Five Decades of Knitting Patterns in an Attic

I noticed a "tag sale" in our town and decided to pop in this morning. Having spent most of my formative years in Virginia where there are garage sales and yard sales, I sometimes wonder why they are called "tag" sales here in the northeast. I know that sometimes they give you tickets and you go through based on your ticket number but I got to this "tag sale" after the fray hit and wandered through this old house with 3 floors of stuff for sale. It was a little depressing to see such personal items for sale.

I learned that the lady of the house was a crafter at heart as there were boxes of fabric and old patterns. Then in an attic room I found these gems which include 5 decades of knitting design. I also picked up some yarn but nothing too exciting.

This first book is Bernat's Handknit Classics from 1945 and cost the original owner 50 cents. A sampling of some of the patterns for men, women, and children.


This one has lovely cables on the sleeves and could be adapted for today very easily!

This book "knit 'n' purl" is from 1951 and only cost 35 cents. It has the body hugging designs of the period. Okay I just noticed that the patterns in this book come only in sizes 12, 14 and 16! How times have changed!?!

The detail on the neck of this one reminded me of Green Gable!

This Scandia Bernat book dates from 1961. Most of the patterns are with chunky yarns and I've included a sample of the pattern overview page.
This booklet dates from 1977 and includes patterns only for kids.

This Leisure Arts book "Sweaters for Women" dates from 1982...this is the one I'm least likely to use for anything as the patterns are rather dull.

Whomever lived in that house must have loved to save things and I'm so glad she did. I hope she is smiling up in heaven knowing that I'm going to use these books and appreciate what she so carefully saved.