To avoid the distraction of designing something while I have so much work to do for uni I thought I would knit something from a pattern. Something intentionally dull to knit so that I could work on it when my hands needed something to do but that wouldn’t require much thought.
I got this book (Knitting for All Illustrated by Margaret Murray and Jane Koster published by Odhams Press in 1941) a while ago on ebay, and every time I flicked through it I thought about knitting this:
Most of the patterns in this book are only given in one size (were people in the 40s uniformly sized or smart I wonder) and this happened to be in my size and I even had some suitable yarn so I blithely cast on and followed the instructions.
You know where this is going don’t you? Beginning a project without thinking is just not a good idea. Ever.
And so I realised that I couldn’t figure out a way to get even edges and good looking increases at the same time. I wondered if that might work better without seams.
It then occurred to me that this piece was looking very small to stretch across my back. Given that it’s 12 inches wide that’s not too surprising. This is written for a skinny hourglass figure, with a 34″ bust and a 24″ waist, which I’m sure I could have guessed at if I’d thought about it at all. And so I found myself having to think a little and casting on again.
And now I have a pile of black ribbing on little needles to show you. I told you I had been knitting something boring.
But wait! There are buttonholes, hows that for excitement?
I think some cute red vintage buttons are in order.
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
There are some wonderful buttons at http://www.primrosedesign.com
I think people in the 40s were more uniformly sized. I have one word for it – corsetry. I bet this little number will look cute on you!
I think you would look fabulous in that vest. It’s so funny to see that pattern – I have that book too, except I accidently left it outside and it got wet. I figured since it was ruined I would use the pages I could salvage for collage, but then thought, “What if it’s the last copy in the world?” I’m so glad it’s not, and at least one copy is in good hands!
Red buttons. Definitely!
how strange, I am sure I posted a comment yesterday, did it end up in a spamfilter or something?
Vintage buttons will make anything more fun!
I love vintage buttons! I’m sure you’ll find some brilliant ones!
I’m sure this will look great when finished. Pavi yarns had some great vintage buttons at Woolfest and I think they have some online now. There’s a link from my site if you want to take a peek. I fancy making this jumper myself, the waist might actually fit me but I’m not sure about the boobage!
I just got hold of a stash of vintage yarns which would look great made into something like that. I’ve also got a ton of Mon Tricot magazines which I’ll have to trawl through to see if I can find something similar.
Looks luvly on you, you sweetie, but I think that it probably wouldn’t suit a busty boobie lady such as me… This is always the problem…. Are there especially patterns available for ladies who have big boobs, but who still have waists?
best wishes
Clarabelle
You are tagged! People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things about them, see my blog for more info http://she-knits-too.blogspot.com/
~ Sherri
I love this pattern! Is it really size 8 and 12 needles? That seems big for the pattern. Could you post a pic of the next page?
hi there,
i am french and i bought a vintage magazine at a “vide-grenier”. i heard from people that the sizes were not similar to those of today, meaning that a size 42 then maybe equalled a size 38 today because the woman figure’s evolved so much over the years. i was a bit concerned that the whole book was sizes 42…
ysolda, what are you doing with this project? are you continueing it? if you have trouble with even edges emial me, i have a tip.
easy for me to say not being in the midst of the project, but i’d do a border or all blank stitches at the sides and do your increases within the black. like 4 stitches maybe.
I have a very battered copy of this book, with early pages missing, and did Google to find the authors to be able to refer to it in academic essay – so thank you! My copy belonged to my mother, who used it a lot. She had that 1940s figure until the day she died. As a child I was intrigued by the section on how to repair and unravel garments for re-knitting when wool was scarce.
I just received this book as a gift and was googling to figure out the publication date when I stumbled across your blog. It’s so much fun to read what others say about it. Thanks for posting this info.
Hello all, I love this site xx
Just wanted to report that I have recently created a new vintage knitting pattern website and this here sleeveless waistcoat pattern is on there to download for a quid which would save anyone who’d like to knit this from having to hunt high and low for the old book.
I haven’t tried it myself yet but I definitely will. Well done, belatedly, Ysolda for your effort and keep up the good work with your lovely, inspiring blog.
p.s has anyone ever told you that you look a bit like Anja Garbarek? They should. I have now anyway.