Jane Waller

The subtitle “Styles, Patterns and History” says it all: Jane Waller concentrates on fashion and instructions from the 1940s up to the beginning of the 1950s, which in essence means World War II. Waller tells us what was knitted, how it was knitted, and most importantly what inspired this very particular fashion: The need of warm clothing, be it for soldiers or civilians, on one side, and the rising yarn shortage on the other side.

What do you do if you can get knitting yarn only on limited coupons? You try to find means to knit lovely patterns from as few yarn as possible. The patterns in the book are sometimes real wonders of simple elegance and expedience, and sometimes very touching, like the knitted dolls and soft toys. I've already put some of the garments, which would make useful additions of my wardrobe, on my “to do” list.

The only drawback of this fascinating book: Once again, there are no schematics of the patterns, and the knit stitches are only given word by word, no diagrams at all. Just as they were sold way back when.

Necessity is the mother of invention. These designs are worthwhile just because they prove the adage.… (mais)