vintage knits | attempting the '3 hour knit sweater' | 1930s | knitting challenge

Welcome to my new mini series: Vintage Knits!
I'll be trying out vintage patterns, with the end goal of filling my wardrobe with decades of different styles. Today we're working on this mysterious/gimmicky '3 hour sweater'.
Can I complete a knitted top in three hours? Possibly.
Will the actual knit time be revealed in the video? Almost definitely.
This pattern was a fun find on thevintagepatternfiles.blogsp... which is a haven for vintage knit patterns, and somewhere I'll be sourcing more vintage patterns from
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If you like sewing, knitting and all things crafting follow along on my other projects ✨️
silkandstic...
www.silkandsticks.com
Pattern:
🧶web.archive.org/web/201002111...
(if the link doesn't work, try this one: blogger.googleusercontent.com...)
Materials used:
- Juniper Moon Farm Patagonia Organic Merino in Mustard
- Isager Silk Merino in 7S
Similar patterns with easier instructions:
- www.etsy.com/au/listing/82078...
- www.ausyarnco.com.au/classic-...
- www.etsy.com/au/listing/15816...
-web.archive.org/web/201312161...
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knitting, handmade, clothing, knitters, knitting challenge, knitting project, handmade wardrobe, making clothes, vintage, vintage patterns, knitting patterns, artsy outfits, aesthetic trends, sustainable fashion, diy, secondhand, ootd, trendy outfits, maximalist style, maximalist outfits, eclectic style, eclectic outfits, funky style, funky outfits,pinterest style, pinterest outfits, outfit ideas, outfit inspo, 2024

[@bagladysendtheferalspinner3761]

I'm in my late 50's & a knitter, and I remember my grandmother and great grandmother knitting. Their knitting speed was phenomenal! I think that previous generations knitted a lot more and faster than any of us do now, so at the time the pattern was written, it was a 3 hour sweater.

[@silkandsticks]

You are a very talented family! I hope to be able knit quicker one day, just need to keep practicing

[@sophieinspired]

@@silkandsticksi think even at that time they understood click bait 🥲 probably lots of 1930s girlies out there asking themselves why they are that much slower than the amazing women in the magazines 💖

[@jaybee4118]

Nah, I’ve known a lot of knitters in my 51 years and not one could knit it that fast even though they were incredibly fast. You might, just, get it done on a knit machine in that time, by hand there’s no chance.

[@SeverineScott]

No way this was an actual 3 hours knit. Maybe on a knitting machine after having made the same model several times.. You also need to take into consideration that using 6mm needles would have been very unusual. Tighter gauge were used. So more like 4.5 mm needles at most.

[@marabanara]

Using the 10mm needles gives a vastly different effect and size. But beautifully done!

[@mgdrew3044]

Just a note on vintage sizes, in the 1930s and 40s a size 16 is a 34 inch bust (about modern 8-10 oz/nz?), most knitting patterns of the era come in this size as standard and was expected that you would know how to up size if you needed to, though knitting patterns did come in other sizes too, its just less common. Basically 14 = 32", 16 = 34", 18 =36", 20 =38", after that they just state 40", 42" etc.

[@silkandsticks]

That's good to know, I'll keep this in mind for future vintage knit projects. Thank you 💛

[@theedorbs]

Oh! I've made three of these! They took more like 3 days, but I love this sweater and will probably still make another :).

[@theedorbs]

P.S. Yours looks great!

[@silkandsticks]

It's such a nice top, I think I'll be making more for sure. Thanks for watching 💛

[@sramdavies405]

I have a knitting machine and I don't think I could ever make that in 3 hours😊 on the machine. Great to see an Australian knitting blog.❤

[@LB-io4tn]

Maybe this is a ‘Three-Hour Project’ on a knitting machine ! I could totally see this done on an LK 150 or something

[@silkandsticks]

That's a thought! I definitely think the 3hr time frame would be more easily achieved 😊

[@MiMiOnTheGoGo]

It’s absolutely darling on you! Totally worth the “false advertising” of 3 hours they claimed. You inspire me to find a modern pattern that mimics this one, as closely as possible. I LOVE IT. 😍 I definitely will not be able to squeeze into that size (let’s just say it’d be “beyond negative ease”🙃) and I’m skittish of trying to do all the math to upsize. Thank you for your efforts.

[@Woeschhuesli]

Ah, the infamous 3 hour sweater… yours turned out beautiful and pairs perfectly with your skirt! I tried this out a number of years ago and came to the same conclusion on time. However I am short but not tiny and cannot wear something like this so my experiment was scrapped. On your small frame I think it looks as the original pattern intended, when women were often smaller; it would have fit my mom and gran in the 50s before everyone ballooned! I agree with others that each portion took me around 3 hrs and I ama fast and experienced knitter. Thinking about it, this would look cute on my granddaughter who likes cropped tops…

[@The-Vintage-Needlecrafter]

Hello , and I also enjoy knitting and crocheting vintage garments!❤ I just recently duplicated a hat from the 1976 TV series All in the Family.😊

[@terrydavid4654]

What a great adventure! Fun, interesting and informative. Thanks for sharing your process. Glad you fashioned it into a wearable garment. I had my doubts, but it looks great on you. 👌🥰

[@silkandsticks]

I did too, but I had to persevere 😅 thank you for watching 💛

[@cheskydivision]

I’d love to see this sweater as written I’m sure the larger needles will give a different fabric.

[@WyoShiela]

I love how it turned out!

[@jackielowery119]

That looks amazing on you !! Nice job❤❤❤❤

[@nas5947]

New here... such nice discovery! thanks for your inspiring video!

[@silkandsticks]

Thanks for watching! 💛

[@paularoberts2129]

Just came across your channel Your sweater is amazing looks fab on you I wish i could knit all my sweaters in 12 hours Take care xx❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@silkandsticks]

That would be a dream! Unfortunately it's closer to 40+ hours usually 😅 thanks for watching 💛

[@paularoberts2129]

❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@simplyshay5429]

This came out so cute! I’m definitely going to try my hand at making it😊

[@zendestorlind]

Well, we sure do admire this sweater! Wow, it is so cute

[@Bornfree1010]

The sweater is beautiful & fits you perfectly. You are darling.

[@mdillinger00]

The sweater looks fantastic on you!! I'm tempted to make one for myself now :D

[@silkandsticks]

Thank you so much! It was a fun project, you should definitely try it 💛

[@milourose2973]

What a very pretty sweater. I would like to make one myself now.

[@lorrainekrahn4498]

I had to come back, just remembered that I wanted to say that I am a 1st time viewer and enjoyed your vlog very much. So, hello from British Columbia, Canada

[@chilloften]

It’s really cute. You are very brave to tackle a vintage pattern. That might be like reading a foreign language to me. I’ll have to see.

[@silkandsticks]

It's not too tricky I promise! 💛

[@daisanders82]

Yours turned out so cute. When I knitted this pattern years ago I remember the individual bits taking 3 hrs (back 3 hrs, front 3hr and the two sleeves 3hrs), so I kinda thought that was the gimmick perhaps. I've been kinda tempted to try it on my knitting machine to see how long it would take to do on that. And being a raglan sleeve pattern it would be easy enough to rejig the hand knit pattern for a machine.

[@silkandsticks]

Would love to see how quick it is on a knitting machine, let me know if you attempt it! 💛

[@user-vb6cx1vh8u]

Stunning my dear.❤

[@claraphiri4180]

Oh wow it is super cute on you! I’m not brave enough to try reading a vintage pattern though..🙈 Well done!

[@silkandsticks]

I promise you it's not too tricky, just the sizing can be an issue 😅 thanks for watching 💛

[@contempl8ive]

First timer here! You’re fun, thanks for being you and for the knitting ideas. I’m subscribing 😊 btw I knit in bed a lot too😂

[@silkandsticks]

Thanks for watching 💛💛

[@tammyb.8981]

Just a thought, but I think the front and back should have been seamed together on the top of shoulder and the sleeve then 'dropped in so all the ribbing lined up around the bodice. Might have given a less 'scrunched up' fit.

[@silkandsticks]

I did try that, I just couldn't get everything to sit neat and tidy. Going to give it a try on my second go 💛

[@OllieandMay]

Your video popped up in my feed, so glad it did. Your Little Top looks Great, love the Crochet Tie, very Cute. Its not uncommon for the tops of the sleeves to be a little out in this type of garment, fudging is the key, you did Well. I have subscribed ❤

[@silkandsticks]

Ah that does make me feel better! It was definitely a wonky construction. Thank you for watching 🤤

[@SunshineArt]

I have a feeling it means 3 hours per part, even the fastest knitter could not do 10 hours worth of work in 3 hours

[@grannyt6819]

It sounds as if the pattern means 3 hours per element, so 3 hours back, 3 hours front, 3 hours sleeves. Because your timing was so close to 3 hours for each of those, I think it was probably something lost in translation, editing, printing, something like that. Still a quick, easy knit, and quite cute.

[@mgdrew3044]

Interesting idea, might be 🤔 From my past experience with a 1930s "knit in an afternoon" sweater that I did as a KAL with a couple of friends, the fastest of us took something like 48hrs of knitting to complete it lol I think titles like this and the 20s 2hr dress were kind of their equivalent of clickbait and as is seen in the advertising of the era, they didn't have to substantiate their wild claims back then 😆

[@jaybee4118]

Nah, it’s the 1930s version of clickbait. They’re really just exaggerating and saying it’s quick and easy, because it is… it’s just not *that* quick

[@astitchinthesky4212]

Fab project and idea

[@silkandsticks]

💛💛

[@deejcarter2003]

Super cute but definitely not a 3hr project.🥰 It would take a lot of resizing to fit me!

[@madelinemoreau7692]

I feel like casting on would take me at least 30 minutes for me 😂

[@annep.1905]

@@madelinemoreau7692 have you looked into different knitting styles? A lot of people have tips on ways to increase your speed, often involving a slight change in how you hold your yarn or needles. Examples include lever knitting, continental knitting, the Russian Purl, the Swedish or Norwegian purl (forgot which), Portuguese knitting, Shetland knitting, and Eastern knitting. Obviously to some extent, speed involves practice.

[@micheleheddane3804]

Very pretty garment congratulations

[@MrsBrit1]

I'm sure RetroClaude has made this sweater before! I need to dive into sweater knitting (once my shoulder/neck pain allows me to knit anything).

[@silkandsticks]

It's definitely a fun and easy pattern, I'll have to check out RetroClaude. Hope you're feeling better soon! 💛

[@a.to.z.crochet]

amazing work! i want to make one now :)

[@silkandsticks]

Thank you! You should definitely, it's such a sweet sweater top 💛

[@petramanos]

I think if you used the 10mm needles it would have required fewer rows? I'd say the title is a bit on the sarcastic side though because once you start knitting with vintage 3ply yarn you'll discover it takes more like 50-80 hours to make a vintage top, so this one with large needles would have felt incredibly fast in comparison.

[@hawthorngrove3629]

it's lovely

[@DustAndGrace]

Mate I dunno where you live but it's beautiful!!!! Seems sooo quiet there outside 😍

[@silkandsticks]

We're pretty lucky to live here 😊

[@peggyisme]

I have made 2 of that pattern and it does have a gauge.

[@xiomarastabacksmith1908]

Hi, I adore this little top, where can I find the pattern? You did an amazing job.

[@silkandsticks]

Thank you so much! There's a link in the description 💛

[@satsumamoon]

Its nice, it suits you. Now tidy up that mess 😃

[@Sewingtrue100]

Great 😊

[@silkandsticks]

💛💛

[@slansei4424]

Do you think it would be possible to make a similar shirt top down? I'd love to knit this, but I'm not a fan of sewing knit pieces...

[@silkandsticks]

I hear you! I'm definitely transitioning to a knit-in-one piece kind of girl. There's some patterns linked in the description, though I can't promise they don't require sewing. Will do some research and get back to you 💛

[@lorrainekrahn4498]

This obviously was before “Truth in Advertising “ came into effect. I knit fairly quickly but I knew immediately that there was no way the sweater could be done in 3 hours.

[@silkandsticks]

That's so true, I definitely got swept up in the craze 😅 thanks for watching 💛

[@lorrainekrahn4498]

@@silkandsticksit was interesting though, to see exactly how long it would take to knit

[@genevievegiella9066]

MAYBE THEY MENTION 3 HRS AND FORGOT TO ADD 3 DAYS LOL😂 BUT ITS CUTE AND I WOULD LOVE 💕 TO KNIT 🧶 THIS …. THANK YOU ….

[@rjbrewer09]

how many balls of the dk weight did you use? thanks

[@silkandsticks]

Not sure of the total amount of yarn used, as I was using a leftover skein. I think it would be somewhere between 100-150g.

[@christinewynn7046]

5:01 what was that tool!? And did it sharpen your needles? lol (wait, are you using wood?) lol

[@silkandsticks]

A little sharpener/file! My needles were looking a little to blunt 😅

[@sophieinspired]

How much yarn did you need to complete the project? It turned out very cute 💖

[@silkandsticks]

I just weighed the top. It came to 121g exactly haha 💛

[@sophieinspired]

@@silkandsticks thank you for checking!

[@LindaNixon-ws4ge]

Maybe the sweater was knit on a knitting machine

[@lucythompson1136]

Couldnt find this pattern. Tried your link.

[@youllbemytourniquet]

I found the link: thevintagepatternfiles.blogspot.com/2012/11/1930s-knitting-3-hour-sweater.html?m=1

[@silkandsticks]

Fixed! Thank you for letting me know 💛

[@annep.1905]

Do you happen to know how many stitches you can knit per minute?

[@silkandsticks]

Not exactly sure, but will be try timing myself to see. I'm not very fast 😅

[@annep.1905]

@@silkandsticks 👍❤ I only wondered because another knitter on youtube has researched knitters, and found that some could knit about 200 stitches per minute. I don't know how many stitches are in that sweater, but I thought that perhaps at the time that the pattern was written some knitters could maybe pull it off in three hours. 200x10 would be 2,000, so 36,000 stitches over the course of 3 hours...?

[@judithtaylor6916]

Many of the The Vintage knitting file patterns arn't size inclusive.

[@silkandsticks]

That's very true, I think it's an example of the time. Lucky we have so my knitters out there making size inclusive patterns now. Thanks for watching 💛

[@galynnzitnik4600]

size 16 in vintage knitwear means 16 years old

[@jules_2.0]

Nope. It is just standards sizing has changed so much since then (and also she used smaller needles then recommended)

[@cherolynwolf5913]

Does your movie make you sad?

[@silkandsticks]

😅 it was making me scared/disgusted!

[@ylimeroxs]

maybe it takes only three hours if you have a knitting machine, idk

[@wendyhumphreystebbutt5782]

Absolutely adorable!