The great thing about vintage knitting patterns is that you can find them everywhere. Before the days of Ravelry and the internet, knitting patterns like the photographs above (source: Wee Bird) were distributed as paper copies. Those paper copies often end up on Ebay or in local second-hand stores. Here in the UK, second-hand stores (or charity shops) are a treasure trove of vintage knitting patterns. Below are a few useful tips and tricks for finding and adapting vintage knitting patterns.
28 February 2020
Where to Find Vintage Knitting Patterns
The great thing about vintage knitting patterns is that you can find them everywhere. Before the days of Ravelry and the internet, knitting patterns like the photographs above (source: Wee Bird) were distributed as paper copies. Those paper copies often end up on Ebay or in local second-hand stores. Here in the UK, second-hand stores (or charity shops) are a treasure trove of vintage knitting patterns. Below are a few useful tips and tricks for finding and adapting vintage knitting patterns.
23 February 2020
Introductions, WIPs and FOS
What do you need to know about me?
- • My name is Jasmine and I'm a British knitter (and sometimes crocheter) in my early twenties.
- • I love the French language & culture and spent a year living abroad in France as part of my degree - I will forever be in love with Annecy, a hidden gem of the Alps
- • I learned to knit for a recycled art project in high school when I was 12 years old. I tied together strips of plastic bags and knitted a scarf - I've been hooked ever since!
- • I spent 6 months working for a well-known craft company. I had an amazing time and learned so much more about knitting, yarn and craft blogging. I'm very thankful for my experience there.
- • I love cats and I am mildly obsessed with my neighbour's cat, Leo - I catsit for him and he's such a softie!
What are my favourite FOs to date?
I haven't been knitting garments for that long, but it's something that I've really taken to. I love learning the basics and then adapting patterns to create my own, unique version. Some of my favourite knitwear creations are below:
Amelie Jumper
This was my interpretation of the Emily Jumper by Willow & Lark. I made it using circular knitting needles and the seamless yoke sweater pattern from Ann Budd. I wanted the jumper to have a red striped body and plain grey sleeves so it looked like a T-shirt over a long-sleeved top. Due to the angle of one of the photographs, I originally thought the Emily Jumper was designed to look like this, and was rather disappointed by the colour change in the main body. So I decided to make my own in the yarn (Willow & Lark Heath) and design that I wanted.
Ripple Crop Top & Framework bralette
This was my first attempt at one of Jessie Maed Designs' patterns. I love all her patterns, especially the Ripple Bralette, so I bought and made the pattern. I then spent some time knitting some of her other patterns and experimented with a few improvised tops based on the ripple bralette design. Tweaking and adapting the pattern really helped me to understand how garments are put together and I had a lot of fun customising until my heart was content!
Starburst Socks
These are my 'Starburst Socks', made in Willow & Lark Heath. I adapted a really cute stitch pattern I found online and used them on a basic sock pattern (adapted from a Paintbox Yarns sock pattern and a DK weight sock pattern from Cascade Yarns).
What are my current WIPS?
I am currently working on:
- • Little Cotton Rabbits pattern for the girl bunny rabbit. I've just got the dress to finish and a little cotton tail to add!
- • The Zara jumper by Rowan, using The Wool in marshmallow colours (We Are Knitters)
- • A basic garter stitch crop top for beginners (my own design)
- • A matching sock for my lonely fair-isle Paintbox sock
What are my favourite yarns?
- • Paintbox Yarns - it's colourful and super affordable, perfect for someone like me who is still in the 'student' mindset
- • Anything hand-dyed and speckled - I can't afford it but I love to admire it from afar, or treat myself to 1 skein for a tiny weeny crop top (it's a good thing I'm tiny)
- • Debbie Bliss Iris - one of my favourites, it's incredibly soft and squishy. It really doesn't come across in photos, but it is the softest yarn I've ever felt
- • The Wool in marshmallow, by We are Knitters - it'll be like wearing a Flump marshmallow, I can't wait to finish working with it
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