Sunday, August 20, 2006

Grandma's Pattern Collection

My apologies for the dull pictureless baby cardigan post. As rightfully pointed out, it has been a very quick project and seems to be coming together ok. Just the button bands and collar to finish. It seems very strange to knit them separately and then sew them on rather than picking up the stitches, but I'm useless at working out button holes for myself so I'm following the pattern. Here it is so far...













And here, in all it's glory, is the original pattern. I think I'll pass on the tea cosy hat and legwarmers. There's no date on it, but I'd guess early 80s... thankfully by which time I was too old for Grandma to have made the outfit for me!
















My Grandma was an amazing knitter and seamstress and I used to love doing embroidery and crafty things with her as a child. When she died, I inherited her collections of patterns, notions and knitting needles and other bits and bobs. They mean a lot to me. There are some amazing patterns from the 1930s to the 1980s - many of them are probably never to be used again, but I just love looking at them. Here is a small sample - check out the sock patterns!















The 'Knitting made easy by P&B...Edition 1940' pamphlet contains such delights as bed capes and thigh hugging pants. The label on the cover reads 'Please note: Owing to war conditions, shade ranges are being reduced. Fringes are issued subject to this feature and to available supplies against orders through usual stockists'.

7 comments:

Auntie Noo said...

Oh I don't know I bet some of those patterns from the 50's would be cool!!!!! - and you laugh about bed capes - my next door neighbour is 85 and has no central heating and only 6 electric sockets in whole house - needless to say she has several bed jackets!!!!!

Cardi looks lovely!

Seahorse said...

Mmm, I agree, probably best not go with the hat and legwarmers! The cardi looks very modern though. Great colours.

I love old patterns, looks like you've got some real gems there.

amore said...

The baby on the pattern looks sooo cute, apparently leg warmers are coming back!

Kate said...

I love old knitting patterns. My grandma has a huge collection and I keep telling her that's all I want to inherit from her when she pops her clogs, but she keeps trying to persuade me to take gold bars and diamond necklaces instead. It's very tedious. :-P

acrylik said...

The cardi is looking fantastic!

Badger said...

The hat is the best part of the ensemble! you've got to make one ;)

The cardi looks great, and I understand where your coming from about the button band - the baby cardi I'm knitting now has it knitted separately and then sewn on and I'm not liking it at all.

Piglottie said...

What a lovely thing to inherit, and I love the continuity of it all. Plus vintage patterns are superb.

Agree with Badger though, you must knit the hat!