Retro Knits: Cool Vintage Patterns for Men, Women, and Children from the 1900s Through the 1970s

Everything old is new again in this collection of fun, hip knitting patterns dating from the early 1900s through the 1970s. Within the pages of this book you’ll find everything from the pattern for those classic embroidered mittens your grandmother knitted to the alluring mohair sweater your mother stitched during her college days.

Retro Knits collects 50 vintage patterns for items as stylish today as they were in their time—and rich with the colors and textures of the past. Organized by decade, these patterns have been culled from vintage pattern books published by yarn makers, featuring old photos, pattern book covers, and original instructions. 

The patterns—for hats, mittens, socks, scarves, sweaters, vests, and shawls, all picked to exemplify the era of origin—also offer modern yarn and needle suggestions, new schematics, and updated sizing.

Just a few of the patterns you’ll find inside:

1910 Fairy Bonnet and Sweater Set

1928 Lady’s Bow Sweater

1924 Men’s Checked Sweater

1939 Women’s Ruffle-edge Cardigan

1930s Women’s Wolsey Swim Suit

1940s Men’s Vest

1945 Men’s Argyle Socks

1952 Dolman Bolero

1957 Women’s and Girl’s Embroidered Mittens

1962 Boy’s Cowboy Pullover

1966 Women’s Angora Sweater

1970 Halter Top

1975 Women’s Folk Sweater

50 vintage patterns--for everything from mittens and scarves to sweaters, vests--from the 1910s to the 1970s, with updated yarn and needle suggestions.

Kari Cornell & Jean Lampe, Editors

Everything old is new again in this collection of fun, hip knitting patterns dating from the early 1900s through the 1970s.

Patterns for the Dolman Bolero from 1952, the Men’s Zip-up Cardigan from 1939, the Boy’s Cowboy Pullover from 1962, the 1920s Mildred Scarf, the Women’s Wolsey Swim Suit from the 1930s, and many more have been culled from a collection of vintage pattern books.

The knitting instructions, which include new schematics, updated sizing, and yarn and needle recommendations, are illustrated with the original images. The collection includes a wide variety of patterns for the beginning knitter and the veteran.

So pick up your needles and knit a little something reminiscent of days gone by today.

Everything old is new again in this collection of fun, hip knitting patterns dating from the early 1900s through the 1970s. Within the pages of this book you’ll find everything from the pattern for those classic embroidered mittens your grandmother knitted to the alluring mohair sweater your mother stitched during her college days.

Retro Knits collects 50 vintage patterns for items as stylish today as they were in their time—and rich with the colors and textures of the past. Organized by decade, these patterns have been culled from vintage pattern books published by yarn makers, featuring old photos, pattern book covers, and original instructions. 

The patterns—for hats, mittens, socks, scarves, sweaters, vests, and shawls, all picked to exemplify the era of origin—also offer modern yarn and needle suggestions, new schematics, and updated sizing.

Just a few of the patterns you’ll find inside:

1910 Fairy Bonnet and Sweater Set

1928 Lady’s Bow Sweater

1924 Men’s Checked Sweater

1939 Women’s Ruffle-edge Cardigan

1930s Women’s Wolsey Swim Suit

1940s Men’s Vest

1945 Men’s Argyle Socks

1952 Dolman Bolero

1957 Women’s and Girl’s Embroidered Mittens

1962 Boy’s Cowboy Pullover

1966 Women’s Angora Sweater

1970 Halter Top

1975 Women’s Folk Sweater