“Pattern from history” posts were born when my lovely grandmother gave me all (well, almost all) of her old pattern sheets. And it was many. She collected those years and years and I think it’s a fantastic reflection of knitting history of our little country.
To make this little bit personal, I try to put little bit history of Estonia behind the year of the pattern. And I try to add all that my grandmother can remember and can tell me.
I added “can tell me” because my granny is little protective of me – she shares what she thinks I can handle – I’m a sensitive nature you see 🙂
I love her for that, but I can’t always get the whole truth about all that has happened.
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Today’s pattern is from 1961 and is meant for gloves or mittens. If you’re new at knitting mittens then check out my post series on that very topic starting from here.
I loved this pattern. I loved every stitch in it. And I loved this grey – too bad it was the last scrap of it (Note for myself! Order more).
Remember, on last history post, I talked about Estonian Song Festival? Well, in 1961, there was a place for this now. And a fun fact – at the end of 1959 (almost 1960) Estonian most important university got their very first computer Ural-1. 🙂 oh happy day…
About life and handcrafts – businesses were prohibited by the Soviet Union at that time. So for example, people were not allowed to knit and sell their work, like we do. You were supposed to be at work on a job that Union gave you. You didn’t have a choice.
Although my Granny told me that there were some people who didn’t obey and secretly knitted to earn extra income. She was one of them (so that’s where I get my disobedient nature 😀). Of course, there were inspections and people came to your home to check that you don’t sell what you make.
Especially horrible was control over looms and over carpets made with looms. There were no warps (I think this is the word I mean) available you see. Inspection wanted to know where it came from…
Usually, those people who worked as inspectors, they were known as bad and jealous persons. They didn’t choose their ways and methods. And they even didn’t leave out children…
The point I’m trying to make – this time has left a mark. People feel reluctant to talk about additional income that they make with knitting. I guess younger generation will change that eventually…
Now, enough chit-chat. Let’s talk about the pattern…
You’ll need at least 29 stitches for your back of the hand.
(You’ll find abbreviations below, next to the chart.)
Rnd 1: k;
Rnd 2: p;
Rnd 3: k;
Rnd 4: *sl1 wyib, p* repeat to last stitch, sl1 wyib;
Rnd 5: *k1b, k* repeat to last stitch, k1b;
Repeat rounds 4 & 5 for total of 5 times;
Rnd 14, 16: p;
Rnd 15, 17: k;
Rnd 18: (sl1 wyib, p3) 2 times, k3, RT, p1, sl1 wyib, p1, LT, k3, (p3, sl1 wyib) 2 times;
Rnd 19: (k1, p3) 2 times, k2, RT, (k1, p1) 2 times, k1, LT, k2, (p3, k1) 2 times;
Rnd 20: (sl1 wyib, p3) 2 times, k1, RT, k2, p1, sl1 wyib, p1, k2, LT, k1, (p3, sl1 wyib) 2 times;
Rnd 21: (k1, p3) 2 times, RT, k3, p1, k1, p1, k3, LT, (p3, k1) 2 times;
Repeat rounds 18 to 21 as long as you need and start shaping the top of the mitten.
And chart for chart people:
