Vintage 1980s Knitting Patterns - Part 10

Time for the 10th instalment of vintage 80s knitting patterns.

...in which I am featuring all 13 exclusive knitting patterns (and adverts!) from the February 1985 edition of Handknitting News - a truly vintage knitting publication.

Enjoy. 

All my other vintage patterns can be viewed via this link.

 Handknitting News, February 1985 

The Weekly Swatch: Snowball Knit Stitch

 

Snowball Knit Stitch

The Weekly Swatch: Mermaid Tail / Fishtail Lace Knit Stitch

 

Fishtail / Mermaid Tail Lace Knit Stitch

Virga Choker (beaded version) - Free Lace Choker Knitting Pattern

 - These are the pattern instructions for the beaded version of the Virga Choker, the pattern for the Virga Choker without beads is available here. - 

Virga Lace Choker Free Knitting Pattern (beaded version) 

As an in-between project I finished another choker. I was inspired to design this choker when looking at in-progress project photos of my Virga shawl, an upcoming pattern for a semi-circular lace shawl, which will be published on the blog shortly. When I took the photos of the shawl, the dressmaker's dummy still had my Cascade choker wrapped around the neck and I got the idea to make a choker in the same lace motif as the Virga shawl. 

The result of this endeavour is my Virga Choker.

Virga Choker - Free Lace Choker Knitting Pattern

As an in-between project I finished another lace choker, the Virga Choker, and my free pattern is available below.

Virga - Knitted Lace Choker

I was inspired to knit a choker in this lace pattern when looking at in-progress project photos of my Virga shawl (pictured below, more information here), an upcoming pattern for a semi-circular lace shawl, which will be published on the blog soon.

Virga Lace Shawl (in progress, before blocking) 

When I took the photos of the shawl, the dressmaker's dummy still had my Cascade choker wrapped around the neck and I got the idea to make a choker in the same lace pattern as the Virga shawl. 

The result of this endeavour is my Virga choker.

The Weekly Swatch: Ostrich Plume Lace Knit Stitch

 

Introducing the Virga Shawl

New Knitting Pattern: The Virga Lace Shawl

Despite having completed work on a number of new patterns in recent weeks and months, I have not updated the blog with them. 

This is about to change and I decided to make a start today by posting a few images of my new shawl pattern, the Virga shawl.

Whilst the first test knit of the pattern is now complete, the shawl still requires blocking as well as a minimal amount of finishing; and I need to get to grips with my pattern notes before combining them into a usable pattern.

The Weekly Swatch: Vine Lace Knit Stitch

 

Vintage 1980s Knitting Patterns - Part 9

Time for instalment number nine of my vintage 80s knitting patterns. 

This post features numerous Alafoss and Wendy knitting patterns, plenty of batwing and dolman sweaters, pastel shades and headband accessories, with some entrelac and colourwork thrown in for good measure.

Enjoy.

All my other vintage patterns can be viewed via this link.

Vintage 1980s Alafoss Lopi Traditional Sweater Knitting Pattern - Booklet No 2

Vintage 1980s Alafoss Lopi Traditional Sweater Knitting Pattern - Booklet No 2

The Weekly Swatch: Chevron Rib Knit Stitch

Chevron Rib Lace Knit Stitch

Vintage 1980s Knitting Patterns - Part 8

Time to indulge in more 80s knitting nostalgia. 

Enjoy.

All my other vintage patterns are available via this link.

Vintage 1980s Knitting Pattern - Argyll 416 Ladies' Sleeveless Scoop Neck Sweater 

Vintage 1980s Knitting Pattern - Sirdar Pattern 7175 Ladies' Cardigans 

The Weekly Swatch: Knotted Box Knit Stitch

Knotted Boxes Textured Knit Stitch

Vintage 1980s Knitting Patterns - Part 7

Time for another instalment of 1980s knitting pattern handsomeness.

All my other vintage patterns are available via this link.

Enjoy.

Vintage 1980s Knitting Pattern - Patons Pattern 8065 Ladies' Raglan Sweater 

Vintage 1980s Knitting Pattern - Patons Pattern 1994 Ladies' Sweater Pattern

Free Knitting Pattern: Cascade Lace Choker

I’m finally catching up with the pattern posting of my latest knitted lace choker, the Cascade Choker. Just like my earlier lace choker knitting patterns (the Nameless and the Brocade Choker), this is a quick and uncomplicated lace project, ideal for using up tiny amounts of yarn. The choker can be completed in a day or two, including the time it requires to block the finished piece. (And if you decide to knit this choker, blocking is not optional, but absolutely essential to open up the lace.) The simple lace motif is knitted over 6 rows, consisting of knit and purl stitches and a variety of standard in-and decreases. 

Cascade Lace Choker

For this project I used just 5g of Scheepjes Maxi Sugar Rush mercerised cotton yarn and 2mm double-pointed needles (dpns). Though it is possible to knit the choker on wood or bamboo needles, I recommend the use of pointy, metallic dpns, especially if you are opting for the use of mercerised cotton yarn with this pattern. This will make the knitting experience much more enjoyable. 

The length of the choker can be adjusted easily for different neck circumferences and I recommend you check the fit whilst knitting. Altogether, you should ensure that the body of the choker covers around 80% of the neck before the piece is blocked. The choker is secured with the help of two dainty i-cords, which each measure approximately 20cm in length. These will be tied to a bow. Beads can be attached to the ends of the i-cords for a more sophisticated finish. 

Cascade Lace Knit Choker

The completed piece should be wet-blocked (to open the lace detail) and left to dry over night. 

If you decide to substitute the mercerised cotton with another type of yarn, the number of lace repeats will obviously differ. As you can check the fit whilst knitting, this should not be a major issue, making this project ideally suited to using up all types of yarn leftovers.

!!Update!!

The pattern for the one-piece i-cord version of the Cascade Choker (picture below) is now available here.

Monster High: Knee Highs

Free Monster High Knee High Stocking Knitting Pattern

After a pair of Monster High doll leggings and tights, it was high time to knit a pair of knee high stockings for the Monsters Highs.

Monster High Doll Knee High Stocking Knitting Pattern

The knee high stockings are knitted seamlessly from the top-down and finished off at the toes with kitchener stitch.

Monster High Doll - Knee High Stocking Knitting Pattern