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Arts & crafts

Thought this might amuse some of you!

(79 Posts)
Witzend Fri 24-Apr-26 11:23:45

Was just going through a load of stuff I kept from my mother (died 2015 aged 97) so should have done it long ago.

This is a page from her Woolcraft knitting book, Patons and Baldwins, price 1/6d, now falling to bits!

Who fancies knitting a lady’s vest (33-35 inch bust) and knickers?? To fit 35-37 inch hips?

Cossy Fri 24-Apr-26 11:29:31

Might fit my upper thigh 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Magenta8 Fri 24-Apr-26 11:37:50

One of my teachers at school used to lend her pattern for a knitted bra to anyone who was interested. I never saw an example of the finished article.

I love looking at old patterns. My MIL left a dress pattern for a "Summer shirtwaister with a Peter Pan collar and optional pussy bow."

AGAA4 Fri 24-Apr-26 11:43:32

I had a knitted bathing costume as a child which when wet would descend to around my waist.

grannysyb Fri 24-Apr-26 11:50:19

I can't knit, but I remember old knitting patterns. Some of them were for a garment called a "pilch?" Can anyone enlighten me as to the purpose of it?

Witzend Fri 24-Apr-26 11:56:56

grannysyb

I can't knit, but I remember old knitting patterns. Some of them were for a garment called a "pilch?" Can anyone enlighten me as to the purpose of it?

This book has a pattern for a baby’s ‘pilch’ - it just looks like knickers - not with legs, like the lady’s version.

Oreo Fri 24-Apr-26 11:58:36

Magenta8 😂

Witzend Fri 24-Apr-26 12:08:07

There’s also a pattern for men’s golf stockings, with fancy tops!
Don’t all rush at once….

Astitchintime Fri 24-Apr-26 12:21:36

AGAA4

I had a knitted bathing costume as a child which when wet would descend to around my waist.

😂😂😂 Sorry AGAA4 , that made me chuckle……I also remember knitted cossies!

Gracey Fri 24-Apr-26 12:31:43

I retain the memory of a man emerging from the sea when as a child I sat on Bournemouth beach. His knitted swimming trunks were so heavy with water that they were slipping to his knees. He grabbed the waistband just before all was revealed.
The horror has remained with me. grin
It's on a par with men in Speedos.....

Usedtobeblonde Fri 24-Apr-26 12:52:01

When I left work to have my first baby one of the gifts I received was a bed jacket.
I just couldn’t understand it, I was told it was to wear in bed when I had visitors.
Who lies round in a bed jacket even one day after giving birth?
I certainly didn’t, it was never worn.

pably15 Fri 24-Apr-26 12:58:14

AGAA4
Oh yes I remember them, I think they must have been made to humilliate females..

Basgetti Fri 24-Apr-26 13:14:03

Following mastectomy, I have a knitted boob. From the excellent charity, Knitted Knockers!

butterandjam Fri 24-Apr-26 13:25:25

Magenta8

One of my teachers at school used to lend her pattern for a knitted bra to anyone who was interested. I never saw an example of the finished article.

I love looking at old patterns. My MIL left a dress pattern for a "Summer shirtwaister with a Peter Pan collar and optional pussy bow."

We wore woolen knickers at school (Chilprufe, navy blue) with a cream woolen vest.

So cosy and comforting before the days of central heating.
I 'd happily wear them again; I can just see woolly underwear becoming a new trend.

My sons already wear it , neck to ankle, for ski-ing.

butterandjam Fri 24-Apr-26 13:27:14

Basgetti

Following mastectomy, I have a knitted boob. From the excellent charity, Knitted Knockers!

When I was younger, I'd have bought knitted knockers to fill my 32 A bra.

butterandjam Fri 24-Apr-26 13:33:00

Usedtobeblonde

When I left work to have my first baby one of the gifts I received was a bed jacket.
I just couldn’t understand it, I was told it was to wear in bed when I had visitors.
Who lies round in a bed jacket even one day after giving birth?
I certainly didn’t, it was never worn.

In my day, we lay around in our NHS hospital maternity bed for 10 days. It was called, "lying in".
At night all the babies were taken to a night nursery so we could sleep. The nurses would bring in the breast fed ones for a night feed, than take them away again to change the nappy. Bottle fed babies were fed by nurses in the night nursery.

It was bliss.

I feel sorry for mothers today, tipped out of the labour bed and sent home the same day, just in time to cook tea,

Witzend Fri 24-Apr-26 17:14:15

butterandjam

Basgetti

Following mastectomy, I have a knitted boob. From the excellent charity, Knitted Knockers!

When I was younger, I'd have bought knitted knockers to fill my 32 A bra.

Me too!

Allira Fri 24-Apr-26 17:34:29

I have a pattern for knitted bathing costumes, found in MIL's house when we cleared it.

Also have a pattern for a knitted pilch which was amongst DM's patterns.

You've set me off,*Witzend*, I'm going to have a search 😀

Allira Fri 24-Apr-26 17:46:56

Knitted undies, knitted pilches, a knitted sun suit and sun hat (really?) plus these gems:

How about making these pretty aprons for when you are serving afternoon tea to guests?

Allira Fri 24-Apr-26 17:49:05

Sorry, the delightful pinnies did not post

teabagwoman Fri 24-Apr-26 18:18:24

This thread is bringing back so many memories. I had a knitted swimming costume and my aunt knitted me hideous skirts with matching cardigans in puce. I had to wear them to school were said aunt was a teacher.

I had 10 days in a maternity home. It was wonderful and my bed jacket got plenty of use.

Witzend Tue 28-Apr-26 09:23:34

butterandjam

Basgetti

Following mastectomy, I have a knitted boob. From the excellent charity, Knitted Knockers!

When I was younger, I'd have bought knitted knockers to fill my 32 A bra.

I have actually made knitted knockers, for the local hospital who requested them for breast-feeding advice sessions! I was already making ‘twiddle muffs ‘ for their patients with dementia, when they requested knitted knockers, too.

However all that came to an end with Covid, when I had to find other things to knit.

Samsara1 Tue 28-Apr-26 09:30:40

Oh yes I remember my knitted swimming costume- horrible green thing. I wonder if that's why I never learnt to swim and hate having to wear a swimming costume on holiday.

Elegran Tue 28-Apr-26 10:10:51

grannysyb

I can't knit, but I remember old knitting patterns. Some of them were for a garment called a "pilch?" Can anyone enlighten me as to the purpose of it?

Before terry towelling nappies and plastic pants, pilches knitted in thick wool were put on to babies as an outer layer over whatever doubtfully absorbent garments they wore on their leaking nether regions. They made it possible to hold a baby with at least some hope of avoiding having to change your own clothes afterwards. The invention of waterproof plastic pants must have been a boon to countless mothers (and other family members)

AGAA4 Tue 28-Apr-26 10:15:40

Those knitted swimsuits were really itchy and uncomfortable apart from being useless at keeping you covered when wet.