Now that the summer ( I use the term "summer" guardedly due to high precipitation levels experienced today it being Midsummer Day) solstice is upon us and those of us in the northern hemisphere are inexorably hurtling towards winter ( and what a great change that will be) my thoughts are turning towards keeping warm in the chilly...or at least chillier months before us.I don't like feeling the cold at all and the thought of some warm underwear seems like a good idea.To this end I investigated the possibilities of what vintage knitting patterns might have on offer with my thoughts turning to exquisitely knitted,yet breathtakingly feminine and outstandingly warming camisoles,vests,spencers and step-ins.
I paid and downloaded from the
Fabulous Forties Fashions website a couple of likely looking patterns and have spent some time trying to find a suitable yarn.Lots of tension squares have actually been produced so you can tell I am serious about this as faffing about with tension squares isn't what I normally do.There are lots of wonderful patterns with legs being covered almost to the knees and definitely no chance of midriff exposure in the vest department.
Whilst on my hunt for suitable yarns I was side tracked by the"A Stitch In Time" book yet again.Contained within there are are a couple of underwear and bathing suit sets and I was beguiled by the 1935 "Knit These Slimline Undies" pattern to be found on page 95.
According to the book the original was "a mere featherweight,beautifully warm and will cost less than half a crown".....mmmm.Mine is by no means featherweight and cost more than half a crown ( a little more than £1 in today money) by a long chalk as I used the recommended yarn
Knitshop Mulberry Silk.Usually I use just anything but I wanted a perfect result with this so decided to bite the bullet,go the whole hog,cough up some serious spondulicks, and "do it properly".On reflection I don't know why I bothered.
The yarn was great to knit with but it is quite thick,I suspect thicker than any available in 1935, and annoyingly has, as those poor silkwo
rms only have a limited length capability,lots of joins so there were lots of ends to sew in for a start.The thickness of the yarn too has contributed to something that is not exactly featherweight either.Not so much for something to wear under a slinky frock but more for donning under a Siren Suit to stop the canvas from scratching....and if you don't know what a Siren Suit is ,or was, then do a google.
The pattern was really easy and made up very quickly and that is about all I can say in its favour.My son thought it was extremely laughable that I was knitting underwear a viewpoint I was quick to discourage but looking at what I have produced I think I can only agree with him.
What I produced was this massive in proportions soft tent...no marquee....no Millenium Dome.Everything about it is
huge,despite knitting the small size and the bottom rump regions already bag unattractively even though it hasn't been worn "out"...what it will do after a days activity,strenuous or otherwise or after washing God alone knows.I say everything is huge other than the leg openings which,it goes without saying are tight in extremis.You were supposed to pick up 141 or so stitches....try as I might on several attempts... which almost led to a period of violent insanity... I could only achieve 102....so they are rather tight about the upper thigh which looks really stupid when you consider that the rest of it is just dropping and drooping off of the torso.
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| The offending article.I have not bothered to sew the straps on properly as there does not seem any point. |
The whole thing is rather reminiscent of the old vest and pilch (great word that) sets people used to knit for babies.I don't look wearing my vest and pilch combo quite so sweet though....
My son was right I am afraid....all
very laughable and a cold and draughty winter beckons.
Well despite the size issues and the thickness of the yarn, I think it at least looks pretty! Has this put you off your winter undie plan entirely?
ReplyDeleteSo you have the Stitches in Time book? Me too (the old 70s one) which is where I was going to scan the patterns from to email you!
Thank you Claire!Not entirely put off if I can find some suitable yarn for the other patterns I hall give them a bash a I seem to get on better with actual vintage patterns.Whenever I use the Stitch in Time book I seem fated to fail.Out of interest,in the 1070's version of the pattern what was the suggested yarn..?
DeleteYou are hilarious! You always can make me laugh. Even though perhaps I agree with your son, your knitting is beautiful and enviable. I dread the winter coming as well. Yet I look forward to school starting so I can make myself a back-to-school outfit!
ReplyDeleteWell at least I have brightened someones day!!
DeleteMaybe you can view it as an exercise in authenticity. A lot of us vintage fans just cherry pick the easy bits!
ReplyDeleteLovely yarn - I think you should wear your suit at least once if you intend to frog it though!
I think the main problem is finding a suitable yarn and I think this one on reflection isn't quite right.
DeleteI don't think this will ever be worn,which is a shame a I actually sewed it up quite neatly,as I don't think my thighs could stand having their circulation cut off for too long!
I'm sure you're right about the yarn. Talking to my mother (not specifically about your underwear, just in general) yarns are now much thicker.
DeleteOh good lord! I thought the top picture was of the young queen in her undies! Moving on... I feel your pain - all that work with swatching and then... hmmm. I don't know - could it be worn with woolly tights underneath for extra insulation and to help fill it out? If you are trying again I would try a laceweight yarn - something from PoshYarns if you are feeling flush - but the yardage is immense (about 1000m a skein)so you would probably only need one skein...?
ReplyDeleteWho remembers knitted swimsuits that stretched on contact with water...?! I have seen the photos of my poor cousins who are ten years older than me and suffered for their mother's knitting skills!
Thank you for your support!If, and I mean IF, this is a course to pursue further I think more yarns need to be investigated.Thanks for the tip.
DeleteSo, in effect, you've accomplished "legs being covered to the knees" accidentally via the shlumpy rump. Too bad about the whole thing, because it does look like a beautifuuly stitched piece.
ReplyDeleteThe weather business continues to amaze me, although I do wonder if you and Snippa are playing a joke on me with your constant harping about freezing temps and constant rain. If I were subjected to that year-round, I would have fallen victim to seasonal affective disorder long ago, but I'm not sure that being slowly dried into a human raisin is a good fate either.
Sorry about the constant harping but the weather here is unbelievably mediocre and depressing and just too grey to be endured.Years ago,when I was little ,we did get summers but now everything seems to have gone skew whiff and we just get nondescript yuck!!
DeleteThe updated suggested yarn was Paton's 4 ply but then it notes that to get a 'really light, slim garment they should be knitted in 2-ply or 3-ply.' The 70s version knitted for the book was knitted in 2 ply (accompanied by rather racy image!)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you haven't been put off. Perhaps you should try finding vintage yarn?
Yes,I think a 2 or 3-ply baby wool would work better...next time!
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting me know.
Oh I love your blog and creativity....you are fearless in what you take on! It looks beautiful but so sorry its not passed the mark. I get the impression from looking at the patterns you've shown that should you get the right yarn the knitting will take forever.....theylook so fine. That would put me off!
ReplyDeleteI don't think they are too fine..just finer than this one hopefully.
DeleteOh, now you have made me think about some warm, wooly merino slip to wear unter my dresses in winter... matching the rain outside, too (although I won't complain about the temperatures). Too bad this one turned out to be a flop. Don't be discouraged!
ReplyDeleteI won't be I shall continue!
DeleteThis is such an interesting garment! Surely we have the technology to make yarns even thinner now? Would crochet yarns work? (I don't know enough about knitting to know what makes the yarns different, but crochet yarns seem thinner anyway).
ReplyDeleteI have several yarns to have another go with it is just a matter of taking the time to find the right one!
DeleteThere's also weaving yarns to investigate. They come on cones instead of skeins with a ridiculous amount of yardage but there are some lovely silks or silk and merino blends that would make delightful undies. Assuming you aren't too discouraged to try again. Personally I prefer my vest and knickers as separate items. Not fond of struggling with snaps when desperation sets in! ;)
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about struggling with poppers at times of great urgency but with this pattern I was just beguiled by thoughts of cosy warmth! Thank you for your kind suggestions too !!
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