Men on Vintage Knitting Patterns

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 (what does it all mean, Mr Freud?) 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

Balaclava, scarf and half mitts 1970s

Balaclava, scarf and half mitts 1970s

Pullman sweater - 4 sizes by Sirdar

Pullman sweater – 4 sizes by Sirdar

Gent's cable-stitch pullover - in Sandison's Shetland Wool Hap 2-ply by Sandison 1930s

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

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

Starsky-Hutch style jacket – [in] Sirdar Sportswool, Sirdar Sherpa, 32-46 inch by Sirdar 1970s

vintage knitting

Raglan Aran [Cardigan] – [in] Pullman Wool, to fit 38-40-42-44 ins by Sirdar 1970s

 

vintage knitting sewing patterns

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

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 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 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

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

Sweater – [in] Sirdar Lopi, 36-44 inch by Sirdar Published 1980s

Man's sweater - 4 sizes by Sirdar Published 1960s

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

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

retro vintage knitting paterns designs 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 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

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

knitting patterns retro 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

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

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

Man’s pullover – [in] Fontein Crepe Wool or Majestic 4 ply, four sizes, 36 to 45 inches by Sirdar Published 1960s

Vintage knitting books patterns

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 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

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

Vintage knitting patterns

vintage knitting patterns books

Sleeveless pullovers – [in] Caylon Double Knitting or Heck Double Knitting, 38 to 44 inch chest by Hayfield Published 1960s

vintage knitting patterns books

Tank coats – [in] Multi 4 ply, Talisman 4 ply Fontein Crepe Wool 4 ply, 34:40 inch by Sirdar Published 1970s

vintage knitting patterns books

Sleeveless Cardigan-waistcoats – [in] double knitting qualities and 4 ply qualities, four sizes 38-44 inch by Sirdar Published 1968

vintage knitting patterns books

Pullman jacket with zip – [in] Pullman wool or Golden Pullman, four sizes 38 inch – 44 inch, 14 to 17 balls by Sirdar Published 1960s

Vintage knitting patterns

Pullover, v and round neck – with sleeves and sleeveless, 4 sizes by Sirdar Published 1967

Vintage knitting patterns Vintage knitting patterns Vintage knitting patterns Vintage knitting patterns Vintage knitting patterns

Vintage knitting patterns

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

Vintage knitting patterns

Raglan sweater – 4 sizes by Sirdar Published 1967

Vintage knitting patterns

Vintage knitting patterns

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

Vintage knitting patterns

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

Slipover – [in] Country Style DK, Superwash Wool DK, Wash ‘n’ Wear Double Crepe, Color Mate DK, 36-42 inch by Sirdar Published 1970s

 

vintage knitting sewing

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

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

Football scarf and cap set - [in] Double knitting wool, Double Crepe wool, or Super Nylon double knitting by Sirdar 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

vintage knitting patterns books

Sleeveless pullovers – [in] Caylon Double Knitting or Heck Double Knitting, 38 to 44 inch chest by Hayfield Published 1960s

vintage knitting patterns books

Sleeveless Cardigan-waistcoats – [in] double knitting qualities and 4 ply qualities, four sizes 38-44 inch by Sirdar Published 1968

 

 

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