Vintage Knitting: 18 Patterns from the 1940s

by Liza Hollinghurst

This vintage guide is based on Knitting For All, written by Margaret Murray and Jane Koster, published in 1941 - the same year in which clothes rationing was introduced. It was just one in a popular series of books written by Murray and Koster throughout the 1940s that provided not only a complete instructional guide to knitting, but also contained an assortment of patterns for the whole family. Apart from the knitting of new garments the book also focused upon the re-making and repairing of existing items, clearly reflecting the contemporary 'Make Do and Mend' ethos. 

Following a quick introduction to the styles and spirit of the era, selections of their own charming knitting patterns - which typify this wartime austerity - are reproduced in their entirety in the latter part of this book. These clothes and accessories are still wearable some seventy years after they were first designed and can be easily knitted by the modern knitter (with the conversions provided). For the less experienced, and as rudimentary knitting skills have hardly changed since Knitting for All was first published, excerpts from the original 'Principles of Knitting' chapter that provide a basic 'How To Knit' guide are also included.

Patterns for the whole family include pullovers, cardigans, socks, scarves and gloves.

Genres: Knitting

136 pages, Hardcover

First published May 19, 2015

Reviews

[Shreedevi Gurumurty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complete with 18 genuine patterns from 1941, this vintage knitting handbook will allow you to recreate the authentic homemade styles of the 'Golden Age' of knitting! 70 facsimile pages from the classic Knitting for All have been included, and a new introduction looks at the influence of the Second World War and rationing on the incredible popularity of knitting in the era of 'make do and mend'. Helpful conversions and advice are also provided for those wanting to recreate these garments, so why not try your hand at knitting yesteryear's evening scarf, a pullover, hat, blouse or maybe even a vest and panties? Clothes were rationed in Britain from 1 June 1941. This limited the amount of new garments people could buy until 1949, four years after the war's end.Shoppers carefully spent their precious clothing coupons and money on new clothes to make sure their purchases would be suitable across spring, summer and autumn and winter. Despite the restrictions, the war and civilian austerity did not put an end to creative design, commercial opportunism or fashionable trends on the British home front.For men and women not in uniform, the war changed how they dressed both at work and at home. It became important for civilian clothes to be practical as well as stylish.Rationing forced people to be painfully mathematic in how they spent their limited supply of clothing coupons - and to find shrewd ways to avoid doing so. The government-backed 'Make Do and Mend' scheme was introduced to encourage people to revive and repair worn-out clothes.Handmade and hand-repaired clothing became an essential part of wartime life. People got creative across the country out of necessity, finding ways to make and care for clothes - and forge their own wartime style.
Make Do and Mend classes took place around the country teaching skills such as pattern cutting. I definitely want to get into the habit of becoming my own fashion designer/seamstress, and also make clothes for others, and it's all thanks to this handy guide.

[Donna Siebold · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the looks of some of these patterns and wanted to try my hand at knitting a garment or two. However, I am not an experienced enough knitter to take a pattern that is sized to a single set of measurments and adjust it to fit my own. Many of the items are described as fitting an average person. Sadly I am plus sized so that (a) that description doesn't fit me and (b) I am fairly confident that the average woman in the 1940s and the average woman of 2025 are not the same size.

The photographs in the book are almost all black and white and it is difficult for me to discern some of the details in the garments pictured.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read as well as having some now uncommon patterns. I found it fascinating that they are all written in one size and I finally figured out that knitters probably changed sizes by changing needles, etc. What a wonderful idea, especially now with the concern for reusing items.

[Lizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just learned to knit, plus I enjoy vintage stuff, particularly the early to mid-1900s. This was a peek into the war years when a lot of "make do" was going on - even yarn was sparse. The author speaks directly to the knitter, giving you even more of a feel of "being there."

NOTE: the title and author as listed in Goodreads are incorrect. The correct title lists "18" patterns (not 17) and the author's surname is HOLLINGHURST (not Hollingsworth).

The book cover pictured here looks exactly like the one I picked up at my local library; a close look shows the corrections needed.

I'm trying to figure out how to get the errors corrected; no luck so far.

[Laryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading this book, and the patterns were really cool to glance over. But, unless you fit within the size range of a 32" to 36" bust, most of these patterns will probably not fit as written. I would recommend them for an experienced knitter who knows how to alter a pattern. For that, I give it 4/5 stars.