#sirdar

This is my latest project! It was Sirdar's crochet along last winter, but I didn't do it then because I already had presents for everyone.

They kept the pattern (for free!) up on their website though, so I just had to buy the yarn separately rather than as a set. I wasn't able to get the lighter pink (peaches? I think) but just using cream for those areas doesn't make too big of a difference.

I'm super happy with how it turned out- its for my best friends/ roommates. thats why I'm posting it here- I literally can't post anywhere else to show it off because they'll see it 😂

I omitted the fringe, but I did add a super soft backing fabric to A) make it cozier, and B) hide all the ends I didn't want to weave in 😂 😅

I found some simple instructions on tiktok. I measured the blanket + 1" -the hardest part really, since its not a perfect square- the corners curve a bit. (method under read more if you want)

So I first found which part stuck out the farthest on each side and cut at that length. Then I stuck pins (straight up) around the edge of the blanket at intervals to mark the shape (definitely an easier way but I didn't plan for those) and folded the seam up where I stuck the pins, pinned it in place,and trimmed it. Then I used a marker and marked 3/4" intervals along the entire seam, and used an awl to make the holes.

Heres where I differed from the tutorial-because the fabric I used is so thick, and also because of the irregular shape, I did 1 sc in the hole, then ch2, with a ch 10 for each corner (had to use matching scrap yarn to tie the corners down because of it though). The tutorial just had all sc, with a ch 2 corner.

Anyway, after I got all the way around that, I just sc'd both pieces together. I used the same technique recommended for putting the different pieces of the pattern together with different st coubts- mark at least quarters on each piece so you know where it should line up to look right. (I think I ended up with 16ths just to be extra sure it wouldn't bunch in odd spots)

Super Sporty? Or An Evening Sweater? Sirdar’s 1930s Knitted Navy Pullover

This sweater is part of the re-issued collection that the yarn and pattern company Sirdar is offering as part of their Heritage Collection. These patterns are copied just as they are from old pattern books, so they have vintage sizing and vintage yarn. Sirdar offers some tips from using them, and I would suggest two things to do especially.

First, since a schematic or sketch of the shape of the pieces making up the garment is almost never offered in vintage knitting patterns, work one out by checking on the original gauge and multiplying as need by and taking a pencil to sketch it. Do this, so that you can figure out what size you will be. Vintage sizing is so different that I am a size 18 in 1930s sewing patterns and a 14 in today’s sewing patterns.

Second, create a gauge swatch and decide if you like the knitted fabric that results. Vintage garments were almost always made in what today we call fingering or sock weight yarn. That means they looked finer and often more sophisticated than our garments today, which are often made of worsted weight or bulky eight yarn, and they also take more time and effort. Once you have a schematic, you can recalculate the stitches and rows per inch if you want to change the size of the yarn, recognizing the final effect will be a bit different.  

I picked this sweater because of the interesting collar and cuffs with their large buttons with v-shaped openings which echo one another. Otherwise, this is a simple enough V-neck pullover with some vertical ribbing which creates a slender silhouette. The choice of navy yarn indicates the original designer thoughts of this as daywear, and knits were then thought of as sportswear and essentially informal public clothing. But with the right large buttons, color, and yarn, I see this as an evening sweater and one that could keep you warm while looking glamorous on cold nights.

You can find the pattern here: https://sirdar.com/en/products/0143-0145-30s-womens-sweater-or-top?taxon_id=1855

And their tips for using vintage patterns here: https://sirdar.com/archive-how-to-read-vintage-patterns?utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=Module&utm_campaign=How+To+Read+Vintage+Patterns&utm_id=Sirdar+Archive

I have just finished the sweater that my son asked me to make for his birthday this year.

He chose this beautiful teal colour that I am absolutely in love with.

This is the third sweater I have made in 6 months, and I'm really pleased with how much better I get with each one. My seaming is really coming along, knitting the first and last stitch on a purl row really helps when it comes to sewing up.

The pattern is by Sirdar and the pattern number is 9130.

The yarn is Robin Double Knit shade 71