Retro Knit Friday!

I see that there is a new book of retro knits on the market. I am going to have to go down to the bookstore and check it out!


The booklet I have for today is a Minerva booklet from 1939. The cover shows a classic twinset with a Brooks cardigan. I don't know where the Brooks term came from and haven't been able to find out, but it refers to the classic cardigan with ribbon trim on the button and buttonhole bands with the ribbon applied to the outside edge. The cover sweater has prettty plaid ribbon instead of grosgrain. All of the adult sweaters in the booklet are written out for size 16 only. They do supply a schematic drawing to help you draft it to whatever size you would need.



The 'Glenwood' is a one-piece dress with pleated skirt and pleat-topped sleeves. The front opening of the dress is faced with grosgrain ribbon and the neckline is bound with fabric. The bodice is sewn on to the skirt with machine stitching. It is knit at 8 sts/inch on size 2 needles.



This cardigan has a mock-vest look to it. The front is princess seamed with the darker color on the outside and the lighter color on the center bodice pieces. During construction a ribbed border is sewn around the armholes, bottom, and seam edges of the contrasting color.





The description of this sweater says it is called a "Midriff" probably because of its short length. It is knit in a rib stitch with plain stockinette borders down the front and around the square neckline. The buttons are crocheted in matching yarn.

The back cover shows a selection of other Minerva booklets of the time period. I don't own any of these, sad to say.