Make Do and Mend Tips from 1940s Vintage Knitting Books // Casual Friday 3-09
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- Опубліковано 23 лип 2024
- In this week's Casual Friday podcast, I have made progress on my Roaring '20s vintage sweater, nearly had a major setback, and share the spreadsheet I'm using to keep myself on track for this project; Also four of the eight classic knitting books written by Margaret Murray and Jane Koster published in the UK during WWI, which included a wealth of "Make Do and Mend" tips for clothing families while rationing was in place.
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To jump to a specific point in the video, click on the adjacent time-stamped link:
Introduction: 0:00
Tidbits: 0:42
Roaring '20s vintage sweater project: 6:03
Vintage Knitting Books: 27:20
LINKS TO THINGS MENTIONED IN THE VIDEO:
nicola white mudlark UA-cam channel: / driftwoodnic
Make Do and Mend fashion show from WWI:
• Make Do And Mend
How clothes rationing affected fashion:
www.iwm.org.uk/history/how-cl...
Ravelry project page for the Roaring '20s sweater: www.ravelry.com/projects/Rox/...
My Ravelry project page for the sweater I'm wearing:
www.ravelry.com/projects/Rox/...
If you have questions about this video, or suggestions for future videos, please let me know down in the comments or on social media.
My knitting designs: www.ravelry.com/designers/rox...
Rox Rocks Ravelry group: www.ravelry.com/groups/rox-rocks
Facebook: / roxknits
Twitter: / roxmpls - Навчання та стиль
Geez, thanks a lot, Rox, you are such an enabler! Seriously, these books are fascinating, and I must have them. I ordered the one from two weeks ago, and it arrived and I love it. I am going to follow the instructions for fixing a moth hole. Now I must have the first one from today's video. All those pages of general instructions, sewing, fitting, etc. I just eat it up. Even if I already know something about the topic, I can always learn more. What I love about these old books is that it gives insight into how it was taken for granted that people knew how to do things, and of course it shows that there's nothing new under the sun--so many techniques that are being talked about now as "new" really aren't. I grew up around people sewing, knitting, and crocheting all the time in the 50s and 60s. I just absorbed it, and there were no mysteries. Now people are always expressing that they are "scared" to try something because they have not been exposed. It's good that on line communities give them courage, but it's too bad that people are not always able to be around others who are doing crafts.
Really interesting. My mother( born in the 1920’s) only started picking up stitches to knit a button band in the early seventies. I remember it distinctly because I was learning to knit at the time so she would often comment on what she was doing so I could watch. She didn’t use a circular needle at all , she knit the collar, button band and buttonhole bands separately and seamed them neatly where they met the collar. The same with v necks, she would seam the pieces together at the points where they met. I grew up in a knitting town. The predominant employer in my little Scottish town was Paton’s and Baldwin who had numerous woollen mills throughout the county. So everyone knitted and I never saw a circular needle until my sister brought one back from the states in the 1980’s! Sweaters were constructed in pieces and seamed. Elastic thread was knitted into cuffs and ribs to stop it sagging. I had never heard the term mattress stitch until quite recently , my mother called it seam stitch.
Loved this video! I appreciate all your enthusiasm regarding vintage knitting techniques. I learned to knit from my great aunt back in the early 70s. She would make beautiful 2 piece knit sets. Her skirts had elastic or zippers in the waistband. She hardly used patterns, but always knew how to make modifications for fit. I was a child and didn't fully appreciate the wealth of knitting knowledge she had. I wish we had more books containing info on knitting to fit and not being so dependent on stitch by stich patterns.
Thank you so much for this educational video. I usually watch your videos on my TV which does not give me an option to comment. I would like to but I just wanted you to know that. I am betting there are many more like me watching in same way so can't thank you on every video unless like today I specifically came to video on computer so I could thank you. You have taught me so much.
I am so very impressed by the fussiness of this project. My hat's off to you for working so meticulously in reinterpreting this beautiful vintage sweater. I've been knitting for a number of years and had been a bit stuck on my usual menu of patterns. You've given me the motivation to move out of my rut and try knitting something more challenging. Thanks! Love your vids.
Your attention to detail is simply amazing! I’m so sorry you had a meltdown, but I’m really glad you took a break for a minute so you could look with fresh eyes. And thanks for showing the vintage books-fascinating!
All of your podcasts are so useful and fun to watch, but even as impressive is the organization you give for information (down below) so that we can go back to easily view certain parts. Thank you!
I can see that you are so knowledgeable with your pattern just from creating the spread sheet. I love excel. Love your podcast. I have been working in publishing for decades and love the vintage books.
I wish I could master Excel!
Your 20`s sweater is looking absolutely stunning, I admire your determination to take it to the end with modern alterations and yet staying true to the essence of the original. I can hardly wait to see how you complete the collar in crochet. that is one of the most intriguing and unique features of the sweater which drew me right in the first time you showed the design. I also love the sleeve detail with the slits, quite funky and retro chic the vintage reinvented to become excitingly new again. Thanks so much for sharing your journey making it, I`m loving it immensely.
So interesting! The vintage sweater is beautiful and I admire your perseverance. I love this history. Thank you very much.
Holy Cow. That spreadsheet is astonishing! I think all your many many fans are probably as amazed and delighted as me. I wouldn't (couldn't) do that, but I adore that you have - it is such fun. It occurs to me as I listen to your explanations that you could use a knitting secretary to keep track of it all. I am herewith applying for the job should it ever materialize .
I follow Nicola for so long. I love love love her podcast so much. She is a very talented artist. I love her curiosity about the little bits and pieces.... Thank you for mentioning her.
The first book you showed was my mother's knitting bible. I was born in 1942 and I have a photo of myself aged about 6 wearing the basic little girl's jumper with the buttoned shoulder from that book. Also a photo of my brother and myself, both wearing the hand knitted bathing costumes.
I have spoken to other wartime 'babies' who came from much bigger families. They all say the same thing about their mothers not being able to afford to use the clothing coupons so they sold them to better off women.
I was able to replace my mother's original copy as it was so fragile and I have about 6 different publications.
So interesting. You mentioned knitted underwear; I’m in the UK, I’m 73 and I vividly remember my mother knitting my underwear, vests and pants (knickers), and how they itched! My mother was very resourceful, she would always knit down so as we grew she could readily lengthen the body and sleeves.
Louise Rule....... Did we have THE SAME MOTHER? I thought I was the only person who had knitted underwear like that. And SOCKS, winter socks and lovely summer ankle socks in pastel cotton yarn. My mother knitted 3ply vests for my babies, I have to say, with the improvement in wool since I was little, they were a work of art, so soft. She lived with us and all the hand knits were put in a special basket and she washed them all by hand. She also knit me a swimming costume... I think I still have a photograph of me running out of sea in Devon....... don't laugh.... Least said, best mended:). I must STOP, I will ramble but memories have come tumbling in. From a sunny day in Belfast... Have a good day where ever you are.
Christine Newell ... I had to laugh! What fabulous memories of childhood... my mother always had something on the needles, and even to altering my brother’s clothes to fit me, adding “girlie” elements, she was a marvel and a wonderfully accomplished and inventive needle woman. Nothing went to waste.
Louise Rule I cd talk/txt about the memories all day long..... I learned to knit very very young... socks on 4 needles. Mummy used to unpick anything she cd lay her hands on to do dad's socks. Thing was, he was in the Coastguard Service and had to wear uniform which included navy blue socks but mummy only knit the ankle and 1/2 way up the leg in regulation blue, the rest was in a multitude of colours. I remember the day his secret was exposed, he was in the office and I was with him and a colleague. Dad had crossed his legs and revealed the rainbow much to the amusement of his pal. It had its benefits because news of the socks spread and mum was given garments for unpicking so she had plenty of wool to knit with. I was an only child of a 2nd marriage my dad having custody of his 3 children. They were married in 1940 and mummy picked the children up from an orphanage 2 days after the wedding and they waved dad off to the war, he was in the RN. So knitting was major in her life, underwear, dresses, shorts and even ties for my brother. I was born in 1947 and mummy was a Wonder Woman, Wonder Mother, Wonder Cook and Wonder Knitter. Yes, she was fab, taught me and my 1/2 siblings everything she could.
Christine Newell How wonderful Christine. I think back in the day being resourceful was necessary. I too was born in 1947, so know life was pretty hard for both clothing and food, and I feel it was fundamental to their inventiveness. Love the story about your father’s socks. My eldest son was a reservist in the RN, and my younger son used to be in the RNLI, so I’m aware of how rigid the rules are about wearing the correct uniform. Such a joy hearing your story.
Louise Rule RNLI, I still have goose pimples when I think of the work of our Lifeboat Men and women. When my father died we had a collection for RNLI instead of flowers. My son is a Padre in RAF and I had the pleasure of visiting him and his wife just before Christmas, they live in England ....... I have to laugh.... he would NOT wear multi coloured, hand knitted socks with his uniform:).
I really enjoyed this podcast! You are amazing. That sweater would send me over the edge. Love the spread sheet too! So wish I lived near you and could join in the guild and your knitting groups. I live in the San Gabriel Valley (Los Angels) in Southern California. No guild here. Really seeking a knitting community but it is tough here. I am working on level 1 MHK. I found a yarn store but I cannot sit with most of the knitters because I am wheelchair bound and the group meets in the loft, tiny store, no elevator. I will find my way with lots of help from your videos. Can’t tell you how much you have helped me. Thank you
I know you posted this a long time ago, but I hope you’ve managed to find a community of knitters.
I had to laugh about the knitting frustration leading to toilet cleaning.
I do a primitive analog version of your elaborate spreadsheets, because I’m always concerned about fit on those one-size-fits-SOMEONE vintage patterns.
I’ve been watching a truly absurd number of mudlarking videos over the past few months. I highly recommend Kit and Caboodlers’ UA-cam channel. They’re a mother and daughter team who transform the odd broken things they find into magical creations. It’s been fascinating to see their artistic vision evolve over the past couple of years. And it’s obvious that someone in their family is a *very* talented hand-knitter, because they’ve got quite a wardrobe of knitted fingerless gloves and hats.
I've been glomming Nicola'@s podcasts for the last month. I get almost as excited as she does over a pipe extraction. Fascinating!
Thanks for another very informative episode
First time I saw, and used, circular needles was in ... I think it was 1974, maybe 1973 (I was a teenager then). It was a set with different length cables and different screw-on metal points. We (my sister and I) borrowed them from one of my mother's friends, who was a teacher in handcrafts, to knit an Icelandic type of sweater for our aunt.
I watch that mudlarking channel! I really enjoy the adventure.
I'm really enjoying your vlogs. I'm learning so much from you and I love the history through the lovely books you've purchased. Thank you for the great information.
I love Nicola White’s channel! So fascinating that Roman things can live so long in the mud! And I love old vintage knitting books too. Haven’t started my collection other than the PDFs from the vintage knitting website. 😃
I really liked hearing about these vintage books.
Glad to know that I'm not the only knitter who has to just step away for a bit.
Lost my knitting mojo last October. ☹ But finally cast on a baby blanket on Thursday! That baby is due in April so hopefully that will keep me going
Nicola white, right. I just discovered her and other mudlarking channels I’m hooked. Love your channel especially the vintage aspects
Talking about the treasures in the Thames....
I often think of this expression I heard once...
"America thinks 100 years is old the same way England thinks 100 miles is far."
Belly laugh at “i shoved my knitting away and went downstairs and starting cleaning toilets”. Huge belly laugh. Thank you 😂😂😂rox, you DO rock!!
Oh and just as a point of interest regarding European terms and techniques - my mother’s knitting heritage was Eastern European as her grandparents fled Russia and Poland in the 1800’s. So, the people who taught her to knit were continental knitters originally but had changed to English style because they wanted to fit in, in their new English village. My mother used both styles and my father’s family who were from Ireland and Shetland thought she was most peculiar!
nicola Nicholson I too knit Continental. My mother's family was of Polish/Austrian/Jewish heritage. I have since taught myself English as well though my left hand automatically picks up the yarn.
I too learned continental knitting, as I am also descended from Eastern European Jewish refugees to NYC in the early 20th century. My friend from knitting group tells the same story as yours of her mother doing English style knitting so she would not stand out in London.
@@metaphoryarns8490 Me too! I have learned throwing, but I only use it for two-handed colorwork. I'm just not too adept at it.
@@NinaKeilin that's fascinating. Imagine that, two women with similar backgrounds on different sides of the Atlantic trying to fit in,I find that quite touching.
Thanks Roxanne. So interesting as usual. Wonder where one could find vintage books like this. I never see them in old book stores or even the library. Hard to come across ...
This particular series of books was published in the UK, and apparently show up in their charity shops all the time. Once I learned the title of the first volume, I did a google search and discovered there were actually 8 books, and from there, I could search for those titles. There is a complete set of all 8 books for sale on Amazon for a pretty outrageous price of more than $500, plus shipping. I bought my books on AbeBooks.com from seven different sellers (six in the UK) for far less. Depending on the seller, shipping costs can vary widely (some ship overseas with tracking, which is expensive, others do not.) Some vintage books can be found on ebay, and other used bookseller websites, as well. Like anything, when you are first trying to figure out where to look, it can be tricky, but once you get your foot in the door and understand what you're looking for, where to find it, and how to search for it, the process becomes much easier.
Roxanne Thanks so much for responding... invaluable info. Like you, I’m a voracious reader and simply love vintage books. I’m going to try your suggestions. Thanks again.
You can find them on amazon. I got one for about $30. It's easier to search since Rox is doing the work for us and we just have to search for the names.
Nina - thank you!
I am 60 my Irish grandfather used clay pipes with faces in the front of the bowl. We have a couple of them.
‘Twas me that commented about the v’s and where they would eventually sit across the bust. If I were to knit the sweater (not likely, although I love the look and design) I would be concerned the V’s would accentuate the droopiness of my no longer pert bustline.
Today, seeing the back completed (I’m a visual kinda gal) I can appreciate the logic behind changing the placement of the shapes and the need to have an additional section of blue v’s.
I empathised with you re. the miscounting of stitches before commencing the diamond on the sleeve. I have similarly miscounted, but stupidly, I figured if I simply ripped and re knit, counting the same incorrect number of stitches it would somehow work out. Sad to think what it says about me. Anyhoo, next time I think I should try cleaning the toilet before re-knitting. I’ve heard it said the best ideas and problem resolutions come to us while in the vicinity of a toilet.
I am very much enjoying your thinking process for the changes you’ve needed to make to the sweater and eagerly await the day it is completed and you can model it for us.
Yeah, I think I'm stuck with blue V targets. Otherwise, it would have been black diagonal targets. Probably not any better! lol
Hi, I love historical knitting! I didn't realize that you had a number of videos of vintage knitting, so I'm glad that I'm here. I have two questions. Did you say that the front was longer in vintage patterns in order to accommodate the bust, or the butt? It would make sense that for a larger b u s t you would need more Fabric in the front. However, I know that the silhouette for the twenties was very flat in the chest area, and streamlined throughout the body. My thought was that undergarments or sometimes used to bind, so that a flatter bust would actually use less fabric than in the back? The other question was about you charting out the pattern. Did you use regular graph paper, or are there computer programs that would simplify that? I don't draw well so I was wondering...
In some decades, some pattern companies added an inch in width and length for close fitting "blouses." (This was the case in several of my 1930s/40s pattern books (Rather than incorporating bust darts.) My 1904 sweater was much wider across the front, and used short rows to elongate the front, in order to create the "pouch", and the side seams ran up the edge of the back, rather than being centered up to the underarm. Construction methods and silhouettes in the 1920 varied widely, because sweaters became a fashion item, rather than an athletic garment. My 1920s sweater was knit entirely in one piece, starting at the bottom of the back, up to the armholes, sts cast on for sleeves then up to the shoulders, and back down to the bottom front. The front and back were the same width and length.
@@RoxanneRichardson thanks that makes sense. I'm also learning how to do short rows. Would short rows be good for making the stomach less noticeable? Like if you have a potbelly, which normally will distort the line of a sweater, would short rows stop that from happening? I am going to look it up, so if you don't normally answer questions here, that's okay. Thanks for the explanation about the 1920 / 30s or 40s sweater Construction.
Mary Thomas's book of knitting shows a diagram of a jumper (sweater) neckband and she talks about using 5 or 6 DPNs. The alternative to circulars ?
The would be the standard method for working in the round, prior to the invention of circular needles. The larger the circumference, the more dpns you'd use.
I wish I could post a picture because you look a lot like my grandma Rosemarie Cottrell, who passed away in 2014.