Free Vintage 1940's Knitting Patterns

Pattern Central
1

Hi folks,
I don’t know about you but I sometimes wish I lived in the heyday of knitting - the 40’s. On the other hand that pesky war and the fact that penicillin wasn’t really on free flow the way it is today is somewhat offputting to time travel!
That said, if you like the old time knits, check out the Victoria and Albert Museum website (yes, old Vicky has her own museum in London!) - they have some fab patterns there for socks, balaclavas, mittens, gloves, super long men’s socks and those fab turbans that British women used to wear - I just love them! :heart:
See www.vam.ac.uk and click on 1940’s patterns to knit.
Enjoy!

2

how great! I did a search for “1940 knit” on the site you posted and found it better though. Too impatient to search for it on the link you sent! Ha! How cool are those socks excavated from Egypt?! But with sandals…hmm… ! Ha! Thank you!

3

Oh! Oh! Oh! Even better are the cavalier Boot hose 1640-1649, just look at those babies. Don’t you just want them to go with your winter boots this year? This site is so fascinating, I just pop in once a day to oggle the beautiful knitting.

4

Here’s two more with some good vintage patterns.
http://www.freevintageknitting.com/
http://www.vintagepurls.net.nz/patterns.html

5

Here is the more direct link
http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/fashion/knitting/1940s/index.html

Here are some Red Cross patterns from the same era
http://www.redcross.org/museum/exhibits/knits.asp

6

How on Earth does one knit with only one needle? lol. I’ve never heard of this before. :??

Those are definitely some very cool items, though. I’d love to try one of the patterns someday.

Thanks!!

7

[ladyjessica;1007674]How on Earth does one knit with only one needle? lol. I’ve never heard of this before. :??

found this, shows how, sort of. :roll:
http://www.regia.org/naalbind.htm
One can see why it is not a well known technique. I think I’ll stay with the 2 needle system. :wink:

8

i LOVE the patterns from vintagepurls.net. now if i only (pardon me for all you male knitters) the vintage undergarments so they would fit me the same!! though the new holiday vogue knitting has a similar pattern to the tie pattern on there which i was planning on doing.

9

I’m thoroughly enjoying these vintage pattern links, thanks to everyone whose posted.
My only question would have to be…where can I get the 22" waistline to go with these “Twiggy” patterns at this time of day?! :aww:

10

Thanks for the link, but a more direct link is here:
http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/fashion/features/knitting/index.html