Pattern Freebie: Warm Wool “Next-to-Nothings”

I’m back with a Stitchcraft freebie for you all.  This pattern comes from the No. 4o edition of Stitchcraft from December 1935.

Click on the following link to download the pattern as a pdf: Next to Nothings Pattern.

Click on the following link to add this pattern via Ravelry.

I know not many of you guys are probably dreaming of making knit pajamas or undergarments like you are of more practical items.  But when I came across this pattern last night I just had to share it.  I think it’s so sweet and feminine that one of you will want to knit this up.  I mean – I bet this would totally keep you warm in the winter months either worn as pajamas or even worn under your winter dresses.

Pattern Details:

These Next-to-Nothings is a two piece set: a vest (camisole) and panties (shorts).

The camisole is drafted for a 34-36 inch bust – but could easily be modified by adding additional stitches where they’re needed.  Using US size 3’s (vintage No. 10’s) the tension is 7 stitches to an inch over stockinette.

Honestly guys, I couldn’t find any information on what weight of yarn the Halcyon 2-ply yarn is.  There is a modern Halcyon yarn that is a sport weight 2-ply – but that’s all I could find.  If you wanted to knit this up, I just suggest you begin with a sport weight yarn to test out your gauge swatch and go from there.

One thing that I found when reading through the pattern is that the camisole pattern is much longer than it appears in the image.  The bottom ribbing of the camisole is actually the waist section.  Below that waist ribbing there is a bit over 100 rows (at least 115 rows) which is quite significant.  If I were to knit this up as a modern camisole with the vintage styling – I would be greatly reduce the rows below the waist.

Hope you all have a great weekend & happy knitting.

In: Free Patterns Knitting

Blogger for 6 years and counting, I am a passionate creator who loves to tinker.

Comments (9)

  1. Siri January 17, 2014 — 1:59 PM

    I know alot of people call these ‘passion killers’ :)
    But I think they are absolutely fabulous, and they have to be super comfy and wearable!
    I am definitely making these up at some point, thanks for sharing ;)

    1. Liz January 17, 2014 — 5:03 PM

      How funny… passion killers. I think they’re just as nice as my pajamas. heh

      1. Siri January 21, 2014 — 3:07 PM

        I’ve been thinking ; do you think it would be possible to knit it in cotton yarn?
        Never used cotton, but for undies it is quite the familiar ‘fabric’, isn’t it ?

        1. Liz January 21, 2014 — 3:47 PM

          Hi Siri. Hmm… cotton. I think the reason cotton works well in traditional undies is the fact that there is some stretch in the cotton; modern undies are a lycra-cotton blend.

          I would presume you could use a cotton yarn – but it won’t have much stretch. I think you would need to find a cotton blend yarn of some sort that would give you the softness & stretch-ability. What I do is look on Ravelry at yarns and then check out the projects the yarns were used in (or vice versa – look for an undergarment pattern and see what it was knit up in).

          Hope this helps!

  2. Beth January 17, 2014 — 9:02 PM

    Oh…in love. I love that people used to knit so many different things. I might have to give this one a try!

  3. Kelly January 19, 2014 — 1:05 PM

    How lovely! I do like the camisole quite a lot and love the idea of winter sleepwear. Thanks for the pattern!

  4. BikerChicKnits April 6, 2014 — 12:27 PM

    Hello! Thank you for sharing this free vintage “passion killer” pattern! The camisole (cropped) is just what I need to go with a cardigan I knit. This will make an exquisite set! I have cashmere yarn in my stash to knit the cami in chemise length too. I’ll knit the lace pattern at the hemline (as seen in the shorts) and knit dainty I-cord for the straps. I’ll have “killer passion” fashions!

  5. Mina July 22, 2015 — 3:56 AM

    I just wanted to thank you for sharing this and other vintage patterns! I particularly love vintage underwear patterns – definitely not ‘passion killers’ in my eyes ;) I particularly like that this one is a bit lacy.

  6. Amy June 7, 2019 — 6:10 PM

    I know this might be a little bit of a creepy way to say this, but I can’t think of any other way to adequately express the strength of my gratitude. I really love you for uploading all these vintage knitting patterns. It’s work you didn’t have to do, which I get to benefit from. Thank you.

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