Patons Woolcraft is a booklet of knitting and crochet patterns and instructions that has been published in various versions since the 1930’s. A current version is available but it seems to be a British edition – so I’ve only seen it in online shops.
I have three different editions which were all published in Australia. One from the 60’s, a really ugly one from the 70’s and this sweet version from the early 1950’s (or possibly the late 1940’s – it’s not dated so I have to guess).
While the name remains the same with each edition, some of the patterns are updated to match the prevailing fashions.
All the copies I’ve seen have almost identical “how to” instructions, and they all contain the same sock patterns, but the rest of the content changes a bit each time a new version is printed.
I don’t think this was a magazine that you’d buy each time a new one came out – it’s more of a reference book.
This copy from the early 50’s has much more baby and toddler wear than earlier and later editions. This might be a result of the post-war baby boom and the resulting increase in demand for such quaint things as layettes and matinee jackets.
Like the sock patterns, the baby and children’s wear doesn’t really date in terms of style.
All of the items in the pictures above could be made and worn today. I would change the corners on the baby blanket though. I think a “yo, k1, yo” on every second round or row makes a much neater corner than the fagoting used here – it just looks messy to me.
I’m certain that I’ll make the socks and slippers from this book one day, and I’d really like to make some of the women’s wear but its a matter of finding the time and making some space on my “must knit” list.
The little changes between each edition are fascinating and are a great record of key looks across the 20th century. That’s why I’ll snap these up whenever I see them in op shops – even the hideous 70’s editions.
I have one too! It might be from the late 40s? They’re a great reference tool for beginners starting to branch out into more complex things.
Unfortunately my oldest copy kind of smells like it’s from the 1940s!
I have the 70’s edition. I have never seen the ugly side of it! In fact, I have knitted some lovely baby things from it for our firstborn, who is now in his forties. Sorry that I don’t share your thoughts about that edition, and yes, I am an Aussie.
I think the baby clothes are timesless and they don’t really change with fashions (and risk dating) as much as the women’s wear does. A lovely thing about the Woolcraft books is that they were printed for so many years that different generations of knitters in the same families used them for their own babies.
I might follow your lead and choose a baby outfit from Woolcraft for the next little niece or nephew that arrives.
I have just found 12th edition with little bo peep on the cover in a cupboard it brings back memories of grandma helping us turn heals
I keep meeting people who learned to knit with the help of the Woolcraft books. It’s such a shame they are discontinued.