The Fun Way to Learn Knitting

Well, it's been awhile, but we're back in the saddle again!  This charming little pattern book, The "Fun" Way To Learn Knitting, seemed like a great way to get back to sharing free patterns and techniques.  A short book, covering the basics including how to cast on, a variety of stitches, joining yarns, terms and four beginner patterns.

Here we go, starting with an adorable cover:

Enjoy these fun, free knitting patterns from this sweet, vintage pattern book.  A few holiday gifts should come together quickly!  Happy stitching!

Adorable Animal Motifs For Filet Crochet or Cross Stitch

Here comes Peter Cottontail, hopping down the bunny trail …….

….. and Peter brought some friends with him too!  All of these sweet filet crochet or simple cross stitch patterns come from a couple of vintage 1921 pattern books with designs for children.  These are similar to others that I've posted but it seems to have been a theme of the times.

First up, the rabbit family:

A lion; a turkey for a sampler, kitchen motif or for a Thanksgiving Day project; and little tin soldiers for a little boy's room:

A dove or blue bird, this would be cute in baby's room:

A simple repeat pattern good for a baby pillow or guest towel edging:

I think the top is a bear, but I'm not sure what she's doing; an adorable elephant pattern; and a classic pig motif for an animal sampler or country home:

 A deer that would be perfect on the corners of a throw pillow for a cabin in the woods:

Love this elephant pattern!:

A cute and easy squirrel pattern:

And of course, storks for baby's room:

There were so many patterns in the two books that I was looking through today that I've split them into two groups.  Today's offerings are the animals.  Up next will be children, baby lettering and sailboats….. stay tuned and keep on stitching!

Whimsical Appliqué Patterns

Treasure hunting at my favorite thrift store a few days ago resulted in this find, a 1960s copy of Children's Cross-Stitch & Applique Designs book by Butterick.  Although the cross-stitch patterns are delightful and would be cute on your current creations, the illustrations are pretty monochromatic and didn't scan well.  So today's focus is on the appliqué patterns printed in the book as well as some shopping links for the vintage patterns.

No doubt these patterns can be found elsewhere but today I looked primarily at Etsy since I just love this marketplace!  The three shops who are currently carrying these patterns are not affiliated with me in any way, they just happen to be carrying these particular patterns currently.

The sewing and appliqué patterns:

Butterick 9917

I found this adorable pattern here at Old Soul Vintage on Etsy.

The appliqué pattern for Butterick 9917

Butterick 9352

I found several of this pattern available on Etsy, including this one found at Laughing Duck Vintage.

The appliqué pattern for Butterick 9352

Butterick 2336

Nothing available on Etsy today but I've seen it there before so keep a lookout, it does become available from time to time.

The appliqué pattern for Butterick 2336

Butterick 2195

This pattern is currently available at Vintage Needle Finds on Etsy.  You can find it here in size 3.

The appliqué pattern for Butterick 2195

In the back of the booklet were some appliqué instructions and embroidery stitches the looked helpful so I've included them here:

And also this chart on how to correctly measure children when selecting a sewing pattern:

"The size designated in children's patterns is provided to give you an idea of the approximate age of the child for which the pattern was designed.  However, all children of the same age are not necessarily the same size.  Very often they differ in weight and contour as well as height.  Consequently, it is important to select the correct size pattern for the children by measurements, and not by age.  For girls, the breast measurement will determine the correct pattern size; for boys, the chest measurement is the guide for the correct pattern size."

Of course you can apply these appliqués to any garment you have, whether it's one that you've made or ready made.  And there's no reason to not use a modern pattern if you prefer or if you can't find these vintage patterns.

This charming little vintage Butterick pattern book is a treasure trove of whimsical appliqué patterns, I can't wait to get started!

Four Free Classic Sweater Patterns

A few days ago I read an article about one of the additional benefits of knitting, besides of course creating beautiful items to wear or share with your loved ones.  Those of us who knit know the joy and peace experienced while knitting and how it can and does recharge your emotional batteries.

So on that happy note, I pulled out a vintage pattern book dating from the sixties and am sharing four classic patterns here for your knitting pleasure.

Ladies Classic Cable Cardigan:

Love the sweater -- love her hair!!

Glitter Cardigan:

Adorable!

Man's and Woman's Cable Pullover Sweaters:

 Don't they look all serious?!

Knitting is love, baby!  It's good for you, good for the planet and good for your soul.  So break out those needles, grab some yarn and Knit On!

Smocking Tutorial

Mining my vintage craft and sewing pattern book collection resulted in this neat smocking tutorial find.  This wonderful tutorial explains how to prepare your fabric for smocking without the need of a smocking pleater or iron on transfers. In addition, there is an explanation of how to modify your pattern for smocking and a diagram of several smocking stitches.  Loads of information in just a few short pages!

Nice information on how to modify your pattern to allow for smocked gathers:

How to create the gathers using your sewing machine:

Information and diagram of a few smocking stitches:

I love the can do attitude of this author.  She shows you how to tackle a project that looks complicated by breaking it down into manageable steps using tools you already have on hand.  The result?  An adorable little girl's dress.  And these techniques could be used on any article of clothing -- a special accent on a blouse  or on a lovely nightgown for yourself.  Enjoy this bit of wisdom from the past!