Looking for Knitted vest

[MrsArmstrong]

I am looking for patterns for a "knitted" vest, men's and/or women's. Any chance they might be from a earlier time before 1860's would be good. What I have found about vests are that they could be long/short or sleeveless and were undergarments, unlike what we see today as worn over a shirt or blouse.
Thank you
Susan Armstrong.

[northerngal]

Re: Looking for Knitted vest

Hello Susan!

I have a few patterns of knitted vests from Peterson's magazine. One is written by Mrs. Jane Weaver, a popular contributor to the magazine. It describes the vest as being worn under mantles or dresses, over the stays. It specifies the color as being white, pink, or scarlet wool. This vest is knitted in plain knitting (garter stitch) and includes an eyelet border on the edges and bottom as well as a k1,p1 elastic bottom. It is knitted in one piece, and is similar to a knitted cardigan of today as far as what it looks like. There are also instructions for knitting the sleeves, but a great deal of knitting knowledge is needed for finishing off the vest and actually following the instructions. There is no indication as far a guage or what approximate size of needle is required. You basically have to read through the pattern and have an idea of how it is put together and write your own revised instructions according to the measurements you are working with. I also have another pattern from Peterson's is a Lady's Knitted Waistcoat also by Mrs. Jane Weaver. This jacked does not have sleeves and is made to fit the figure. Black Andalusian wool is specified for the main body and white for the borders and neck and armhole edging. There are also two pockets on either side of the center front panels, also edged in white wool. This pattern does specify a guage of "ten rows of double knitting measures only tow inches in width", but the needle sizes are only given as the ubiquitous "thick steel knitting needles". This pattern is very long and involved and again requires advanced patterning knowledge. You can find these patterns in "Civil War Ladies: Fashion and Needle Arts of the Early 1860's" which is chock full of other instructions and patterns for numerous garments and accessories from Peterson's dating from 1861-1864. You can pick this up at amazon.com. Many mainstream sutlers also carry this book.

The "Workwoman's Guide" by A Lady (published 1838) also gives a receipt for a "Little Knit Habit-Shirt". A Lady describes the garments as "remakably nice things to wear under the shawl, as they set close to the chest, and give a great deal of warmth. They are best knit with small wooden or thick steel pins, and with floss wool, about three or four threads, and in double knitting." The Lady goes on to describe that the habit-shirt is knit in four separate pieces, being one back, two fronts and one collar. This particular habit-shirt looks similar in construction to a bosom buddy (the main body part), with the exception of the separate knitted collar piece.

I hope this helps, and feel free to contact me off forum.

~Natalie Baur
lindyhopper38@hotmail.com

[MrsArmstrong]

Re: Looking for Knitted vest

Natalie,
Thank you, do your directions have a picture? I have two patterns but no date as to what issue they were in, but believe they are later. What I am looking for is something that slips over the head and does not button up the front.
I have the book A Treasury Of Needlework Projects From Godey's Lady's Book, Edited and Compiled by Arlene Zeger Wiczyk. The projects in the book are a collection out of Godeys without and dates to place them, some I have been able to date and written in info I have found. The two I do have are over the head styles with crochet around the neck for ribbon so they can be snugged up to your body. They almost look to be on the style of todays insulated underwear.
I also have the directions for the Lady's Knitted Waistcoat, by J Weaver.
I believe a lot of this comes down to "terms" who called what...what.
Susan Armstrong

[northerngal]

Re: Looking for Knitted vest

Susan,

The patterns I have do have illustrations. As soon as I get my scanner up and running, I'll send them to you.

~Natalie Baur

[northerngal]

Re: Looking for Knitted vest

Here's a photo of a gentleman's knitted garment. I'm unable to tell if it is a vest or a sack coat type of garment. But, nonetheless, interesting.

~Natalie Baur