1942 inspiration: Finnish fashion & knitting drawings

Happy Friday!

Thanks so much for all the comments on my Curlicute cardigan! ♥ That pattern was from 1940, which I'm going to use as a nice segue into today's post. Earlier this month I shared with you some scans from a small collection of vintage Finnish knitting booklets that a Finnish reader was gracious enough to send me. That post was from 1952, and this one is from 1942. I know I said I'd scan 1951 but the results weren't as nice, so we're jumping back to the 40s instead.

The really interesting thing about this publication is all the truly amazing drawings! It's the only vintage knitting resource I have that actually has more drawings than photos. Some of the knitting was photographed in it, but more often than not, just drawings were shown. I've kept the original color in the scans... I don't mind seeing the actual age of the old paper.

Isn't the cover fantastic?? A matching parasol, one-piece swim or play suit and purse. Yes please!

And aren't these swim suits just divine as well? I love this spread. Of course, I'll have to rely on one of my Finnish readers to explain exactly what this ad was doing in a knitting publication. lol

Here's an example of a drawing and the final sweater, too. I'm trying not to be scared off by the severe expression of the platinum blond. ;)

Lots more stripes were featured, too. (Don't you think the woman on the right looks a bit like Solanah?)

I love the entire outfit on the right below. I'll take those shoes too, thanks.

And more scenes at the beach. As we sit here with more snow on the ground, this is looking mighty nice right about now!

Don't you wish you could buy these purse kits? Check out the one with the sailor outfits. I want to make that!

But my favorite is a two-page spread of dresses. I had to piece it together, so click on it if you'd to see it a little larger! Aren't they amazing? Definitely inspiration-worthy for Sew for Victory, wouldn't you say?

Hope you've enjoyed this batch. I was so happy to hear from several Finnish readers who enjoyed the last post, so I've tried to keep more of the text in this batch. :)

Have a great weekend!

1952 inspiration: Finnish knitting patterns

I'm excited to share something I've been meaning to for oh, months now! I've been extra busy at work in the last week so I'm frightfully behind in all online realms, but I'm pleased that's finally letting up and I can share this with you tonight.

I've been extremely fortunate that a few blog readers have kindly shared vintage knitting patterns with me. Many months ago I was contacted by one such reader in Helsinki, Finland, who graciously sent me several vintage knitting booklets in Finnish. Now of course I don't read Finnish, but I'm happy to look for inspiration in all kinds of resources. So I'm very grateful to her for sending them across the world to me!

Over the next week or two I'm going to do a separate post on a few of the best images from the booklets, by year. I've cleaned up some images where needed, and have included the text in a few of them because I think it's interesting.

Expect to see 1951, 1942 and 1938. But today we'll start with 1952. The booklet opens with the advice not to buy yarn for the sole reason that it's cheap, because you'll be unhappy with the results. (Thanks to Google Translate for that.)

I love the cover styling, with the green felt gloves, slightly risqué neckline and matching scarf laying on the checkered table... the original owner wrote her name in the corner, too. I love seeing old hand writing.

You can definitely see a 40s influence still in some of the designs, but the emergence of 50s style as well. Interesting that the below pullover is finished with a zipper across the left shoulder.

Below is a crocheted jacket... is that a waistline or what.

No surprise I adore this stranded twinset! The colorwork was charted, so I scanned all 3 pages from the pattern in case you'd like to replicate it yourself.

Download: 1952 Finnish stranded twin set, including chart (pdf)

Check out this batwing cardigan with the stripes and collar. And look at those cuffs! So sharp.

I may be a little obsessed with these amazing father and son cardigans...

Check out the stitch pattern. It was written out, and I think if you were feeling patient you could probably translate it, so I've included the pattern repeat below. Looks like the chevrons are shaped between knit and purl sections, with moss stitch between.

Update! Rachel found the same stitch pattern in English, and Kittee discovered it's also indexed on Ravelry. Thanks for the sleuthing!

The sweater below is nice, but I'm way more interested in her head scarf and amazing plaid trousers!

A nice basic pullover...

And a classic cardigan, perfect to pair with a collared blouse. The lace pattern looks extremely similar to the stitch pattern in my yellow gloves, knit from this vintage pattern. (I'm not sure the exact source of that particular version of the pattern, but the same one shows up in a 1953 knitting booklet I have. Must have been popular in the early 50s.)

And last but not least, a cardigan that buckles at the sleeve cuffs and neck...

From Helsinki to the United States, from 1952 to 2013. The Internet is a wonderful place, isn't it? I hope you've enjoyed these. Whether you knit or not, they're great for inspiration! Do you have a favorite?