Based off Mame, a re-worked pattern from the 1950s I released last year, Mame in New York is a snazzier, jazzier sweater featuring a very popular styling element from the fifties – the chevron! Chevrons were very popular during the mid-1950s, and I really wanted to be able to offer a pattern for other knitters who want to recreate the look. Even better, the chevron can be trimmed with silver thread, just like many of the original sweaters. Mame in New York is currently available in sizes 36 to 56 inches – however I would LOVE to offer this in a larger chest size. If you’d like to knit this pat ..read more

Phew – Susie has been in the works for 6 months and I’m so glad to share her with you! She’s available here to purchase (price in USD), or on Ravelry. Based on an original vintage knitting pattern from the early 1940s, Susie features a triple bow trim across the chest and box head pleated sleeves. K2,P2 ribbing around the waist is very ‘of the era’, and a smart button closure completes the back. Susie is authentically true to the 1940s – a time of wool rationing meant knitwear was often fitted and higher waisted. Shoulders are narrower and under arms higher than modern styles, giving a pert ef ..read more

Today I’m so excited to announce that I’m starting to offer my own patterns – beginning with Mame! Mame was born after I posted a free pattern from 1954 on my Instagram, for a perfectly 1950s brief turtle neck sweater with capped sleeves. A lot people commented on how good it looked (and pretty easy), but shame about the sizing. At the same time an Instagram friend @severelymame asked if I had ever considered offering my own patterns – the two ideas came together and Mame was born! Rewritten and revitalised, Mame includes updated yarn requirements, modern instructions and a larger size range f ..read more

My word, I just realised I forgot to post about my Marriners 162 jumper! It’s actually an early Curvy Month pattern I posted back in 2012 and had sat in my queue to make for 8 years! Oops. This took me a couple of goes to get right – my gauge was off twice! In the end I settled for knitting it at a tighter gauge and just cast on extra 6 stitches front and back. I merged the extra stitches into the fair isle chart by just extending the white stems of the flowers (it’s hard to explain – if you knit this you’ll understand what I mean). The yarn I used was Knitpicks Stroll, in Fedora Brown for the ..read more

Wow, how awesome is this vintage knitting pattern? I love it so much! The pattern is Denise from Patons 323, circa 1950. I love the chevrons – they feel perfectly atomic to me. The yarn is Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury 4ply, in black, sunflower and cream. I’m trying to only buy yarn locally at the moment to support local business. Mods None really! The only thing to note is I was getting between 7.5-7.75 sts to the inch, not 8. This meant that the 37 size would end up fitting my 40 inch bust perfectly. No resizing needed! Overall I would 100% make this again. I’m already planning a version in g ..read more

Today’s finished knit is Rizzo, from Poison Grrls! I love all Amy Appel’s designs – they’re beautifully styled and normally knit in one piece so they’re fast too. I had a hankering for a coral coloured sweater, and this pattern was perfectly suited. The yarn is Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Baby, the colour is Flame. I chose the medium size, but increased extra stitches across the bust. I think if I was to make this again I would do less rows across the chest to reduce the sleeve height. I am definitely going to make this again – I have some beautiful pearl gray ready to go. Thanks for a great patte ..read more

I loved this Marriner’s pattern so much I had to make it again! This time in my favourite colours, navy and coral. The pattern can be found here – part of Curvy Month for 2019. This time round I worked extra width into the arms to make them more batty, and didn’t work rib into the stripes for a flatter effect. Yarn: Knitpicks Palette, in Navy, Conch and White Needles: 3mm Size: 38-40 inch As for mods, I did do a few: 4 inches of ribbing at the cuff Extra rows of plain knitting before starting the increase portion of the sleeve (to make arms longer) Extra increase rows under the arms to drop th ..read more

I don’t mean to brag – but this knit was a personal best! 3.5 weeks from start to finish, in a 4ply yarn, with long sleeves. Crazy! I’m a massive dolman/bat-wing sleeve fan – they’re comfortable, fun to wear and have that perfect vintage look (being popular from the 1930s to present day). The pattern is Marriners No. 69, from around 1950 I believe. While I adore my finished jumper, I don’t really think it looks much like the pattern image – here’s me with my arms raised. But I still love it! The white stripes are actually ribbing, which you press flat to provide textured contrast. Yarn: Knitpi ..read more

Late last year I was lucky enough to get my hands on some original vintage Mary Maxim knitting patterns and set out to make Jakk and I matching novelty cardigans! The first cardigan off the needles was the Mary Maxim Bison cardigan for Jakk. I used Knitpicks Swish DK and it’s definitely lovely to knit with (a little bit pilly but I’ll live with it). The colours are Bark, Camel Heather and White. I’m really happy with how this one came out and Jakk loves it! In all it took about 6 weeks from start to finish. My novelty cardigan was the Mary Maxim Seahorses pattern: For mine, I originally wanted ..read more

Today I’m so happy to share my third finished vintage knit for the year – it’s called Aloha, from Sun-Glo 58. How amazing is the original pattern image? I’m so happy with how this came out – especially as I had to up-size from 34 inch to a 38 inch bust! The pattern was a bit tricky to follow, but I’ll explain further in the mods section. The yarn is Knitpicks Gloss in Fedora brown – the green is Bendigo Wool Mills Athena in mint. For the back I followed the directions for the buttons, but ended up sewing the edges together as there’s plenty of room to pull this on and off. Mods To figure out h ..read more