As these sweaters mostly shared trendy designs of blouses, they were often called ‘knitted blouses’. The British women named these sweaters ‘jumpers’. Towards the end of the 1940s, it was cashmere sweaters that gained popularity. It became a favourite of the college girls and other young women. When there was a shortage of wool, synthetic blends became the obvious choice. 

Sweaters with solid colours were immensely popular in women’s fashion in the 1940s. During the brighter days of spring, sweaters with shades like powder blue and white rose were worn. Yellow and red were worn during summers. 

A common sweater design around this time was the one with wide shoulders, crew neck, and fitted waist. The sleeves were either short or long. The ladies mostly preferred larger sweaters. There were girls who chose fitted sizes that shrank. Now let’s take a look at some of the popular sweater choices among women in the 1940s:

1. Cardigan 

Heavy and long, the cardigan sweater had buttons and went down to the mid-hipline. These sweaters were either long or short-sleeved and their plastic buttons had plain or matching colours. The buttons were held in place by a ribbon from the inside. For the purpose of decoration, the ribbon could also be on the outside.

2. Fashion winter sweaters

These sweaters had a large and high neck. In chilly weather, they were worn over other tops. Fashion winter sweaters could be in a button-up or a pullover style. Their sleeves were long and had tight wrist bands for keeping away the cold air. They were available in red, blue, and green shades.

3. Sweater tops

During spring, light sweater tops were extremely popular. They could be worn with a pair of pants or light skirts. As they were made from cashmere, they provided a certain degree of warmth. They were short and usually had collars, beaded cuffs, or buttons. It was not a good idea to make them from pure cashmere as they’d be uncomfortably warm in spring. 

So, the cashmere was blended well with silk to provide adequate warmth as well as great comfort. The blend of these materials made them very expensive. As a less pricey alternative, Angora wool was used in making low-cost sweater tops instead of cashmere.

4. Sloppy Joe

Teenage girls in the 1940s loved to wear this style of sweater. They were fashionable and were long enough to cover the hip area. Sloppy Joes had long, loose sleeves and a large crew neck. These oversized sweaters were worn with a plaid skirt or rolled-up jeans. To complement the look, ankle-length socks were worn with saddle shoes. The teenage girls who wore such clothing were nicknamed bobbysoxers.

The post Sweater Fashion for Women in the 1940s appeared first on vintage-knitting-patterns.com.

There are many different types of yarn. They can be from an animal or a plant. Besides, the textures of each yarn and the style of knitting associated with it may vary. Here are some of the popular types of yarn used for knitting:

1. Cotton

This type of yarn comes from the cotton plant. India, United States, and China are the biggest producers of cotton. The cotton yarn can either be fine or heavy. As it is light and breathable, cotton yarn is a perfect choice for summer knits. It can also be used to produce potholders, dishcloths, and scrubbies.

2. Organic wool

Organic wool is obtained from sheep and is free from chemicals. It is sourced from livestock that has not been through drenches, dips, or antibiotics. Only hot water and detergent is used in the cleaning process of this wool. It is good for the environment. Another important aspect of the yarn made from organic wool is that it comes from healthy sheep.

3. Cashmere

One of the softest wool and yarn types, it comes from the Cashmere goats. The word Cashmere is the old spelling of the Kashmir state located in northern India. It is quite expensive and for a big reason. Once in a year, the Cashmere goats shed their undercoat. It is closer to the skin and needs to be separated from the outer hair. 

Unlike the wool from the sheep that is obtained by shearing, the undercoat of this goat is combed and collected. It is a labour-intensive process. Once processed, the yield of yarn from one goat is only about 4 ounces. To make a sweater, it would take yarns collected from four Cashmere goats. 

4. Merino Wool

The yarn from this type of wool is quite popular in knitting big chunky items. It comes from a distinct breed called the Merino Sheep. The wool obtained from this breed of sheep is special. It’s quite soft and doesn’t cause any allergic reactions. When blocked, the fabric knitted using this wool keeps its shape well. The yarn made using this wool is great for knitting special winter woollies. 

5. Silk

Silk yarn can be of two types, spun silk yarn and reeled silk yarn. Although the silk yarn is easy to work with, it can be slippery. Utmost care must be taken while knitting with a yarn made from silk. It gives a lovely feel to the skin and is relatively cool. The silk yarn, therefore, is perfect for knitting summer items.

6. Acrylic

Acrylic yarn is synthetic and cheaper than most natural fibres. It can be washed easily and is an excellent choice for those who’ve just got started in knitting. Sashay and Caron are the two types of acrylic yarns. They are ideal for beginners attempting to knit scarves.

The post 6 Popular Types of Yarn Used for Knitting appeared first on vintage-knitting-patterns.com.

Many of the women who were earlier on the home front entered the workforce in great numbers. This created new demands for their wardrobes. While elite fashion was still in demand among the wealthy, new demands of working-class women were also accommodated.

1. Ivy Vintage Faux Headwrap

In the 1940s, women working in factories and the ones doing manual labour used headbands and bandannas. They were used to tie back their hair as they always run the risk of getting entangled in the machinery. There’s a secret to this headwrap. It is actually a hat, which can be pinned in place with the help of hairpins. So, it isn’t really a wrap.

2. Pleated A-line skirts

The pleated skirt goes well with nearly any top. Such skirts were practical, flattering, and extremely comfortable. This is why they were a popular choice during the times of the Second World War. Today, they’re available in a variety of colours. However, in the 1940s, the popular choices were black and navy. In recent times, many women choose turquoise or pale lavender for a bolder feel.

3. Zelda Vintage Blouse

This blouse has been designed after the knitted blouses that women used to wear in the 1940s. It would be the best choice to wear to work or to go for an outing. This blouse has a beautiful, intricate pattern in columns highlighting the shaping. It also has shaped shoulders and short sleeves.

4. Midnight Blazer

The structured and emphasized shoulders of this blazer can be associated with 1980s fashion. In the 1940s, the accented shoulders were big. Today, such blazers are knit up fast in bulky yarn. A midnight blazer worn over a delicate blouse makes for a perfect eye-catching layer.

5. Voe Vest

Voe Vest uses the Fair Isle stranded knitting pattern, one of the simple styles used in the 1940s. This form of knitting allowed the use and reuse of yarn with varying colours. The vest looks charming with a classic V-neck and geometric stranded pattern. Choices of colours include rose, sage green, dusty blue, and grey. They are also available in colours with contrast and heathered tones. This gives Voe Vest a picture-perfect look. 

6. Bonny Garter Tam

A popular hat choice in hats during the Second World War was the tams. They kept the head warm during winters and were simple to knit. The Bonny Garter Tam comes in a solid colour of worsted yarn, which would give that 1940s look. An updated version of this classic favourite uses a tonal or speckled yarn. Another great feature of this tam is that it can suit most of the head types.

7. A-Line Skirt

The A-line skirt has a lovely lace detail at the edging. The pattern makes use of an Aran-weight acrylic or mohair blend, but it also gives scope for experimentation. Different yarns can be used to know which of the texture is best suited to the one wearing it. As the yarn is heavy, it adds heft to the wheat-sheaf motif on the edge of the lace.

The post Modern Versions of the 1940s Knitted Clothing appeared first on vintage-knitting-patterns.com.

Wool was sent to schools so that the students could knit gloves, balaclava helmets, and scarves for the troops. Several knitting patterns were also given away for free. Here are some of the knitting patterns that were popular during those times:

1. Victory Jumper

This was one of the most popular patterns during the Second World War. It looked beautiful and was perfectly suited for the ‘Knit for Victory’ movement. Although the wavy lace pattern looked quite intricate, it was amazingly easy. 

Once the person knitting got the hang of it, the work was no more taxing. It consisted of only two rows, which made it easy to learn and quick to work. The yarn for this was the ‘Sirdar’ Super Shetland wool. The colours of yarn were navy, red, and white.

2. Knitted Turbans

This pattern of knitting is great for beginners. This was yet another beautiful pattern that held the shape beautifully. It could handle the bad hair moments and keep the pin curls in place. There was nothing to worry about, as one could easily go about his or her day wearing it. It also offered strong protection, especially for the ears during the chilly winters. The yarn for this was Patons UK Beehive.

3. Fair Isle Pullover

This was a pattern for men. It was a simple one, which didn’t have more than two colours at one time. It was considered to be an essential garment for the colder days. The yarn for this pattern was Jaeger ‘Feather-Fleck’ with an approximate weight of 9 ounces. 

4. Date-Maker Cardigan

This pattern had a lot of good lines and was similar to the Twisted Rib Sweater, which used thicker yarns. It could be knitted with great ease and speed. Many versions of this pattern were made available later.

5. Economy Jumper

This vintage pattern comprised a panel made from strips of Lace squares and Moss Stitch. For continuity, one of the colours in the squares was to be used for the yoke, sleeves, and side panels. It is designed to use up reclaimed yarns or the yarns leftover from other knits. 

This provided great value during the days of the Second World War. Copley’s 2-Ply Excelsior Shetland Wool was the yarn that was mostly used for this pattern.

6. Counterpane

Counterpane has retained its beauty even after a period of more than a century. The use of this pattern dates back a couple of centuries. This made it a vintage pattern even during the Second World War. It was quicker to knit up once the knitter got into its rhythm. The pattern can be used for cushions, a cot quilt, or for a blanket.

7. Coloured Snood

The coloured snood was knitted in blackberry stitch on extra-large needles. Upon using the needles of appropriate size it would knit up quickly. The hair-protecting snood was extremely helpful during the war efforts.

The post 7 Popular Knitting Patterns During the Second World War appeared first on vintage-knitting-patterns.com.

Then came the Second World War, which began in 1939. As a result, fashion took a new turn. 

As most of the men were serving in uniforms, men’s fashion stopped progressing until the end of the war. Women’s fashion included man-tailored dresses, hats, and coats. Through fashion, they tried to support the war efforts. During the war, a woman took care of the home front and did the work previously done by men. Jobs that men held earlier were taken up by women. 

So, the clothes worn during those times were a reflection of the circumstances where limited materials were available. This continued even after the end of the Second World War. Only at the end of the 1940s did women return to the ultra-feminine silhouette. Men also took it easy and adopted a more relaxed fit.

Fashion before the Second World War

Before the beginning of the Second World War, Paris was considered the epicentre of fashion. All the new styles originated in the French capital and the unknown American designers copied their looks. This was done for their clients as well as for stores. 

Despite the economic depression, the 1930s was a period of glamour. Most of the Hollywood stars wore long, draping, and flowing gowns of silk, velvet, satin or crepe. The day suit was brought into fashion by Coco Chanel with a long skirt and fitted jacket. Fur was in great demand as it was considered a luxury item. 

In 1940, many designers had to shut down their fashion houses after Germany took over Paris. Some even escaped from France. The rest of the world had to come up with their own styles as a result. During this period, the focus was on New York. It created a look that was influenced largely by the war being fought at distant places. 

The use of new materials in clothing

Owing to the widespread war, the materials generally used for clothing became scarce. Coats and uniforms for the soldiers were made using wool. Their boots were made of leather. Silks used to make stockings and undergarments were now used for making waterproof maps and parachutes.

New materials had to be used for civilian clothing. DuPont introduced Nylon in 1938, which was a great replacement for silk. Gradually, it began to be used for the war as it served the same purpose as silk. American cotton became a preferred option for casual fabric. When the wool blends were introduced, they saved plenty of wool to be used for military purposes. 

Around this time, synthetic fabric rayon was widely popular. Its thicker version was used for suits and coats instead of wool. Day dresses were made using the softer and silkier version. Shirts and jackets became plain and practical, while skirts were shorter and tighter.

The post Fashion Trends of Women and Men in the 1940s appeared first on vintage-knitting-patterns.com.