Today’s vintage knitting patterns are from Australian Women’s Weekly “Knitting Book for Adults”.
I’ve decided to date this one as mid to late 1940’s. The cropped vests, sharply defined shoulders, and cardigans with shortened sleeves are very typical of WWII style. But this book also features patterns that use extravagant amounts of wool (a full length dressing gown), and a wide range of colours, blends and weights of yarn. Forties style without austerity suggests 1945 – 1949 to me.
What struck me as unusual was the number of patterns that call for heavier weights of yarn which is something you rarely see in hand knitting until the mid 1950’s.
I’m not sure I really like the trim little cardigans of the 40’s made up in bulky yarn. They look much less tailored than they should and are almost frumpy. Still, the promise of turning out a cardigan in under a week is always tempting, and bulky yarn is the key to quick knitting.
Not even the practical, hard-working knitters of the 40’s were immune to a few knitting shortcuts.
(Please note that I do not own the copyright to any patterns featured in Retro Monday. Unfortunately this means I can’t make or send out copies).
I’ve seen a few chunkier 30s patterns. I’d agree with you on the dating, though – I’ve got a few late-40s books with similar styles in.