Free Pattern Friday - One to knit and one to crochet

It's half term this week, so I've been out and about with the children. Play dates, shopping, playing board games. It's been fun, but there has been very little time for knitting.

The free patterns this time are from Woman's Journal 6th book of Knitting and Crochet, from 1935. Found at the British Library, but not scans, just pics again I'm afraid.

'Crochet this Three colour jumper! The main part is just two straight pieces with the new straight-across neckline.'

This looked interesting, as I am yet to crochet a whole garment. And why not start with a vintage one? Stitches used are dc (double crochet), and dtr (double treble).

 Excuse my thumb!

I assume it is designed for summer, with it's cap sleeves and airy pattern. So if I start now, I might finish it by June! What I like is the combination of knit and crochet, with the waistband and cuffs knitted in rib, as there is really no equivalent to the stretchiness in crochet. It gives it a very professional finish.

I would do it in cotton, but the original suggests wool. The colour combination sounds a little dull too. Dark brown, medium brown and fawn. Very 30s though.

For the knitting pattern I chose this for the unusual shape, and the colour, I'm a sucker for bluey greens. And belt buckles!

'With a Slit Basque. A Charming Jumper With a Waistcoat Effect. 

Here is the new line in jumpers for those who cannot wear the short waist-length. This one, knitted in basket pattern, has a basque with an open front which gives play round the hips o' various measurements at that point.'

It is larger than the usual jumpers, at 37 inches around the bust. And longer, at 22 inches from shoulder to lower edge.

'A pretty stitch, a neat Eton collar, buttons at the back, and a slit basque are all points that encourage you to make this jumper which looks enchanting in green. If you are going on a cruise it is ideal to slip on when the air is crisp, or you could have it in white for tennis.'

Ah, I can only imagine how glamourous cruises were in the mid 1930s, and all the chic knitwear that accompanied them. And beach pyjamas. And evening gowns.

I'm off to plan my summer cruise wear.

Or maybe just clear up the mess in the house caused by children. Oh, the glamour.

Theodora.

Free Pattern Friday - 1940s 'Oddments' Necklace

I thought I would save this pattern for Christmas, even though it is not terribly festive. It's a crocheted necklace, a quick and simple design, ideal for a beginner.

This necklace was inspired by a pattern originally published in a wartime Woman’s Weekly magazine. I actually saw it as a reprint in A Vintage View, Issue 4 (from 1940 - 1950). Only a snippet of the pattern was shown, so I filled in the gaps. I love the way even tiny amounts of wool were used up in the war against waste.

I have written up my revised pattern, which is available as a free PDF download here.

The original pattern suggests working three chains in four 'vivid' colours, so you end up with 12 chains.

I did a few versions in different weight yarns - one in d.k acrylic, one in 4 ply cotton, and one in 3 ply wool.  

The 3 ply wool one I did to match my Such A Debonair Little Jumper. I used the yarn from that (alpaca), some vintage aqua 3 ply, some 3 ply in a darker pink, and a dark brown from the Handweavers Studio. I worked three chains in each colour.

The two above are both made in d.k. acrylic, (excuse the phone pics). I used only 3 colours, as it turned out chunky enough for me. I would make them slightly longer next time.

Above is a nautical one, in 4 ply cotton, (sorry, it is a bit blurry, but you get the idea), with my Beret for Everyday. I would work more chains for this one if I did it again, but I quite like that it is delicate.

You can get this necklace pattern for free here.


I hope you have fun making it.

Crochet Mug Cosy

I've seen lots of mug cosies around, and thought I would make one for myself. Having then made a few more as gifts I thought I would share the pattern with you.

It is a very easy pattern to follow, (it had to be really as I am still by no means an expert in crochet)! I used a chunky weight yarn, as it works up really quickly and keeps it's shape. I used Robin Chunky, a 100% acrylic yarn. It fits most standard mugs. The one below is an American diner style mug.

The version above has a button in a matching yarn. For the first one I used a plastic button, (pic below). I soon realised if I wanted to throw it in the washing machine, I should use the same yarn. For a smaller button you could use an Aran weight yarn, but remember to make your button loop slightly shorter. The pattern for the button is based on a free one from yarnforward.com 
Thank you Yarn Forward.

This pattern uses UK and US crochet terms. US pattern and terms are below the UK ones.

Materials
Approximately 50g of chunky weight yarn
6mm hook
Scissors
Large eye sewing needle

Abbreviations
ch - chain
dc - double crochet
rep - repeat
sl st - slip stitch
st - stitch

Pattern
Row 1: Make 10ch, * miss 1ch, 2dc in next ch, rep from * to end. Make 1ch and turn.
Row 2: * Miss 1dc, 2dc in next dc, rep from * to end. Make 1ch and turn.

Repeat Row 2 until piece measures approximately 25cms, omitting the 1ch at the end of the row. Do not turn.

Make 3ch, sl st into base of cosy at end of first row. Slip stitch back across chains and up last row worked. See photos below.

To make button loop, make 10 - 12ch, sl st in base of ch.

Button
Make 2ch, leaving a 12cm tail.
Round 1: 8dc in 2nd ch from hook. Sl st in 1st dc.
Round 2: 1ch, * draw up a loop in 1st dc. Draw up a loop in next dc, yarn over hook and draw through all 3 loops on hook. Rep from * 3 times, so that all 8 dcs in Rnd 1 have been worked. Sl st into 1st dc to complete round.

Fasten off, leaving a 10cm tail. Using sewing needle and 12cm tail pad the button to create filling. With 10cm tail gather opening of button and pull up tight to create a base and sew to opposite side of button loop.

This is my first crochet pattern design, so if anyone gives it a go and it doesn't work, please let me know.

'I like a nice up of tea in the morning...' (Binnie Hale)

US version

Materials
Approximately 50g of Bulky weight yarn
10-J/6mm hook
Scissors
Large eye sewing needle

Abbreviations
ch - chain
sc - single crochet
rep - repeat
sl st - slip stitch
st - stitch
in(s) - inch(es)

Pattern

Row 1: Ch10, *skip 1ch, 2sc in next ch, rep from * to end. Ch1 and turn.
Row 2: *Skip 1sc, 2sc in next sc, rep from * to end, Ch1 and turn.

Rep Row 2 until piece measures approximately 10 ins, omitting ch1 at the end of the row. Do not turn.

Ch3, sl st into base of cosy at end of first row. Slip stitch back across chains and up last row worked. (See above photos for further help.)

To make button loop, ch10 - 12, sl st in base of ch.

Button

Ch2, leaving a 5 in tail.
Round 1: 8sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sl st in 1st sc.
Round 2: Ch1, * draw up a loop in 1st sc. Draw up a loop in next sc, yarn over hook and draw through all 3 loops on hook. Rep from * 3 times, so that all 8 scs in Rnd 1 have been worked. Sl st into 1st sc to complete round.

Fasten off, leaving a 4 in tail. Using sewing needle and 5 in tail pad the button to create filling. With 4 in tail gather opening of button and pull up tight to create a base and sew to opposite side of button loop.

Please let me know if you come across an error, this is my first crochet design.

Thank you. Hope you like it!

'You're the cream in my coffee...' (Jack Hylton)