1930s Cynthia Sweater

Flashback Summer: 1930s Cynthia vintage hand knitted sweater

Sweaters are just the best, aren't they?  They're comfortable, they're size-forgiving, they can be dressed up or down.  Solid ones, like the one I just finished, are fantastic wardrobe basics that go brilliantly with patterned bottoms, suits, etc.  After my eagle sweater and striped sweater, I figured it was time to make something more versatile.


Flashback Summer: 1930s Cynthia vintage hand knitted sweater

I looked through my digital pattern stash, and I liked the simplicity of this 1930s sweater pattern from "Corticelli Sweaters for Spring."  The pattern is simple, and v-necks are always flattering for me. It's just a pretty plain pullover sweater!


Flashback Summer: 1930s Cynthia vintage hand knitted sweater

Flashback Summer: 1930s Cynthia vintage hand knitted sweater

The pattern itself is quite easy and basic.  There are four pieces (since I didn't make the bow), and the pattern stitch is super simple.  So simple, in fact, that I miscounted for the first few sets of pattern on the back piece... and the yarn is so small and the stitches so tiny... that I didn't rip it out and just decided to roll with it.  You'll see if you look closely that the boxes are thinner at the waist than at the top of the sweater, haha!  It wouldn't be an Emileigh sweater if I didn't mess up at least one thing!


Flashback Summer: 1930s Cynthia vintage hand knitted sweater

Flashback Summer: 1930s Cynthia vintage hand knitted sweater

Like I said, I skipped the bow (I'm not really a bow type), and I opted for long sleeves.  Though the weave is loose, the alpaca yarn makes it nicely warm for winter.  On some days it's a bit scratchy, but it could also be my sensitive skin.  I wore it a couple days ago and was quite comfortable, so... there's that.

I also started saving my test swatch and adding a pattern tag for what I made with.  I'm going to save these in a box to use for reference later.  

The only thing I'm going to change for the next version is to add a bit of width at the shoulders and maybe the sleeve cap.  It fits alright now, but I think I'd feel better just having a bit more room just in case.


Flashback Summer: 1930s Cynthia vintage hand knitted sweater

TLDR knitting details
Yarn: 5 balls (250 g) alpaca sport from Cloudborn Fibers in Scarlet Heather
Needles: 2.75 mm (for ribbing) and 3.25 mm (for pattern)
Pattern: "Cynthia Sweater" from Corticelli Sweaters for Spring, booklet #YP36 (I bought mine here.)
Year: mid-1930s
Notions: none
How historically accurate is it?  Very accurate!
Any tricky parts to the pattern?  I just miscounted the rows at the bottom of the front and back pieces.... so count carefully.  (Knitting 101.)  
Did you change anything?  Not on purpose!
Time to complete: three months, knitting off and on
First worn: January 20, 2018
Total cost: yarn was expensive, about $70 (though I didn't use all I bought, so maybe $50?)
Notes: This is a great pattern.  It's a really easy pattern stitch that I could do while watching TV or something.

5 comments

  1. What a great staple for your wardrobe and a great colour. My favourite vintage jumper is one solid olive green colour and has stripes of cable all the way around the yoke. I wear it constantly as it's so easy to throw on with my skirts and trousers. I'm sure you'll get a lot of wear out of yours. xx

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  2. Lovely jumper. Great stitch pattern and it looks super on.

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  3. I love this sweater so much, you've truly inspired me. I attempted to make it myself but totally didn't know about the needle size differences, so I have to start over again! The pattern calls for 10 & 12, yet everyone is using 2 & 3- I'd love to know why!

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    Replies
    1. The 10 and 12 needle sizes are the old, vintage sizes. They translate to modern 2-3mm needles.

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