Free Pattern Download - 2 Purses from the 1930s (crochet)

It's time to start making a purse, or two. We have two great crochet purse patterns from the 1930's. Both have puffy stitches that will make a stylish, one-of-a-kind purse. Made out of a shimmer yarn, they would be terrific for an evening out.

Supplies you will need are: Tower Brand Guimp is the yarn from the pattern, #3 and #4 crochet hooks, & slide fastener.

Click on our Free Pattern Downloads page to download the pattern.

Happy crocheting!

Free Pattern Download for May 2014

Alison has a pattern booklet featuring super cool patterns using Nomotta Ruban D'Art yarns....This is one of the patterns from the booklet. Click on our Free Monthly Pattern Downloads page to download this sweater.

This month's pattern download is a blouse pattern with a full scoop neckline and rosette detailing. The pattern download features pages from the booklet showing how to work with ribbon yarn.

While the yarn is no longer available, it can be occasionally found on Etsy or eBay. In fact, Alison just purchased 9 balls of black Ruban d'Art ribbon yarn from eBay. We have info on the yarn specs available on our yarn wiki page. Click here to visit the Vintage Yarn Wiki page.

Happy knitting!

February Free Pattern Posted

Click on over to the Free Monthly Pattern Downloads page to download this little cutie. We have a Shell Stitch Vest/Blouse pattern for you to crochet. This is a great beginner pattern.

Try one of our patterns for free!

Happy Crocheting!

Free Monthly Pattern Download for October (crochet)

We have been on a crochet roll lately....

We are offering a circle hat and bag pattern this month. Based on the granny square design, these should be fun projects to make your own.

Information on the yarn is a little scarce. It looks like this may have been a rug yarn. According to a conversion chart I was looking at here, the sizes 5 and 6 crochet hooks would be equivalent to a modern H and I (US). Other patterns found online required a size J hook when working with this yarn. It would make sense to have the stitches a little smaller and tighter for a purse, as compared to a rug. It's hard to look cool and put together if there are items spilling out of your purse as you walk down the street.

Click on the pattern link or check out the "Free Monthly Pattern Downloads" page to be taken to the free pattern compliments of eStitched.

Happy crocheting!

Free Monthly Pattern Download for September (crochet)

Alison was going through her vast, enormous, gargantuan vintage pattern collection and found these two Edwardian era aprons. If you are looking for a challenging crochet project, these may be it.

Pattern Info/Materials:
The apron pictured on top takes 4 balls of size 30 Cordichet, and a size 11 steel crochet hook
The apron on the bottom takes 2 balls of size 15 Cordichet, and a size 12 steel crochet hook.

Vintage Yarn Info:
Cordichet, size 30: 100% cotton, 6-ply, mercerized crochet thread. Small balls were put up in 80 yds, Large balls were 400 yds.

Click on the pattern link or check out the "Free Monthly Pattern Downloads" page to be taken to the free pattern compliments of eStitched.

Needle Sizings

If you have looked at any vintage pattern, especially those from the turn of the century (last one, not this one), you know what a pain it can be to determine what needle size the pattern is asking for.

We have had conversations with people asking about needle sizes required by some of our patterns and often comes down to determining when the pattern was written and the researching the type of yarn called for in the pattern. Generally, the yarn is pretty small and the needle sizes are a blindingly small size as well.

Alison ran across these cool charts from the early 1900's that show needle sizes called for in some of our really old patterns. We have put them in pdf file so you can download these little nuggets of vintage-ness.

Click here to download the pdf.

From a Patons & Baldwin's pattern book, early 1900s.

Taken from a Fleisher's pattern book. circa 1917. 

Taken from a Fleisher's pattern book. circa 1917. 

Free Monthly Pattern Download for May

We are back and we have a new pattern to share. . . .

Spring has sprung and summer is just around the corner. Channel the 1940s in this one-of-a-kind ribbed bandeaux summer top/bathing suit top. This knit pattern will draw all eyes to you.

Click on the pattern link or check out the "Free Monthly Pattern Downloads" page to be taken to the free pattern compliments of eStitched.

 

Pattern Info:

3-ply Fingering yarn:

*  4 balls of color A for one ribbed bandeau

*  4 balls of color B for other ribbed bandeau or

*  2 balls of colors A and C for the striped bandeau

 1 pair 14-inch No. 2 Straight Knitting Needles

Steel Crochet Hook No. 2

1 yard Round Milliners' Elastic for each bandeau

Gauge: 

Ribbing -- 10 rows make 1 inch; 

Stripes -- 8 sts make 1 inch.

Free Monthly Pattern Download for March

We have a truly vintage item for this month's free pattern download.... A Fern Strip Chair Set with Fringe. It is a knitting pattern from 1944.

Click on the pattern link or check out the "Free Pattern Downloads" page to be taken to the free pattern compliments of eStitched.

Pattern Info
Measurements:
Chair Back 13 1/2" x 15"
Arm Pieces: 7" x 10" including fringe
Materials Required:
J&P Coats or Clark's ONT Pearl Cotton, Size 5 (8 balls)
Knitting pins, size 1

Free Monthly Pattern Download for February

This month's free pattern is a halter top. Start one now to have it completed in time for summer wearing. Click on the pattern link or check out the "Free Monthly Pattern Downloads" page to be taken to the free pattern compliments of eStitched.