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!

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!

Three Filet Crochet Baby Pillow Patterns

These adorable baby pillow filet crochet patterns come from a vintage 1920 pattern book devoted to baby and small children's clothing and accessories.  These lovely pillows would be beautiful in the nursery, maybe used for back support for mom in a rocking chair or as a boudoir pillow.

Butterfly filet pattern:

Duck filet pattern:

Bunny rabbit filet pattern:

Instructions for all three pillows:

The lace edging for the duck pillow is at the bottom of this illustration:

You could also adapt these patterns to other uses such as for a yoke to a pretty little dress -- the butterfly or roses would be so pretty for that.  

And naturally, as with other filet crochet patterns, these images can be worked in cross stitch too.  

Have fun stitching up something delightful with these beautiful vintage patterns!

Happy New Year Apron Patterns!

Happy New Year everyone!  Every New Year brings with it renewed hope, dreams and ambitions.  One of my ambitions this year includes de-cluttering and what would be helpful in that department?  How about a fresh apron to keep my clothes clean!  

Whatever your ambitions are this year, a nice, new apron is always a delight.  So today I'm sharing a couple more lovely vintage apron patterns from the World War II era.  

They come from a vintage sewing book and you will need to draft pattern pieces before you begin sewing.

Previous sewing experience will be helpful when using these patterns and following the original directions.

Utility Apron

Instructions as they were originally printed:

The pattern pieces (additional instructions for how to draft your pattern are found at the end of this post):

Taffeta Party Apron

Now, of course, after the hard work is done it's time to celebrate! And what better way to celebrate than to doll up in a new taffeta party apron!  Of course you can use the fabric of your choice but how sweet this would be in taffeta:

Instructions as they were originally printed:

The pattern pieces:

The following information will be useful when making up your pattern pieces and sewing your aprons:

Of course I have other dreams and ambitions for the New Year, but first things first.  A clean, uncluttered space will encourage inspiration and creativity and be just plain nice.  I'm ready to get to work!

Happy sewing everyone and Happy New Year!