." (their italics).

Left-click to enlarge.

Vintage Workbaskets - A Knitted Rug and a Bonus Project from 1955

 

From the stash I brought home from Detroit, two projects from the June 1955 Workbasket magazine - a crocheted belt and a round rug, knitted in wedges and finished off with a fringe.

I wonder what size it would be using #15 needles and t-shirt yarn; a good four feet across, I imagine.  Left-click to enlarge, or download from my Flickr account.

Vintage Knitting - A Ladies 3-Way Hat from 1955

 

A chic little knitted hat to be worn three ways, from the April, 1955 issue of Britannia and Eve. Perfect for using up any spare mink tails you may have lying around.

 Two pages of photos and instructions are on my Flickr account.

Vintage Knitting - A Lacy Leaf Insertion from 1966

 

From Workbasket magazine, May 1966, an "elegant insertion (to) add a touch of luxury to your linens."  Left-click to enlarge.

Vintage Knitting - A "Babushka" from 1950

 

"Infant's wool or slightly heavier yarn is used in making this knitted babushka.  The original was made of white (about 4 balls); using number 10 wooden knitting needles.  There are nine scallops across the front and it has a triangular point with the fringe in the back.  It measures 42 inches across the long edge and 22 inches to the point in back."

I don't think those wooden size 10 are today's size ten (the conversion chart says they're a 3); but this is a pretty pattern, and the entire issue is on the Internet Archive as a free download (pps 6-8).

Vintage Knitting - A "Kitten" Hat from 1949

 

For a last-minute gift, a woollen hat with kitten ears, to fit a 3 month old.  From Workbasket magazine, June 1949 - left-click to enlarge.

Knitting - A Wedge Washlcoth from 1940

 

From the February, 1940 issue of Workbasket.  The entire issue is available as a free download from the Antique Pattern Library (don't click if you aren't prepared for a stereotypical "cullud chile" lawn ornament pattern).

Knitting - A Lace Edging From 1961

 

A pretty if oddly named ("Space Lace") edging from Workbasket magazine, July 1961.  The entire issue is available as a free download from the Internet Archive, and includes a poodle made from wire coathangers and cardboard toilet paper rolls.

We're Ready

 

Last Minute Christmas Knitting - A Turban from 1943

 

This is so simple it needs no pattern.  Cast on using the wool, stitch and needle combination of your choice and knit one headband to fit the size of the recipient.  Then - being careful not to twist your knitting - cast on for a second headband, linking it through the first.  This may take two evenings, less if you're a fast knitter.

The idea is from a wartime "make do" publication and is intended to use up those little balls of leftover wool that we all have lying around.  I made it in a rib stitch using #6 needles, from a thrift store purchase of a partial skein of Paton's sequinned lace (not recommended for beginners).  I didn't use a pattern for the matching keyhole scarf but there are dozens out there.

If I decide to make this again, I'm going to use a 100% wool.