My Windfall

ooooooh, Luck-eeeeeeeeeeeee! Hugs, Noreen

Lucky girl, I collect old knitting patterns/needles/etc. You have some real treasures. DA

I finally found some measurements in these old patterns. Check this out! in 1946 a size 14 measured: Bust 32", Waist 26 1/2" Hips 35". Well, I'm no size 14 anymore! Also, in some of the patterns calling for worsted weight yarn, the needle called for is 3 or 4. The gauge is

6 st to 1" stockinette. That sounds more like a #7 needle to me. Have needle sizes changed too?

Hesira

Oh, I know how the sizes have changed, and they've changed again not all that long ago.... A junior size 3 or 5 a few years ago is now a junior 0 or 1!! That's why I crack up over the weight loss commercial where the model says she went from a size 10 to a size 6... well, let's be honest there, lady, you actually lost one size, not two! I hate when bigger people want to feel little, and the manufacturers accommodate them by resizing so a size ten can now say, oh I wear an 8. Or a junior size 7 or 9 can now say, oh I wear a 5 or a 3, and those who were actually a 5 or 3 now have to hunt for the elusive 0's and 1's. I'm on a roll, i'm on my soapbox. ... another thing that really gets me is... I would NEVER ever say to someone's face: oh, you're so fat. or oh, you're so big. or oh, you're so heavy. Its just rude. But, people will use insulting terms to small people and say: oh, you're so skinny. or oh, you must be anorexic. Skinny is insulting. Anorexic, when one is not is damned insulting. Slender, small are better terms, but why to big people feel the need to point it out? Like I said, I don't point it out to the bigger people. jeeeeeeeeeez. off my soapbox now, roll over. Noreen

whoops, in my earlier 'rant' I forgot to say, YES, needle sizes have changed too. Noreen

Knit tightly, some worsted weight yarns will produce a 6 stitch /inch (24 stitch / 4 inch) on US # 3 needles. But. that is a much tighter, firmer, thicker fabric than most people want these days. It is a great deal of work to knit, and too warm to wear in modern, centrally heated buildings. With such a firm fabric, the tailoring must be exact.

On the other hand, it can be really beautiful! Stitch patterns stand out and show the knitter's skill. The garment will have a definite shape that can really flatter, rather than hiding the figure of the wearer. Definitely a pattern for someone that wants to show off.

You could use a sport weight yarn to get the same number of stitches per inch in a softer, more modern fabric, but it will have a very different drape and a less tailored look.

Needle sizes for the small "steel needles" have changed, but not for US size

3 & 7. While the standards remain the same, what we use has changed. In those days, # 3 was a big needle for fast and easy knitting projects.

Aaron

Thanks Aaron!

You know, that makes sense. Many of the patterns are of tailored suits. I don't think I'd make an entire suit, but I might try the jacket. I'll tell you one thing though, I don't live in a modern building, and wouldn't mind a very warm sweater. It gets drafty & chilly here in the winter.

Hesira

I hear you, Noreen!

I used to get that, too, when I was very slender. I guess they didn't realize that as a stressed out, broke college student, I didn't have much of a choice.

Hesira

Hi Hesira, How exciting!! I love to find older patterns at garage sales or church rummage sales. Not to long ago my MIL gave me a bunch of old crochet patterns. I haven't used any yet, but I get great enjoyment out of looking through them from time to time.

Debby (FL)

if you want to sell any of the baby pattern books, PLEASE let me know!! Jenny

Thats wonderful. I also was given old knitting books and crochet books from an estate..dating the 30's and 40's I have books here up to the

80's Its facinating to see the patterns for skirts and dresses. It would take forever to knit one of those with fine yarn. Anyone interested in a book or two let me know..I would be willing to sell a few.

Oh, treasure, I would never insult anyone by commenting on their size, whether small or large. I prefer people as people, not as sizes.

Higs, Katherine

Katherine, Dear heart, I know you wouldn't, I know a lot of people who wouldn't, but I know plenty of ppl who DO! I agree, about seeing ppl, not their size, or for that matter, their colour or ethnicity! Hugs, Noreen (but one distinction I DO make IS: whether ppl. are good or not!) :)

Well, yes! But we can't *see* that, can we? :-(

Higs, Katherine

My oldest needles are from the mid 60s when I first began knitting and though they're labeled 5, they fit into the size 6 hole in my needle gauge. A little loosely, but they're too large for the 5 hole.

sue

Showing a picture without selling it or making money from it , just for curiousity , Does Not violate Any copyright laws ,,, i think from fear of breaking any laws you are a bit over anxious. Also if the books are indeed from the 1940 s ,,, copy rights aren`t valid any more , At those times persons bought a mag or pattern and happily made whatever they wanted with it ... [ copy possibilities were not so advanced !!!!] I saw my maother`s friends go to knoiytting shops and write copybooks full of patterns they saw there . As to measures , just GAUGUE your own threads and convert everything to YOUR measurements ,,,, as well as using your own chosen threads , unless you want to reconstruct the patterns , there is no need to use all the original stuff , even if you could find it . mirjam

Needle sizes have 3 `trends` , European - mm , English and American ,,, see if the books were printed in UK or USA this will solve that mystery i think by the sizes that they are from UK ,,,,,??? mirjam

About 15-20 years ago Bras manufactureres chnged bras sizes soi that ladies won`t feel so gross,,,, seems that the wide use of the pill increased breast sizes. mirjam

Me neither ,,, but sometimes ..... i am on the border of almost saying it ,, esp when a `different` sized lady comments to me about my Not dying my hair ,,,And lately when a Double my size lady told me iwas Fat ,,, [i wanted to say :at least i still got ankles and a Talia ,,, But i closed my mouth ...] mirjam