Getting Started with Vintage Knitting Patterns

[@franug]

Great video, thanks (suscribed😊). I live in Chile and the oldest patterns I own are from a 1969 Argentinian book my mom gave me, so not thaaat old. I've also downloaded a couple of 1940s UK patterns but I haven't been brave enough to knit them 🤯 as you said, patterns back then asume you know how to knit because everybody did! My mom, who's 62, was taught to knit by her grandma and in school almost as a toddler...she can read any pattern and understand it immediately! So envious😂

[@mlea79]

I would love a dedicated video about resizing vintage patterns. Ive tried using your guide to resize one i want to knit but it didn’t work out lol.

[@vintageknittingparty]

I will definitely be making one! I’m so sorry to hear that, if you want a hand feel free to DM me on Instagram :)

[@waywardsister8367]

Sizing was limited too because, in the UK, rationing went throughout the war and well into the 1950s. There just wasn't as much food around, or cars so everyone walked and a gym was the guy down the road in the Dog & Duck pub. Lol, you are completely right about assuming everyone knew how to resize because knitting used to be taught in schools then and up until the late 1970s.

[@leahball4784]

I've used the Rowan 4ply yarns--4ply cotton and 4ply merino successfully for vintage patterns.

[@brookeshoevlin]

So happy to have just found your channel!😊Lovely episode, lady! I’m looking forward to watching more!

[@vintageknittingparty]

Oh thank you so much for this comment!! I’m so happy you’re here! ❤️

[@meepiecrafts7799]

Yeah a new episode🎉. Is it possible for you to show us your knitted vintage items? I am super exited to see them🙏😊

[@vintageknittingparty]

Thank you! Of course, that sounds like such a fun video 🥰

[@meepiecrafts7799]

@@vintageknittingparty i think so too😊

[@kateleurs5012]

Oh my! I have just discovered your channel. I'm besotted. Have wanted to get into vintage pattern knitting for ages. Thanks for your fabulous inspiration.

[@vintageknittingparty]

Oh thank you so much Kate! You've made my day!

[@Anne-lv2qg]

I feel the part about blocking 😂 My current wip (lavenda rainbow jumper, yay!) is, ahem, far less stretchy than I anticipated, and it absolutely needs a block. As for yarn, I don't know if you can easily get it in Australia, but Holst supersoft held single gives a lovely fabric at the right tension! I've only done some swatching as of now, but I'm already loving it

[@vintageknittingparty]

Oh the stitch of the rainbow jumper can be so rigid feeling! I love that pattern though, I would love to see yours 🥰 Thank you for the yarn recommendation, that sounds perfect!

[@lucyb1802]

Lovely video. Just wish we had better views of the items either worn or full length photos. Really gorgeous styles we want to see them!

[@emilykatemadethis]

I'm having some serious pattern envy 😂 the majority of mine don't have abbreviations and they're about 5" of instruction for the whole thing. Your booklet is glorious! All that information and all the words haha My current project just says M1 and actually means yarn over.. it's definitely making me use my brain 😆 I have more patterns to try and I hope by then I'll understand more. Otherwise I'll be buying Australian patterns haha

[@vintageknittingparty]

Oh my goodness that sounds like a challenge haha you poor thing! I get so envious of the abundance and variety in British and European patterns but the instructions in these booklets are so lovely :)

[@colettemoolman4410]

Hi, are you part of the "all things vintage" group on Raveley? I think your take on vintage knitting videos are very needed! Especially for knitters just getting into vintage knitting.

[@vintageknittingparty]

Oh I didn’t know groups existed until now! I’m going to look it up immediately, thank you so much ❤️

[@thetherapydiaries]

Adore you Lauren! x

[@vintageknittingparty]

😘😘😘

[@Nadia-uc1tb]

Great video! I'm a beginner knitter and I would love to start knitting from vintage patterns, I love wearing vintage clothing but as you said reproduction is not always accessible and I find vintage cuts so much more flattering. Would you say that going straight into vintage patterns as a beginner is difficult? Are there any patterns in particular that you would recommend for someone who hasn't knitted their first clothing item yet? Thanks!

[@Pinkblosemcrafts]

the one thing that i have trouble with is that alot of vintage patterns are for smaller people so i wish i knew how to make the patterns bigger myself☹

[@vintageknittingparty]

I completely agree! I'm working on a video sharing the process of how I enlarge them for myself. Very few vintage patterns come in my size too. I do have a bust size filter on my website for the patterns which do, but it still only goes up to a 44" bust :(

[@edwinagordon5401]

I am obsessed by vintage patterns and have quite a collection as i am given them. How do you store them? Some of mine are quite fragile.

[@vintageknittingparty]

How wonderful to have such a collection! I buy A4 sized backing boards and plastic sleeves on eBay which are meant for comic books. They’re archival quality and acid free, and it keeps them dust free and standing up straight in a box so they don’t crinkle. Just make sure the cardboard is acid-free so it doesn’t react with the paper of the patterns. I hope this helps!

[@edwinagordon5401]

Thank you. Xx