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Arts & crafts

Thought this might amuse some of you!

(80 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?

NotSpaghetti Tue 28-Apr-26 10:37:34

grannysyb
Isn't a pilch a wool nappy cover?
The sort that work rather like plastic/rubber pants?

I seem to have an image of felted ones in my head...

keepcalmandcavachon Tue 28-Apr-26 10:38:49

AGAA4

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

Soggy bottoms!

NotSpaghetti Tue 28-Apr-26 10:39:35

Sorry Elegran
Started to type then went off to make a drink.
I see you have answered this.

NotSpaghetti Tue 28-Apr-26 10:43:27

...although I thought they went over terry nappies - much as wool covers might still do if you are using them over cloth nappies?
Like this:

www.thenappylady.co.uk/wool-nappy-covers/baby-beehinds-wool-cover.html

Allira Tue 28-Apr-26 10:46:14

Had anyone heard of a knitted body belt, the pattern in my second picture?
Was it just an extra layer of warmth to keep babies' middle parts warm before central heating?

Witzend Tue 28-Apr-26 11:47:31

Allira

Had anyone heard of a knitted body belt, the pattern in my second picture?
Was it just an extra layer of warmth to keep babies' middle parts warm before central heating?

In the pattern book quoted in my OP, there’s a pattern for a man’s body belt, but none for women or children.

I think my DM must have used the ‘men’s heavy socks’ pattern for what we called my father’s ’sea boot socks’ which he wore during WW2 RN service in the Battle of the Atlantic.

We subsequently used them as Christmas stockings! Younger sister still has one, sadly somewhat tattered by now.

midgey Tue 28-Apr-26 11:53:10

My mum used to knit wool stockings for my father, he wore them with his breeches when he went hunting on foot. Also used as Christmas stockings by all the children.

midgey Tue 28-Apr-26 11:54:16

Pam Ayers had a story about knitted swimmers….
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGcKVumVO08

Oreo Tue 28-Apr-26 12:24:02

Allira

Sorry, the delightful pinnies did not post

Yes, I shall wear one over my day dress for when visitors arrive for my memorable cream teas.🤪

Rosie51 Tue 28-Apr-26 12:33:12

Oreo

Allira

Sorry, the delightful pinnies did not post

Yes, I shall wear one over my day dress for when visitors arrive for my memorable cream teas.🤪

And will you use the Royal Doulton china with the hand painted periwinkles? 😂

JackyB Tue 28-Apr-26 12:43:47

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)

Back in the early 80s when my boys were babies and "alternative" and whole foods and organic were all the rage, mine were in terry nappies with oiled wool pants over the top which kept the damp in OK, but if it got too much the weight of the nappies pulled the whole lot down. There was no elastic, just ribbing round the tummy. Of course, it was expected that the babies would be potty trained practically as soon as they could walk, which wasn't necessarily the case. Also, terry nappies were unknown here in Germany, where the usual was muslin nappies, which would have been lighter in weight.)

Anyway, I eventually gave up because mine also all had very loose stools* which invariably leaked out top and bottom even of disposable nappies, and washing that oiled wool was quite a hassle.

* Sorry about TMI

Oreo Tue 28-Apr-26 12:46:17

Well, I would if I knew what hand painted periwinkles were😂
But naturally I will use fine bone china, my guests expect nothing less.
There will also be embroidered napkins in use and silver cake forks.

JackyB Tue 28-Apr-26 12:47:02

Yes, that's the sort of thing NotSpaghetti

Oreo Tue 28-Apr-26 12:49:12

JackyB I seem to have gone right off my Coronation chicken sarnie 🤢😁

NotSpaghetti Tue 28-Apr-26 13:53:56

Ha ha!
Put your big girl pants on and eat up Oreo!

Rosie51 Tue 28-Apr-26 14:40:08

Oreo

Well, I would if I knew what hand painted periwinkles were😂
But naturally I will use fine bone china, my guests expect nothing less.
There will also be embroidered napkins in use and silver cake forks.

Thought you were doing an adapted Hyacinth Bucket (Keeping up appearances). She did exclusive candlelight suppers, you're doing memorable cream teas. She was very proud of her Royal Doulton china with the hand painted periwinkles (tiny blue flowers) 😂

Allira Tue 28-Apr-26 14:51:39

Witzend

Allira

Had anyone heard of a knitted body belt, the pattern in my second picture?
Was it just an extra layer of warmth to keep babies' middle parts warm before central heating?

In the pattern book quoted in my OP, there’s a pattern for a man’s body belt, but none for women or children.

I think my DM must have used the ‘men’s heavy socks’ pattern for what we called my father’s ’sea boot socks’ which he wore during WW2 RN service in the Battle of the Atlantic.

We subsequently used them as Christmas stockings! Younger sister still has one, sadly somewhat tattered by now.

My Dad was issued sea boot socks in the RN in WW2. One pair was unworn and apparently my Mum unravelled them and knit me a pram blanket with the cream wool.

If you fancy knitting a baby's body belt, the pattern is in my post above. 😁

Allira Tue 28-Apr-26 14:52:57

Oreo

Allira

Sorry, the delightful pinnies did not post

Yes, I shall wear one over my day dress for when visitors arrive for my memorable cream teas.🤪

They should be hand sewn of course.
Although a hand or treadle machine is permitted.

Elegran Tue 28-Apr-26 14:58:14

NotSpaghetti

...although I thought they went over terry nappies - much as wool covers might still do if you are using them over cloth nappies?
Like this:

www.thenappylady.co.uk/wool-nappy-covers/baby-beehinds-wool-cover.html

I think that is what I said - an outer layer to hold everything together. over terry towelling as well as the thinner fabrics from previously (or old sheets as my grandmother was used to - when I was born, she thought she was helping by tearing up her oldest sheets to save them money - then found she didn't have enough for all the beds. Guess who ended up by buying newsheets for her, costing more than the nappies would have.)

Allira Tue 28-Apr-26 15:00:02

Rosie51

Oreo

Well, I would if I knew what hand painted periwinkles were😂
But naturally I will use fine bone china, my guests expect nothing less.
There will also be embroidered napkins in use and silver cake forks.

Thought you were doing an adapted Hyacinth Bucket (Keeping up appearances). She did exclusive candlelight suppers, you're doing memorable cream teas. She was very proud of her Royal Doulton china with the hand painted periwinkles (tiny blue flowers) 😂

Apparently it was Colclough 😲 a subsidiary of Royal Doulton. Don't tell Hyacinth. I trust you have the matching tea pot too, Oreo.

Whitewavemark2 Tue 28-Apr-26 15:31:55

Knitted swimwear left absolutely nothing to the imagination. Both male and female.

Whitewavemark2 Tue 28-Apr-26 15:33:51

Baby’s body belts apparently helped the tummy button to form nicely and not stick out.

Allira Tue 28-Apr-26 15:36:31

Whitewavemark2

Baby’s body belts apparently helped the tummy button to form nicely and not stick out.

Oh, interesting!

Rosezeta Tue 28-Apr-26 15:44:09

This how thick iam I seen a add for a lovely cardigan on the Web site it was only 7.18 I thought that's cheap so I got it when I looked at the email I only bought the bloody pattern to the cardigan lol lol

Oreo Tue 28-Apr-26 17:04:34

Rosie51

Oreo

Well, I would if I knew what hand painted periwinkles were😂
But naturally I will use fine bone china, my guests expect nothing less.
There will also be embroidered napkins in use and silver cake forks.

Thought you were doing an adapted Hyacinth Bucket (Keeping up appearances). She did exclusive candlelight suppers, you're doing memorable cream teas. She was very proud of her Royal Doulton china with the hand painted periwinkles (tiny blue flowers) 😂

😂
Yes I was trying for the Hyacinth attitude but didn’t know what pattern china she favoured.
Thought it would be the one with roses on, thinking about it.
For those that like bone china, charity shops are full of it these days as people die and their relatives clear houses, sad isn’t it?