Today I’m posting a surprise knitting pattern for a pincushion I found in the Trove newspaper archives! I was fascinated by the technique used to make up the Hassock Pincushion from 1911. Since I couldn’t figure out how it could possibly work, I had to knit it. And since I knit it, I made a photo and video tutorial so it will never confuse anyone ever again!
Enjoy knitting the Hassock Pincushion. Updated with step by step photos and a video of the bit I couldn’t get my brain around.
Today’s knitting pattern is a sweet Victorian style pin cushion for your sewing box or embroidery bag.
Knit from scraps of size 5 crochet cotton or lace weight wool, this pin cushion will keep your pins and needles nice and sharp for years of use! You can choose to fill it with wool or toy filling for a light, fun pincushion, or use crushed walnut shells or emery powder to keep your pins forever razor sharp.
I have adapted the pattern slightly, making it easier to sew together when finished, and supplying a lot more detailed instructions for making up.
I hope you enjoy the Strawberry pincushion knitting pattern.
This week’s embroidery and sewing instructions feature full patterns for plaid hats and accessories in “And So To Sew” bulletin 6a
Leaflet 6a includes patterns and instructions for sewing two bags, two hats, a scarf and cuffs for your gloves.
“And So To Embroider” bulletin 6b teaches you eight new embroidery stitches, with ideas for placing motifs and borders on waistcoats and boleros.
As always, I have included video or photo tutorials for every stitch and technique used, because I wanted to make the techniques and patterns in these leaflets accessible to as many people as possible!
I hope you’re enjoying the Needlework Development Scheme leaflets. If you’d like news of new downloads and patterns, including embroidery, sewing, knitting and crochet, please sign up for updates (in the left hand menu on desktop, or underneath this article on mobile and tablet).
I have a fascinating little knitting pattern coming up this week, so keep an eye out!
This week’s knitting pattern is a knitted diamond lace edging designed by Dora Kerwan in 1954.
The photograph shows it knit with size 30 thread as an edging for a linen doily, but it would be equally as beautiful as an edging on a knitted lace shawl.
As always, I have updated it into modern knitting terms, added a chart, and have tested it for errors using stitch maps.
If you have any special requests for patterns that are in the public domain, please let me know and I’ll see what I have in my collection that might suit!
This week’s “And So To Sew” leaflet will teach you how to sew blouses, including a full pattern for a cute drawstring blouse for girls. And So To Embroider will teach you to sew and embroider a felt purse and bonnet.
As always, I have included a selection of modern video or photo tutorials for each of the techniques presented in the bulletins for those of us who learn better with visual instructions.
And So To Sew Bulletin 5a includes all the information you need to make a simple blouse from a commercial pattern, plus a full pattern for the girl’s drawstring blouse.
This pattern would be a great one if you like to upcycle, or for someone who is learning to sew.
And So To Embroider Bulletin 5b includes the full pattern for a felt bonnet and purse, plus instructions for all of the embroidery stitches used.
This is another great pattern for upcyclers. I can imagine these purses made from felted jumpers (sweaters) or hand made felt. You could even adapt the pattern for regular fabric by adding a seam allowance and sewing a lining to the out fabric before making it up.
I hope you’re enjoying the “And So To Sew” and “And So To Embroider” bulletins from the 1950’s. You can find the whole collection so far in the Vintage Embroidery and Sewing Books section of Knitting-and.com, and I’ll be uploading a new one of each set every week until the collection is complete!
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