Outfit Details
1930s Gingham Jumper – Made by me
1930s White Linen Skirt – Made by me
1930s Reproduction Shoes – Royal Vintage Shoes
1930s Navy Crochet Handbag – Kate Kitsch
Lapis Lazuli Drop Earrings – Shepton Mallet Flea Market
1930s Style Sunglasses – Had them for years
When I first spotted this beautiful 1930s gingham jumper pattern on Etsy I was absolutely convinced it was knitted. As someone who can’t knit, I completely discounted the pattern, knowing that I would never be able to make it. It wasn’t until someone I follow on Instagram posted it and said they wished that they could crochet, so they could make it, that I actually realised it was crocheted! As you can imagine, I jumped back on Etsy immediately and purchased it and I’m so glad I did.
Despite how complicated it all looks, this was actually really easy to do and this is reflected in the written pattern. It’s quite possibly the shortest set of instructions I’ve ever used for a crochet jumper!
If you watched my first Vintage Crochet Projects Podcast on YouTube, you’ll already know how the gingham effect is created. But for those who haven’t, the horizontal stripes are crocheted simply by doing one treble (UK terms), then one chain and repeating this across. You do this for four rows in one colour and then swap to the other colour and so on. This creates a grid-like effect and is done throughout the jumper, just making increases and decreases when necessary.
Once each piece, i.e. the front, back and two sleeves, is done, you weave in the vertical stripes using a yarn needle and 2 strands of wool. You need to cut the yarn long enough to do the whole four vertical rows each time, otherwise you’ll either run out half way a long a row or will have even more ends to weave in. And trust me, there are enough of them anyway, about 250 to be precise! And there’s absolutely no way around it either.
The weaving in of the vertical stripes, obviously, took me the most time and after a while it became a real labour of love. I could see how incredible the effect looked, and didn’t want to give up, but it took hell of a lot of my patience to keep going. However, nothing quite prepared me for weaving in all of those ends. I actually sat for two hours in the Mini garage one Saturday morning waiting for my car to be serviced and made a start on it, but I barely scratched the surface in that time! Thankfully none of the ends can now be seen, but there’s a fair amount of tiny little knots on the inside, believe me.
The waistband and sleeve cuffs are knitted (by my ever-obliging mum!), and weirdly the pattern said to crochet the neckband. This was simply done with rows and rows of double crochet (UK terms). I do think it would’ve looked better if it was knitted, just so it matched the other solid blue areas, but it doesn’t bother me at all.
The bow was crocheted and actually is very different to the bow in the pattern’s photo, but I followed the instructions to the letter. They clearly decided not to go with that design when they wrote the pattern. The one in the photo looks like a double bow, with the underneath bow reaching almost as far as the shoulder seams. The one that I did, however, is smaller and rather more wearable. I couldn’t decide whether to do the main part of it in red or blue, so initially made it up in red and have made it completely detachable. I plan to make it in the reverse when I get a chance, so I can swap and change it with my mood.
I’m really thrilled with how it turned out, it’s such an interesting jumper. The day we took these photos, we were on our way to The Yarn Shop Day at my not-so-local yarn shop and when we got there, the jumper received a lot of attention. Just like me initially, people were absolutely amazed that it was crocheted and not knitted. One lady, though, did say that she had a modern pattern that used the same technique, so you wonder if they’d seen this pattern and used the idea.
On the day I teamed it with my favourite white linen 1930s skirt that I made way back in 2015. It was made using a self-drafted pattern, which I’ve used and adapted multiple times, and has featured on the blog time and time again, here, here and here. I know you’re probably bored of seeing it now, but I’m very much someone who likes to mix and match my clothing, rather than having just one thing that goes with something else. It’s the joy of being a separates lover!
The shoes are the most incredible 1930s reproductions from Royal Vintage Shoes. The second they released the teaser photos for these, I knew I had to have them. They’re everything I could wish for in a shoe – not only do they look as authentic as possible, they’re also extremely comfortable. I’m also not afraid that they’ll break or fall apart at any minute, like I am every time I wear my original 1930s ones. Of course, I now want them in blue as well. Ooo, they’d go with this outfit too! 💙
As you can see from my big beaming smile, I’m very happy with this jumper. Okay, I absolutely love it! Despite how long it took, just under three months, I would definitely consider making it again. The colour options are endless and it would look amazing in white teamed with a bright colour like emerald green or royal blue. I could also see it in a mix of more muted colours, such as peach and mint green.
Project Details
Pattern: 1930s Gingham Jumper by Corticelli (official name – M83 Sweater) from Subversive Femme on Etsy
Yarn: Cascade 220 Fingering in Twilight Blue (9568) and Christmas Red (8895) – almost 3 skeins of each – bought from Love Knitting
Hook: 2.25mm steel hook
Total cost: £22.78
Oh, and for those you who may be interested, you can find this project on my Ravelry page.
You did such a magnificent job! Such an inspiration- maybe I’ll have to pick up my crocheting needles to tackle this one soon.
Also: Your hair is absolutely FLAWLESS, I wish I could get my curls to sit that great <3
Thank you so much Jess! I’d highly recommend this pattern, it really is super easy, it just needs a lot of patience. xx
As a non-crocheter, it still looks complicated, but it is such a fabulous jumper. You must have had the patience of a saint weaving in all those ends, though. And oh those shoes! I’m actually drooling here! xxx
Hehehe, trust me, I’m sure within a couple of hours of learning how to do the two stitches and how to increase and decrease, any beginner would be able to crochet this. It really is so simple. It’s funny with all the weaving in, because I could see how gorgeous it was going to be, there was no way I was going to give up. It was definitely worth it! xx
Ohh, that just looks fantastic!
You are the superhero of perservance for weaving in all those ends.
When I first saw this pattern on etsy, I was smitten too, so I’m so thrilled to see it made up by someone. This is a pattern that deserves attention.
And those shoes as well, who can resist them and how to choose between the red and the blue ones…
Thank you! Yes, I agree, this pattern definitely deserves attention because, like I did, I think people look at it and think it’s very complicated. However, anyone who can do chains, double crochets and trebles and can increase and decrease will find this a breeze. However, a lot of modern crocheters I know don’t have the patience to make something like this. Spending three months on one project just isn’t for them. xx
Wow! Your jumper looks fantastic. I would love to have a go at making it, but not sure about all those ends. I found your blog after seeing your podcast on YouTube. Can’t wait for your next one. Well done.
Thank you Joy and thank you for watching my podcast, I really appreciate it! xx
This is such a gorgeous jumper, I love it. When I watched your video I thought, ‘make 2 bows, so that you can swap them round’, so I’m really pleased that you’re doing that! xx
Thank you Elaine! Hehehe, I’m glad we’re both on the same wave length. I’m not sure when I’ll get around to doing the blue one, but it won’t take me long. xx
This whole look is adorable! I love the jumper, which is so impressive looking, and the shoes and skirt are absolutely perfect with it. Loving those perfect curls as well. 10/10!
Aw, thank you Jessica! This jumper is so typical of 1930s fashion, it looks so complicated but is so simple to create. So many of my 1930s sewing patterns are like that too! xx
I adore this- and wish so much that I was as talented as you! The jumper suits you perfectly.
Oh bless you, thank you! We all have our own talents in different areas. xx
It’s amazing – yes I can imagine all those ends that needed weaving in, lots of weaving here!
Thank you Colette! Yep, hell of a lot of weaving in! xx
that is stunning. funny to hear a knitted trim on crochet sweater, but the fine knit rib looks great against it – I would never have believed that was crochet – fabulous
Thank you Eimear! Knitted trim was actually quite common in the 1930s on crocheted jumpers. For me, I prefer it if they’re crocheted because I can’t knit, but thankfully my mum is always on hand to help out. xx
What an utterly gorgeous jumper – it’s lovely in it’s own right, but pairing it with your white skirt is so sping-like and happy. And, oh my, those shoes… Kx
Thank you Karen! The shoes are amazing, aren’t they? I’m so tempted to get the blue ones, but I’m not sure I can justify it. xx
Your jumper looks amazing! I learned to crochet when I was a kid and then completely switched to knitting in college since it seemed like more patterns for sweaters, hats, etc. were knitted rather than crocheted. I retaught myself to crochet a couple of years ago after finding so many vintage patterns that were crocheted rather than knit. I’ve developed a cyst in my wrist that makes it painful to do either. My doctor said I might still be able to knit/crochet if I can do it while wearing a brace. I may be getting my hopes up prematurely, but I’ve already picked out a gorgeous vintage pattern on Etsy. In the meantime I’ll just have to live vicariously through you!
Thank you Kate! Is your cyst a ganglion? A ganglion is also known as a ‘bible bump’ because if you hit it with a heavy book (a big bible) it dissipates. I had one as a teenager and my mum took the traditional approach with it after the doctors wouldn’t do anything. She caught me off guard one day and whacked it hard with a heavy book and it worked. Although I probably wouldn’t recommend it!
These days, after breaking my wrist about 10 years ago and through genetics, I get arthritis in my wrists. When I first started crocheting I used to have to stop after a while because they hurt so much. My mum, a long term arthritis suffer, then suggested I take cod liver oil tablets each day and it sorted it out. I very rarely get any pain now when crocheting. I’d highly recommend trying it. xx
Yes it is a ganglion cyst. My doctor said it can be surgically removed but they try to avoid that since it’s likely to just come back. Did yours come back? I had procrastinated going to a doctor about the issue for more than two years. I thought it might be carpal tunnel, I have rather boney wrists and hadn’t even noticed the extra lump.
I will definitely be trying the cod liver oil since my doctor also said I might have arthritis (I’m supposed to get an x ray to find out). I NEED to be able to knit and crochet again!
No, mine has never come back and I haven’t had any issues from it since. If you try cod liver oil, start on a low dosage to begin with because you’ll need to increase it as you get older. I currently take Seven Seas Timeless Cod Liver Oil capsules which have a low dose of 268 mg a day, but my mum is now on one that is much stronger. If after a couple of weeks you’re not finding any difference with a low dose, just up it slightly to see if that works better for you. It took me a while to get the right dosage for me. xx
This looks fabulous! What a glorious jumper – no wonder your smile is so big.
You might be surprised how often crocheted collars pop up in knitting patterns. They’re a lovely way to make a clean finish to a neckline without adding a lot more stitches. I’m thinking of making a jumper from a 1960s pattern that calls for crochet bands on the collar and the bottom of the jumper, too.
Thank you Katie! I have seen vintage knitting patterns that are finished with crocheting around the neck. In fact, my 1930s Christmas Jumper, that my friend Amanda knitted, has a crocheted neckline. Has the 60s jumper you’re knitting got a crochet decorative trim around the bottom or is it an actual waistband? I’d be interested to see that one! xx
Love it! And the shoes! And the shoes with the outfit! It’s so very 1930s and so very cute!
Best,
Quinn
Thank you Quinn! xx
It looks fantastic – well worth the effort.
Weaving in ends is THE WORST. I love knitting fair isle, but the making up… augh!
I was absolutely dreading the weaving in the whole way through this project but, like Fair Isle, it was all worth it in the end. I’m just not sure I’ll repeat it in a hurry! xx
So much love for this jumper! Seriously one of my top fav’s of what you have created. The colours I truly awesome and really make it stand out. Great job Cate!
Aw, thank you Liz! I have to say it’s one of my favourites too and I’ve already worn it lots of times. It was definitely worth all that work! xx
Another labour of love! Really top-notch, I definitely thought ‘knitted’ at first glance, my mind boggles at crochet! You look lovely in it, I hope you wear it lots! x
Yes, I seem to like these labours of love! I’ve already worn it loads and I know it will have a lot more outings over the next few months. xx
Hey Cate! As a crocheter and vintage fashion lover, first i have to say i love your blog/videos/Instagram since the first contact, around 2016. You’re always lovely!
Secondly, i guess you can imitate the knitted waistband and sleeve cuffs making crochet stitches. I generally make rows of double crochet, but i hold the back loop, instead holding both loops (some people even invert this, holding just the front loop and making a different texture that also reminds knitting). This pattern is very used to crochet beanies that looks to knitted ones, and it could be very useful for your next jumper 🙂
Aw, thank you, I really do appreciate your support! Yes, I did know about the crochet ribbing effect, but sometimes the real thing (i.e. knitted ribbing) just works better. With the gingham jumper I just knew it had to be knitted because it’s easier to hide all of those ends behind knitting than it is with crochet! xx
such Artistic Work…a charming work of Art!…cheers
Thank you! xx
This jumper is so cute. Now I need to learn to crochet!
Aw, thank you Tanith! It’s actually super easy, the hardest bit is having the patience to do it! 🙂 xx
Such a super jumper! Well worth the patience, it looks fantastic. Do you think the bow is just the inner part of the double bow on the pattern and they just left off/forgot the outer bow details? I think it works really well as it is. Fab shoes too!
Thank you Kate-Em! Yes, definitely worth the patience, although sometimes I think I must be insane to tackle projects like this. I know my current one will be lovely too, but I am so tired of it right now. The end of it seems so close but yet, so incredibly far away!
Yes, they probably just forgot the second bow instructions or just ran out of space! I like it as it is, the second bow may have made it look too bulky. xx
Hi Cate,
I ❤ your instagram/blog/etc. and this post encourages me to give that pattern a try. The description on etsy says that it is for a 34 inch bust. May I ask how it turns out with the wool you used and did you make any changes? I am a bit afraid about adapting the pattern… Thank you!
Aw, thank you Steffi! I used Cascade 220 Fingering, which is like a UK 3 ply yarn, and a 2.25mm hook and I’m a 35 inch bust. It’s just how I’d want it on me but obviously would be slightly looser on a 34 inch bust. The only adjustments I made was on the sleeves. My upper arms are quite wide and I wanted to make sure the sleeves were wide enough to have a little bit of puff to them, so I just increased the number of stitches across the bottom of the sleeve to accommodate this. If you have thinner arms then you won’t need to do this. I hope that helps! xx
White and green! Peach and mint! Great ideas. This does look worth remaking a lot. I can only crochet too, not knit, and I would also have never thought a sweater like this was doable. I can’t imagine dealing with the ends, though, like you said. This is a super unique piece I appreciate you taking the time to show how it was made! I especially like the close-up shot. Thanks!
You’re welcome! There’s just so many colour combinations that would work so well with this jumper that I’m sure I’ll end up making another one at some point. xx