I’m not sure why I waited so long (oh yes, I kept forgetting!) but I finally pre-ordered A Stitch in Time, Volume 2. I am so excited for this book!
Susan Crawford (who blogs at Just Call Me Ruby) and Jane Crawford also put out A Stitch in Time, Volume 1, which includes dozens of vintage knitting patterns, re-worked slightly for different sizes (since we know most vintage knitting patterns only come in one size) and minor tweaks, but staying true to the original patterns. And Susan also wrote Vintage Gifts to Knit, a book of her own vintage-inspired knitting patterns. That’s the book my Perfect Christmas Jumper came from.
I sometimes feel like the crafty blogosphere is chock full of sewists who are enthusiastic about vintage sewing, but those interested in vintage knitting are a little fewer and further between. That’s one of the reasons I started the Briar Rose Vintage Knit-along, and I’ll probably continue with other vintage knit-alongs in the future. And that’s also one of the reasons why I love Susan’s books, because not only do they appeal to us vintage-obsessed knitters in the crowd, but as I’ve seen, they’ve appealed to knitters who typically look to more modern styles as their influence, too.
Here’s a few preview photos that they’ve published from the book. This pattern is called the Jan Sweater (Ravelry pattern page) and was originally published in 1938. Look at the chevroning on the front and the back!
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| © Arbour House Publishing |
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| © Arbour House Publishing |
This is knit in fingering weight, and I’m loving it in light yellow just as shown (though I’m lacking the enviable platinum hair of the model, lol). I’m thinking a cotton blend for summer, like KnitPicks Comfy in Semolina, or Brown Sheep Cotton Fine in Sunflower Gold or Buttercream. I have narrow shoulders so I imagine if I knit this, I would alter the boatneck slightly.
There’s also Gathered Neckline With Bow (Ravelry pattern page). Isn’t it gorgeous? (As an aside, I discovered through Ravelry sometime ago that this model is a knitter!)
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| © Arbour House Publishing |
I love that the bow is a wearably small size, and like the little picot detail on the sleeves, bow and neckband. This one is actually knit in laceweight, and would be beautiful with a subtly variegated hand-dyed yarn. (It’s funny that I wrote this, because I thought of that and only then went to see what yarn was used. Turns out it’s from British indie dyer, Posh Yarns.) This could layer nicely under a cardigan, don’t you think? I think both of these patterns would be suitable for beginning sweater knitters, too!
Here’s the cool thing I discovered when I pre-ordered the book: you get a copy of the Jan Sweater as a .pdf!
Anyway, I can’t wait for this Volume 2 to be released. I’ve thumbed through Volume 1 so many times I can’t even count. It’s a fantastic resource with a wealth of information and tips inside, and I think it’s wonderful that they included the original vintage patterns alongside their revisions of them. Due to my own distractions I have yet to complete anything from the book, however, though I might have cast on a little something Thursday evening before I’d quite completed Briar Rose…
The pattern is It Cannot Fail to Please (Ravelry pattern page). Don’t you just love the names of some vintage patterns (well, the ones that aren’t like “No. 45 with Long Sleeves”)? I really wanted to use this yarn from my stash, Cascade Ultra Pima, a DK weight cotton, but I also really wanted to knit this pattern, which called for fingering weight. I swatched, did some math, and I’m off and sailing with my modified gauge. I’ll talk about that more the further I get into the project, but if you’d like, you can follow along on my Ravelry project page.
Any other vintage knits on your needles, or that you’re planning? Do share!
I LOVE my Stitch in Time book! I do the same thing as you, flip through on a rainy day but I’ve also never made anything from it.
That yellow number is adorable! I pre-ordered by Vol. 2 a week or two ago also. I also took the plunge and ordered their little snood kit. It was too cute to pass up.
My next project is: http://zilredloh.com/2011/04/07/stitchcraft-magazine-june-1957/
The second image down, with the scalloped lace yolk. I think I’m making it in the same Cascade colorway as your ‘Cannot Fail to Please’ jumper, but mine is the merino/silk fingering weight yarn.
It’s taken a lot of restraint to keep from casting on a new project while I’m working on my Briar Rose. 🙂 There always seem to be too many cute projects but too little time.
I’ve still yet to get a copy of Volume One! But I may have to pre-order this, anyway… I’ve mainly been working (when I DO knit) from the stash of vintage patterns I’ve been slowly collecting (though I branched out and decided to finally have my own go at the ‘three hour’ sweater, which just needs to be sewn up). I find it difficult to find yarn I want for the projects I want to do, though – if only Knit Picks shipped to Australia!
-Andi x
I’ve thumbed through A Stitch in Time so many times at the bookstore – I don’t knit, but I’m (still) thinking about starting and I love this book! I’d only want to knit vintage styles, but starting with a vintage pattern is intimidating to me, so this seems like a good starting place. The new styles are so cute! I wonder if I can get a deal if I buy both books at the same time? Hmm… 🙂
Just ordered this too! The Jan Sweater will be a must knit for me.
Oh, there is a vol. 2 on its way! I think I have to get this one too 😉
..and I seriously have to start knitting as well, not just look at the patterns and pictures!!
Oh I’d love to have both book in my little collection. I’m in love with all things vintage ; w; So far the only vintage knit I’ve completed was a 2-needle beret for my younger sister. I have a good number of sweaters and gloves faved on Ravelry.
I’ve got my order in for this one, too, but hadn’t seen the photos. Drools
I know i say this on all your blog posts…but I should really learn knitting! I absolutely adore the photos from this knitting book! I have a similar book but from the 80’s with vintage knitting patterns…it’s kind of funny flipping through and seeing the 80’s interpretation of the 30’s!!!
I’m not a knitter but have been wanting to try it forever! Are these workable patterns for rank beginners, or should I try something else to get started? (This is exactly what I would want to knit- don’t need any craft projects that would just sit on a shelf.)
yes, pre ordered too
Gosh damn, I’m not a knitter as well (other than basic knit and purl) but you and all those lovely vintage sweater patterns out there make me want to be one!
Both of those sweaters are gorgeous. I’m hoping to do a 1930s style sweater with a tie neck for my next knit, but haven’t fixed on a pattern yet.
I am drooling over this one–and volume 1 too! Actually, dying to get my little hands on both. hehe! Although I’m thinking I’ll put these on my Christmas wishlist for my in-laws; my mil is an avid knitter and always gives me at least one knitting book. hehe! Plus, if nothing else this one looks like total eye candy! (Because goodness know it’ll take me forever to get around to knitting something… I have such a long list already and am a really slow knitter!)
Oh my goodness, these are WONDERFUL! I don’t know how to knit but I’m thinking I need to learn just to be able to make these! They are stunning 🙂
xErin
anodetoreverie.blogspot.com
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* 0 * Stunning vintage knits ~ I LOVE them! I am so glad I joined Ravelry; these are amazing and I so want to start one!
xox,
bonita of Depict This!
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I love that red sweater with the little bow. It would be such a perfect knit to wear to work. Aside from Briar Rose, I also have another 1940s pattern on my needles (actually the two projects share needles, making it a little complicated as I work on both). The pattern is called Knit it in Kiss Stitch and I found it on Fadedsplendour.com. As a slow knitter, I’m not going to bother pre-ordering A Stitch in Time, because it will take me forever to finish my current projects 🙂
I signed up for Volume 2 the moment I heard about it – SO exciting! I am trying hard not to find myself halfway through a project when my copy arrives, or I will end up with yet another UFO… but it’s hard to put away my January 1946 copy of Stitchcraft, or stop myself from swatching…!
A Stitch in Time has been on my birthday wishlist forever. I think I’ll break down and get it for myself this year, along with Vol. 2. I recently got a copy of http://www.etsy.com/listing/71328944/vintage-1930s-tie-neck-blouse-pdf?ref=sr_gallery_7&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=1930s+knit+pattern&ga_search_type=vintage&ga_facet=vintage for my next project. I hope I can figure out how to grade a raglan sleeve!
I just received Vol. 1 of the book a few days ago and thanks to your wonderful knit-along I now feel confident enough to tackle another knitting project. I have cast on for the puff sleeve cardigan “To set off your summer frocks” with magenta cotton yesterday. I should have finished the Briar Rose first, but I couldn’t resist temptation to try out my new yarn.
I also preordered Vol 2, mostly for the evening sweater on the title, isn’t that just spectacular?
Just came across a ton of old knitting/crochet books from 30s to 50s. Old lady passed and her kids threw everything on the curb. 🙁 If you want them, let me know. I unfortunately don’t know how to do either 🙁
I’m a huge Stitch in Time fan (my decision to learn to knit was mainly influenced by my desire to wear beautiful vintage styles- and especially in those intricate lace patterns), but before I bought it, I had a go with a free vintage pattern available from the V&A Museum website- it’s a 1945 “victory jumper”, which originally called for red, blue and white (naturally!). I’m making it in raspberry pink and it looks gorgeous. It’s taken some playing by ear with the pattern, but it’s looking to fit very nicely indeed.