Seagull and the stars

Knitted seagull getting a bit confused about a vintage map of the sky for December (it's upside down, gulls aren't great at stuff like this...) If you'd like to knit one, the knitted seagull pattern is in my Etsy shop (this one doesn't have the optional wire legs but the pattern comes with full instructions if you want to add them).

Poker Face

Some great poker faces being pulled while modelling Patons Cameo Crepe Twist "vintage cardigans for the connoisseur".

Although, to be accurate, I was informed by the lady in the charity shop that these people are playing whist, not poker, so they are actually pulling "whist faces."

Uptight spring fashion

There was a period in late 1950s/ early 1960s Britain when this was as relaxed as things got vis-a-vis spring fashion. Our model has opted for a 3-ply cardigan, stepping down from the more wintery double knitting woollie, but please note that in true Brit fashion, the cardie is still buttoned all the way up to the neck.

Judging by that palm tree in the background, our model is clearly on an exotic tropical holiday, and may soon undo the top two buttons of her cardigan in order to hit the beach. She is reading a book about the local cuisine and is having to hold onto a chair for added support. Garlic in absolutely everything. Crikey.

Alarmist knitting advert

A scare-mongering knitting ad from the 1950s, warning mothers that spring is not all sunshine and daffodils. Don't put those winter woolies away just yet, mother! In fact, you'd better knit a pram set or two - "knit one now just as a precaution against these early Spring cold spells, put it away during the Summer, and when you bring it out in September it will still fit baby the whole Winter through!"

Either babies didn't grow as quickly in the 1950s as they do now, or that is one stretchy baby outfit. A rather desperate attempt by Bairns-Wear to encourage a frantic burst of knitting activity before the traditional summer lull.

Woolworth's knitting advert

Happy, happy knitters from a Woolworth's advert, 1970s. "Strong yarns, wool yarns, nylon yarns. Yarns for babies, grannies, families, Winfield yarns, the best yarns".

The lady with the huge bag of wool seems to be knitting something white and tiny for a baby, whereas granny is creating a huge, stripy blanket. Or maybe it's one of those freeform jumpers for a grandchild that 1970s grans used to excel at. The ones where the sleeves went on for around a third longer than they should have done. The ones that barely fitted over your head.

Bonus points to the photographer for capturing gran's classic Carry On expression, and double bonus points with chocolate topping for taking the picture just as the bus was going past a Woolworth's store.

If you're a fan of 1970s knitwear, keep an eye out for second-hand copies of Woolworth's Knitting Magazine, which is a treasure trove of brightly coloured acrylic knitting and crochet patterns.

Norwegian sportswear

Now this is what I call proper sportswear. If the racks in JJB Sports were full of nothing but hand-knitted Norwegian-style jumpers and bobble hats like these, I would sign up for the loyalty card.

Any guesses which sports the couple are about to partake in? Something that you can do while wearing tweed trousers and full make up... is posing by a sports car actually a sport?

This late 1950s pattern from P and B gives directions for his and hers jumpers and hats, worked on dinky little size 11 needles, using 4 ply yarn. The Norwegian patterning is beautiful - if you were knitting this you would tackle a band of Norwegian twiddliness at the start of your project as you begin at the base of the main body, then a calm period of inky blackness, before finishing with a flourish of more twiddle at the top. A good combination of yin and yang.

1970s crochet flower motif scarf

Here's an autumn crochet project from Woolworths Magazine from the early 1970s. It's a simple fringed crochet scarf which is given a little zip with a super-cute crocheted vintage flower motif. The flower is worked separately, so you could always just make the flower and add it to a scarf, hat or bag of your choice.

To go back to the 1970s, you will need 4 ply wool in main and contrast colours. 3mm and 3.5mm crochet hooks.

Tension: 6 tr = 1 inch in width measured over pattern on 3.5mm hook.

4 ply wool is harder to find these days, so try substituting DK yarn and use a smaller hook.

Using 3.5mm hook and main colour make 51 loose ch.

1st row: Work 1 dc into 2nd ch from hook, 1 dc into each ch to end. 50 dc.
2nd row: 2 ch, work 1 tr into each dc to end.
3rd row: Work 1 dc into each tr to end, working last dc into top of 2 ch at beg of previous row.

Repeat the last 2 rows until scarf measures 80 inches from beginning (or indeed, the length you want - let's go crazy here). Fasten off.

Fringing and edging: Using a 3.5mm hook and main colour, work 1 dc into each dc row and 2 dc into each tr row, work along both long edges of scarf. Using main, cut strands of yarn approx 18 inches in length, fold in half and draw bundle of 3 strands through 1st st at one end of scarf. Draw ends through loop and tighten, forming one tassel. Repeat through every alt st of shorter ends of scarf.

Flower motif: centre of flower: using 3mm hook and main, make 4 ch and join into a ring with a sl st.

1st round: Work 8 dc into ring, sl st to top of 1st dc to join. Do not turn.
2nd round: Work 2 dc into each dc to end, sl st to join.
3rd round: *Work 1 dc into 1st st, 2 dc into next st; rep from * to end, sl st to top of first dc.
4th round: Work 2 dc into first st, *1 dc into each of next 2 dc, 2 dc into next dc; re from * to last 2 dc, 1 dc into each of last 2 dc, sl st to join. 32 dc.
5th round: Work 1 dc into each of next 2 dc, *work 2 dc into next st, 1 dc into each of next 3 sts; rep from * to last 4 sts, 1 dc into each st to end, sl st to join. 40 dc.
6th round: Using contrast yarn work 2 dc into first st, *1 dc into each of next 4 sts, 2 dc into next st; rep from * to last 4 sts, 1 dc into each st to end, sl st to join. 48 dc.
7th round: Using contrast work 1 dc into each of next 2 dc, *work 2 dc into next st, 1 dc into each of next 5 sts; rep from * to last 4 sts, 2 dc into next st, 1 dc into each st to end. 56 dc. Fasten off.

Make another centre the same.

Petals: Using 3mm hook and contrast make 9 ch.

1st round: Work 1 dc into 2nd ch from hook, 1 dc into each of next 6 ch, 3 dc into next ch, continue along other side of ch working 1 dc into each of 6 ch, the 2 dc into last ch.
2nd round: 1 ch, work 2 dc into first st, 1 dc into each of next 7 dc, 3 dc into next st, work 7 dc, 2 dc into next st, work 1 dc.
3rd round: 1 ch, 2 dc into next st, work 9 dc, 3 dc into next st, work 9 dc, 2 dc into next st, work 1 dc.

Continue increasing 4 sts in this way by working 2 more dc between incs, at the same time working in the following colour sequence: 1 round contrast, 2 rounds main, 2 rounds contrast. Fasten off.

Make a total of 12 petals.

To finish: Sew centre of flower to each end of scarf approximately 4 inches up from fringed edges. Sew on 6 petals evenly spaced around centre of flower.

Knitted school uniform

Knitted school uniform - both tops and pinafore skirts. Doesn't really bear thinking about in this hot weather, really.

Were kids really sent to school in skirts this short in the 1960s? I think you'd be sent straight home if you tried this today.

The pattern is stamped by Bellmans Wools, 21 Station Road, Portslade - which is now a Help The Aged charity shop. I wish that I could say that I'd bought this pattern there, in a cosmic moment of vintage knitting pattern kismet. But I didn't. Sorry.

Cute 1960s babies and their hats

Three very wholesome-looking babies and their knitted hats, from the early 1960s. Probably the same baby, which has clearly been bribed with a Jacob's Cream Cracker to model all three hats in such a winsome manner.

Or maybe they are identical triplets with three Jacob's Cream Crackers. We may never know.

Baby bonnet, helmet and beret are knitted in double knitting and poodle wools (that means bobbly wool, rather than wool harvested from a poodle).

1950s gloves to knit and crochet

The 1950s weren't just a classic era for chic hats. Gloves were dainty and stylish as well (and best displayed on expressively slender mitts, as above).

These four glove patterns from 1952 are recommended "for every occasion - in light shades for summer, or cheerful stripes for chilly days next autumn". The spotty gloves, black gloves and yellow and white embroidered gloves are all knitted in 3 ply. The striped gloves are crocheted in fingering thread.

If I start now, I might just have a pair of these by the autumn...

Buy a copy of this vintage 1950s knitting and crochet pattern for £1.50. You'll receive a link to download a high quality PDF document of this pattern upon payment.

Loopy knitted hats from the 1970s

By the 1970s, we had lost the art of graceful, chic hats. This family of three may be very cosy in their Bellmans Double Knitting Snuggles, but elegance is not a word that springs to mind here.

Note how the boy on the left is being gently constrained to prevent him from running away.

Make a 1970s loop stitch hat for yourself - Buy a copy of this vintage 1970s knitting pattern for £1.50. You'll receive a link to download a high quality PDF document of this pattern upon payment.

Pattern is for Snuggle hats from ages 3 to adult. You'll need double knitting yarn, and a pair each of no7 and no 9 needles.

Easy one-stitch crochet baby top

This vintage baby top from a 1970s Woolworths magazine is perfect for a first crochet project - the only stitches you need to know are the chain stitch, and the UK treble stitch (that's USA double crochet stitch). There's minimal shaping - just one easy decrease stitch, explained below, and to make things even better, this is a perfect stash-busting project - an excellent way to use up all those pretty odds and ends of DK yarn.

I made mine in shades of lilac, pink and blue, or you can try making it in the original pattern's bright colours. Or different shades of just blue. Or neutrals... Or...

You will need: oddments of DK yarn, 3.5mm and 3mm crochet hooks. Buttons.

Measurements: To fit chest sizes 46 (51-56) cm or 18 (20-22 inches).

Tension: 19 sts and 11 rows = 10 cms square measured over tr on 3.5mm hook.

Special abbreviation: Dec 1 = work 1 tr until 2 loops remain on hook, work next tr until 3 loops remain on hook, yo and through the 3 loops.

Back: Using 3.5mm hook make 49 (53-57) ch and work 1 tr into 3rd chain from hook, 1 tr into each ch to end.

Next row: 2 ch (count as 1 tr), 1 tr into each st to end. 48 (52-56) tr.

Rep the last row until work measures 15 (16.5-18) cm (6 (6.5-7) inches) or required length to armholes. Tie a marker to each end of last row to mark end of side seams.

Work straight until back measures 9.5 (10-11) cms (3.75 (4-4.25) inches from markers.

Shape back neck: next row work 17 (18-19) tr, fasten off. Miss centre 14 (16-18) sts, rejoin yarn to next st, 2 ch, work to end. Fasten off.

Left front:

Using 3.5mm hook make 23 (25-27) ch, work 1 tr into 3rd ch from hook, 1 tr into each ch to end. 22 (24-26) tr.

Work straight until front measures the same as back to markers. Tie a marker to one end of last row to mark end of side seam. Work straight until front measures 4 rows shorter than back to shoulder ending at side seam.

Shape front neck: next row work 19 (20-21) sts, turn. Dec 1 st (see special abbreviation) at neck edge on next 2 rows. Work 1 row. Fasten off.

Right front:

Work to match left front reversing shaping.

Sleeves:

Using 3.5mm hook make 27 (29-31) ch, work 1 tr into 3rd chain from hook, 1 tr into each ch to end. 26 (28-30) tr.

Work 1 row in tr. Continuing in tr, inc 1 st at each end (by working 2 tr into first and last st) of next and every following 2nd (2nd-3rd) row until there are 36 (38-40) sts. Work straight until sleeve measures 12.5 (14.5-16.5) cms (5 (5.75 - 6.5) inches. Fasten off.

Finishing and edgings:

Join side seams up to markers. Join shoulder and sleeve seams. Insert sleeves.

Edgings: With right side of work facing and using 3mm hook, join yarn to lower edge of right side seam, work 1 round of firm tr all round outer edge of jacket, working 3 tr into each corner, sl st to join.

Next round: 2 ch, work 1 tr into each tr, working 3 tr into each corner tr, work to end, sl st to join.

Next round: 2 ch, work 1 tr into each tr to end, sl st to join. Fasten off.

Work 2 rounds of tr around each cuff.

Sew buttons on left front edging as illustrated. Sew round corresponding space between 2 trs on right front edging for buttonholes.

1950s tea cosy and egg cosy knitting pattern

Welcome in the spring with this cute 1950s knitted tea-cosy in the shape of a dove cote, and a sweet dove-shaped egg cosy.

You will need: 1oz blue and 2oz white double knitting yarn, 1 pair no 9 knitting needles, padding and lining.

Measurements: Tea cosy, round base 18 inches, 7 inches high.

Tension: 6 sts and 7 and a half rows to 1 inch.

The tea cosy: cast on 55 sts with Blue (B). K 4 rows. Proceed thus:

1st row: K (11 B, 11 W) to last 11 sts, 11 B.
2nd row: P as first.
Repeat these 2 rows 6 times more. Work 2 rows, working B over W and W over B. WOrk 14 rows as before. Now reverse colours again. Work 18 rows, then turn up wrong side of work and K tog 1 st from needle and 1 from the 1 st row worked in corresponding colour on the wrong side, thus making a tuck to represent the eaves of the roof. P 1 row, keeping continuity of colours. Work 8 rows, then dec in next and every 4th row following, thus:

9th row: (K 2 tog, K 7, K 2 tog tbl) 5 times.
13th row: (K2 tog, K5, K 2 tog tbl) 5 times.

Proceed thus until 15 sts remain. Work 3 rows. Next row: K 3 tog 5 times. Break wool, thread through remaining sts, draw up and fasten off.

Work second side of cosy in same way, reversing colours.

To make up: Join seams, leaving openings for spout and handle. Pad and line the cosy. Embroider the doorways.

The egg cosy: Cast on 32 sts with W. K 4 rows. Work 2 inches st st.

Next row: (K2, K 2 tog) to end (24 sts). P 1 row. Work 10 rows st st.

Next row: (K1, K 2 tog) to end. P 1 row.

Next row: K 2 tog to end. P 1 row. Break wool, thread through remaining sts, draw up and fasten off.

Join seam. Pad head and gather round neck. Embroider eyes and add felt beak.

Chick hat for children

Five quirky children's knitted hats from what looks like the early 1960s (or, to be precise, four quirky hats and one standard pom-pom hat).

The yellow chick embellishment is incredibly cute and easy to make - make two yellow yarn pom-poms, one small one for the head, and a larger one for the body. Sew the head onto the body then trim to give the chick a good shape. Work two french knots in black cotton for the eyes and add a tiny pointed piece of black felt for the beak. Sew a few loops of yellow wool to the back of the body, making each one about 1 inch in length, then cut the loops to make a tail.

The Crochet Set

She's young... she's beautiful... she's looking very smug... she's definitely part of The Crochet Set.

And her baby pink crochet dress (worked in Lister Bel Air 4 ply) can only be worked up to a 38 inch bust size. It's skinnies only in The Crochet Set, sorry.

Buy a copy of this vintage 1960s crochet pattern for £1.50. You'll receive a link to download a high quality PDF document of this pattern upon payment. Pattern is for 34 - 38 bust.

Distinctively Different crochet accessories

From Golden Hands magazine, 1972: "Distinctively Different: In this age of standardised clothes and mass production, it is easy enough to find your best friend wearing the same dress as your own. Accessories are the best way to add more individual touches of character, but any which are the least out of the ordinary can cost the earth - so why not try and make them yourself?"

Indeed. Every home-made craft project is a poke in the eye to mass production and conformity. By picking up that crochet hook, you are sticking it to the man, sister.

These co-ordinating 1970s accessories are worked in red, white and blue rows of double crochet (UK). This colour scheme gives our model a bit of a 1970s air hostess look - maybe she's about to serve you a crocheted gin and tonic from the crocheted drinks trolley.

All of these accessories are created iin the same way: you make a central band of main colour until you have the length you want, and then work double crochet around the sides of the band until you have the width you want. Simple, and easy to adapt to make a watch strap, belt, hat band, or tie.