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About Skiff

Skiff Vintage Patterns was started up at the beginning of 2009. Born out of a passion for the fashions of the 1940s and 1950s, I combined it with my die-hard love of knitting.

Vintage Tips

If you're new to the vintage knitting pattern game, have a look at these useful tips first - they'll help you decide which wool to use and if the pattern needs adapting ... RavelryDrop by and see what I'm working on at the moment!

Bestway

Pricing information | P&P | Terms & Conditions

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Bestway '2oz Jumpers' - No.B3010

Bestway '2oz Jumpers' - No.B3010

A super early 1950s pattern for two pretty short-sleeved jumpers knitted using 2oz of wool each.

Condition: Good

Size: 32-34" and 34-36" bust

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

Bestway '2oz Jumpers' - No.B3010More Details

YARN: 2oz Copley's Cobweb Super Botany / 2oz Firth English Gossamer
NEEDLES: 1 pair each Nos. 8 & 12


Price: £4.99
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'A Slipover' - No.2247

Bestway 'A Slipover' - No.2247

Sweet 1940s fairisled slipover with deep cut armholes.

Condition: Good

Size: 32" - 36" bust

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

Bestway 'A Slipover' - No.2247More Details

YARN: 4oz Patons Beehive Fingering 3-ply / .5oz in bottle green & violet
NEEDLES: 1 pair each of No.10 & No.12


Price: £4.99
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Boleros' - No.B3102

Bestway 'Boleros' - No.B3102

A lovely 1950s pattern for a bolero with single rib edging and three different sleeve lengths.

Price: £4.99
P&P: £1.00

This product has sold out.

Bestway 'Cable-Stitch Pullover' - No.1814

Bestway 'Cable-Stitch Pullover' - No.1814

1940s gentleman's cable-stitch sweater, designed by the ubiquitous Ena of Home Fashions.

Condition: Medium (vertical crease)

Size: 38" chest

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

Bestway 'Cable-Stitch Pullover' - No.1814More Details

YARN: 11oz Ladyship 4-ply Ladybel or Scotch Fingering
NEEDLES: 1 pair each Nos. 8 & 11


Price: £3.99
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Cap and Glove Set' - No.A2955

Bestway 'Cap and Glove Set' - No.A2955

An elegant 1950s cap and gloves set.

Condition: Good

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Bestway 'Cap and Glove Set' - No.A2955More Details

YARN: 3oz Penelope's W.B.Fiesta
NEEDLES: 1 pair No.11 & 1 set of 4 No.11 dpns


Price: £4.99
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Crochet Gloves' - No.1294

Bestway 'Crochet Gloves' - No.1294

Delicate 1940s crocheted gloves with panelled backs.

Condition: Medium (couple of faint horizontal creases)

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Bestway 'Crochet Gloves' - No.1294More Details

YARN: 2 balls of mercerised crochet cotton No.14 or plain w hite No.10
NEEDLES: No.3 crochet hook


Price: £3.70
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Dresden Shepherdess' - No.1994

Bestway 'Dresden Shepherdess' - No.1994

A stunningly detailed 1940s fair isle jumper 'looks cool and sweet in blue and white', with a button opening on the left shoulder.

Condition: Medium (couple of tears)

Size: 35" bust

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

Bestway 'Dresden Shepherdess' - No.1994More Details

YARN: WB Melody 3-ply
NEEDLES: 1 pair each Nos. 9, 10 & 12
EXTRAS: 4 small buttons


Price: £4.99
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Fair Isle Beret' - No.A2594

Bestway 'Fair Isle Beret' - No.A2594

A wonderful 1940s fair isle beret, to fit 'all ages from 2 to 16 years)

Condition: Good

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Bestway 'Fair Isle Beret' - No.A2594More Details

YARN: Patons Fair Isle Fingering
NEEDLES: 1 set each of 4 Nos. 10 & 12 dpns


Price: £3.99
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Fair Isle Cardigan' - No.1891

Bestway 'Fair Isle Cardigan' - No.1891

A lovely 1940s fair isle cardigan (with fair isle at the yoke) - to match Bestway jumper pattern No.1890, also stocked.

Condition: Medium (small tear to base of spine, some wear)

Size: 35" bust

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

Bestway 'Fair Isle Cardigan' - No.1891More Details

YARN: Sirdar Majestic 3-ply
NEEDLES: 1 pair each Nos. 9 & 12


Price: £3.99
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Fair Isle Cherries Button-Up' - No.2276

Bestway 'Fair Isle Cherries Button-Up' - No.2276

Sweet late 1940s/early 1950s 'Cable button-up with Fair Isle cherries' with short or long sleeves.

Condition: Good

Size: 33-35" bust

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

Bestway 'Fair Isle Cherries Button-Up' - No.2276More Details

Yarn: WB Melody 3-ply
Needles: 1 pair each Nos. 10 & 12
Extras: cable needle, 9 buttons (4 red & 4 green!)


Price: £4.99
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Fair Isle Gloves' - No.1806

Bestway 'Fair Isle Gloves' - No.1806

I love the cover picture and hand shadow play on this 1940s fair isle gloves pattern, knitted on two needles.

Condition: Fair (some creases, a tear to the spine)

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

 

Bestway 'Fair Isle Gloves' - No.1806More Details

YARN: W.B. Melody 3-ply
NEEDLES: 1 pair each Nos. 11 & 13


Price: £3.50
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Fair Isle Gloves' - No.617

Bestway 'Fair Isle Gloves' - No.617

Lovely 1940s fair isle gloves knitted on two needles.

Condition: Fair (some creases and pencil marks, spine is torn halfway)

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Bestway 'Fair Isle Gloves' - No.617More Details

YARN: Golden Eagle Polynit Fingering-de-Luxe 3-ply
NEEDLES: 1 pair No.13


Price: £3.99
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Fair Isle Jumper' - No.1833

Bestway 'Fair Isle Jumper' - No.1833

Delightful late 1940s/early 1950s Fair Isle Jumper.

Condition: Good

Size: 34-36" bust

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Bestway 'Fair Isle Jumper' - No.1833More Details

Yarn: 3-ply fingering
Needles: 1 pair each Nos. 9 & 11
Extras: medium size crochet hook, 3 small buttons


Price: £4.99
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Fair Isle Jumper' - No.1890

Bestway 'Fair Isle Jumper' - No.1890

A gorgeous 1940s fair isle jumper, to match fair isle cardigan pattern No.1891 (also stocked).

Condition: Good

Size: 34" bust

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

Bestway 'Fair Isle Jumper' - No.1890More Details

YARN: Sirdar Majestic 3-ply
NEEDLES: 1 pair each Nos. 9 & 12


Price: £4.99
P&P: £1.00

This product has sold out.

Bestway 'Fair Isle 'Tapestry' Evening Bag' - No.2227

Bestway 'Fair Isle 'Tapestry' Evening Bag' - No.2227

A gorgeous 1940s bag, knitted on fine needles in fair isle to give a tapestry effect. The fair isle pattern is given in graph form.

Condition: Good

Size: about 8" width, 5.5" depth

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

Bestway 'Fair Isle 'Tapestry' Evening Bag' - No.2227More Details

YARN: Patons Beehive Fingering 2-ply
NEEDLES: 1 pair No.14
EXTRAS: a metal evening-bag frame 7" wide and 2" deep


Price: £5.99
P&P: £1.00

This product has sold out.

Bestway 'Feather-Stitch Jumper' - No.1571

Bestway 'Feather-Stitch Jumper' - No.1571

An elegant 1940s jumper in fine feather-stitch with single ribbed yoke, and bow at the neck, with long or short sleeves.

Condition: Fair (pattern has been torn and cellotaped horizontally)

Size: 32" bust

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

Bestway 'Feather-Stitch Jumper' - No.1571More Details

YARN: 6oz Patons Beehive Fingering 2-ply
NEEDLES: 1 pair each No.10 & 13


Price: £2.50
P&P: £1.00

This product has sold out.

Bestway 'Feather-Stitch Twin Set' - No.2323

Bestway 'Feather-Stitch Twin Set' - No.2323

Pretty feather-stitched 1940s twin set 'designed by Ena of Home Fashions and Children's Dress' apparently.

Condition: good

Size: 34"

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

Bestway 'Feather-Stitch Twin Set' - No.2323More Details

Yarn:
Jumper: 6oz Wendy Family 3-ply
Cardigan: 8oz Wendy Family 3-ply
Needles: 1 pair each Nos.9 & 11
Extras: 1 No.1 crochet hook & 15 buttons


Price: £4.99
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Gifts In Knitting and Crochet' - No.603

Bestway 'Gifts In Knitting and Crochet' - No.603

A great WWII-era pattern booklet for a shopping bag in a purse, a flower-covered hot water bottle cover, dress hangers with a posy trimming and cosy bed bootees.

Condition: Good

 

Price: £6.99
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Gloves & Stockings' - No.442

Bestway 'Gloves & Stockings' - No.442

Elegant late 1930s/early 1940s knitted woollen gloves and stockings 'well fitting and in very attractive stitches'.

Condition: Good

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

Bestway 'Gloves & Stockings' - No.442More Details

YARN: Sirdar Super Shetland 3-ply
NEEDLES: Set of 4 dpns No.14


Price: £4.99
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Jacket in Tweedex' - No.A2913

Bestway 'Jacket in Tweedex' - No.A2913

A cool late 1940s/early 1950s jacket with knitted belt waistband, includes a picture of how it looks in plain 4-ply.

Condition: Good

Size: 34-36" bust

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

Bestway 'Jacket in Tweedex' - No.A2913More Details

YARN: Sirdar Tweedex/Sirdar 4-ply
NEEDLES: 1 pair each Nos. 9 & 10
EXTRAS: one buckle


Price: £4.99
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Lacy Bedjacket' - No.A2535

Bestway 'Lacy Bedjacket' - No.A2535

A dainty 1940s bedjacket with scalloped ridge pattern.

Condition: Medium (front cover has a round stain)

Size: 34" bust

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

Bestway 'Lacy Bedjacket' - No.A2535More Details

YARN: 4oz Templeton's Super Baby Wool
NEEDLES: 1 pair No.9
EXTRAS: 4 buttons


Price: £3.70
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Lacy Bedjacket' - No.B2984

Bestway 'Lacy Bedjacket' - No.B2984

Beautifully detailed 1940s lacy bedjacket.

Condition: Good

Size: 32" to 37" bust

See More Details below for yarn and needles

Bestway 'Lacy Bedjacket' - No.B2984More Details

MATERIALS: 7oz of Sirdar Majestic Wool 2-ply
NEEDLES: 1 pair each of Nos.11, 12 and 13
EXTRAS: 7 buttons


Price: £4.99
P&P: £1.00

This product has sold out.

Bestway 'Lacy Gloves' - No.2014

Bestway 'Lacy Gloves' - No.2014

1940s pattern for a beautifully delicate pair of gloves, two lots of instructions for crochet and knitting.

Condition: Good

Size: 6.5 - 6.75

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

Bestway 'Lacy Gloves' - No.2014More Details

Yarn: Coats' Mercer Crochet No.20 or Ardern's Star Sylko No.5
Needles: 1 x 4.5 crochet hook or 1 pair No.12 knitting needles


Price: £4.99
P&P: £1.00

This product has sold out.

Bestway 'Ladies' Dutch Bonnets' - No.1796

Bestway 'Ladies' Dutch Bonnets' - No.1796

Unusual and fun 1940s pattern 'designed by Ena' apparently.

Condition: Good

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

Bestway 'Ladies' Dutch Bonnets' - No.1796More Details

Yarn: WB Melody 3-ply
Needles: No.10
Extras: fine crochet hook


Price: £3.70
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Lady's Waistcoat' - No.B2422

Bestway 'Lady's Waistcoat' - No.B2422

A great little 1940s waistcoat, with separate instructions for a larger size

Condition: Good

Size 34-36" bust/42-44" bust

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

Bestway 'Lady's Waistcoat' - No.B2422More Details

YARN: W.B. Melody 3-ply
NEEDLES: 1 pair No. 10 or 11


Price: £4.50
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Man's Fair Isle Pullover' - No.1524

Bestway 'Man's Fair Isle Pullover' - No.1524

Ever-popular 1940s Fair Isle Pullover - probably just post-war: 'he'll appreciate a riot of colour after the uniformity of khaki or blue'.

Condition: Good

Size: 38" chest

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

Bestway 'Man's Fair Isle Pullover' - No.1524More Details

YARN: 4oz Ladyship 3-ply Scotch Fingering
NEEDLES: 1 pair each Nos.8 & 12


Price: £5.99
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Men's Knitwear' - No.K122

Bestway 'Men's Knitwear' - No.K122

A really great late 1940s/early 1950s gents knitwear booklet, including a sports jumper, the sleeveless v-neck from the cover, a waistcoat, cricket jumper, cardigan, fisherman's jumper, lumber jacket cardigan (modelled by Roger Moore), a tie, a jumper with a football motif, socks, scarf, gloves and, of course, swimming trunks.

Condition: Good (small tear to base of spine)

Price: £4.99
P&P: £1.20

This product has sold out.

Bestway 'Neatly Fitting Gloves' - No.517

Bestway 'Neatly Fitting Gloves' - No.517

A nice, easy pair of 1940s gent's gloves, knitted on two needles, accompanied by achingly cool cover pic.

Condition: Fair (creases, general wear & tear)

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

Bestway 'Neatly Fitting Gloves' - No.517More Details

YARN: 3oz Sirdar Majestic Knitting 4-ply
NEEDLES: 1 pair each Nos. 12 & 14


Price: £3.99
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Novel Stitch Jumper' - No.915

Bestway 'Novel Stitch Jumper' - No.915

Gorgeous 1940s jumper 'with a novel high neck in a pretty 'fan' stitch'.

Condition: Good

Size: 34-36" bust

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

Bestway 'Novel Stitch Jumper' - No.915More Details

YARN: Sirdar Super Shetland 3-ply
NEEDLES: 1 pair each Nos.8 & 12


Price: £4.99
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Polo Mode Hats' - No.A2578

Bestway 'Polo Mode Hats' - No.A2578

A great 1940s pattern for a polo mode hat which you can knit in different lengths, wool and finishes for a range of great looking hats.

Condition: Medium (couple of cellotaped tears)

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

Bestway 'Polo Mode Hats' - No.A2578More Details

YARN: 3-ply or Angora
NEEDLES: 1 pair No.9


Price: £3.99
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Pullover' - No.1379

Bestway 'Pullover' - No.1379

Excellent example of a WWII sleeveless pullover 'for the Girl in the Services' - great image too.

Condition: Good

Size: a tiny 32" bust

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

Bestway 'Pullover' - No.1379More Details

YARN: 6oz Lister's Lavenda 4-ply
NEEDLES: 1 pair each Nos. 10 & 12


Price: £4.99
P&P: £1.00

This product has sold out.

Bestway 'Shetland Lace Twin Set' - No.A2549

Bestway 'Shetland Lace Twin Set' - No.A2549

A gorgeously lacy 1950s twin set 'knitted in a traditional Shetland lace pattern', with closer patterns on the yoke. A picture of Shetland's wool capital Lerwick lies in the background of the cover picture.

Condition: Good

Size: 36-38" bust

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

Bestway 'Shetland Lace Twin Set' - No.A2549More Details

YARN: Penelope's WB Melody 2-ply
NEEDLES: 1 pair each Nos. 11 & 13


Price: £4.99
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Shirt Jumper' - No.1731

Bestway 'Shirt Jumper' - No.1731

Gorgeous 1940s shirt jumper with fair isle fronts an epaulettes.

Condition: Good

Size: 34" bust

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

Bestway 'Shirt Jumper' - No.1731More Details

YARN: Sirdar Super Shetland 3-ply
NEEDLES: 1 pair each Nos. 10 & 12
EXTRA: 4 linen buttons


Price: £4.99
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Sleeveless Slipover & Bolero' - No.1254

Bestway 'Sleeveless Slipover & Bolero' - No.1254

A classic 1940s duo - sleeveless slip-over and bolero.

Condition: Good

Size: 34" bust

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

Bestway 'Sleeveless Slipover & Bolero' - No.1254More Details

Yarn:
Slipover: 4oz per item of Emu Unshrinkable 3-ply Botany

Needles: 1 pair each Nos. 9, 10 & 12


Price: £3.70
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Stocking Stitch Twin Sets' - No.K120

Bestway 'Stocking Stitch Twin Sets' - No.K120

Four lovely late 1940s/early 1950s twin sets in this 26-page booklet.

Condition: Medium (spine torn at top and bottom, middle insert is loose)

Sizes: 34-36, 36-38, 38-40" bust

 

Price: £4.99
P&P: £1.00

This product has sold out.

Bestway 'Stockings' - No.846

Bestway 'Stockings' - No.846

A great pair of WWII era 1940s stockings.

Condition: Good

Size: 27/28/29" long, 9/9.5/10" foot length

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

Bestway 'Stockings' - No.846More Details

YARN: 6oz Patons Beehive Fingering 3-ply
NEEDLES: 1 set of 4 No.13 dpns


Price: £4.99
P&P: £0.00

Bestway 'Tea Cosies' - No.B2502

Bestway 'Tea Cosies' - No.B2502

Great 1940s tea cosies to crochet and knit.

Condition: Medium (spine slightly split, a bit scuffed)

Price: £3.99
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Three Knitted Bags' - No.939

Bestway 'Three Knitted Bags' - No.939

Three rather cool 1940s handbags: a striped bag, envelope bag and satchel, all easily knitted.

Condition: Good

 

Price: £5.99
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Three Tea-Cosies' - No.1213

Bestway 'Three Tea-Cosies' - No.1213

3 lovely 1940s tea-cosies, 'tea-cosy with crochet flowers', 'the forget-me-not tea cosy' and 'the michaelmas daisy tea cosy'.

Condition: Good

Price: £4.50
P&P: £0.00

This product has sold out.

Bestway 'Twin Set' - No.A2029

Bestway 'Twin Set' - No.A2029

An elegant, simple 1940s twin set, designed by the ubiquitous Ena.

Condition: Good

Size: 34-36" bust

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

Bestway 'Twin Set' - No.A2029More Details

YARN: 10oz Lister's Lavenda 2-ply
NEEDLES: 1 pair each Nos. 10 & 12
EXTRAS: 5 buttons, 3 press studs


Price: £3.70
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Two Caps' - No.2344

Bestway 'Two Caps' - No.2344

What a sweet couple of late 1940s/early 1950s caps - one knitted, one crocheted ('to fit the average sized head').

Condition: Good

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

Bestway 'Two Caps' - No.2344More Details

Yarn: 3 skeins Strutt's Candlewick Cotton or 2.5oz DK / 3 skeins Strutts Candlewick or 2.5oz DK
Needles: 1 pair No.5 and a No.5 crochet hook
Extras: ribbon (for crochet cap)


Price: £3.70
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Two Dolman Jumpers' - No.2074

Bestway 'Two Dolman Jumpers' - No.2074

Two simple, subtly detailed 1940s jumpers with dolman sleeves. 

Jumper 1: the neck is trimmed with a double cord of twisted wool.
Jumper 2: has borders and a front panel of ribbing.

Condition: Medium (couple of slight horizontal creases, a bit scuffed)

Sizes: 32"/34" bust

See More Details below for yarn and needles

Bestway 'Two Dolman Jumpers' - No.2074More Details

YARN: 7-8oz Sirdar Majestic 3-ply
NEEDLES: Jumper 1: Nos.10-12 / Jumper 2: No.13
EXTRAS: Jumper 1: 4" zip / Jumper 2: 4 buttons


Price: £3.99
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Two Knitted Skirts' - No.1142

Bestway 'Two Knitted Skirts' - No.1142

1940s pattern for two skirts - one ribbed, one gored (fake pleats).

Condition: Good

Size: 28" waist, 40" hips

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

Bestway 'Two Knitted Skirts' - No.1142More Details

YARN: 9oz of Femina Botany Fingering 3-ply
NEEDLES: 1 pair each Nos. 10, 11 & 12
EXTRAS: bias binding, hooks, eyes & press studs


Price: £4.99
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Two Pairs of Gloves'

Bestway 'Two Pairs of Gloves'

Pretty & practical 1940s pattern for 2 pairs of gloves.

Condition: Fair (vertical crease, old cellotape repair to spine and bottom of vertical crease)

Size: One Size

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

Bestway 'Two Pairs of Gloves'More Details

YARN: 2oz Paatons Super or Beehive Scotch Fingering 3-ply
NEEDLES: No.13
EXTRAS: odd lengths of gaily coloured wool for the embroidery on the dark gloves


Price: £3.00
P&P: £1.00

Bestway 'Willow Pattern Jumper' - No.1633

Bestway 'Willow Pattern Jumper' - No.1633

A unique 1940s pattern for a fair isle jumper in an inspired Chinese willow pattern, with box pleat sleeve tops and buttons along the shoulders to the neck.

Condition: Medium (horizontal crease)

Size: 34" bust

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

Bestway 'Willow Pattern Jumper' - No.1633More Details

YARN: Sirdar Majestic 3-ply
NEEDLES: 1 pair each Nos.9 & 12
EXTRAS: 6 small buttons


Price: £4.99
P&P: £1.00

This product has sold out.

Bestway 'Zigzag Stripes' Jumper - No.829

Bestway 'Zigzag Stripes' Jumper - No.829

A striking 1940s jumper in zigzag stripes of two colours, the original knitted in brown and gold.

Condition: Good

Size: 34-36" bust

See More Details below for yarn and needles ...

Bestway 'Zigzag Stripes' Jumper - No.829More Details

YARN: Copley's 3-ply Excelsior
NEEDLES: 1 pair each Nos. 9 & 12
EXRAS: 3 tiny buttons


Price: £4.99
P&P: £1.00