1.09.2013

WWII Victory Sweater

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About a year ago, I had an idea for a patriotic, WWII type eagle sweater. I knew what I wanted, and I looked and looked for a pattern that would satisfy, but being my picky self, nothing did. Finally I just decided to design one, how hard could it be? 

I hadn't done colorwork in about ten years, but I just like to jump right into things. The more you consider how difficult something might be, the more likely you are to back out. So I graphed out the eagle, adapted it to a pattern in one of my 1940s knitting magazines, and got started. I kept adding on as I went, the "VICTORY" was something I decided to do right after I finished the eagle, and the "V" was something I toyed with but once the back was done I just had to add it! I lost my pad of graph paper after I drew the eagle, so the three separate designs are all overlapped onto one sheet! It's a hilarious mess that only I could make sense of. 

Despite wanting to make loads of changes to the design, I'm really happy with the way it turned out. I've ordered yarn for my next little novelty sweater, can't wait to get started! 

Sweater-Designed and made by me, using Knitpicks palette yarn 

Shoes courtesy of-Modcloth 

Shoe laces courtesy of-Jim Dandy Laces

Skirt-Fab Gabs

Snood-Virtue to Victory

Bakelite and stockings-Antique expo

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94 comments:

59KUSTOM said...

That's really cool!

Haley said...

That's so amazing that you made that! It looks wonderful. :)

art deco dame said...

OMG!You did fabulous,I absolutely love it!And your shoes,snood,and jewelry are also amazing!good job!

Anonymous said...

*mouth agape* that sweater is perfection! I can only dream of one day having the same serious knitting skills that you possess!

Anonymous said...

Bloody fantastic.

Dizzy Dame said...

love!

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh! That sweater is amazing. You did such a good job. I love your shoes that your paired with your outfit as well. :)

xoxo,
Laura
http://lauraisthriftingthroughlife.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

This is unbelievably awesome! The sweater is a dead ringer for a forties original, I just love it! You're quite a talented knitter & designer..great job! xoxo, Tina

Ashley said...

Oh my goodness it is fabulous!! I'm still learning how to read patterns and knitting graph, so I can't even begin to think about designing my own! Eep! This one is just too cute! My goal this year is to finally take the plunge for a sweater. What kind of yarn did you use?

Katie Aman said...

Oh my, you continue to amaze me. I cannot believe you made this beauty of a sweater! It turned out perfectly and looks so amazing with your lovely skirt.

Bri Lamkin said...

it's beautiful!!

Abbi Jane said...

So adorable! I adore this outfit. And that sweater! My goodness, you are talented. Knitting seems daunting to me. Those sleeves, and that neck detail are simply adorable. :)

http://rufflesinthefront.blogspot.com/

J. MacIsaac Studios said...

I am amazed! How long did that take? You make me want to learn to knit!!

Lizzy Lizano said...

Awesome shoes!!!
-Lizzy
http://www.lizzylizano.blogspot

Unknown said...

This is unbelieveable. So great. Just - wow.

Jessica said...

stunning!!!

Kristian said...

I am so impressed you made that! It looks fantastic both in design and quality!

Anonymous said...

SO great and you look so happy and proud in these photos!! the eagle turned out amazing!

Solanah said...

Ashley, Knitpicks palette yarn, I updated the post with a link :)

Frocks and Frivolities, a few months, with big gaps in between.

Rebeccak said...

This fit is sublime! Was that just from following the pattern? Or did you have to tweak it?

Anonymous said...

such a neat sweater!

Anonymous said...

MIND = BLOWN. Seriously, I can't get over how amazing this is! I love the eagle and the Morse code V on the front! So much thought and attention to detail. It's a good thing we don't live near eachother or else you might wake up to find your house ransacked and the sweater missing!! Haha! ...of course I would never do that ;) But seriously. AMAZING, amazing job. I'm floored.

Ace said...

Love the Morse code detail on the front!

Renee said...

The whole outfit is so cute. The sweater is amazing. Very good job at designing it.

BaronessVonVintage said...

Just AMAZING!!!!!!!!! LOVE the whole ensemble!

Anonymous said...

So gorgeous!! The sweater turned out beautifully!~
Ama

Unknown said...

Wow, that sweater looks AMAZING, Solanah! I'm so impressed! It looks perfect to me!

Sarah Jackman said...

This is so awesome! I am beyond impressed that you designed that and knitted it yourself! Any suggestions for learning to knit? I am so envious of all the ladies who can reproduce vintage patterns :)!

Emileigh said...

Wow, that is- bar none- THE coolest sweater I've ever seen!
I hope to be able to do such things some day. WOW. WOWOWOWOWOW.

SaraVictorious said...

You go, girl! That sweater is phenomenal!

Tasha said...

Eeeeek so that's what it was! That's just gorgeous, and I applaud your fortitude for all that intarsia. It's just a wonderful design, so perfect I can't even begin to say. The details are amazing, like how the V is mirrored in the neckline. SWOON!

Jane said...

Absolutely gorgeous! Did you use wool yarn? Did you have to block it?

Sarah Dee said...

Every time I see photos of this I'm more and more impressed! How long did this take you to do? I hope one day I can knit this well :)

x missdottidee.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Oh man I would never think about anybody actually hand-making an awesome sweater like this. You're a sweater wizard! It's so incredibly cute and perfect. I love the red skirt and adorable shoes you paired with it too. Amazing!

ErikawithaK said...

Wow! That is really, really impressive knitwork! Great Job!

Manic Pop said...

Well done! Your knitwork is always impressive. This is why I became a fashion designer myself: no one makes patterns for the things I want!

Elise said...

Wow that sweater is all kinds of amazing, well done you! :)

Anonymous said...

That is such a great outfit! WOW!

Lejdi said...

Wow! It's so unbelievably pretty! o_O You're sooo talented!

Anonymous said...

This is so wonderful and very inspiring. I'd love to have a go at knitting a sweater with my own design some day. I love you description of how you drew the patterns all overlapping , sounds like exactly what I would have done !

Thanks for sharing! I look forward to seeing what else you make.

Sophie

Anonymous said...

So beautiful!! I wish I were able to make something as lovely as this! xx

Sara Kristiina said...

Your sweater is amazing, you have skills! I don't even know how to knit a sock.. :D

alittlevintagestory said...

Absolutely amazing. I love your sweater and am very envious of your knitting skills. x Fran

Incendiary Blonde said...

Sooo awesome! What a talented lady you are! In fact, your whole outfit looks great, and I am loving the colours!

Sam said...

Seriously amazing!!! Sam xox

CocoFlower said...

I love this look !!! beautiful top

poppykettle said...

Gorjuss! That is really just incredible and your finishing impeccable. Love it, and you in it!

Anonymous said...

Oh wow, that is absolutely amazing...

Pretty please tell me you're considering writing the pattern out??? I would love to make this incredible jumper!

Andrea said...

I love your sweater! Would you please post the pattern? I'd love to knit my own.

Anonymous said...

Love the shoes!

Suvi
http://sutuko.blogspot.fi/

Mary Beth said...

Colorwork..>I'm doing so doing that this year. I'm frogging a Fair Isle beret that I wasn't happy with and I'm going to do a vest. I'm certain I'll fall in love with colorwork.
Anyhow, your sweater is fab, I hope you'll put some of the details of what you did on a page in Ravelry. Like the sweater itself -vintage pattern?

seannaapproved said...

I think this is by far the best vintage sweater creation I've ever seen!! I love all things patriotic. :)

PS. I hope you don't mind if I pin this to many of my pinterest boards. I just adore it!!

The Fictionista
{sean-mackenzie.blogspot.com}

Anonymous said...

You are so incredibly talented, the sweater is so cute.

vintagevisions27 said...

That is truly awesome!! You should really consider making others to sell. I would by a sweater like that in a heart beat!
-Emily

SBroussard said...

Wow!! Amazing work! I'm impressed as heck that you designed and knitted that! I'm at a complete loss when it comes to knitting and I've tried so many times. Love it!

LandGirl1980 said...

B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!

Heather said...

You absolutely HAVE to write that pattern down and post it to Ravelry! ASAP!! Then I can copy this sweater for myself!! PLEASE!! I cannot tell you how much I adore this outfit!

gleeps said...

You are amazing, Solanah! Honestly - hats off to you! S for Solanah, yay!

Charlotte said...

Way too damn cute! Seriously.

xx Charlotte
Tuppence Ha'penny Vintage

Anna said...

Incredible!

Artillery said...

Thoroughly impressed!

Frances said...

Amazing! That's a lot of colorwork! And it looks fantastic. I'd love to see the original pattern, it really looks like the perfect basic little sweater to knit,

Alma said...

Your way of combining colours is amazing, such an inspiration!!!

Babes in Thriftland said...

Holy crap, I can't believe you knit that! I can make a scarf without screwing up but this is amazing.

VintageDanielle said...

You're very talented! I love your whole look, it's adorable!

Laurence said...

You did a fabulous job my dear!!!
Your look is just perfect, love the matching color from shoes to head!!!!

Miss Marie said...

Amazing, amazing, amazing!! Have you ever done a tutorial on how to do colourwork? I'd be fascinated to know how it's done...

TemperamentalBroad@blogspot.com said...

I love this. I am completely in covet of it!!

Alli said...

AMAZING!!!!! That is gorgeous Solanah......you have done an awesome job! You should make some to sell.....they'd get snapped up in a heartbeat ;)

Unknown said...

Wow! That sweater looks amazing! If I didn't know any better I would say that it was vintage. You did a fantastic job.

Story Tellers Vintage said...

Wow, it looks Amazing!

Anonymous said...

Wow!! Just wow!

So impressed!

Anna said...

Oh wow! You and the sweater are amazing! Can't wait to see your next project!

Alex said...

Wow that's amazing! You're so clever!!

Naomi said...

How fabulous! New follower!!

The Occasional Indulgence

Anonymous said...

OMG that is the most amazing sweater ever! Great work, girl!

-Holly

Veronica Vintage

Anonymous said...

FANTASTIC Victory Sweater! Fabulous in it's own right, and even more wonderful because you crafted it yourself.I admire anyone who can knit...I just don't have the patience. xx

abipolz said...

awesome! great job!

ChatterBlossom said...

My mind was a little blown when I saw that you made this sweater! Wow is just about all I can say!
Jamie

Unknown said...

Your handiwork is amazing as usual. Looking forward to seeing your next creation.

Witchcrafted Life said...

What a stupendously awesome sweater. From the colour to the fit to the fabulous pattern (made all the more incredible because you created it), this is, bar none, one of the loveliest homemade sweaters I've ever seen.

♥ Jessica

Anna Nuttall said...

Hi i want those shoes, soo pretty!!
You look lovely btw.

www.annanuttall.com

Lilacism said...

You are one talented lady! That is so impressive!! You should start designing and selling knitting patterns. I'd definitely buy them all!!

Unknown said...

Just love this outfit! :)

Unknown said...

I love your style!

Stephanie

http://vintageinseoul.blogspot.kr/

Meg Eileen Carroll said...

It's so fascinating that there were sweaters like that made. The culture is a bit more bland is Australia certainly. And I love the colour combo, everything just fits together perfectly. :D

http://meggymoo0.blogspot.com

Miss Rascal said...

Those shoes are to die for!

SANNE said...

Fabulous! You done a great job. :)

Lily Bean said...

wow! amazing! so jealous of your skills and style <3 the sweater came out wonderful

Unknown said...

Love. it.

wish I could get knitting to work for me.

Solenn said...

Woooow ! Amazing !!!!

Anonymous said...

Your sweater looks like it was very hard to make, and you must have spent a lot of time in making sure the details were perfect. You did a splendid job and I love how you have styled it here. Great job!
+Victoria+

Paigesterr said...

That is amazing! If you ever get tired of it ;) aha

{ jessica } said...

oh, oh. this is amazing!! Would you mind sharing your pattern?!?!?! I must make one of these soon. . .