Knitting a 176 year-old Victorian Sweater (or Polka!)

👒🔍 Download June’s Journey for free now using my link: woo.ga/9g0ed4
I've heard of polka dots and the polka dance, but this time we are knitting the polka sweater! This may be the oldest pattern for a 'sweater' meant for women's outerwear and it is super cozy.
-- Polka Cardigan --
Pattern (free): archive.org/de...
Yarn (affiliate link): bit.ly/KPSwish
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Engineering knits is a place for people who enjoy all kinds of vintage and antique crafts - from sewing to knitting, crochet to embroidery I like to try it all. I definitely have a preference for historical fibre crafts, and it is my dream to one day make an entire outfit from sheep to sweater. I hope you enjoy watching me and my favorite companion, Nutella, struggle through some fascinating projects!

[@mirandawallace400]

I personally like that bit of green showing through at the collar because it gives some depth and separates you from the collar. Also- slinky sleeves! Lol

[@seanmcgcostumes]

I completely agree!

[@CastielWillow]

When you put the whole ensemble on, you look JUST like a fashion plate from an old magazine. My brain had a second of wibbly-wobbly timey-whimey adjusting! I think it's just perfect. I am loving this series and kind of wish it would never end!

[@goodandgreen]

Looks so good!! I like the collar, but would like it just white too. Best part is learning about your process for reading patterns and how much room there is in interpretation! I always feel like I have to get it “right” when following patterns (for the first time at least) and my mind is blown by how many ways could be “right”! Thanks for sharing your hard work ❤

[@chrissy24-7]

Absolutely love this and I would say the green inside is probably somewhat authentic since ermine was rare and if they lined the inside it would be more costly. Just a thought. But it looks wonderful! ❤

[@DianeBianchi_MnWx]

Thank you so much for the detailed instructions! Don't you just love how cryptic the Victorian patterns are!

[@roadrunnercrazy]

Lovely polka! The two color collar looks lovely. It makes the collar look like it is part of the sweater instead of some added-on bit. The faux ermine is very fun. If the excess stretch in the sleeves is too annoying, cut a length of grosgrain ribbon to your preffered sleeve length and sew it inside the sleeve along the seam. This will give them some stability. If necessary you can sew several strips in different places along the length of the sleeve for even more stability.

[@FairilyFiberFun]

I love the final cardigan but like you mentioned, that collar would have been better in all white. Loved the end clip where you flopped the sleeves around!

[@Pinkblosemcrafts]

love the video!! I just wanted to say thankyou as ive been watching your videos since 2020 and they are what made me love fashion histroy even more than i already did. This year I got accepted into Brighton university and am currently studying fashion and design history, all thanks to your amazing content. 😁

[@rowanhughes8682]

Really enjoyable and so well put together, terrific episode! The shape is so so authentic (of course, it's an actual pattern from the era😄!) but how it's shaped and the way it sits around the hip. I love your channel, and the sleeves made me giggle 😂 they looked like 'Slinkys' !!!

[@LisaMarli]

Very cute. My modern office is nicknamed the Ice Box because the AC is aggressive. That would be fun as an modern office jacket complete with fake ermine look. And yes, I do have one brioche sweater in my collection already. I love the way they feel. Yeah for Internet Archive. I downloaded the book. Now I need to upload the nerve.

[@roxanneash4091]

Great job! Love the look of your sweater watched this video while knitting garterlac dishcloths. We knitters have to stick together and encourage each other. I might have to try and dig up a pattern similar to this it looks so warm and cozy. 😊

[@spazcake1755]

I love it! I want several of them in very bright and questionable color choices!

[@999Giustina]

So interesting! And you look just like the fashion plate! Wonderful project!

[@crowznest438]

Sure wish that book was available as a reprint. That's a great find. I am beyond impressed by this jacket and that's funny about the sleeves but perfect when your hands are cold.

[@MichelleSMV]

Such an adorable polka. The sleeves stretching so long reminded me of Beetle juice 😂!

[@MarzJD]

I like the collar. It's a beautiful garment

[@coreygilles847]

The polka is adorable!

[@maleahlock]

I'm so glad I finally got a chance to sit and watch this! Such a cosy video and the result is even better than the illustration. Thank you for sharing 😊

[@ravenbelote1801]

So cute. Nice work.

[@EngineeringKnits]

👒🔍 Download June’s Journey for free now using my link: woo.ga/9g0ed4 I loved getting back to some Victorian knitting with this polka! Would you ever give it a shot? -- Polka Cardigan -- Pattern (free): archive.org/details/krl004029... Yarn (affiliate link): bit.ly/KPSwish

[@nancymoore8949]

Wow! Yours looks exactly like the engraving in the book. Well done.

[@chareseshinabery]

This is super cute!

[@pauladavitt7554]

I absolutely love it. I only wish I could make one for myself. I hope you had a fabulous time while here in Edinburgh. If you had been here a few weeks later you would have been able to attend the Christian Aid book sale where they had some wonderful vintage knitting patterns.

[@Nessi-dances]

Such a cool project! I'm glad her instructions were mostly clear, that's a find in-and-of-it's-self! It might be interesting to play with a scale model of the shaping to see what difference it makes. I feel like it might have been like a facing or stay-stitching in sewing, something to add structure? 💜

[@synnrig]

I agree with everyone here, the green inner collar looks really nice! 🤩 I also think maybe the reason it is in colour and not white is that its close to the skin on your neck and face. Those are oily places that will leave grime over time that could discolour the white. So it might just be a trick to not having to look dirty or wash the cardi so much. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@CraftsyPenguin]

awwww, it's so pretty! The silhouette is great :) And the sleeves are a great fun :D

[@IDontSuckAtLifeakaJanis3975]

Ever since I watched this I keep thinking about Gus Polinski the Polka King of the Midwest 🎶 Polka Polka Polka 🎶 (John Candy's role in Home Alone)

[@nommh]

Wow! I cannot follow instructions so I don‘t really knit. For some reason I was reminded of fishermen‘s sweaters typical for northern Germany. They were knit in brioche too, but the wool was so so stiff and scratchy that the sleeves would never have that extraordinary flexibility. I suppose the collar might have been dark where it came into contact with skin and it would have been soiled too easily.

[@alanapont4145]

The finished product looks amazing! And so comfy well done!

[@eiszapfenkobold]

Oh yeah i want to knit this when i am more experienced. Thats cool to see it in a video.

[@su.mioiyu-5008]

That was fun that you shared this thanks and it was food for thought

[@TheGabygael]

Been wanting to do that one for awhile, it looks amazing, great job, most reproductions I've seen of mid 19th knitted jackets, cardigans, etc tend to look austere or floppy (I blame our modern mindset on historical knitting and the quality of modern yarn)

[@bonnielundholm5535]

I like the bit of color showing on the collar. To build upon what you were saying about the collar, I think it frames the face nicely. I do think it might look a little better if the white part of the color was a little longer. Maybe just a couple more rows of white before changing to the main color. Your polka cardigan looks great!

[@thorunns.craftstudio]

this turned out amazing!!! wonderful job!!!!

[@emilysmith2784]

You may have convinced me to try brioche. It does look so squishy. I am always amused how non natives say Edinburgh 😂. Honestly just looking at it I can see why but it’s pronounced Ed-in-bra.

[@mirib5007]

Stunning! Love those ermine tails! Never seen that before. What happened there at the end wth your sleeves??

[@masz10676]

As always. Perfection!

[@c.w.3750]

It’s not my favourite cardigan/jumper you’ve made but I do like it.

[@joycecampbell7340]

Very nice 👌

[@kathrynmacgown6575]

This is beautiful!

[@Miniver765]

It turned out beautifully, but I share your opinion regarding the collar. I'm unsure why the original instructions didn't call for it to be knitted entirely in the same white wool as the trim. You did an amazing job! ❤👍

[@TheGabygael]

I personally thought of ievan polkka but it's probably not related

[@aquaaurora2747]

What scene/lvl are you at in June’s Journey? Do you have a favorite scene to replay over and over? I played it back in 2020 until I had a wrist injury ironically in June. I started playing again this April and am at 100, about 26 scenes/lvls away from where I was before. My favorite scene is 95 the orangerie.

[@LeeAnnahsCreations]

29:14 - what is the name of this music please?

[@katebowers8107]

Adorable! Ok, but that sleeve construction is a bit - nuts? I mean cute, but I can just see me getting those caught and stretched out everywhere!

[@kkribernegg7373]

I’m sorry if I just can’t find it , but where can I get this pattern ?

[@JCKay]

In the Description of the video ...

[@torakfett3351]

Weird Al? Anybody? lol

[@WindInMyWings]

It is minor, but that pronunciation of Edinburgh is wayyyy off. It only has 3 syllables and is ED-IN-bruh.

[@funguscreature6833]

ive seen many patterns for polkas during my research (my main era of interest is 1840s-50s) and this seems like the easiest and best written one ive seen, and i very much want to make one for myself. Edit: I also wanted to ask- how many skeins of yarn did this take?

[@TheGabygael]

Everytime I see DK weight on yarn my brain reads it as Donkey Kong weight

[@jayneterry8701]

😂

[@sinaritsu3836]

And you've decided to pass that curse upon us 😭😭😭

[@sidmelucci3675]

Re: the instructions to cast off, then, apparently, immediately pick up the same stitches. I wonder if this might be to rein in the stretchiness of the brioche, so the neckline stays around the neck and doesn't start creeping toward the shoulders. Love the little "ermine" tails!

[@bludeetu321]

I agree. In a sewn shirt, this bit is called the collar stand. In dressmaking, the collar stand would be stiffened with some form of interfacing. So plain knitting takes the place of the interfacing.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

"Ermine" rhymes with "vermin." I learned that when I mispronounced it a different way, and my viewers let me know it! :-) ETA: The final result turned out great!

[@EngineeringKnits]

I've only ever heard Ermine (or Hermelin) pronounced in German, so I think that is where my mis-pronunciation comes from! Thank you for the information! Also, thank you! It was a really fun knit, and especially fun since we talked about polkas a few years back now and I've finally finished one.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

@@EngineeringKnits My mispronunciation came from never hearing it pronounced (only reading it), and assuming it rhymed with wine, fine, mine, line...

[@maleahlock]

​@@EngineeringKnits It really depends what region and time you choose to use for your pronunciation. Ermine or ermin are both acceptable 😊

[@TheGabygael]

A few elderly women I knit with advise when you knit a seperate neckline on a jumper to start with two rows of stockinette before knitting the ribs so that it's easier to sew it to the garment, for me it would make sense to knit those two rows on the collar in the colour of the cardigan to make it blend better Edit: nope i'm mistaken, not clue what she meant must've been some shaping witchcraft thing

[@sleepynightowl1550]

shaping witchcraft thing 😅👍

[@garnettekken]

I’m using the term shaping witch craft from now on

[@TheGabygael]

@@garnettekken glad I could enrich your vocabulary ^^ I was really good at geometry, have a great spatial imagination but I cannot be bothered to understand how knitwear shaping works for some reason 🤷

[@moonbasket]

This looks awesome! I love the interesting sleeve construction. Maybe it was purposeful to fit over surviving very large 1830's sleeves. Wouldn't want to spend so much time and effort on a jacket you couldn't wear over all your dresses.

[@fikanera838]

I had no idea that brioche was such an old technique. The polka looks gorgeous! 🧶

[@faydreamsmystic4]

I loved the bit with the "Incredible Stretchy Arms" bit at the end. So cute.

[@EdenYell]

If you have one of those quilting rulers that is see through and has 1" squares, that is what I have been using to measure my gauge swatches so that i don't accidentally stretch them out. I just smoosh it over the swatch

[@agimagi2158]

I do like the extra pop of color at the collar, it frames your face so nicely. I also love the little hermine tails they make this look so cozy and almost christmasy. So cute!

[@heidiclarke2333]

I liked the pop of colour on the collar, I thought it was going to be way to big, then you put it on over the correct outfit and hey presto it looked amazing, I'm sure it would have been very cosy and much worn in the drafty cold houses of its era.

[@leagaillard755]

Great video! I've been living in Aberdeen and I'd like to confirm that that's at least the third April in a row where it's snowed.

[@ThestarryeyedHermit]

We really don’t get a break do we 😅

[@elvinam888]

What a lovely video, but I'm curious, was that Edinburgh, Scotland you were in? :) As you pronounced it "Edinborough" throughout, so I'm not sure :) (The Scottish capital is pronounced approx. 'Ed-in-bruh'. ;))

[@biaberg3448]

You are amazing! The polka is beautiful.

[@erose1320]

I loved this video! It was so fun to see glimpses of your trip and how your project progressed along the way!

[@andreahughes1500]

That looks like such a cute and cozy cardigan. Love the slinky sleeves 😂

[@thesentienttoadstool9369]

Those sleeves are perfect for annoying friends and family. Optimal for slapping.

[@karenwesterveld9817]

The stretchy sleeves are fantastic! I had to giggle when you flapped your arm and they doubled in length. I really enjoy watching your videos, but this is by far my favourite…. I live in Australia now, but grew up on the Isle of Mull, met my (now) husband while yacht racing in Oban, and we lived together in Edinburgh! I hope you enjoyed your stay in Scotland.

[@charlenehumphrey785]

I actually do like the green in the collar quite a bit.

[@pluezilvlk8427]

I already loved the video but seeing Nutella play with the giant sleeves made my heart melt

[@vincentbriggs1780]

It's gorgeous! I love the colour, and the fake ermine tails are so neat! I agree that the collar would look a bit nicer in all white. I can see how the extreme stretchiness would be very practical if it's more often a jacket for children, they'd be able to wear it much longer before growing out of it!

[@just_foxy35]

before learning english polka had only 2 meaning to me, the dance/music genre and a polish girl/woman it's pretty neat to learn a lot of things are referred to as polka, the word itself meaning polish, referring to poland and polish people

[@welldressedhistorian]

You are so cute! I love how it turned out! Looks like something passable for modern times too!

[@ejups2487]

I'm currently knitting a cardigan whilst watching this! It's a child's school uniform cardigan so not as interesting but it's fun to knit whilst watching your project come together 😁 Great video! ❤

[@CasualKnitter]

The final reveal was everything! With the sleeves and all 😊

[@lizzaturnbull]

Yay! Edinburgh my beautiful home city! I used to work on Queen Street which is the street behind George Street. I’m so glad you enjoyed seeing it all 🥰

[@clairemcmullen3576]

It is interesting that the wool thickness ’4 ply’ is used - is this the same thickness as the British modern 4ply? If so then the Dk wool used is too thick. Although, like you said in the video, the needle size is larger than the typical 4 ply needle size.

[@MaureenDoyle]

Congratulations! I downloaded June’s Journey for you too :-)

[@janatherton9194]

I hadn't realised Jane Gaugain's shop was in that section of George Street, I worked close to there when I was a student and would pass the building on the way to work!

[@sandylaws8648]

A sweater normally worn by fishermen along the East Coast was known as a Ganzie.

[@heathersella8449]

It seems that you got a total feel for the times with the power outage. The piece wouldn't feel complete without it.

[@dunkel429]

The ribbing pattern of the sleeves is so fun

[@carlotajanicky9277]

I admire your passion

[@jennglow4647]

Very pretty 😀

[@toria7308]

wow i'm in love :o)

[@bunhelsingslegacy3549]

My goodness, is that ever adorable! I can't knit worth a dang (that's a lie, I knit ok 20 years ago but cannot for the life of me teach my dumb hands how to purl) but I'm thinking of how to crochet a sweater/cardigan/vest/something other than a blanket and this is giving me ideas!!

[@funguscreature6833]

if its worth anything, i dont think this sweater includes a single purl stitch

[@bunhelsingslegacy3549]

@@funguscreature6833 fair, I wouldn't be able to tell anyways. Haven't tried to knit in at least two decades since I learned to crochet, can't read a knit pattern, googled the brioche knit thing and still have no idea how to do it :) Honestly don't even know if I used to knit continental or one of the other ways.

[@knittedbywhitney]

The cardigan looks so cozy! Great job interpreting the vintage pattern and kudos to you for doing so much deadline knitting while also enjoying your trip!

[@Bookupied]

the sleeves!!! hahahaah this was lovley, such hard work! You're amasing!

[@makadoodledoo]

it might be two rows stockinette on the neck of the body so that the collar curls over and lays the way its supposed to

[@romystumpy1197]

That's my thinking to give it a curl over/fold.

[@cor3944]

That’s why I stopped knitting and only continue my crochet works. I admire your mathematical gift. ❤

[@seanmcgcostumes]

This is *super* cute! I'm so glad my love of historical costuming had the algorithm recommend this to me. This is such a cool project! And regarding the collar, I actually really like it. It separates your face and white bonnet from the white collar, and the bit of green makes it read like the collar and then a bit of the inside of it, like you might naturally see. Because of the knit, if it were all white, my eyes would read it as a large, awkwardly wide white roll around your neck that washes you out. But having the green visually shapes the white into a delicate collar *and* frames your face really well.

[@RychaardRyder]

i cant believe you managed to knit IN CANDLE LIGHT, like i cant even see past my nose without like 4 lamps on at once pointed at my crochet work or else it all looks like a blob of thread!

[@marthabieber4020]

Thank you for an other wonderful video! Do you plan to sell detailed notes on this polka? Even 'just' in you're size? Thanks a lot for you're lovely and inspiering chanal.🍀

[@pippaseaspirit4415]

That looks so snuggly and soft and deliciously cozy! I want one! (But I have no idea how to do brioche knitting!)

[@marynimocks6791]

I love it! The brioche stitch is wonderful for molding! Colors - chef’s kiss!

[@lisascenic]

Enchanting polka jacket! I genuinely like the little bit of the green on the collar. I suspect that the casting off and then picking up is a way of adding some stability/rigidity to the collar. It seems to me that it might counteract the stretch of the brioche stitch. The ermine tufts are adorable. And I totally love that you used pomade instead of gum Arabic!

[@tashacano3324]

What a beautiful finished polka! Personally I like the green on the collar & I was surprised by how good those little black bits looked. In the engraving I wasn't a fan but they really look good in the end😁 I love knitting so much but the weather here keeps me from wearing all my nice FO's 😢

[@mrspilgrim327]

I was surprised at how nice the polka looks, I had to look up what a ermine was, I had never heard of it before, cute little fellas, I thought the emine tails would look odd but they look very nice. The green on the collar transitioning to white is definately needed, I noticed someone else commented that making the white of the collar a little longer would look nice too, I agree. You were concerned about the messy look of the transition of the stitches from white to green, I assume you meant on the front button band part, my first thought was to sew a thin matching green ribbon along the join to cover the seam. I've been really enjoying watching your videos on this outfit, I admire your perseverance on such a tight timeline, you did remarkably well making so much for 2 people.

[@AlbosNoggins]

Whenever I hear polka I always think of John Candy 😂 What an amazing project and series, thanks for sharing!

[@cynthiaakacyndsmith6539]

I can only dream of knitting as such. Thank you for sharing and for sharing your trip as well, I am a new subscriber.

[@robintheparttimesewer6798]

Darn that is such a fun sweater polka. The old patterns are way beyond me and I've never heard of the stitch but it was fun to learn about it. You look amazing in your reveal

[@soberanobrasil9370]

How lovely. Adored the all video. Thank you so much.

[@cherylrosbak4092]

That's really cute, and I love the two-colour collar.