Here's a small selection from those that aren't boring. The first two are very typical of the late 40s.
Emu 151 - Sports Jumper |
Stranded knitting across the shoulders of sweaters and cardigans was very popular at the time, as well as more traditional Fair Isle designs. This is a nice one: the blue flowers on white have a kind of peasant feel, and the little collar is a neat touch.
Emu 171 - Hungarian Blouse |
Emu 201 - Cap-sleeve Sweater |
I do like the cap sleeve sweater very much. It is much more New Look, worn with a full skirt and the waist more defined. It's not very clear from the cover photo what's going on in the design, but I like the neat neckline, and there might be some shoulder detail - I'll have to look at the pattern.
Emu 259 - Cardigan in Crescent Stitch |
Emu 296 - Tuck-in Blouse |
Emu 326 |
Finally, I have picked a couple of designs in double knitting wool. The ladies' jackets still look very definitely 1950s, but the pullover in honeycomb stitch looks more like early 1960s to me - sweaters with big collars were very popular then. (Either I am completely wrong about the dating, or Emu were not very consistent about numbering consecutively - leaflet 82 is much later than leaflet 151 and all the rest.)
Emu 396 - Two Ladies' Jackets |
Emu 83 - Honeycomb Stitch Pullover |
I grew up in the 50s and 60s wearing handknitted jumpers, mittens and scarves. Children's hats then were much more varied than the common beanie today.
ReplyDeleteAdult women's hats were much more varied too. Emu didn't do many hat patterns, though Patons & Baldwins did. Maybe I should write about those some time soon.
DeleteI also like the older patterns and when I was younger I used to knit jumpers using my mothers old patterns in 3 and 4 ply. The patterns taught me shaping and when worn were always commented on as they fit well and are stylish. The green and white jumper looks like a challenge to knit or rather watching rows while knitting. The pattern designers certainly knew how to make good patterns. I somewhat despair at the many modern patterns with no shaping - seemingly thinking knitters are not capable or following a pattern and could never wear those jumpers which are just a rectangle as they are thick under the arms and not very flattering.
ReplyDeleteJust wondering what ply is "double knitting" would that be 6ply? I used to ask my mother this but she has since passed away at 85 and she was a very skilled and keen knitter.
Thanks for your comment. I know there are a lot of modern patterns that are very simple shapes, but equally there are a lot that demand a lot of knitters - sweaters knitted top down in one piece, for instance, and they often do have waist shaping, etc.
DeleteDouble knitting is so called because it's twice as thick as some other thickness (3-ply?). But if it did originally have twice as many plies as the thinner yarn, that isn't true any more. Looking at the nearest sample of DK I can find, it has 4 strands in it. 3-ply and 4-ply as yarn weights don't necessarily indicate how many strands there are, either, but are a name for a standard thickness, measured by wraps per inch or something like that. (Wikipedia has an article on yarn weights that might help.) American knitting terms are different of course.
Hello! i stumbled across your blog while attempting to find a source for the picture of the green emu 326. i was wondering if you know if i can find or purchase a copy of the actual pattern for it? i would love to knit it up!
ReplyDeletePleased to hear that you are a fan of these patterns. 1950s patterns are still in copyright. We have permission from Thomas B Ramsden & Co., who own the copyright, to copy Emu patterns - but only for Knitting & Crochet Guild members, for personal use. If you are a member, or decide to join, please email me at collections@kcguild.org.uk and I can send you a copy
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