When we brought you highlights from the University of Southhampton’s online Knitting Reference Library, looking though the patterns, journals, ‘stitchionaries’, magazines and books from 1849 to the present day we noticed one recurring theme: men. Often seen handling weaponry, wooden objects and sticks or gazing into the distance, the men are often in pairs – two sexually secure men wrapped in machismo and complementary hand-knitted sweaters.
In their minds they are modelling for adventure – Really Ripping Yarns – rather than for a future story on camp kitsch. Arguably our favorites are the older man and younger buck tableaus. They depict father and son united in uniform wool, but you can’t be certain what the relationship is, and in at least one picture the boy could be a tailor’s dummy.
Balaclava, scarf and half mitts 1970s
Balaclava, scarf and half mitts 1970s
Pullman sweater – 4 sizes by Sirdar
Gent’s cable-stitch pullover – in Sandison’s Shetland Wool Hap 2-ply by Sandison 1930s
Man’s Aran sweater (3 sizes) – with alternative lengths by Sirdar 1960s
Starsky-Hutch style jacket – [in] Sirdar Sportswool, Sirdar Sherpa, 32-46 inch by Sirdar 1970s
Raglan Aran [Cardigan] – [in] Pullman Wool, to fit 38-40-42-44 ins by Sirdar 1970s
Sweater – [in] Nocturne, gold seal luxury mohair, 34-44 inch by Sirdar Published 1980s
Prairie prancers, men’s 4 ply cardigan sizes 38-40-42-44 – graph-style knitting pattern [for] Northland Wool by Mary Maxim Published 1957
Man’s sweater – 4 sizes, with alternative neckline by Sirdar Published 1960s
Man’s pullover – knitted in Sirdar ‘Majestic’ Wool 4 ply by Sirdar Published 1940s
Man’s jacket – [in] Supreme wool, three sizes 38:40:42 inches by Sirdar Published 1960s
Sweater – [in] Sirdar Lopi, 36-44 inch by Sirdar Published 1980s
Pullman wool or Golden Pullman
Tank top – [in] Wash ‘n’ Wear Double Crepe, Superwash D.K. or Double Knitting Wool, Tricel Nylon Double Crepe, Wash ‘n’ Wear Crepe 4 ply, Fontein Crepe Wool 4 ply, Courtelle Crepe 4 ply by Sirdar Published 1970s
Sirdar
Classic sweater – 4 sizes, alternative neckline by Sirdar Published 1960s
Classic Cardigan – [in] Double knitting, Double Crepe wool, Super Nylon double knitting, or Starflek wool, four sizes 42 inch – 48 inch by Sirdar Published 1960s
Football scarf and cap set – [in] Double knitting wool, Double Crepe wool, or Super Nylon double knitting by Sirdar Published 1960s
Sleeveless casual [waistcoat] – [in] Candytwist, Sportswool, Studio, 36:40 inch by Sirdar Published 1970s
Cardigan and waistcoat – [in] Country Style DK, Majestic DK, Wash ‘n’ Wear Double Crepe, 36-46 inch by Sirdar Published 1980s
Man’s pullover – [in] Fontein Crepe Wool or Majestic 4 ply, four sizes, 36 to 45 inches by Sirdar Published 1960s
Classic sweater; Ribbed sweater; Sleeveless Cardigan – [in] Piccolo Crepe or Terylene, D.K. machine washable, 36 to 46 inch chest by Hayfield Published 1970s
Man’s waistcoat, in 8 sizes – in Hayfield Gaylon or Crepe D.K., Beaulon 4-ply, to fit 34 to 48 inch chest by Hayfield Published 1960s
Man’s sports sweater – [in] Double knitting, Double Crepe wool, Super Nylon double knitting, or Starflek wool, alternative lengths, five sizes 40 inch – 48 inch by Sirdar Published 1960s
Man’s waistcoat, in 8 sizes – in Hayfield Gaylon or Crepe D.K., Beaulon 4-ply, to fit 34 to 48 inch chest by Hayfield Published 1960s
Sleeveless pullovers – [in] Caylon Double Knitting or Heck Double Knitting, 38 to 44 inch chest by Hayfield Published 1960s
Tank coats – [in] Multi 4 ply, Talisman 4 ply Fontein Crepe Wool 4 ply, 34:40 inch by Sirdar Published 1970s
Sleeveless Cardigan-waistcoats – [in] double knitting qualities and 4 ply qualities, four sizes 38-44 inch by Sirdar Published 1968
Pullman jacket with zip – [in] Pullman wool or Golden Pullman, four sizes 38 inch – 44 inch, 14 to 17 balls by Sirdar Published 1960s
Pullover, v and round neck – with sleeves and sleeveless, 4 sizes by Sirdar Published 1967
Man’s pullover – v and round neck, long sleeves and sleeveless – in double knitting wool, four sizes, chest 38:40:42:44 inches by Sirdar Published 1960s
Raglan sweater – 4 sizes by Sirdar Published 1967
Raglan sweater – [in] Sirdar Arctic Moss D.K., original shade no. 010 Blue Mosaic, to fit 36-38-40-42 ins by Sirdar Published 1970s
air Isle up-to-date [slipover] – [in] Sirdar Double Crepe Wool, to fit 38-40-42 ins by Sirdar Published 1970s
Slipover – [in] Country Style DK, Superwash Wool DK, Wash ‘n’ Wear Double Crepe, Color Mate DK, 36-42 inch by Sirdar Published 1970s
Aran look Cardigan – [in] Double Knitting Wool, Double Crepe Wool, Arctic Moss, Courtelle Crepe, 38:44 inch by Sirdar 1970
Tank top – [in] Wash ‘n’ Wear Double Crepe, Superwash D.K. or Double Knitting Wool, Tricel Nylon Double Crepe, Wash ‘n’ Wear Crepe 4 ply, Fontein Crepe Wool 4 ply, Courtelle Crepe 4 ply by Sirdar Published 1970s
Waistcoat – [in] 4 ply qualities, 7 to 11 balls, double knitting qualities, 10 to 14 balls, four sizes, 36-42 inch by Sirdar Published 1969
Man’s sports sweater – [in] Double knitting, Double Crepe wool, Super Nylon double knitting, or Starflek wool, alternative lengths, five sizes 40 inch – 48 inch by Sirdar Published 1960s
Football scarf and cap set – [in] Double knitting wool, Double Crepe wool, or Super Nylon double knitting by Sirdar Published 1960s
Sleeveless pullovers – [in] Caylon Double Knitting or Heck Double Knitting, 38 to 44 inch chest by Hayfield Published 1960s
Sleeveless Cardigan-waistcoats – [in] double knitting qualities and 4 ply qualities, four sizes 38-44 inch by Sirdar Published 1968
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