Accessories inspirations: Knit for Victory

Friends, the last week has been a whirlwind for me! I can’t thank you all enough for all of the wonderful support on my first pattern release, Victory. Wonderful doesn’t even begin to cover it. I’m seriously overwhelmed by the reception. 🙂

Of course, there’s not just the pattern release—there’s the Knit for Victory knit-along launch. Yes! I’m so excited how many people are interested in the knit-along and have been chatting it up. There’s already almost 50 people in the Flickr group! I’ve sensed a lot of positive reaction to the fact that it’s a long knit-along (three months to be exact). I think that’s helped a lot of you feel like you can join us at some point or another, or it’ll help you try and accomplish a bigger project than a shorter KAL would have allowed. So please, jump in whenever you’re able to!

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Now how about a little inspiration for Knit for Victory today? Literally, a little. We’re talking about accessories! Small projects are a great idea. Maybe you don’t have a lot of time, or you’re a newer knitter, or you’re looking to use KFV to help your holiday gift knitting. Consider an accessory! All the patterns I’m showing here today are available online, either for free or to purchase from the designer. They’re either vintage patterns or patterns I feel have a nice 1940s vibe.

Gloves and mittens are obviously not only accessory but necessity in winter, for those of us in cold climates. While this free Women’s Lace Gloves pattern (Ravelry link) is technically from the 50s, they’re a classic addition to a 40s wardrobe, too.  I knit them myself a few of years ago–it’s a great pattern.

Source: Women’s Lace Gloves pattern from Free Vintage Knitting

Those gloves are knit in the round, but there are actually lots of examples of vintage mitten and glove patterns knit flat and seamed. For example, the Free Vintage Knitting site also has 2-needle mitten patterns from a 1946 booklet (Ravelry link for the booklet). I like these simple mittens with a cabled cuff.

Source: Girls and Ladies Mitten Pattern from Free Vintage Knitting

Or if you want a little colorwork for your hands, consider the adorable Birds and Blooms Mitts from Veronik Avery. I love the look of this pattern because it reminds me of some of the projects in my Scandinavian vintage knitting booklets.

Source: Birds and Blooms Mitts on Ravelry, © Veronik Avery

How about for your head? Greta is a wonderful sport-weight turban pattern from Susan Crawford. I keep meaning to knit one for myself. Isn’t it just darling?

Source: Greta Turban pattern on Ravelry, © Susan Crawford

If you’re looking for a turban style but something that has more hat-like coverage for the super cold months, the Victoria & Albert Museum archives has two 1940s turban patterns for free (Ravelry links for the moss stitch one and stockinette one). You’ll just need to scroll through the pattern images until you get to the turbans.

Source: V&A Museum archives 1940s patterns

Okay, how can I list accessories without including my own new pattern, Victory? As you already know, I’ll be slowly knitting through the pattern as part of Knit for Victory, and gearing my posts for those relatively new to stranded knitting. (By the way if you haven’t seen it, my gorgeous friend and the Victory model Rochelle posted a few more photos on her blog from the photo shoot!)

Victory pattern on Ravelry, © Tasha Moss

But perhaps a solid-colored tam/beret is more up your alley. I’ve always adored Ysolda Teague’s Snapdragon Tam. Knit in dk weight, you’ll have this hat on your head in a jiffy. And since sets were as popular in the 40s as now (though I manage to always forget to knit anything that matches), why not make the matching flip-top mittens, too!

Source: Snapdragon tam pattern on Ravelry, © Ysolda Teague

If you’re looking for a vintage scarf, the blog Just Skirts and Dresses shared a scarf pattern from 1940. She also kindly included a copy of the chart she created to help knit the pattern. I love the pleated effect it makes!

Source: 1940 scarf pattern from Just Skirts and Dresses

Or combine a hat and scarf in one! Susan Crawford’s Miss Laverty’s Motoring Hood is a fantastic project for beginning knitters, and easy to whip up for advanced knitters. I knit this ages ago and always forget to photograph it, but I promise you it’s gotten more wear than many of my other winter accessories!

Source: Miss Laverty’s Motoring Hood pattern on Ravelry, © Susan Crawford

While this last pattern technically won’t keep you warm, it sure does warm my heart. Ms. Moneybags is a pattern for little knit coin purses. What’s even better is that the pattern is steeked, so you can try your hand at cutting your knitting on an itsy bitsy scale. What a clever little accessory to pull out of your vintage purse!

Source: Ms. Moneybags pattern on Ravelry, © Vintage Purls

 

How about you? Are you knitting an accessory for Knit for Victory? Do tell. Don’t forget to tag your social media sharing with #knitforvictory!