From how to make a slip knot to how to bind off, these knitting tutorials with step by step instructions and even videos will take you from beginner to pro knitter in no time!

A practical guide to knitting and crochet issued by one of the bigger producers of wool and other sewing accoutrements - Patons & Baldwins. The company had been formed in 1920 when the Alloa concern of Patons merged with the Halifax company of Baldwins - the Patons brand continues today but the actual company (merged its self with Coates in 1960) has now vanished. I like the simplicity of this cover - very redolent of the 1930s in terms of both imagery and colour - sadly no artist or designer is credited.

As they had during World War I, people on the home front during World War II picked up their knitting needles almost as soon as the war began in September 1939. Only two months later, these girls a…

I’ve been seeing this old post from the Telegraph in my news feed over the past couple of days, and it is really interesting if you like knitting history. We probably all know about Madame De…

interesting book… especially considering men invented knitting, and then it was used as a way to keep women occupied while they were waiting for their soldiers to come home.

It may come as a surprise, but knitting and war have a lot more in common than one may think. In many countries, including the United States, wartime has almost always involved knitters. Back in the day, women were encouraged to support troops from home by knitting socks and hats for them.

I love knitting. There I’ve said it. I don’t care if it’s cool or not. I love wool (and fabric, and embroidery thread), I love creating something lovely/useful/individual out of a…

The "Knitting for Victory" group on Ravelry has been discussing what people knitted for the armed forces in Britain in World War II. I have come across an official booklet published in 1940 that sets out what type of garment was needed for the Army, with knitting instructions - and also what were not needed. I'm summarising the contents here partly for the benefit of that group. The booklet was produced in preparation for the 1940-41 winter (i.e. the second winter of the war, in this country). By this time, wool was in short supply although clothes rationing was not introduced until June 1941. The booklet begins by explaining that "There is just enough wool for the knitted garments needed for the coming winter. BUT THERE IS NOT ENOUGH WOOL TO ALLOW FOR ANY WASTE WHATEVER" and says that waste of wool "was widespread in last winter's knitting efforts". Therefore knitting for the armed forces has to be carefully organized, to make sure that the garments produced are what's required, and of good quality. The booklet specifies four acceptable garments: a cap-muffler, a sleeveless pullover, fingerless mittens extending beyond the wrist, and gum-boot stockings in oiled wool. The gum-boot stockings can be any colour, but the others should be khaki, or grey if that is unobtainable. 1940 Garments An obvious omission is a Balaclava helmet. You get the impression that every knitter in the country rushed into knitting those when war was declared - but the Army did not want them. The booklet explains why: the cap-muffler combines two different garments into one, and a soldier could not carry both a helmet and a cap. It also says that Balaclava helmets don't allow ear-phones to be adjusted in a hurry (by radio operators, presumably) - though the cap-muffler doesn't really solve that problem, it seems to me. The booklet shows a cap-muffler in use. "A most useful two-in-one garment. Can be used as a cap and muffler, or a muffler alone. Comfortable to wear under steel helmet. Very easily knitted." (The model looks as though he has grown a moustache to disguise the fact that he's under-age - but perhaps that's me being old.) Cap-muffler Gloves, ordinary socks and pullovers with sleeves were not required because they were already being supplied - perhaps machine-knitted? Mittens, of the specified kind, were useful as well as gloves, for different purposes. A sleeveless pullover was felt to be "excellent for extra warmth and, being sleeveless, not too bulky under battle dress." The booklet finishes by describing the working of the Voluntary Knitting Industry. A complex array of orgaizations had been set up to pass wool from the Wool Controller down to local working parties, and to collect together the knitted garments and eventually issue them to the troops. There was a huge clerical effort involved in recording everything, to ensure that the working parties could get wool at wholesale prices (and presumably also to ensure that all the wool issued was returned, knitted up.) Since the Government seem to have been perfectly capable of providing soldiers with most of their kit, I do wonder how necessary it was to use volunteer knitters at all, when it required such a huge (voluntary) effort to organize it all. Maybe one advantage was just to off-load some of the cost of clothing the Army to the civilian population - though I'm sure that the knitters also benefited by feeling that they were making a contribution to the war effort.

Gaze at one hundred years of people knitting.

What Came First: Knitting or Crochet? Knitting and crochet stem from different origins but both crafts have a lasting and important impact.

Explore Crafty_Cupcake's 8911 photos on Flickr!

I recently decided to try something new in my historical clothing journey. Accessories is an area that I have wanted to focus on for a while now, but I have been busy with making the basics of a wardrobe. That is a time consuming process when dressing for different periods. It has always upset me that I still do not have a fully finished mid Victorian outfit and accessories do make an outfit. I have been focusing on researching outerwear and found many photos of women wearing sontags. While I have read blogs about how many people wear these in the states, I had never seen one worn in Australia. I am not sure if this is because my group represents a more social elite or because most of our events are in summer. It seemed perfect for me, however, as it gets very cold where I live in the hills. It was also a great idea as I could knit it on the bus on my way to university. There was one problem though, I didn't know how to knit. I showed the January of 1860s Godey's Sontag pattern on Ragged Soldier to Jessie and she was kind enough to give me a basic lesson in knitting. I did have problems with working out what needles and wool to use. It turns out that UK, USA and Australia have different needle sizes. This was very frustrating for a beginner. In the end I used 4mm needle with 8 ply wool. To finish it I used two rows of single crochet (this is double crochet in the USA, so another conversion issue) and then a shell boarder to finish it. Jessie and a friend of hers also taught me how to crochet. To finish it I googled how to make dorset buttons. I did not feel that any other button would be suitable. This was a great learning project and I hope to continue developing both my new skills. Thankfully, I keep getting told I am a fast learner so it only took two weeks from start to finish. The finished sontag laid flat Front View Tied Up Back View Tied Up Close up of the Dorset Button The crocheted tie and tassel It is very comfortable and easy to wear. I am now collecting CDVs and dreaming of the next one I plan to make, so watch my knitting space... The Challenge 20# Outerwear 1860s Sontag Fabric: 100% Wool in two colours, 4 balls of tan and 2 of dark red Notions: Bone Ring for Button Pattern: Godey's Ladies Magazine and Ragged Soldier Year: 1860 How historically accurate is it? I think it should be fairly good. I tried to keep the dye choices natural based. I am not sure about the crochet shell boarder though. Hours to complete: Two weeks of bus rides First worn: 22nd September Total cost: The wool was about $35 in total

Take a look inside Interweave Knits Spring 2024, an issue devoted to modern lace, with 12 beautiful patterns and tons of helpful articles.

This is a Danish ad by an agency called Uncle Grey, created for campaign called "Kiss" which was first released in November of 2006.

Start with 2 pounds lean ground beef and one package of beef kielbasa sausage Brown in a cast iton skillet (I use my Great Grandmother's pan) While the meat is browning, cut up two yellow onions,2 green peppers, 2 red peppers )grown in the USA preferably-unless you live in another fine country with good agriculture rules),5 cloves garlic cut fine, 5 ribs of celery (I like using the middle ones), Take cooked meat and put in large crock pot or large simmering pan, Put vegies in cast iron pan and saute, then add to meat along with the tomatoes -sometimes I add frozen corn though I didn't this time Add one can of mild chilies for flavor and as many jalapeno's as your family can take-I only used a tablespoon of them cut finely-we are wimps Add two cans (not the little one shown-bigger)of tomato sauce, two cans of Italian chopped tomatoes, and two cans of the petite cut tomatoes Vegies, don't they look pretty? And do they ever add flavor Ok, I add alot of stuff for flavor- I usually add about 2 teaspoons of each except the pepper. I only shake out a nice amount and with the beau monde I can usually use more-I just cook like my Grandma and add until it tastes good=then add 3 beef bouillion cubes and 2 cups of hot water-we don't drink here at the house but if I had leftover red wine, a little would go in also Worchestershire sauce is delicious in every kind of stew or chili-a must! And a good healthy pour of about 3 tablespoons or so of honey-it makes a huge difference! I also threw in a bit of tabasco but kept it light for my family. I like what it does to chili-read on and see what my husband said. After all of this is stirred up, then add these beans and a package of chili mix. It sounds like alot but it is well worth it! Now, when I dish up the chili, I serve it with crushed tortilla chips, olives cut up, sour cream (low fat), sharp cheddar cheese and cut up avacado. You can put the leftovers on baked potatoes and it is like a whole other meal and you can share with your friends, neighbors or family. I am taking half of this to Montana to share with my Aunt and my cousin along with cornbread and maybe cider. Bon Appetite!My husband said to tell you it was delicious but he liked the sour cream because it cut the heat-if you love heat then add some tabasco to your own dish of chili VEGETARIAN? I make a good soup style chili without meat that is delicious and just right if you don't eat meat. I don't eat much of it and my daughter works for an organic healthfood store. I make it like this and instead of meat, I add cut up red potatoes, a small head of cabbage shredded and cut up carrots. I happen to love turnips in there as well but not everyone loves turnips. It is just as good and fits the bill if beef isn't your thing. :0) Winning Fabric- if you did not read my posting about God's amazing design, please do and if you comment you will be in the drawing for fabric-I am choosing 6 names out of a hat or someone here is.......we do this very fair.

This stripy toe sock appears to have warmed the foot of a tot in the late antiquity period

Tulalip woman named Magdeline Whea-kadim knitting, Tulalip Indian Reservation, Washington, 1906

Make Yourself the Right Leg Coverings! Buy our full-size paper patterns with complete instructions and historical notes for 14th through 17th century cloth hose, boot hose, and netherstocks (fabric, not knitted). All Sizes in one envelope. Fits calves up to 17" with instructions on how to adjust for larger calves. Also included are assembly instructions, embellishment suggestions, and the extensive historical notes you've come to expect from Reconstructing History. Suggested Fabrics: wool flannel (twill), wool tabby (plain weave), 3½ oz - 5 oz linen Yardage Requirements: 1½ yds 45" wide Notions: all: linen or silk sewing thread, or equivalent optional for boothose: bobbin lace, reticello, cutwork or needlelace, silk embroidery floss, wool embroidery floss

16 p. 20 cm

Recent marches such as the Women’s March on Jan. 21 and March for Science have lured newcomers to a symbol of activism that dates back hundreds of years.

Exploring a new decade of crochet - the 1940s. Here's what happened in vintage crochet history in 1940.

Lithuania is a knitter's paradise--hand-knitted garments fill tourist street markets to overflowing, traditional crafts are celebrated at summer festivals and in open-air museums, and the first hint of winter turns the capital city of Vilnius into a veritable knitwear fashion show! Now, join knitting experts Donna Druchunas and June L. Hall in their journey through a fascinating and beautiful country, and discover Lithuania's rich textile history for yourself. Dive deep into Lithuanian knitting techniques, pattern stitches, and motifs; explore the stories behind 25 designs for traditional and modern accessories; and practice colorwork, textured stitches, lace, entrelac, and more!

Socks for Centenary ANZAC Day is a big freakin’ deal in Australia. And this year is particularly significant as 25 April 2015 marks the 100th anniversary of the Australian and New Zealand fo…

Attend a personal workshop with two masters of color as Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably share their inspiration and techniques for creating colorful knits. Kaffe and Brandon lead you through a variety of vibrant palettes, then showcase them in more than thirty designs. Bursting with full-color photographs of home decor projects and accessories and the locations and objects that inspired them, Knitting with The Color Guys will change the way you look at— and knit— color forever.

Philippe Mercier’s popular portrait of an eighteenth-century stocking knitter

The editors at Vogue® Knitting, the most trusted name in the craft, have done it again, creating the most comprehensive guide available to sock knitters! No other book has both information for designing your own socks and such fabulous, never-before-published designer patterns.

One reason I love fiber art so much! #knitting #fiberart #history

Susan reporting: My apologies for the lateness of today's post, the fault of a missing internet connection. Here's a quickie featuring a w...

A new book features a century of photos of people picking up yarn and a pair of needles and getting their knit on.

ca. 1947 Visit our catalogue to download a hi-res copy or find out more about this image: handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/202822 Want to find more pictures from the State Library of Victoria's collections? guides.slv.vic.gov.au/pictures

For many of us, tea and knitting go together like . . . well, like tea and knitting. Personally, I can think of no better beverage to accompany the activity of knitting than what Dr Johnson (a grea…

Gaze at one hundred years of people knitting.

According to American crochet expert and world traveler Annie Potter, "The modem art of true crochet as we know it today was developed during the 16th ce...

Explore angvou's 237 photos on Flickr!