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Challenge: Translate a Vintage Knitting Pattern

September 27, 2021
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Can you crack the code?

This method was found in a vintage machine knitting book. It shows how things have changed for machine knitters.

Once upon a time, it was common to use a lot of different abbreviations for knitting instructions. Because there wasn't a lot of standardization, the terms could be hard to understand.

Here are the original instructions, along with the translations.
Can you crack the code? Challenge yourself to "read" the original and try to decipher what the author had in mind.

When you get stuck with abbreviations when reading vintage books, use the Knit it Now Glossary for help

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Visit the Knit it Now Glossary

Hints

Cast-on for a basic hem with W.Y. Knit several rows. C.O.L. Thread up carriage with cast-on cord. Knit one row. C.O.R.
Thread up carriage with contrast yarn.
Knit 11 rows M.T.-2. Con. Y. C.O.L.
Take out Con.Y. and thread up M.Y. Knit 1 row M.T.-1. C.O.R. Place a basic simple lace card

in the pattern card feeder.
With M.Y. knit 12 rows M.T. -1 in the lace pattern.
Turn up the hem (this was described earlier in the original pattern)

Translated

Cast on with waste yarn
Knit several rows
Carriage on the left
Thread up the carriage with ravel cord
Knit 1 row
Carriage on the right
Thread up the carriage with contrast yarn
MAIN TENSION MINUS 2 Knit 11 rows
Carriage on the left

Thread up main yarn
MAIN TENSION MINUS 1. Knit 1 row right
Carriage on the right
basic simple lace card
With main yarn, MAIN TENSION MINUS 1, knit 12 rows in lace
Hang the hem by re-hanging the first row of main yarn
Knit 1 row at a LOOSE TENSION (10+)
At MAIN TENSION, continue knitting garment

NOTE: Lace knits wider than stockinette. Consider casting on fewer stitches for the hem (approx 10%), then INCREASE before continuing your garment piece