Stitchcraft Freebie: 1937 Cable Jumper

Today’s pattern is such a lovely one for the winter months to stay cozy and chic.  This one comes from the January 1937 edition of Stitchcraft.

Click on the following link to download the free pdf: 1937 CableKnit Jumper Pattern.

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I love cable-knit patterns but sadly, I’ve only knit cables a few times.  I love how there are cables that stop just short of the bust and go upwards as straight lines, keeps the top from getting too busy with the interesting neckline detail that they added.

This jumper is designed for a 32-34 inch bust with a gauge of 6 stitches to an inch measured over the widest part of the cable stitch.

I’m having the hardest time figuring out which yarn & needle size that these vintage patterns are using.  The yarn type here is really vague “yarn cord” with no brand attached to it.  And all of my sources say that the ribbing section of the jumper is done using an old size 9 needle or modern day US size 5 or 3.75mm needle.  And the main part of the jumper is made using the old No.7 or modern day US size 7 or 4.5mm needle.

What’s strange about all this is when I compare it with my personal gauge that I got with the bobble stitch jumper pattern, it’s way off.  Let me explain.  I’m using US 2’s or 2.75mm needles and I have a gauge around 7.5 to 8 stitches per inch, which is exactly in line with the pattern gauge.  What what’s more is that they pattern specifies that I should be using an old size 9 or US size 5, or 3.75mm needle.  This is drastically different!

If you’re keen on knitting this pattern up, what I would suggest is use a sport weight yarn (try sport weight first, then try a dk weight if needed) with the correlating needle size (this is usually stated on the yarn label) and check the gauge.  From there you can move up or down a needle size, as needed.

Now this is only me guestimating based on my own gauge, but I’d guess that the ribbing would be done in US 3’s and the main body of the jumper done in US 5’s or 6’s.  Again this is only my guess, but that’s where I would start since I know I use 2’s for my main body with a fingering weight yarn (and I knit loose, so I always have to go down a size).  And given the fact that the ribbing is always done in 1 or 2 needle sizes smaller than the main body, I’d guess that it would mean the main body is a US 5 or US 6 with either a sport or dk weight yarn.

Yay for vintage patterns!  :)  heh  Have a lovely weekend everyone!

In: Free Patterns Knitting

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