Friday 8 October 2010

Woolcraft: 1940 and 1960

While in England, Guy's grandmother gave me two very old knitting books that she had tucked away in a craft drawer. One was a 1940 Patons & Baldwins' Woolcraft that belonged to her mother, and the other was the updated 1960 version, which belong to her. As she can't knit anymore, she thought she would pass them along.
Woolcraft 1940s Woolcraft 1960s
They are amazing. Mostly they have patterns for baby things, lots of soakers and such, and they also have mens and women's patterns. Here are some of the highlights from the 1940s issue:
1940 Woolcraft

There ware several page devoted to techniques in each booklet, and 'brushing' is referred to quite a bit in the 1940s one:
Woolcraft 1940s
 Isn't that neat? I've never seen that before. And it's not that angora yarns weren't readily available back then. Check out this ad on the back:
Woolcraft 1940s
  I love it. Angora for preserving warmth and 'health'! I think they must have brushed their angora knits for extra fuzziness.

Here are some highlights from the 1960 issue:
Woolcraft 1960
I especially love some of the baby knits in this one, and there is a ladies 'vest' and 'spencer' that seems like a very cute sleep set. I'm defnitieyl going to try my hand at some of these patterns in the future, but I also find them really inspiring- it's interesting to see how the cut of clothing and evolved over the decades.

15 comments:

Jacey said...

It's so neat to receive a treasure like this.

Unknown said...

My grandmother passed on a few gems like this to me a few years back. I haven't knit anything from them yet, but they certainly are fun to flip through!

The Sweatshop of Love said...

So fun! What great finds. I love those vintage patterns but they use such tiny needles and usually a TON of K1P1. One day, though! I can't wait to see yours.

French Press Knits said...

Wow~ what an amazing gift! I have a soft spot for vintage knitting catalogs. Do you think you'll attempt any of the patterns?

Anonymous said...

What a treasure! I love the illustration on the second one - that lady has such a blissful expression on her face :)

Crystal said...

I love vintage magazine! My oldest is from 1936 I think, it's a "Lux". They do have some of the coolest patterns, can't wait to see what you knit up!

behind the ivy said...

These are fantastic! I love vintage knitting books :)

Maryse said...

It's impressive... must be really interesting to go through!

Michele Saunders said...

These are so fun to look at. My grandmother passed a few of her knitting booklets on to me from the '60's. They also have mostly baby and kids patterns in them. They are very "Brady Bunch" looking - nothing I would ever knit up - but still fun to check out.

soknitpicky said...

What a wonderful and thoughtful treasure for her to pass on to you! Those are great--even the covers!

Aesderina said...

ahh that's so sweet!!! treasures from grandmother!! good treasures too :)

Anonymous said...

:) I like these old books (as you see on my retro stitch), so much to find, such different styles. I like some of the baby cardigans in yours.

Lena Inemyr said...

I would love to knit something from these patterns! Amazing how someone can keep them in shape for so long. you must be really happy! :)

Allison said...

The little baby swing coats are so timeless. What a fun gift!

Teresa said...

This is so cool. I really love the pics of the angoras :)