Sheep's Clothing

1. Creating 1940s style
in a 2020s world
Knitting historically accurate 1940s cardigans during Covid-19

2. “We have done a lot of research for
costuming and have a pattern for
dresses. But we didn’t have
anything accurate for cooler weather.
It is hard to find authentic looking
sweaters at thrift shops.”
Thea Wilson-Hammond
Executive Director, Memory Lane

3. Objectives
Prompted by the need to provide warmth and comfort for
animators, in a style that accurately reflects the 1940s, especially
as would have been found on Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore
Combines:
• Collaboration
• Skill development
• Authenticity
• Celebration of womens’ work

4. Priorities
Contribute to the
Memory Lane
experience
Be authentic and
historically accurate
Find a pattern accessible
to knitters of different
levels
Use and develop knitting
skills on the Eastern
Shore

5. Pattern Selection
Design considerations
• Adaptable to different levels of
knitters
• Not too time consuming to make
• Workable either by hand or
machine
Searching Memory Lane archive for patterns

8. Delivering Historical Accuracy
The project team ensured the style and materials of the 1940s by using:
• A vintage pattern suitable for knitters with varied experience levels
• Pattern modifications that allowed the same yarn to be used for both hand
knitting and knitting machines with different gauges
• Yarn and colours that would have been available during the 1940s
• Sizing guidelines applicable to the time period

9. Design Considerations
Yarn
Then
• Often reused from old garments
• Limited colour choices
• Light weight
• Any local fleece would likely have
been sent to PEI to be processed
Now
• Wide range of fibre readily
available
• Many more colour choices with
frequently multi-coloured skeins
• Extensive weight choices

10. Colour selection

11. “
”
We wanted to be sure that our materials were as accurate as possible.
Briggs and Little in New Brunswick has been around since 1916, and
their wool would have been used by knitters in our area. With some tension
adjustments, we could use their ‘Sport 1 ply’ for our different knitting
machines as well as hand knitting.
Lynne Pascoe, Project Coordinator

13. • Knitters chose their
colours from the
selected set
• The newest knitter was
given the lightest colour,
which is easiest to work
for hand knitting

14. Design Considerations
Styles and Sizing
Then
• Patterns written with more general
directions for experienced knitters
• Sweater sets and cardigans with
buttons popular choices
• Sizing based on actual chest
measurements for tighter fitting
designs
Now
• Most patterns have more detail in the
directions
• Cardigans remain popular but are
designed with a more relaxed fit
• Sizes allow for loose fit (and
adjustments for “vanity sizing”)

16. Design Considerations
Tools
Then
• Needles often hard to get and/or
repurposed due to wartime scarcity
(e.g. needles from bicycle spokes)
• Most common knitting machines
would likely have been hand-
cranked, circular machines
Now
• Needles readily available in a wide
range of sizes, styles, and materials
• Domestic knitting machines
common in different sizes
• Additional tools and supports such
digital resources

18. Challenges and Lessons

20. COVID Considerations
Together but Separate
• Physical distancing
meant remote meetings
• Knitters worked mostly
in their own homes,
meeting weekly via
Zoom to discuss project
and its challenges

22. Cardigan Project Legacy
• Completed cardigans for wardrobe (4 finished in initial project)
• Patterns for hand and machine knitting for library/wardrobe
• Documentation of the project process (e.g. photos, slideshow)
• Research materials (e.g. pictures, URLs, resource list, samples)
• Kits
• Free to volunteers knitting additional sweaters for wardrobe
• For sale in Hosking Store to support Memory Lane activities

23. Studio Visits

33. Project Team
at Memory Lane

34. Knitter

35. Photographer

36. Storyteller
“It has been fascinating to learn
about the process for this project
and , through that, to learn more
about the history of knitting on
the Eastern Shore in the 1940s”

37. Project Coordinator /
Knitter
“We had a dream team and we
had fun working together. But no
matter how much you plan, there is
always something unexpected. that
happens – like our dye lot issues.”

38. Knitter
“This is my first sweater and I
expected to need lots of help. That
was hard when COVID meant we
couldn’t connect in person. It made
me realize how isolated women
must have felt in the 1940s.”

39. Knitter

40. “
”
When we engage in fiber arts, we are creating
something, but we are also participating in historic
traditions tens of thousands of years old. You are not
only making art for your soul and for future generations,
you are embodying the work of our ancestors.
Meadow Colden, The Woven Road
The Memory Lane Cardigan Project was completed between March and September
2021.
Changing COVID-19 health and safety protocols were followed at all times.