Vintage Knitting and Knitwear from the 1930s

Tea for Two Coming Along

It’s been a few weeks since I last blogged but I have been working diligently on Tea for Two as you can see here.

This is both the front and the back knitted in the round up until seven inches into the stockinette section.  At that point I put the back on stitch holders and tacked the holders to the front so that the weight of the stitch holders wouldn’t pull on the garment.  I separated the front and back here because the stockinette sections for the front and back are meant to be different sizes (9 inches for the front and 8 inches for the back).  This is done to allow for the bust, to keep the ribbing in the front from riding up when worn. 

This project has been a lot of fun to work, and the yarn is working out great.  I steam pressed it which has given it a wonderful drape and accentuated the lace pattern.  Yes, I did press the steam iron directly on the knitting.  Normally that should not be done, but pressing this particular yarn brings out its best qualities.

I have decided to try to do the skirt on my knitting machine.  We’ll see how that works out.

I wish I was a better photographer.  We’ll just have to wait for Rob’s good pictures when this project is finished.

One interesting side note about Tea for Two:  Raveler Mary Beth pointed me to this blog post which features a vintage knitted ensemble that bears a striking resemblance to Tea for Two.  Don’t you think so?  It would appear that the knitter even chose the same color as the one used in the Minerva pattern photo.  I can’t help but wonder if she used this very pattern to make her garment, with the addition of some lovely modifications.  Hmmm…

Until next time, happy knitting  (and Happy Father’s Day too!)

Sandra

14 responses

  1. Anonymous

    How beautiful, Sandra. I should have been able to hear your needles clicking away as fast as you have almost finished your garment. I’m a slow knitter and get sidetracked reading as well.

    You certainly do inspire me.

    Sharon

    June 19, 2011 at 7:10 pm

  2. Thanks for your sweet comment, Sharon! Fast or slow the point is to simply enjoy, yes?

    June 20, 2011 at 12:29 pm

  3. Fantastic progress Sandra. I can’t wait to see your top finished and modelled. If I had a knitting machine, I certainly would use it for the skirt too!…

    June 20, 2011 at 3:21 pm

    • Sandra

      Thank you, Francoise. I can’t wait to see that vintage summer top that you are planning on sewing!

      June 21, 2011 at 1:14 pm

  4. Oh, I can see that this is going to be very pretty!

    The style looks suitable for wearing on warm days.

    You were brave with that steam iron.

    June 22, 2011 at 3:02 am

  5. Sandra

    Thanks, Pat. Fortunately I was instructed by the yarn supplier to treat the yarn in just that way. Otherwise I would have never had the courage to do it!

    (My apologies if you all are having trouble seeing your text in the comment box. Hopefully WordPress will get this problem fixed soon.)

    June 22, 2011 at 1:03 pm

  6. Sharon

    Hi Sandra, I see you already have your new manequin setup. The Tea for Two shows really good on this manequin. I can’t wait to see it in person tomorrow. You are doing a beautiful job! Your love of knitting, especially Vintage Styles shows in your work.

    Sharon

    June 23, 2011 at 11:01 pm

    • Thanks, Sharon! I can’t wait for you to come by and see her in person. Having her sitting there in my dining room is inspiring me to hurry up and finish so that she doesn’t have to go bottomless any longer!

      June 24, 2011 at 1:16 pm

  7. Thank you for visiting my blog! I love knits from the 1930s and your work looks beautiful! Can’t wait to see the finished set!

    June 24, 2011 at 2:36 am

    • Thank you for stopping by and commenting! Your blog is amazing! It is so informative and inspirational. I am new to blogging and hope my blog grows to one day be as polished as yours.

      June 24, 2011 at 1:20 pm

  8. This is so lovely! I hope to one day tackle knitting a vintage “full ensemble” rather than just smaller projects… yours is so inspiring!

    August 2, 2011 at 10:07 am

    • Thanks, Meredith! This is my first full ensemble and am hopeful that it turns out well.

      August 3, 2011 at 3:04 pm

  9. SH

    Love your knits! I am also in the process of acquiring vintage patterns but I have not knitted any vintage pieces yet. As usual, too many projects, too little time. Anyways, you are on my google reader. Looking forward to your posts. ^^

    August 20, 2011 at 9:08 pm

    • Thank you, SH! I love all of your creations also but most particularly your watercolor paintings!! Thanks for stopping by.

      August 23, 2011 at 11:34 am

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