My Windfall

Hi All,

I wanted to share my good fortune with you and maybe get a little
advice. One of my students was the sole heir to his grandmother's
estate. Among the things was a stack of needlework pattern books
ranging in dates from the 1930's to the 70's with the majority of them
from the 40's & 50's. Most of the books are for baby patterns, and are
really adorable, and timeless, but a few focus on adult patterns that
are incredible. One of them is a Bernat knitting pattern book, and I
can't find a copyright, but I'm guessing mid-40's. The patterns are
elegant and most even look contemporary.

Well, I'm tempted to make myself a sweater, but I'm pretty sure the
sizes are NOT contemporary. The smallest size listed is 12, and the
models are very thin, so I'm guessing that would probably be a size 6.
Also, most of the yarns are no longer available, so I'll have to find
an appropriate substitute. I can figure that part out. I wish I had a
scanner so I could show you some of the photos of the various pieces,
but that might violate copyright.

Anyway, just sharing...

Hesira

ooooooh,
Luck-eeeeeeeeeeeee!
Hugs,
Noreen


--
change n e t to c o m to email/reply to me.
"hesira" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi All,

I wanted to share my good fortune with you and maybe get a little
advice. One of my students was the sole heir to his grandmother's
estate. Among the things was a stack of needlework pattern books
ranging in dates from the 1930's to the 70's with the majority of them
from the 40's & 50's. Most of the books are for baby patterns, and are
really adorable, and timeless, but a few focus on adult patterns that
are incredible. One of them is a Bernat knitting pattern book, and I
can't find a copyright, but I'm guessing mid-40's. The patterns are
elegant and most even look contemporary.

Well, I'm tempted to make myself a sweater, but I'm pretty sure the
sizes are NOT contemporary. The smallest size listed is 12, and the
models are very thin, so I'm guessing that would probably be a size 6.
Also, most of the yarns are no longer available, so I'll have to find
an appropriate substitute. I can figure that part out. I wish I had a
scanner so I could show you some of the photos of the various pieces,
but that might violate copyright.

Anyway, just sharing...

Hesira

I wanted to share my good fortune with you and maybe get a little
advice. One of my students was the sole heir to his grandmother's
estate. Among the things was a stack of needlework pattern books
ranging in dates from the 1930's to the 70's with the majority of them
from the 40's & 50's. Most of the books are for baby patterns, and are
really adorable, and timeless, but a few focus on adult patterns that
are incredible. One of them is a Bernat knitting pattern book, and I
can't find a copyright, but I'm guessing mid-40's. The patterns are
elegant and most even look contemporary.

Well, I'm tempted to make myself a sweater, but I'm pretty sure the
sizes are NOT contemporary. The smallest size listed is 12, and the
models are very thin, so I'm guessing that would probably be a size 6.
Also, most of the yarns are no longer available, so I'll have to find
an appropriate substitute. I can figure that part out. I wish I had a
scanner so I could show you some of the photos of the various pieces,
but that might violate copyright.

Anyway, just sharing...

Hesira

Lucky girl, I collect old knitting patterns/needles/etc. You have some real
treasures.
DA

I finally found some measurements in these old patterns. Check this
out! in 1946 a size 14 measured: Bust 32", Waist 26 1/2" Hips 35".
Well, I'm no size 14 anymore! Also, in some of the patterns calling
for worsted weight yarn, the needle called for is 3 or 4. The gauge is
6 st to 1" stockinette. That sounds more like a #7 needle to me. Have
needle sizes changed too?

Hesira

"hesira" wrote in message
ups.com...
I finally found some measurements in these old patterns. Check this
out! in 1946 a size 14 measured: Bust 32", Waist 26 1/2" Hips 35".
Well, I'm no size 14 anymore! Also, in some of the patterns calling
for worsted weight yarn, the needle called for is 3 or 4. The gauge is
6 st to 1" stockinette. That sounds more like a #7 needle to me. Have
needle sizes changed too?

Hesira

Oh, I know how the sizes have changed, and they've changed again not all
that long ago....
A junior size 3 or 5 a few years ago is now a junior 0 or 1!!
That's why I crack up over the weight loss commercial where the model says
she went from a size 10 to a size 6... well, let's be honest there, lady,
you actually lost one size, not two!
I hate when bigger people want to feel little, and the manufacturers
accommodate them by resizing so a size ten can now say, oh I wear an 8.
Or a junior size 7 or 9 can now say, oh I wear a 5 or a 3, and those who
were actually a 5 or 3 now have to hunt for the elusive 0's and 1's.
I'm on a roll, i'm on my soapbox.
....
another thing that really gets me is...
I would NEVER ever say to someone's face:
oh, you're so fat.
or
oh, you're so big.
or
oh, you're so heavy.
Its just rude.
But, people will use insulting terms to small people and say:
oh, you're so skinny.
or
oh, you must be anorexic.
Skinny is insulting. Anorexic, when one is not is damned insulting.
Slender, small are better terms, but why to big people feel the need to
point it out? Like I said, I don't point it out to the bigger people.
jeeeeeeeeeez.
off my soapbox now, roll over.
Noreen

"hesira" wrote in message
ups.com...
I finally found some measurements in these old patterns. Check this
out! in 1946 a size 14 measured: Bust 32", Waist 26 1/2" Hips 35".
Well, I'm no size 14 anymore! Also, in some of the patterns calling
for worsted weight yarn, the needle called for is 3 or 4. The gauge is
6 st to 1" stockinette. That sounds more like a #7 needle to me. Have
needle sizes changed too?

Hesira

whoops, in my earlier 'rant' I forgot to say, YES, needle sizes have
changed too.
Noreen

Knit tightly, some worsted weight yarns will produce a 6 stitch /inch (24
stitch / 4 inch) on US # 3 needles. But. that is a much tighter, firmer,
thicker fabric than most people want these days. It is a great deal of work
to knit, and too warm to wear in modern, centrally heated buildings. With
such a firm fabric, the tailoring must be exact.

On the other hand, it can be really beautiful! Stitch patterns stand out
and show the knitter's skill. The garment will have a definite shape that
can really flatter, rather than hiding the figure of the wearer. Definitely
a pattern for someone that wants to show off.

You could use a sport weight yarn to get the same number of stitches per
inch in a softer, more modern fabric, but it will have a very different
drape and a less tailored look.

Needle sizes for the small "steel needles" have changed, but not for US size
3 & 7. While the standards remain the same, what we use has changed. In
those days, # 3 was a big needle for fast and easy knitting projects.


Aaron


"hesira" wrote in message
ups.com...
I finally found some measurements in these old patterns. Check this
out! in 1946 a size 14 measured: Bust 32", Waist 26 1/2" Hips 35".
Well, I'm no size 14 anymore! Also, in some of the patterns calling
for worsted weight yarn, the needle called for is 3 or 4. The gauge is
6 st to 1" stockinette. That sounds more like a #7 needle to me. Have
needle sizes changed too?

Hesira

Thanks Aaron!

You know, that makes sense. Many of the patterns are of tailored
suits. I don't think I'd make an entire suit, but I might try the
jacket. I'll tell you one thing though, I don't live in a modern
building, and wouldn't mind a very warm sweater. It gets drafty &
chilly here in the winter.

Hesira

I hear you, Noreen!

I used to get that, too, when I was very slender. I guess they didn't
realize that as a stressed out, broke college student, I didn't have
much of a choice.

Hesira

Hi Hesira,
How exciting!! I love to find older patterns at garage sales or church
rummage sales. Not to long ago my MIL gave me a bunch of old crochet
patterns. I haven't used any yet, but I get great enjoyment out of looking
through them from time to time.

Debby (FL)

"hesira" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi All,

I wanted to share my good fortune with you and maybe get a little
advice. One of my students was the sole heir to his grandmother's
estate. Among the things was a stack of needlework pattern books
ranging in dates from the 1930's to the 70's with the majority of them
from the 40's & 50's. Most of the books are for baby patterns, and are
really adorable, and timeless, but a few focus on adult patterns that
are incredible. One of them is a Bernat knitting pattern book, and I
can't find a copyright, but I'm guessing mid-40's. The patterns are
elegant and most even look contemporary.

Well, I'm tempted to make myself a sweater, but I'm pretty sure the
sizes are NOT contemporary. The smallest size listed is 12, and the
models are very thin, so I'm guessing that would probably be a size 6.
Also, most of the yarns are no longer available, so I'll have to find
an appropriate substitute. I can figure that part out. I wish I had a
scanner so I could show you some of the photos of the various pieces,
but that might violate copyright.

Anyway, just sharing...

Hesira