I have a formidable collection of old knitting patterns. I bought some of them because one day I’d like to knit them up (after I win the lottery and get bionic wrists so I can knit all day). Others I bought just because they are so dated and daggy and funny that I couldn’t resist taking them home.
Most of the time, old pattern books contain a mixture of vintage gems and dated uglies.
I’ve decided that each Monday night I’ll share some examples from my collection. They might be nostalgic beauties or little horrors that give knitting a bad name.
Today I’ve selected “Vogue Knitting – Superb Designs in Pure New Wool”, published 1967 as a supplement to Vogue Knitting
The front cover pattern (above) is probably the least stylish of the three I’ve selected for today. Having said that, it’s still charming. The jumper, socks and beret set would look quite current if the pattern across the chest was omitted and the diamond pattern used only on the cuffs of the socks and jumper and the hat band.
One of the things you need to look past with vintage patterns is the choice of colour in the photos. The jumper above would look a lot fresher in a mid grey with white and lime cuff details.
Not only have tastes changed when it comes to colour, but so have dyes. What we think of as navy blue now is not the same as navy blue of the 1950’s because the dyes used now are different. Then there are the inks used in printing the pattern. All these things give an image a definitely dated feel.
The next pattern is for a “bell boy suit” and apart from the poor choice in buttons and button placement – I think it’s really cute and wearable. Look past the dated styling (hot-rollered hair and kilos of mascara) and picture this in a dark grey with mid grey trims or in a deep navy with cream trims. I think plastic buttons the same colour as the suit would be a better choice too.
Something I noticed about most of the patterns in this booklet is that they are knit in 4ply (fingering weight) wool. It’s quite an undertaking to knit a suit in 4ply yarn. I’m pretty sure I’m not up to the task.
The sequined jumper (above) wouldn’t look out-of-place in the current issue of Vogue Knitting. Again it’s knit in 4ply – but this time cotton, with 1,000 sequins attached which has got to be hard work.
The square neckline, deep cuffs and neat fit don’t look dated at all – it’s only the model’s scary long fingernails that look old-fashioned here.
I can look at pattern books – new or old – for ages. Do you collect old pattens? Do you ever knit from them or are they just for browsing?
(Please note that I do not own the copyright to any patterns featured in Retro Monday. Unfortunately this means I make or send out copies).
Something that I like about the last pattern is not the actual knitwear itself, but the Woolmark logo ring that the model is wearing. It’s a surprising detail but I quite like it (not that I’d wear one myself, but you know)!
Vintage/retro knitting patterns are my weakness when it comes to knitting. I buy them for the same reasons as you; some I’d like to knit, some are too funny to not buy. At the moment the conversion rate between buying a vintage/retro pattern to actually knitting is is quite low, but I’ve decided next year will be a year of knitting from vintage patterns. I figure it’s like knitting from stash, but patterns instead of yarn.
Can’t wait to see what other gems you have in your collection!
The models in every picture have either woolmark rings, earrings or brooches. I was thinking about getting the woolmark logo when I was designing my knitting tattoo. It might still happen.
ah, so they do. Shows how unobservant I am today (or in general)!