Claude, I think I know what went wrong with the sizing. A 1940s size 8 is *not* a modern day size 8, there's about a .5-1 size difference between the two. The sizing guide for socks is the same as the sizing for shoes and shoe sizing changed at some point in the 50s. So a modern 8 would be closer to a 7.5 or 7 in the 40s.
I love the finished look of the socks but would be worried about the seams being a point of rubbing and the inevitable blisters. They would make amazing bed socks though. Your colour choice was so pretty - total sock envy. The flat construction is interesting as it isn't totally flat, but I can see how it would be easier than on the round. Love the idea of your Ravelry group - definitely joining.
The reason for kitchener stitch at the toe seams was to prevent rubbing and causing blisters, not trench foot. I'd think those side seams would rub too although I initially knitted socks with a back seam that went along the sole and didn't have a problem. i was using possum yarn though.
@@denisegore1884 it really surprises me that the back seam didn't give you blisters. Maybe I just have super sensitive feet. Perhaps I will have to give seamed socks a go. I wonder if there is a way to do a Kitchener stitch equivalent along the back and side seams to give a flat join
I think if the socks were made in stocking stitch you could get very smooth seams. The colour work and garter stitch nature of this pattern made it extra bulky.
I read in a knitting history book that this way of knitting socks was designed so that the sections of fabric that would wear out faster (heel, ball, toe,…) could be reknit without having to take out the ‘fashion’ fabric section. Very interesting.
You can usually get away with mattress stitch on the leg (full stitch on each edge), and still have it be comfortable, and then when joining the instep to the sole, use 1/2 stitch at each edge for that seam. The seam is much less bulky, and quite comfortable, but it might be tricky to do with all those ends in those selvedges. It was fairly common back then to work the toe in the round, after the colorwork was finished. I'm fascinated that you have a 1918 pamphlet from the UK that specifies "Kitchener" toe. The British Red Cross pamphlets I had seen from earlier in the war didn't have socks with grafted toes. There's a legend that Kitchener specifically asked for grafted sock toes, but there isn't much in the way of documented evidence. That pamphlet would be the closest connection that I have seen. The term "Kitchener" whatever (sock/toe/heel/etc) was used in so many patterns in North America to mean so many different things, but not until around the time the U.S. joined the war effort. Do you have a physical copy of that pamphlet, or did you find a digital source for it?
Thanks for the tip about sewing up. I didn't really do much research I just went for it with the sewing to see how it worked. Next time I try this pattern I'll have to try harder. The pamphlet I found is actually Canadian. I've never seen it called Kitchener Stitch in the UK in this period either. But it's available on archive.org archive.org/details/spring1918warwor00nati/page/16/mode/2up
@@RetroClaude Thanks for the link! Good to know that was a Canadian pamphlet--I was so surprised to see it in what I assumed was a British pamphlet! The US newspaper articles that talked about the "new Kitchener toe" indicated that it first appeared in Canada, and was named in honor of Kitchener (this was all around the time of his death, when a Canadian town called Berlin was renamed Kitchener). Patterns I've seen from commonwealth countries all seemed to use the term "grafting" if they included the technique in the pattern at all.
I'm old enough to know how those socks feel. I haven't seen them since as a child but they still had that design in the early 1960's. If that seem hits the foot in the wrong spot they suck. I think they're cute.
I've seen patterns for knitting new soles for old worn out socks kind of like this. I always thought it looked like more work than knitting brand new socks, but it takes of cours less yarn and if the top part of the socks are a bit fancy it's worth saving for that reason.
I love these, the bit of blue on the toe probably makes them even more authentic, my Granny who was a mother of 7 during the war often finished the the rib of cardis off in different colours, especially children's one that we're made from reused wool.
This pattern reminds me of the socks my grandma talks about, that they made during WW2. They apparently made socks with seperate soles. Because soles are the first part to wear out, and yarn wasn't widely available, it was easier to knit a new sole to replace an old wornout one. Very cool
This pushed me to finally pull out the 1946 jumper I've knit, not seamed up and left in a closet for a month or so now... And I feel slightly more inclined to start on the full length stockings (legs knit flat) that I got the yarn for last Christmas. Might try to knit both at once or there's a serious risk of ending up with only one stocking
@@sharks2571 @Christena Gervais I was taught to do both these methods for both knitting and crochet from grandmother and great grandmother. Both used the motto waste not want a lot to when teaching me too. 😀
That method did not work for me, so now I use three times the width/circumference I need the knit to be. It usually leaves me with an extra tail, but better that than running out - which the wrapping method somehow inevitably led to for me.
I have found for me that I usually end up with a sufficient tail if I measure out 1-1½ cm per stitch (which I usually do by eye). But that will also be dependent on the yarn and needle size. The wrapping method I hadn't heard about before, but that seems even more exact! But actually, those two methods do make sense mathematically, as if you use 3 mm needles, the circumfrence around the needle is about 9,5 mm, and the circumfrence is about 12,5 mm on 4 mm needles, which are the sizes I most often use, which means 1-1½ cm per stitch gives me close to the same result as wrapping it around all those times. It's just a faster and sloppier version of the same idea of the lengt of one stitch x number of stitches (with the little extra already accounted for)
Way to go Claude's Mother for your eagle eye in finding those knitting needles! The socks look great. You make knitting socks, whichever way you knit them, look so easy. I've not tried to knit any yet.
Even from a non-knitter perspective (though having watched family members make round-knit socks countless times), this construction process looked really interesting, it was great to follow along! Generaly, watching your videos really reignites my "maker-brain" - even though my disability isn't really conducive with making detailed, small-movement things with both my hands simultaneusly... Maybe someday I'll come up with ways to make knitting work for me? Living vicariously through TH-cam in the meantime!
@@crimson9136you could get someone to use a length of wood and nails which come in different thicknesses. For big needles - 5mm or more - dowels could be used. Whatever yarn is normally used for the needle size, leaving enough space between nail/dowel for two widths of yarn gives nail/dowel spacing. Using a crochet hook to work stitches (hook under stitch to lift off nail and pull yarn through and over nail) means you only need one substitute knitting needle in each size. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out different angles/approaches for patterned stitches. A flat rectangular frame with a slot for the wood/nail needle substitute and space for table clamps at each end should give you a stable base.
I vaguely remember watching something about how some knitters would hold one of their needles under their arm and knit with one hand while doing other farm chores with their off hand. It was black-and-white footage with narration, I think from an old BBC documentary? Sorry that's so vague.
Fascinating. Just bought the pattern. I think I might do the first and last stitch of each of the pattern rows (on the foot part) in stockinette, for easier seaming. I wonder if it would still be as effective if I cheated, and used self-striping yarn instead of scraps?
These socks are so fun, but I think my favorite part is that the pattern has a printed ruler on its edge. I’m constantly hunting down rulers to measure gauge, so I love that feature!
I don't know if they do these days but most English patterns at the time had a ruler on the side. As you say, very useful when you couldn't find your tape measure.
They really are fascinating! It's funny - I thought the knitting flat would be more different from knitting them in the round! I guess the point of doing them like this really was primarily to be able to do the top different and separate from the sole. I think having them seamed and separate like that should also allow you to replace a worn out sole/heel more easily - another aspect of the Make Do and Mend nature of the pattern. P.S. Which I'm guessing was also more of a concern with vintage wools than it may be for us now with our modern specialised wool-polyamide sock yarns!
Oh yes I hadn't thought about that aspect of it! But it would be very easy to just replace say the top of the toe if you got a hole there or just reknit the sole if that works out. Genius!
@@michellebyrom6551 Eh, depends on what's faster for you, I guess - I'm deginitely faster in the round when I don't have to keep switching between the right and the wrong side!
I think it would be easier to keep working these as flat pieces by joining the sides by picking up those stiches as you knit the sole...maybe?? I'm pretty new to sock making but that makes sense to me anyways. 🤷🏼♀️ However, I'm definitely a knit in the round sock maker...I also prefer knitting them both at the same time, otherwise they'll end up different sizes because I will inevitably lose count of rows and then miscount them....🤣 These did, however, turn out very cute.
I can see the issues with the construction but with some tweaking these would be a great little pattern! Also, the upper in the "basket weave" (?) style is adorable. I find fascinating what people can create when living in difficult circumstances.
I was taught to knit by my Nan over 40 years ago and the long tail, thumb method is my default cast on because it was her default when she learned to knit in the late 1920’s early 1930’s 😊🥰
They look lovely! I'm so glad you could block them up to your size. You're so right about the tendency to romanticise the war era. I have a photo of my mother as a young girl taken at the end of the war, & (in the sepia picture) she's wearing ever such a sweet frock & cardigan. When I once told her how much I liked the photo, forty years later she was still furious that she'd been made to wear a blue cardigan with the green frock & brown shoes. Obviously, 'blue & green should never be seen' didn't apply to rationing!
I have never seen that construction before. Well done, Claud. I will be interested to find out if you feel the side seams. Much love xxx Ps do u have access to Monarch Book no 87. It seems right up your street x
I learned to triple the length of yarn for the long tail cast on. If the work is supposed to measure 10 cm/4 " you make the tail three times as long = 30 cm/ 12 "
The socks look adorable! Love the colour combination! Also, I believe that upper part of the foot/sock is called the instep, while the bottom is called the sole.
I love how yarn crafts suck me in every time. I just watched an entire video on knitting wool socks - and I live in Florida. There has never been a day when I wished I had wool socks. Can you even wear wool socks with flip flops??? But it was a lovely video. 10/10 would recommend to people who wear real shoes. And socks. ❤
Perfect timing! Now I know what the little double ended needles are for! Can I use them for cables too? That’s what I thought they might be when I sorted out a bag of inherited knitting needles. Your socks are super cute 🥰
My gram would knit socks on a knitting machine from the thirties/forties. She knitted them flat. And when they had too much wear and tear in the soles for darning she'd deconstruct the socks and knit a new heel and sole. Sometimes even a whole new foot. She kept doing that till deep in the seventies at least.
An excellent video as always. I have often wanted to get into knitting- I can knit a scarf but anything more complex seems too intimidating, especially as I was taught by my mother and grandmother and my “knit” stitches seem to be made differently to yours! 🤯 So I think I’ll stick to crochet, despite it not offering the same drape and stretch as knit.
The socks are absolutely adorable, but it will make my version in the round, thank you very much! I always enjoy your videos so much. This one is no exception. Further blessings on your stash yarn busting!
Just finished the plain socks and nearly finished with one of the striped socks from the Weldon’s leaflet. Thank you for your inspiring video and for sharing the pattern on ko-fi❤️
I have those needles also in the original package, out of a family stash, that may be my Aunt's or Grandmother's. I've discovered that I love making socks.
Oh this looks so complicated yet so fun! I think I'll stick to my 9" circulars for now, though 😅 I love learning about vintage patterns/ways of knitting through your channel! ❤
Can I just say, i show that jumper you're wearing at 11.15 in the vid. The tiger type stripes are so cute! What pattern did you follow for it or did you make it up as you went along? ❤
I didn't know this was an unusual/old way of knitting socks. In fact the first socks I knitted had this construction and that was like 2 years ago. Very interesting video and beautiful socks 💕, thank you.
This looks pretty straightforward and the results are cute. I also find Kitchener stitches hard to get the tension correct. I think it takes practice!!
You can also snug up the tension on your kitchener after you're finished. My tension is never right, so I put the toe over a darning egg and snug the stitches up until they look right.
😀💕xx thanks Claude. The socks looked so nice, but not really worth the faff! I always knit mine tie up with heel flap and gusset and no seaming or picking up stitches. The brown leather shoes are absolutely my style. I love them.
Wow. I need to do this with my scraps, but I just made a scrap buster granny square blanket, so I don't have a ton lying around. I will just have to bookmark it for the future.
Would you please make a beginner tutorial for those? I don't know what you are doing, but I'd looks stunning and I'd love to try this. Best wishes from Germany 💐
They were super, and by using the fancy colours just on the top, were where they would be more visible made sense of the construction method. And with the shoes as well - amazing. Thank you. Another sock to add to my queue!
There's no way these socks would ever be finished if I were making them. I still have a jumper I finished knitting about a year ago sitting in pieces waiting for the sleeves to set themselves in. Great to see such a different kind of sock construction though!
Oh wow the pattern instructions for those ended up being very different than what I was anticipating! I was right along with the pattern even when it said to pt 16 stitches on each side on stitch markers, but knitting just the top/uppers threw me for a moment, but then I assumed that everything would be knit down to the top of the toe then keep going for the bottom of the toe graphing the top to the bottom as the soul of the sock was knit up to help reduce the bulk of that kind of seam. Once I'm done with my bee shawl I'll have to give these a go!
The problem with this seriously precise type of pattern is that you have to be exactly the same size as the person who the item was knit for in the pattern. I'd never make it because I have big feet
I like the idea, but I think a way to reduce the bulk from the seams at the side of the foot might be to pick up and knit together the edge stitches as you knit the sole? Still able to replace the sole if it wears out that way, but less seams?
Hi Claude! I was wondering what the modern needle size equivalent would be for No.13 vintage needles? I would love to give these socks a go with some of my sock yarn scraps :) Love the video!
I was very surprised to see you knitting Continental style. Is that common in England these days? I was born in England right after WWII in Europe ended and I've been knitting since I was four years old but until I came to America I had never seen anyone knit any other way than "English style". I have lots of those Aero knitting needles, straight and double pointed, but sadly none in their packaging. Some of them are from the early 40's and possibly much earlier because I inherited my grandmother's needles as well as my mother's. I recall knitting socks in primary school when I was around 8 years old (we had one boy who preferred to knit with us rather than paint with the other boys) but don't remember what pattern was used. There must have been some patterns with afterthought heels as I recall a farming friend putting in new heels and toes of her husband's and son's socks due to the hard wear they got from their farm boots.
I think it's become more common with the rise of the knitting online community. All the ladies at my knitting group (and my mum) knit English style and that's how I learnt. It was only because I developed hand mobility issues that I changed style and I taught myself from TH-cam.
If you already know how to knit in the round, there are plenty of very easy sock patterns with easier heels. But as socks are so small they can be a fiddly first project to work in the round. This pattern might be a good place to start if you're confident working flat and can do short rows, pick up stitches and decreases, but you have to do all those things in the round too so knitting them flat doesn't make it any easier in that sense. But it might be a good option if you want to make socks but can't knit in the round
I avoid the whole long-tail guesswork by "cheating" - I splice both ends of my yarn together, use the splice as the "center" of my yarn to start the cast-on, cast on what I need and cut the non-working end of the yarn. Voila! A perfect tail length every time.
Oh, I have some of those needles too. They are family hand-me-downs and I liked the packaging so much that all my new needles get modified versions of it made out of old gift-wrapping-paper.
This was really so cool. I don’t knit, I hate doing it. I love sewing which is why I watch your channel. However, I watch all your knitting videos because it takes me back to my grandmother, my school teachers, who desperately tried to teach me to knit and my mother in law who knitted constantly for my husband and our children. I feel nostalgic when I watch your videos and this one transported me back to my husband’s mother and how gifted she was with little bits of yarn and made up all the quirky wondrous little garments, like socks etc, that you are making. I believe people like yourself who do these amazing things with little bits and create magic garments are incredibly inspirational as well as aspirational. I showed my husband the bit in the video about the Kitchener seams as his Dad had been in Airforce during 2nd World War and it’s so lovely to learn little gems of history like that. Thank you for making this special video on the 1940’s socks.
My gran just gave me 20 pairs of knitting needles (or 56 needles as I counted dpn sets as a pair) that are all at least 60 years old and with them came the same set that you have but in size 11. I was so happy as soon as I recognised them from this video. She also gave me 2 1950s knitting pattern books that she found in a charity shop so I can’t wait to knit something from there with the needles!😁
I really like the stripe pattern on the foot tops. It has a similar effect to sand stitch in crochet. Those CC shoes are beautiful, and the combination looks perfect. My grandmother was a young woman in the Netherlands during WWII, and had to wear ankle socks instead of proper stockings because of shortages. She said she looked very young for her age as it was, but the socks made her look like a school girl.
I have a number of similar vintage pattern books named two needle sock patterns. I believe they are written for people who did not like the idea of knitting in the round on double points. I confess I have not made any of them but it seems like a hassle to me, but then again I actually am not at all bothered by knitting with double points in the round.
Yay for a new video! Loved seeing these on your Instagram so I’m so happy you’ve done a video on them! I have still yet to actually make socks but I do enjoy watching the process of making these!
These are a fantastic design:) though I have to say I would certainly knit them in the round and just transfer the color pattern over lol. I do love your color choices!
These are so cute! And your colors are perfection! I so wish I could follow knitting patterns. I always get lost. Here's another thing to add to the pile of motivation to find a way to master them some day!
Very cute, but I really wonder at the reasoning! Surely it would use less yarn to do it the round? Garter stitch takes way more yarn than stockinette, and weaving in ends and seaming takes still more? It seems like the main point is preserving the colourful scraps for the top by not working them in stripes across the sole? I think the feel of side seams againt the bottom of my feet would drive me mental, and take me so much more time than just having the pretty pattern finish a bit earlier?
The weaving in of ends is really weird. But I'm pretty sure working the sole differently really is the main reason - both in terms of saving yarn, and in terms of more easily replacing a worn sole. (Which I guess is something us modern knitters don't really get, but it was a common practice in the past.)
I also think there was a pride element to it as well. Women were very much encouraged to keep up appearances during WW2 for the sake of the country's morale. So even though things were in short supply they put extra effort in to making things look pretty. While it'd save yarn to just work stripes in the round, you might get judged in the streets for letting standards slip and looking tatty, which was considered unpatriotic. Just a theory 💚
Love your videos, especially the knitting ones 😉 Those socks turned out so cute, very well done. How many gramms did they take off of your stash? Greetings from the Netherlands
It was a type of infection caused by the men standing in water in the bottom of the trenches for days at a time. It could cause gangrene and lead to amputations.
Ah yes, trench foot is a condition caused by cold and wet. It could be very serious if the skin gets damaged by say, shoes rubbing. The joke here is of course that I live in England and it rains 😂
Claude, I think I know what went wrong with the sizing. A 1940s size 8 is *not* a modern day size 8, there's about a .5-1 size difference between the two. The sizing guide for socks is the same as the sizing for shoes and shoe sizing changed at some point in the 50s. So a modern 8 would be closer to a 7.5 or 7 in the 40s.
I love the finished look of the socks but would be worried about the seams being a point of rubbing and the inevitable blisters. They would make amazing bed socks though.
Your colour choice was so pretty - total sock envy.
The flat construction is interesting as it isn't totally flat, but I can see how it would be easier than on the round.
Love the idea of your Ravelry group - definitely joining.
The reason for kitchener stitch at the toe seams was to prevent rubbing and causing blisters, not trench foot. I'd think those side seams would rub too although I initially knitted socks with a back seam that went along the sole and didn't have a problem. i was using possum yarn though.
@@denisegore1884 it really surprises me that the back seam didn't give you blisters. Maybe I just have super sensitive feet. Perhaps I will have to give seamed socks a go.
I wonder if there is a way to do a Kitchener stitch equivalent along the back and side seams to give a flat join
I think if the socks were made in stocking stitch you could get very smooth seams. The colour work and garter stitch nature of this pattern made it extra bulky.
adorable, just want to try knitting a pair 🧦❤️
I read in a knitting history book that this way of knitting socks was designed so that the sections of fabric that would wear out faster (heel, ball, toe,…) could be reknit without having to take out the ‘fashion’ fabric section. Very interesting.
Really? That's amazing! Thanks for sharing ☺️
Well that makes sense! Because nobody will see the bottom if its in your shoe. Cool.
I had thought that might be the case, it’s nice to see it confirmed! X
@@RetroClaudeI like your hair it’s very pretty even more in this video
You can usually get away with mattress stitch on the leg (full stitch on each edge), and still have it be comfortable, and then when joining the instep to the sole, use 1/2 stitch at each edge for that seam. The seam is much less bulky, and quite comfortable, but it might be tricky to do with all those ends in those selvedges. It was fairly common back then to work the toe in the round, after the colorwork was finished. I'm fascinated that you have a 1918 pamphlet from the UK that specifies "Kitchener" toe. The British Red Cross pamphlets I had seen from earlier in the war didn't have socks with grafted toes. There's a legend that Kitchener specifically asked for grafted sock toes, but there isn't much in the way of documented evidence. That pamphlet would be the closest connection that I have seen. The term "Kitchener" whatever (sock/toe/heel/etc) was used in so many patterns in North America to mean so many different things, but not until around the time the U.S. joined the war effort. Do you have a physical copy of that pamphlet, or did you find a digital source for it?
Thanks for the tip about sewing up. I didn't really do much research I just went for it with the sewing to see how it worked. Next time I try this pattern I'll have to try harder. The pamphlet I found is actually Canadian. I've never seen it called Kitchener Stitch in the UK in this period either. But it's available on archive.org archive.org/details/spring1918warwor00nati/page/16/mode/2up
@@RetroClaude Thanks for the link! Good to know that was a Canadian pamphlet--I was so surprised to see it in what I assumed was a British pamphlet! The US newspaper articles that talked about the "new Kitchener toe" indicated that it first appeared in Canada, and was named in honor of Kitchener (this was all around the time of his death, when a Canadian town called Berlin was renamed Kitchener). Patterns I've seen from commonwealth countries all seemed to use the term "grafting" if they included the technique in the pattern at all.
I'm old enough to know how those socks feel. I haven't seen them since as a child but they still had that design in the early 1960's. If that seem hits the foot in the wrong spot they suck.
I think they're cute.
I've seen patterns for knitting new soles for old worn out socks kind of like this. I always thought it looked like more work than knitting brand new socks, but it takes of cours less yarn and if the top part of the socks are a bit fancy it's worth saving for that reason.
I love these, the bit of blue on the toe probably makes them even more authentic, my Granny who was a mother of 7 during the war often finished the the rib of cardis off in different colours, especially children's one that we're made from reused wool.
This pattern reminds me of the socks my grandma talks about, that they made during WW2. They apparently made socks with seperate soles. Because soles are the first part to wear out, and yarn wasn't widely available, it was easier to knit a new sole to replace an old wornout one. Very cool
This pushed me to finally pull out the 1946 jumper I've knit, not seamed up and left in a closet for a month or so now... And I feel slightly more inclined to start on the full length stockings (legs knit flat) that I got the yarn for last Christmas. Might try to knit both at once or there's a serious risk of ending up with only one stocking
😂 having made 1940s stockings I can say 2 at a time is definitely the way to go 💚
My hint for long tail cast on: if you need to cast on 60 stitches, wrap the tail onto the needle 60 times, leaving extra for weaving in.
To make life simple, you can wrap it 10 times, then measure out whatever multiple of 10 you need😊
@@sharks2571 @Christena Gervais I was taught to do both these methods for both knitting and crochet from grandmother and great grandmother. Both used the motto waste not want a lot to when teaching me too. 😀
That method did not work for me, so now I use three times the width/circumference I need the knit to be. It usually leaves me with an extra tail, but better that than running out - which the wrapping method somehow inevitably led to for me.
What a simple but brilliant idea! Thank you!
I have found for me that I usually end up with a sufficient tail if I measure out 1-1½ cm per stitch (which I usually do by eye). But that will also be dependent on the yarn and needle size. The wrapping method I hadn't heard about before, but that seems even more exact!
But actually, those two methods do make sense mathematically, as if you use 3 mm needles, the circumfrence around the needle is about 9,5 mm, and the circumfrence is about 12,5 mm on 4 mm needles, which are the sizes I most often use, which means 1-1½ cm per stitch gives me close to the same result as wrapping it around all those times. It's just a faster and sloppier version of the same idea of the lengt of one stitch x number of stitches (with the little extra already accounted for)
Way to go Claude's Mother for your eagle eye in finding those knitting needles! The socks look great. You make knitting socks, whichever way you knit them, look so easy. I've not tried to knit any yet.
Even from a non-knitter perspective (though having watched family members make round-knit socks countless times), this construction process looked really interesting, it was great to follow along!
Generaly, watching your videos really reignites my "maker-brain" - even though my disability isn't really conducive with making detailed, small-movement things with both my hands simultaneusly... Maybe someday I'll come up with ways to make knitting work for me? Living vicariously through TH-cam in the meantime!
@@crimson9136you could get someone to use a length of wood and nails which come in different thicknesses. For big needles - 5mm or more - dowels could be used. Whatever yarn is normally used for the needle size, leaving enough space between nail/dowel for two widths of yarn gives nail/dowel spacing. Using a crochet hook to work stitches (hook under stitch to lift off nail and pull yarn through and over nail) means you only need one substitute knitting needle in each size. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out different angles/approaches for patterned stitches.
A flat rectangular frame with a slot for the wood/nail needle substitute and space for table clamps at each end should give you a stable base.
I vaguely remember watching something about how some knitters would hold one of their needles under their arm and knit with one hand while doing other farm chores with their off hand. It was black-and-white footage with narration, I think from an old BBC documentary? Sorry that's so vague.
Maybe a knitting machine would be better for you? Or a knitting belt?
Fascinating. Just bought the pattern. I think I might do the first and last stitch of each of the pattern rows (on the foot part) in stockinette, for easier seaming. I wonder if it would still be as effective if I cheated, and used self-striping yarn instead of scraps?
It did say in the pattern tat the stripes can be left out because the pattern is pretty by itself!
These socks are so fun, but I think my favorite part is that the pattern has a printed ruler on its edge. I’m constantly hunting down rulers to measure gauge, so I love that feature!
I don't know if they do these days but most English patterns at the time had a ruler on the side. As you say, very useful when you couldn't find your tape measure.
They really are fascinating! It's funny - I thought the knitting flat would be more different from knitting them in the round! I guess the point of doing them like this really was primarily to be able to do the top different and separate from the sole. I think having them seamed and separate like that should also allow you to replace a worn out sole/heel more easily - another aspect of the Make Do and Mend nature of the pattern.
P.S. Which I'm guessing was also more of a concern with vintage wools than it may be for us now with our modern specialised wool-polyamide sock yarns!
Oh yes I hadn't thought about that aspect of it! But it would be very easy to just replace say the top of the toe if you got a hole there or just reknit the sole if that works out. Genius!
It looks like a faster make too.
@@michellebyrom6551 Eh, depends on what's faster for you, I guess - I'm deginitely faster in the round when I don't have to keep switching between the right and the wrong side!
I think it would be easier to keep working these as flat pieces by joining the sides by picking up those stiches as you knit the sole...maybe?? I'm pretty new to sock making but that makes sense to me anyways. 🤷🏼♀️ However, I'm definitely a knit in the round sock maker...I also prefer knitting them both at the same time, otherwise they'll end up different sizes because I will inevitably lose count of rows and then miscount them....🤣 These did, however, turn out very cute.
What a good idea! I might try that next time I make this pattern 💚
I can see the issues with the construction but with some tweaking these would be a great little pattern! Also, the upper in the "basket weave" (?) style is adorable. I find fascinating what people can create when living in difficult circumstances.
I was taught to knit by my Nan over 40 years ago and the long tail, thumb method is my default cast on because it was her default when she learned to knit in the late 1920’s early 1930’s 😊🥰
I have always wanted to learn how to knit. Looks liken witchcraft and I'm digging it!! now off to google how to knit for dummies :)
Sheep and Stitch is a lovely youtube channel who is very good at teaching. She has a lot of videos on all the bits of knitting. Highly recommend!
They look lovely! I'm so glad you could block them up to your size. You're so right about the tendency to romanticise the war era. I have a photo of my mother as a young girl taken at the end of the war, & (in the sepia picture) she's wearing ever such a sweet frock & cardigan. When I once told her how much I liked the photo, forty years later she was still furious that she'd been made to wear a blue cardigan with the green frock & brown shoes. Obviously, 'blue & green should never be seen' didn't apply to rationing!
I have never seen that construction before. Well done, Claud. I will be interested to find out if you feel the side seams. Much love xxx
Ps do u have access to Monarch Book no 87. It seems right up your street x
I learned to triple the length of yarn for the long tail cast on. If the work is supposed to measure 10 cm/4 " you make the tail three times as long = 30 cm/ 12 "
The socks look adorable! Love the colour combination! Also, I believe that upper part of the foot/sock is called the instep, while the bottom is called the sole.
Ahhh yes instep!! Finally! Thank you it's been bugging me for weeks 💚
I love how yarn crafts suck me in every time. I just watched an entire video on knitting wool socks - and I live in Florida. There has never been a day when I wished I had wool socks. Can you even wear wool socks with flip flops??? But it was a lovely video. 10/10 would recommend to people who wear real shoes. And socks. ❤
Perfect timing! Now I know what the little double ended needles are for! Can I use them for cables too? That’s what I thought they might be when I sorted out a bag of inherited knitting needles. Your socks are super cute 🥰
Yep! They can be used for cables too 💚
This was so interesting! ❤️ so much work, though 🙄 but I LOVE the colorwork pattern very much ❤️
My gram would knit socks on a knitting machine from the thirties/forties. She knitted them flat. And when they had too much wear and tear in the soles for darning she'd deconstruct the socks and knit a new heel and sole. Sometimes even a whole new foot. She kept doing that till deep in the seventies at least.
I have a knitting machine! I'll have to give this a go!
An excellent video as always. I have often wanted to get into knitting- I can knit a scarf but anything more complex seems too intimidating, especially as I was taught by my mother and grandmother and my “knit” stitches seem to be made differently to yours! 🤯
So I think I’ll stick to crochet, despite it not offering the same drape and stretch as knit.
The socks are absolutely adorable, but it will make my version in the round, thank you very much!
I always enjoy your videos so much. This one is no exception.
Further blessings on your stash yarn busting!
I have those needles! The package is a bit more tattered than your set because I use them quite a bit lol. Cute socks!
Just finished the plain socks and nearly finished with one of the striped socks from the Weldon’s leaflet. Thank you for your inspiring video and for sharing the pattern on ko-fi❤️
I have those needles also in the original package, out of a family stash, that may be my Aunt's or Grandmother's. I've discovered that I love making socks.
Oh this looks so complicated yet so fun! I think I'll stick to my 9" circulars for now, though 😅 I love learning about vintage patterns/ways of knitting through your channel! ❤
This pattern is so incredibly cute, though! Now I want to make these socks. I've got plenty of sock yarn oddments kicking around...
Can I just say, i show that jumper you're wearing at 11.15 in the vid. The tiger type stripes are so cute!
What pattern did you follow for it or did you make it up as you went along? ❤
I'm scrolling comments to see if there's an answer to this question. It's gorgeous 💙
I too want to know this!
I didn't know this was an unusual/old way of knitting socks. In fact the first socks I knitted had this construction and that was like 2 years ago. Very interesting video and beautiful socks 💕, thank you.
Oh wow really! I'd never seen it before 💚
@@RetroClaude I’ve never seen it either.
This looks pretty straightforward and the results are cute. I also find Kitchener stitches hard to get the tension correct. I think it takes practice!!
You can also snug up the tension on your kitchener after you're finished. My tension is never right, so I put the toe over a darning egg and snug the stitches up until they look right.
😀💕xx thanks Claude. The socks looked so nice, but not really worth the faff! I always knit mine tie up with heel flap and gusset and no seaming or picking up stitches. The brown leather shoes are absolutely my style. I love them.
Wow. I need to do this with my scraps, but I just made a scrap buster granny square blanket, so I don't have a ton lying around. I will just have to bookmark it for the future.
Would you please make a beginner tutorial for those? I don't know what you are doing, but I'd looks stunning and I'd love to try this. Best wishes from Germany 💐
They were super, and by using the fancy colours just on the top, were where they would be more visible made sense of the construction method. And with the shoes as well - amazing. Thank you. Another sock to add to my queue!
There's no way these socks would ever be finished if I were making them. I still have a jumper I finished knitting about a year ago sitting in pieces waiting for the sleeves to set themselves in. Great to see such a different kind of sock construction though!
Idk if I have said this yet, but, your workis so lovely! And, your videos are always so nice.
Oh wow the pattern instructions for those ended up being very different than what I was anticipating! I was right along with the pattern even when it said to pt 16 stitches on each side on stitch markers, but knitting just the top/uppers threw me for a moment, but then I assumed that everything would be knit down to the top of the toe then keep going for the bottom of the toe graphing the top to the bottom as the soul of the sock was knit up to help reduce the bulk of that kind of seam.
Once I'm done with my bee shawl I'll have to give these a go!
Haha, you think you're more likely to get trench foot living in England? Try living in Wales! 🤣
I can not knit, but I watched every moment of this! (Also imagining they did NOT include hot to scale up to a size 12 US...)
The problem with this seriously precise type of pattern is that you have to be exactly the same size as the person who the item was knit for in the pattern. I'd never make it because I have big feet
Great interesting vlog👍🌷 I love your watch! What is it please thanks x
I like the idea, but I think a way to reduce the bulk from the seams at the side of the foot might be to pick up and knit together the edge stitches as you knit the sole? Still able to replace the sole if it wears out that way, but less seams?
Your mum sounds really great. Love the whole outfit at the end
That was a lot of fun to watch. I don't knit, but I enjoy watching people knit.
I absolutely love those vintage shoes!❤
that pattern is adorable
Love the circus music!
These are sooooo adroable!
They turned out lovely and look really sweet. Seeing them finished, makes me want to make some.
Strip pattern is so cute, but this looks so much more complicated than just doing it in the round!
I know 😆 I've been trying to figure out if I can do it in the round but I'm not sure how to keep the pattern correct
Hi Claude! I was wondering what the modern needle size equivalent would be for No.13 vintage needles? I would love to give these socks a go with some of my sock yarn scraps :) Love the video!
The mm equivalent is 2.25mm US1. I hope that helps! 💚
@@RetroClaude Yes, that’s perfect. Thank you!
I love your sweater, is there a pattern for it?
They’re so adorable!
The socks looks so cool.
I was very surprised to see you knitting Continental style. Is that common in England these days? I was born in England right after WWII in Europe ended and I've been knitting since I was four years old but until I came to America I had never seen anyone knit any other way than "English style".
I have lots of those Aero knitting needles, straight and double pointed, but sadly none in their packaging. Some of them are from the early 40's and possibly much earlier because I inherited my grandmother's needles as well as my mother's.
I recall knitting socks in primary school when I was around 8 years old (we had one boy who preferred to knit with us rather than paint with the other boys) but don't remember what pattern was used. There must have been some patterns with afterthought heels as I recall a farming friend putting in new heels and toes of her husband's and son's socks due to the hard wear they got from their farm boots.
I think it's become more common with the rise of the knitting online community. All the ladies at my knitting group (and my mum) knit English style and that's how I learnt. It was only because I developed hand mobility issues that I changed style and I taught myself from TH-cam.
This is soooooo pretty!! 😍
Love those shoes oh my goodness ❤
Very cute socks
Gorgeous socks
Hooray!!!🎊 😊
Slightly confused❤. What’s the easiest sock pattern?
I haven't tried it yet, but Arne & Carlos here on TH-cam have videos on "the easiest sock in the world".
If you already know how to knit in the round, there are plenty of very easy sock patterns with easier heels. But as socks are so small they can be a fiddly first project to work in the round. This pattern might be a good place to start if you're confident working flat and can do short rows, pick up stitches and decreases, but you have to do all those things in the round too so knitting them flat doesn't make it any easier in that sense. But it might be a good option if you want to make socks but can't knit in the round
Arne and Carlos
@@beth12svist
Yep yes. Why not. !
How are you both doing today today. Yea
I love knitting with my Aeros. Purchased here in the U.S, in the 1980s. ❤️❤️. No longer available here.🥺
omgosh these are so cute! Socks are really hard on my hands, so I've only made 1 pair, but I think these wouldn't be too bad. Thanks for sharing!
I avoid the whole long-tail guesswork by "cheating" - I splice both ends of my yarn together, use the splice as the "center" of my yarn to start the cast-on, cast on what I need and cut the non-working end of the yarn. Voila! A perfect tail length every time.
Oh, I have some of those needles too. They are family hand-me-downs and I liked the packaging so much that all my new needles get modified versions of it made out of old gift-wrapping-paper.
Aw, they look so fab, especially with those shoes! Is this odd-and-ends approach something you might adapt to in-the-round knitting?
This was really so cool. I don’t knit, I hate doing it. I love sewing which is why I watch your channel. However, I watch all your knitting videos because it takes me back to my grandmother, my school teachers, who desperately tried to teach me to knit and my mother in law who knitted constantly for my husband and our children. I feel nostalgic when I watch your videos and this one transported me back to my husband’s mother and how gifted she was with little bits of yarn and made up all the quirky wondrous little garments, like socks etc, that you are making. I believe people like yourself who do these amazing things with little bits and create magic garments are incredibly inspirational as well as aspirational. I showed my husband the bit in the video about the Kitchener seams as his Dad had been in Airforce during 2nd World War and it’s so lovely to learn little gems of history like that. Thank you for making this special video on the 1940’s socks.
My gran just gave me 20 pairs of knitting needles (or 56 needles as I counted dpn sets as a pair) that are all at least 60 years old and with them came the same set that you have but in size 11. I was so happy as soon as I recognised them from this video. She also gave me 2 1950s knitting pattern books that she found in a charity shop so I can’t wait to knit something from there with the needles!😁
Thank you for another fantastic video!
Your socks are delightful. And your shoes….. swoon…..
I’m so pleased that you created a ravelry group!
Watching you knit is a marvel to behold! And the socks are perfect with those shoes. Well, those shoes...are perfect anyway!
I really like the stripe pattern on the foot tops. It has a similar effect to sand stitch in crochet. Those CC shoes are beautiful, and the combination looks perfect.
My grandmother was a young woman in the Netherlands during WWII, and had to wear ankle socks instead of proper stockings because of shortages. She said she looked very young for her age as it was, but the socks made her look like a school girl.
I have a number of similar vintage pattern books named two needle sock patterns. I believe they are written for people who did not like the idea of knitting in the round on double points. I confess I have not made any of them but it seems like a hassle to me, but then again I actually am not at all bothered by knitting with double points in the round.
Yay for a new video! Loved seeing these on your Instagram so I’m so happy you’ve done a video on them! I have still yet to actually make socks but I do enjoy watching the process of making these!
These are a fantastic design:) though I have to say I would certainly knit them in the round and just transfer the color pattern over lol. I do love your color choices!
These are so cute! And your colors are perfection! I so wish I could follow knitting patterns. I always get lost. Here's another thing to add to the pile of motivation to find a way to master them some day!
Brilliant pair of socks, don't wear them myself only do tights. The colours are great and really set off those lovely shoes.
thank you for this video, got a knitting magazine with loads of double end needle patterns and i'm so confused!
love your classic hollywood musical posters on your wall there!😃
Very cute, but I really wonder at the reasoning! Surely it would use less yarn to do it the round? Garter stitch takes way more yarn than stockinette, and weaving in ends and seaming takes still more? It seems like the main point is preserving the colourful scraps for the top by not working them in stripes across the sole? I think the feel of side seams againt the bottom of my feet would drive me mental, and take me so much more time than just having the pretty pattern finish a bit earlier?
The weaving in of ends is really weird. But I'm pretty sure working the sole differently really is the main reason - both in terms of saving yarn, and in terms of more easily replacing a worn sole. (Which I guess is something us modern knitters don't really get, but it was a common practice in the past.)
@@beth12svist I hadn't considered the replacing, but I think you are right! That makes it make more sense. Maybe they just hated floats?
I also think there was a pride element to it as well. Women were very much encouraged to keep up appearances during WW2 for the sake of the country's morale. So even though things were in short supply they put extra effort in to making things look pretty. While it'd save yarn to just work stripes in the round, you might get judged in the streets for letting standards slip and looking tatty, which was considered unpatriotic. Just a theory 💚
These are gorgeous. I love how they turned out.
Intriguing pattern. Don't think I'll make them because I don't think my feet would appreciate the seam along both sides.
They weren't particularly comfortable in those heavy leather shoes for sure 💚
Love your videos, especially the knitting ones 😉 Those socks turned out so cute, very well done. How many gramms did they take off of your stash?
Greetings from the Netherlands
Not a lot 😂 more details next week 😉
I need to try these! The shoes are so beautiful!
Okay, bought the pattern. I'm going to try it on my Passap knitting machine, in the round. Let's see what kind of mess I can make!
I'm curious to know how this turns out!
Cute! Thank you.
I think I would eliminate one of the side seams by working the instep & sole as one piece, intarsia-style.
An excellent suggestion!
Love this episode
great video, but you didn't update us on your stash! how many balls did these socks get you to?
Ahhhh you'll just have to wait until next week 😉
They turned out great 🤗 can ya feel the seams though? I'd think that'd be unfortunate on the side of the foot 🤔
Yep you can feel the seams. Not so bad when not wearing shoes but with shoes it's not pleasant 😅
Very cute!
What is trench foot?
It was a type of infection caused by the men standing in water in the bottom of the trenches for days at a time. It could cause gangrene and lead to amputations.
Ah yes, trench foot is a condition caused by cold and wet. It could be very serious if the skin gets damaged by say, shoes rubbing. The joke here is of course that I live in England and it rains 😂
@@RetroClaude aah, ok thank you for explaining it.