Finished: 1930s Mustard Crochet Jumper and Hat

1930s mustard crochet jumper and hat

It’s finished! Yes, my second ever crochet jumper is done and it has a hat to match, both of which were created from original 1930s patterns. This was one hell of a mammoth project which initially started at the very end of October and was finished mid February. The hat only took me two weeks, one week on the base and one week on the trim. The jumper in total took about two months, but this was helped by the Christmas holidays where I would just veg out on the sofa and crochet for a whole day.

In this post I’m going to mainly focus on the jumper, not only because it deserves its own post, but also because I plan to feature the hat in a special future post. Keep an eye out for that one!

1930s crochet jumper neckline

Despite looking rather complicated, the jumper pattern was relatively straight forward. Each different section of stitches was done totally separately so, as a whole, it was made up of fourteen different parts. You initially start with the main back section and repeat this for the main front section. Then move on to the front and back belt sections, followed by the bottom sleeve sections, the top sleeve sections and finally the two cuffs. I then added the little tab trims and crochet buttons myself, these aren’t part of the original pattern.

The “ribbing” sections were created using a simple combination of double crochet (single crochet in US terms) and chain stitch. The lacey sections, however, were relatively more complicated. These were made up of blocks of treble crochets (double crochet in US terms) and there were four different combinations of these. So, you did four different rows, then continued repeating these four to create the little box shape pattern. This did take a bit of getting used to and at the beginning I kept forgetting which row I should be doing and I had post-it notes plastered all over the pattern to remind me where I was.

1930s crochet sleeve detail

The most perplexing parts were the separate sleeve sections. These were the weirdest shaped pieces and I checked over and over again that I was doing them correctly because I really wasn’t confident. You can see their odd shapes here. Creating the point of the ribbing section was really fiddly to start with as you’re working with such a tiny section and trying to increase it with every row. I did initially try to replicate this point in the white tabs but for some reason it just wouldn’t work in the white. I think the tabs look fine as rectangle shapes though.

Matching 1930s crochet jumper and hat

I did make the main bodice sections of the jumper slightly smaller than the original pattern, literally by reducing the number of block patterns across. The reason I did this, rather than using a smaller hook, was because it was fiddly enough with a 2mm and if I’d gone smaller I probably would’ve just lost patience with it. Also, I don’t have any hooks smaller than 2mm!

The reason it was so fiddly was because of the yarn I used. It’s 75% wool and much more of a furry yarn (if that’s a term!) than I was used to, having only ever used cotton yarn before. This meant that, because the tension was quite tight, the hook kept catching on the furry bits and I’d fight to get the hook out. As I continued through the pattern it got easier and easier to deal with but I do think for a relative beginner this wasn’t the best choice.

1930s crochet jumper in mustard and white

The white yarn was one I’d had in my stash for years. It’s most likely a cheap nylon 4ply as I bought a few different colours of this several years ago when I’d tried my hand at crocheting and didn’t really succeed. Again, the white details aren’t in the original pattern but I wanted to make sure none of the mustard yellow was touching my skin. Mustard doesn’t go well with my pale colour and has a tendency to wash me out, but by adding the white it detracts the eye.

I love how it turned out and I’m really glad I stuck with it, despite it being a huge project. It’s a wonderful jumper to wear, although being 75% wool it does make me very hot. It’ll be brilliant come next winter as I only have one other long sleeve jumper I like to wear. That one was knitted by my mum’s friend from an original 1950s pattern, but it has a real 30s/40s look to it.

Matching 1930s crochet jumper and hat

Project Details

Pattern: Matador Belt Blouse from Bear Brand Vol.58 – Chic Hand Knitted & Crocheted Creations, c.1932 & Draped Beret from Fleisher’s Vol.17 – Hand Knitted Apparel for Town, Sports and Travel, c.1933

Yarn: 4.5 balls of Butterscotch WYS Signature 4 Ply Sweet Shop from The Loveliest Yarn Company & white 4ply from my stash

Hook: 2mm for jumper and 2.5mm for hat

Cate

Just a vintage gal suffering from the Golden Age syndrome. A lover of all things old, especially the 1930s, seamstress, crocheter, maker of hats and enjoys rummaging at flea markets.

48 Comments

  1. How fabulous is that jumper, Cate! Adding the white is just genius. It doesn’t make you look washed out at all. Well done, you! xxx

    • Thank you Ann! I always like to play with colours that don’t really look good next to my skin. My other trick is using red as a distraction from grey as that has a tendency to wash me out too. xx

  2. You’ve done a brilliant job – you look just like a 1930s magazine model. It looks very hard to me; I’ve never really got the hang of crochet.

    • Oh wow, thank you Norma! Once the penny drops with crochet it’s actually quite straight forward and having the knowledge of how clothes are constructed definitely gives an advantage. xx

  3. Absolutely stunning! It must be so nice to see all that hard work pay off in the end and to know this jumper will give you pleasure many seasons to come. Will you be making another jumper anytime soon? Perhaps the same pattern, but with a different type of yarn to make a lighter, more summery version.

    • Thank you Sonya! I’m already on my next jumper, although it’s a totally different design. There are so many wonderful 1930s/40s patterns available online that I think I’ll never run out of ideas! xx

  4. What a stunning jumper! I’m not surprised you were dubious about the sleeves while you were making it, they are such complex shapes. I love the tabs and the buttons, they really finish it off. xx

    • Thanks Elaine! Yes, even as a dressmaker I was a bit worried about those sleeve shapes, but having the photo of the finished jumper in front of me gave me a bit of hint which was good. xx

  5. I love this look! I’m a bit obsessed with these 30s knit sets, and the burgundy and mustard look so perfect together. You could walk right onto the set of an episode of Poirot and look right at home.

    • Blimey, I wish! Oh to live in Poirot’s world, just as long as I’m not the one that gets bumped off! I love 1930s knit sets too and I’m determined to make a matching skirt and jumper at some point. xx

    • It is a really happy colour, you’re right and it definitely makes me smile every time I wear it! xx

  6. Hi Cate,
    congratulation, what a superb jumper!
    I am an absolute crochet beginner ( crochet experience made in primary school do not count, I suppose), and never thought of doing crocheted clothes, but this jumper might set me on the track. It looks marvelous.
    The color is fresh, the pattern charming, the additional white binding – everything fits perfectly and you look great.

    • Thank you! I’m always surprised when people say they never thought of crocheting clothes as it was exactly the reason why I started on this journey. I have no desire to crochet blankets, coasters or shawls as I wouldn’t use any of them. I’d highly recommend the first jumper I did as a starting point. It really straightforward and can be made fairly quickly. You can see it here – http://vintagegal.co.uk/vintage-craft/1930s-crochet-jumper-button-shoulder/ xx

      • Hi Cate, thank you for your kind help showing a pattern a beginner can manage. Also this jumper looks flattering. The pattern seems to be made for beginners as I am and I will give it a go.
        Thanks again!

        • You’re welcome Lioba and I would highly recommend this even for a beginner (which I am too!). 1930s crochet (and sewing) patterns are usually much simpler to do than they actually look, so I’d always recommend trying them. xx

  7. You must be thrilled, it’s lovely! What a jigsaw puzzle though with all of those intricate details. I think I dreamt about learning crochet last night actually?! Not going to happen, too much else to learn first.

    I look forward to seeing more if the hat too xx

    • Hehehe, maybe it was a sign! And yes I am thrilled, I honestly couldn’t imagine achieving something like this before I started. It was such a typical 1930s pattern, it looks complicated but is actually pretty straightforward. Got to love those pattern designers of that era xx

  8. this is so fabulous, I adore seeing vintage crochet. colour amazing on you!

  9. When are you starting a dress?!! Breathtakingly beautiful Cate. Well done you.xxx

    • Thank you so much Theodora! I’ve got a couple of short sleeve jumpers lined up and then I will possibly go on to a dress. I just need to make sure it is a interesting stitch pattern, otherwise I’ll just get bored on the skirt part. I can’t just do rows and rows of straightforward stitches, I need interest in the pattern! xx

  10. Your jumper looks fantastic! (As does the hat, of course.) I love the interesting combinations of different patterns on the sleeves and your addition of the tabs and buttons is just perfect.

    • Thank you Katie! I like the different combinations of stitches too, it made it a really interesting project. xx

    • Thank you Kate! I love the colour too, mustard is now one of my favourites xx

  11. That looks spectacular. I love the matching hat – it really makes the outfit. (And it’s good to know I’m not the only person who takes months to make something from yarn… seriously, how can people turn out a jumper in a month? Don’t they need to eat or sleep?)

    • Thank you Mim! Yeah, I know. There’s no way I could churn this out in a month, unless I didn’t work of course. Thankfully I can always sit in my lunch break and crochet which does help me to get things done quicker, otherwise it would take me forever! xx

  12. Absolutely stupendous job Cate! You really do take on some projects, don’t you! 2mm hook eh? What sets you apart is you doggedly press on with these things until they are finished – oh and your incredible sense of colour and style – that too! Well done. You should be absolutely PUFFED with pride!

    • Aw, thank you Lindy! Yes, 1930s crocheting is all about the tiny crochet hooks. I’m yet to venture to a smaller size but I did just recently buy a 1930s dress pattern I really, really want to make that uses a 1.5mm. 0.75mm is the smallest one I’ve ever seen on a pattern but that looks really scary! xx

  13. This is a lovely shape, the detail on the sleeves is so pretty , is beautifully crocheted, and the colour looks amazing on you. Worthwhile projects should take a bit of time !

    • Thank you Emma! Yes, I totally agree, there’s no use rushing these things otherwise they’ll never turn out how you want xx

  14. That colour is the best, and not something you see all the time. Excellent choice and wonderful job 🙂

    • Thank you Liz! I know, you very rarely see mustard knitwear but I just knew it would well for this pattern. I’m so glad I just went for it. xx

  15. I am in awe of your crocheting prowess. And it fits you splendidly! I do completely appreciate a matching accessory you an ensemble, brings it to the next level! Fabulous!!

    • Aw, thank you Christina! You just can’t beat matching accessories can you? It was such an early 20th Century thing but you just don’t see it anymore. xx

    • Thank you! If you like the hat then you should keep an eye out for the post coming later today. 🙂

  16. Wow! Your jumper is just stunning. It really suits you. The mustard is a fabulous colour and it is a great idea to do white edgings to keep it away from your skin. You must be so pleased. Love the hat too, nice to have a matching ensemble.

    • Thank you! I ummed and ahhhed about the white touches but now I’m so glad I went with it. They add a little something extra to the design xx

  17. It’s beautiful!! Well done!! The mustard color looks so good on you! I used to crochet more in the past, and since I’m travelling with the train a lot more I always bring one of my crochet projects with me. Your posts about crochet are very inspiring!

    • Aw, thank you! Crocheting is so easy to take with you, isn’t it? I take mine everywhere, even if it means I just get a couple of stitches done. xx

  18. Beautiful work Cate! I love the style and the mustard and white are a perfect combination, it looks lovely on you! I’m so in awe of all your talent! 🙂

    • Aw, thank you so much! This is definitely my most favourite crochet project to date. I can’t wait to start wearing it again now that it’s getting colder. xx

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