This book was owned by the late Dr Elizabeth Kerr and was donated to the Museum by the executor of her estate, Margaret Cameron. It was published by English Vogue and contains knitting and crochet patterns for womens garments.VOGUE / KNITTING / No 67 / VOGUE'S / GUIDE TO / WHAT COUNTS / NOW / OVER 25 / GREAT NEW / DESIGNS / TO KNIT / TO CROCHET / 2'6knitting crochet fashion, vogue - english, knitting, crochet, fashion

This book was owned by the late Dr Elizabeth Kerr and was donated to the Museum by the executor of her estate, Margaret Cameron. It was published by English Vogue and contains knitting and crochet patterns for womens garments.VOGUE KNITTING / No. 68 / 27 / GREAT NEW LOOKS / TO KNIT AND CROCHET / FOR SPRING AND SUMMER / 2'6knitting crochet fashion, vogue - english, knitting, crochet, fashion

This book was owned by the late Dr Elizabeth Kerr and was donated to the Museum by the executor of her estate, Margaret Cameron. It was produced by English Vogue and contains knitting and crochet patterns for womens garments.VOGUE / KNITTING / NEW ISSUE No. 1 / 3/- / 28 / NEW / DESIGNS / INCLUDING / 4 / SUPER / SHETLANDS / 3 / SPRING / DRESSES / 5 / SUMMER / EVENING / LOOKS / 11 / SUITS & / SWEATERSknitting crochet fashion, vogue - english, knitting, crochet, fashion

This book was owned by the late Dr Elizabeth Kerr and was donated to the Museum by the executor of her estate, Margaret Cameron. It was produced by English Vogue and contains knitting and crochet patterns for womens garments.VOGUE KNITTING / No. THREE / 3/- / THE KNITTED / LIFE IN / AUTUMN / FASHION / DRESSES WITH EASE / AND ELEGANCE / FOR ALL AGES / SIMPLE LINES IN / TOWN AND / COUNTRY / SWEATERS / COAT-DRESSES / AND COATSknitting crochet fashion, vogue - english, knitting, crochet, fashion

This book was owned by the late Dr Elizabeth Kerr and was donated to the Museum by the executor of her estate, Margaret Cameron. It was produced by English Vogue and contains knitting and crochet patterns for womens garments.VOGUE KNITTING / SPRING/SUMMER 1968 No. 4. / 3/- / LOOK / PRETTY / IN SPRING / KNITTING / 4 PATTERNS / EASY FOR / BEGINNERS / NEW / LINES IN / SEPARATES / SPECIAL / SPEED / KNITTING / FEATUREknitting crochet fashion, vogue - english, knitting, crochet, fashion

This book and a number of others like it were owned by the mother and aunts of the donor, Mrs Dorothy Boyle. They were prolific producers of hand knitted and hand made items of clothing and also knitted and sewed for the armed forces during the Second World War. This book is one of five issues of "Madame Weigel's Journal of Fashion" owned by Mrs Boyle's family.Fashion and craft magazine, paper cover printed in green and black with four drawings of jumpers/jackets and gloves being modelled. Contents include patterns for sewn, knitted and crocheted clothes, articles re: cooking, gardening, fashion and general interest, and a loose pattern in four pieces made from tissue paper.Registered at the General Post Office Melbourne, for transmission by post as a Newspaper. / 4D / Published / Monthly. / MADAME / WEIGEL'S / JOURNAL OF FASHION / A Delightful Home Journal / Vol. LVII, No. 681. / NOV. 2, 1936. / TINY JACKET, IN KNITTING. /knitting handicrafts - history crochet fashion, madame weigel pty ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history, crochet, fashion

This book and a number of others like it were owned by the mother and aunts of the donor, Mrs Dorothy Boyle. They were prolific producers of hand knitted and hand made items of clothing and also knitted and sewed for the armed forces during the Second World War. This book is a monthly journal of fashion, craft and general interest published by Madame Weigel's Pty Ltd.Registered at the General Post Office Melbourne, for transmission by post as a Newspaper. / 4D / Published / Monthly. / MADAME / WEIGEL'S / JOURNAL OF FASHION / A Delightful Home Journal / Vol. LVII., No. 682. / DEC. 1, 1936. / 57th. Year of Publication.knitting handicrafts - history crochet fashion, madame weigel pty ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history, crochet, fashion

This book and a number of others like it were owned by the mother and aunts of the donor, Mrs Dorothy Boyle. They were prolific producers of hand knitted and hand made items of clothing and also knitted and sewed for the armed forces during the Second World War. This book is a monthly journal of fashion and patterns produced by Madame Weigel's Pty Ltd in Melbourne.Registered at the General Post Office Melbourne, for transmission by post as a Newspaper. / 4D / Published / Monthly. / MADAME / WEIGEL'S / JOURNAL OF FASHION / A Delightful Home Journal / Vol. LVII., No. 683. / JAN. 1, 1937. / 57th Year of Publication. /knitting handicrafts - history crochet fashion, madame weigel pty ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history, crochet, fashion

This book and a number of others like it were owned by the mother and aunts of the donor, Mrs Dorothy Boyle. They were prolific producers of hand knitted and hand made items of clothing and also knitted and sewed for the armed forces during the Second World War. This book is a journal of fashion and general interest that was produced monthly by Madame Weigel's Pty Ltd.Registered at the General Post Office Melbourne, for transmission by post as a Newspaper. / 4D / Published / Monthly. / MADAME / WEIGEL'S / JOURNAL OF FASHION / A Delightful Home Journal / Vol. LVII., No. 684. / FEB. 1, 1937. / Free / Pattern / GIRL'S / Mknitting handicrafts - history crochet fashion, madame weigel pty ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history, crochet, fashion

Gladys Reed was a member of the Ormond Choral Society c 1950. who performed plays and musicals the City of Moorabbin and she used these patterns to make clothes etc.for her family and the Choral Society. Madame Weigel who migrated to Melbourne in1877 with her husband Oscar; began publishing in 1878 and distributed paper patterns of the latest fashions, throughout Australia and New Zealand, She and Oscar became the first commercial manufacturers of paper patterns in Australasia, and to publish Weigel's Journal of Fashion (1880-1915) and Madame Weigel's Journal of Fashion (1915-1950). Madame Weigel had an enormous following of women who used her patterns across the generations, and across the life cycle from babies to 'matrons'. Madame Weigel died in 1940 aged 92 years. Finally, after 91 years of business and millions of patterns sold, Madame Weigel's paper pattern business closed in 1969.Gladys Reed was a member of the Ormond Choral Society c 1950. who performed plays and musicals in the City of Moorabbin and used these patterns for clothes etc for members of her family and the Choral Society. Madame Weigel was one of the most remarkable of early Australasian business women.A black and white booklet of 37 pages with advertisements, sketches, articles, photographs, knitting,crochet and tapestry instructions, dressmaking patterns and recipes. Volume LV111 pages 122 - 159 completeFront Cover ; Registered at the General Post Office Melbourne for transmission by post as a Newspaper / 4d / Published Monthly / MADAME / WEIGEL'S / JOURNAL OF FASHION / Vol LV111 No. 688 / A Delightful Home Journal / JUNE 1, 1937 / 58th YEAR OF PUBLICATION / Illustrated at Right - / Crocheted Cushion of / Unusual Design./popular Bed-Jacket. / ( Daisy Wheel Design) /Illustrated at Left - FREE Pattern ; / Lady's Costume Coat. / 34 Inches Bust Meas. Back Cover : Advertisement for Bushells Blue Label Tea / Printed and Published by Geo. Humphries for Madame Weigel Pty Ltd , Lennox and Rowena Sts., Richmond. Vic.haberdashery, cotton, lace, pillow cases, sheets, clothing, dressmaking, needlework, market gardens, dairy farms, lacework, craftwork, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, moorabbin, cheltenham,reed gladys, clark judy

Victorian and Edwardian ladies adorned their hats with various bird feathers. Although living conditions in Moorabbin Shire c1910, were basic families still held onto their traditional English and European customs and took pride in presenting elements of refined society. Gladys Reed was a member of the Ormond Choral Society c 1950. who performed plays and musicals the City of Moorabbin and she was skilled in craftwork, hand knitting, crochet and dressmaking. Her garments were used by her family and the Ormond Choral Society C1910 Women in Moorabbin Shire followed the fashion from Europe and made their own clothes and accessories using their dressmaking, craftwork and design skills 8 x feathers of various sizes and colours for adorning a Lady's hat c 1910 a) Blue & b) White Ostrich, c) Black Cockerel, d) Black Emu Feathers. e) Brown stripped Coque Diamond Tail f) Pink dyed ostrich, g) Black duck, h) black fur clothing, millinery, hat feathers, haberdashery, crochet, doilies, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork , bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire,reed gladys, clark judy, dairy farms, fruit orchards, footwear, shoes, buckles, clothing, silver, pewter, brass, victorian fashion, edwardian fashion, mckinnon, moorabbin, cheltenham, wedding dresses, evening wear,

Needlework Illustrated is issue 196 and cost 1/-. it was published quarterly. Australian Home Journal is the May 1963 issue. Women’s magazines just after WWII played a “reflecting role,” including topics of readers’ interests as well as containing news items. Women’s employment rate had grown during WWII. However, even though the number of women working outside the home grew rapidly most of them were still engaged entirely in homemaking. Therefore women’s magazines centered mostly home crafts. Articles as well as advertisements presented information on keeping the family healthy with guidelines for thrifty shopping and advice on how to look good through it all. Patterns and instructions were provided for women to create home articles and clothing. The main sources for kntting and needlework designs available to women were in journals, magazines and pattern books. Embroidery was an affordable way to personalise and add aesthetic value to domestic linen and examples of embroidered and crocheted pieces could be found in most Australian homes. These are examples of women's magazines. They give practical advice on needlework / knitting and evidences the widespread interest in contemporary fashion. In doing so it shows what were the fashionable, but broadly affordable, women's and children's clothing styles of their day. These magazines also reflect women's interests --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Two magazines. 3097.1 contains patterns, instructions, advertisements and photographs. It has a coloured cover - a pink background, black print an drawings of a woman wearing a top embroidered with roses and examples of needlework. 3097.2 contains patterns, advertisements, correspondence, and stories. It has a coloured cover with a photograph of a woman wearing a knitted jumper and three sewing patterns.magazine- needlework-illustrated magazine-australian-home-journal

This book and a number of others like it were owned by the mother and aunts of the donor, Mrs Dorothy Boyle. They were prolific producers of hand knitted and hand made items of clothing and also knitted and sewed for the armed forces during the Second World War. This book was produced by Madame Weigel Pty Ltd contains patterns for tea cosies and egg cosies and other small knitted and crocheted novelties.SERIES No. 1. / COSIES / AFGHANS / Cushions / Wool / Novelties / Price / 6 1/2d. / MADAME WEIGEL / Pty. / Ltd. / FASHION DESIGNERS AND PUBLISHERSS / PAPER PATTERN MANUFACTURERS / 229-233 LENNOX ST. RICHMOND, VICknitting handicrafts - history crochet, madame weigel pty ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history, crochet

This book and a number of others like it were owned by the mother and aunts of the donor, Mrs Dorothy Boyle. They were prolific producers of hand knitted and hand made items of clothing and also knitted and sewed for the armed forces during the Second World War. This book is a monthly journal of fashion published by Madame Weigel's Pty Ltd.Registered at the General Post Office Melbourne, for transmission by post as a Newspaper. / 4D / Published / Monthly. / MADAME / WEIGEL'S / JOURNAL OF FASHION / A Delightful Home Journal / Vol. LVIII., No. 686. / APRIL 1, 1937. / Illustrated at Right:- /knitting handicrafts - history fashion crochet, madame weigel pty ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history, fashion, crochet

Four page paper fold out brochure with colour photograph on the front and printed black text on other pages. Image shows a woman wearing a pink short sleeved jumper with a cat on her lap.front: [printed] PRICE / 3d. / ALBANY / Knitting / Albanella Crochet / BUST 32-36 inches / 4-5 ozsknitting, pattern, fashion, knitwear, albany woollen mills

Four page paper fold out brochure with colour photograph on the front and printed black text on other pages. Image shows a woman seated in a garden setting wearing a blue cardigan.front: [printed] Albany / PRICE 3d. / SISTER SET / ALBANELLA CROCHET / Bust 32-40 inches. Jumper 9-11 ounces / Cardigan 13-15 ounces / ALBANY / designed by / V O G U Eknitting, pattern, fashion, knitwear, albany woollen mills

Kathryn Knitwear, founded by Robert Blake, manufactured high quality children’s knitwear in Melbourne from the 1940s – 1980s. Robert Blake began manufacturing children’s knitwear in his bedroom in Strathmore using a hand powered machine in the late 1940s. The operation moved to Ascot Vale and Essendon, before eventually establishing a factory in Moonee Ponds in the early 1950s. The business continued to expand, necessitating a move to a new factory in Broadmeadows. By 1962, the Broadmeadows factory was producing an average of 20,000 garments per month, which increased to 24,000 by 1964. Robert Blake’s Son, Brendan recalls that “The Kathryn brand was famous around Australia, anywhere children needed to keep warm and dress smartly. It also won a number of wool fashion awards”, including the 1969 Wool Awards, which was held by the Australian Wool Bureau and published in Women’s Weekly. The Kathryn range was designed for durability, comfort and care, without sacrificing style. They used patterning techniques that increase stretchiness, comfort and fit, as well as integrating decorative elements into the fabric to prevent them from being bulky, uncomfortable or tight. Making longevity of style a priority, Brendan Blake remembers that “there was one particular garment that was in the range for at least thirty years”. He also recalls “In the past, when women have found out that I was associated with Kathryn Knitwear, they would often relate to me the story of a garment they had purchased or received as a gift and, when their child had grown out of it, they would hand it on to another child. Several ladies have told me of purchasing garments for their daughters’ glory box, or saving a particular garment after their daughter had grown out of it. Brendan Blake: “At the peak of their operation they employed approximately two hundred people, mainly women and girls. A family would often seek to send their daughter to work in this company because they knew they would be looked after and safe. One lady wrote to me telling me that working at the Moonee Ponds Factory prior to getting married was the happiest time of her life.” In 1963, workers at the Kathryn factory earned £13 per week, which was 8 shillings and 8 pence higher than the minimum weekly wage for female workers in the textile manufacturing industry (£12 11s 4d). By 1970, the Kathryn Knitwear brand expanded from children’s knitwear into womenswear under the brand name ‘Lady Kathryn’, and for boys and men under ‘Robert Blake’. Continuing to diversify their distribution, they also began exporting ‘Kathryn’ garments to New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and Japan. The decoration on this garment was embroidered by hand by a skilled worker at the Kathryn Knitwear factory. ‘Kathryn Knitwear’ was well-known for their early adoption of modern materials and techniques that had broad appeal to their customer base. This is shown in their early use of the acrylic fibre ‘Orlon’ in the 50s and 60s and ‘Superwash’ wool in the 1970s. Many of Kathryn Knitwear’s styles, particularly those that were long running staples of the brand, were available in both wool and Orlon to suit the consumer’s preference. Wool has been renowned for its excellent properties for thousands of years, by people from all over the world. Not only good for thick winter woollens, it can help keep you cool in summer, as well as being durable and resistant to water, fire, ultraviolet light, stains and odour. Far from the humble origins of one man in his bedroom with a hand-cranked machine; at its closure in 1980, the Broadmeadows factory of ‘Kathryn’ housed more than 100 machines, including 53 sewing machines and 45 knitting machines. Robert Blake was “a passionate advocate for wool and Australian Made” throughout his whole life. A strong thread that ties through the lifespan of Robert Blake and Kathryn Knitwear is a balance between adopting new innovations without sacrificing the core values of durability, comfort, care and style that had made the brand so well known. Their legacy forms an integral part of both Australian social and manufacturing history.Red cardigan embroidered with decorative tuck stitches and floral motifs on front panel, crochet around collar in blue, white and green. Closes at centre front with 5 plastic buttons[Label at back neck with blue lettering woven into label] KATHRYN REGD ALL WOOL / 20 /CREATED BY ROBERT BLAKEchildren's knitwear, knitwear, children's clothing, clothing, cardigan, manufacturing, fashion textile production, machine knitting, embroidery, hand embroidery, floral embroidery, floral motif, tuck stitch

Fifty four page magazine featuring black and cream printed graphics and text. The colour cover shows a woman and child both dressed in matching knitted jumpers.front: [printed] MAY 12, 1965 / 1'. / New Idea / The USELESS SEX / The year's most / talked about book / 8 / ADORABLE / COLLARS / TO CROCHET / MOTHER-DAUGHTER / COVER GIRL / SWEATERS TO KNIT / Instructions inside / Registered in Australia for trans- / mission by post as a newspaper. front: [handwritten] Abbsknitting, pattern, fashion, knitwear, children, women, new idea

Thirty two page knitting pattern book featuring black and white printed graphics and text. The colour cover shows a man, woman and girl wearing knitted clothing.front: [printed] Vol. 4 / Embassy / Knitting Magazine / Patterns for the family in knitting and crochet. / Embassy / Knitting yarn exclusive to COLESknitting, pattern, fashion, knitwear, women

Twenty page colour knitting pattern book. The cover shows a woman and girl on a roller coaster, one is wearing a pink knitted jumper, the other a crochet pink vest.front: [printed] HOW TO KNIT AND CROCHET / Patons / Book C.25 / 45cfashion, design, knitwear, home made, wool, pattern book, patons

Twenty page knitting pattern book featuring black and white text and images. The colour cover shows a woman leaning on a chair and holding a stick, wearing a crochet top and silk skirt.front: [printed] Patons / charm / BOOK No. 756 / COMING FASHIONS / Knit and crochet a dress, / top and bonnet - an / evening blouse (or beach / cover-up) - a cable- / trimmed jumper - and / three collar and cuffs sets. / 2'6 / 25 CENTSfashion, design, knitwear, home made, wool, pattern book, patons

Kathryn Knitwear, founded by Robert Blake, manufactured high quality children’s knitwear in Melbourne from the 1940s – 1980s. Robert Blake began manufacturing children’s knitwear in his bedroom in Strathmore using a hand powered machine in the late 1940s. The operation moved to Ascot Vale and Essendon, before eventually establishing a factory in Moonee Ponds in the early 1950s. The business continued to expand, necessitating a move to a new factory in Broadmeadows. By 1962, the Broadmeadows factory was producing an average of 20,000 garments per month, which increased to 24,000 by 1964. Robert Blake’s Son, Brendan recalls that “The Kathryn brand was famous around Australia, anywhere children needed to keep warm and dress smartly. It also won a number of wool fashion awards”, including the 1969 Wool Awards, which was held by the Australian Wool Bureau and published in Women’s Weekly. The Kathryn range was designed for durability, comfort and care, without sacrificing style. They used patterning techniques that increase stretchiness, comfort and fit, as well as integrating decorative elements into the fabric to prevent them from being bulky, uncomfortable or tight. Making longevity of style a priority, Brendan Blake remembers that “there was one particular garment that was in the range for at least thirty years”. He also recalls “In the past, when women have found out that I was associated with Kathryn Knitwear, they would often relate to me the story of a garment they had purchased or received as a gift and, when their child had grown out of it, they would hand it on to another child. Several ladies have told me of purchasing garments for their daughters’ glory box, or saving a particular garment after their daughter had grown out of it. Brendan Blake: “At the peak of their operation they employed approximately two hundred people, mainly women and girls. A family would often seek to send their daughter to work in this company because they knew they would be looked after and safe. One lady wrote to me telling me that working at the Moonee Ponds Factory prior to getting married was the happiest time of her life.” In 1963, workers at the Kathryn factory earned £13 per week, which was 8 shillings and 8 pence higher than the minimum weekly wage for female workers in the textile manufacturing industry (£12 11s 4d). By 1970, the Kathryn Knitwear brand expanded from children’s knitwear into womenswear under the brand name ‘Lady Kathryn’, and for boys and men under ‘Robert Blake’. Continuing to diversify their distribution, they also began exporting ‘Kathryn’ garments to New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and Japan. ‘Kathryn Knitwear’ was well-known for their early adoption of modern materials and techniques that had broad appeal to their customer base. This is shown in their early use of the acrylic fibre ‘Orlon’ in the 50s and 60s and ‘Superwash’ wool in the 1970s. Many of Kathryn Knitwear’s styles, particularly those that were long running staples of the brand, were available in both wool and Orlon to suit the consumer’s preference. Wool has been renowned for its excellent properties for thousands of years, by people from all over the world. Not only good for thick winter woollens, it can help keep you cool in summer, as well as being durable and resistant to water, fire, ultraviolet light, stains and odour. Far from the humble origins of one man in his bedroom with a hand-cranked machine; at its closure in 1980, the Broadmeadows factory of ‘Kathryn’ housed more than 100 machines, including 53 sewing machines and 45 knitting machines. Robert Blake was “a passionate advocate for wool and Australian Made” throughout his whole life. A strong thread that ties through the lifespan of Robert Blake and Kathryn Knitwear is a balance between adopting new innovations without sacrificing the core values of durability, comfort, care and style that had made the brand so well known. Their legacy forms an integral part of both Australian social and manufacturing history.Red children's wool jumper with green and white geometric tartan/plaid pattern on front. Has long sleeves with ribbed cuffs and ribbed crew neck and closes with four red plastic buttons at back neck. Coloured pattern is worked in lines on top of finished fabric in surface crochet in pattern of green, white, green[white label at back neck with blue stitching] ALL WOOLknitwear, clothing, children's clothing, jumper, manufacturing, fashion textile production, machine knitting

Kathryn Knitwear, founded by Robert Blake, manufactured high quality children’s knitwear in Melbourne from the 1940s – 1980s. Robert Blake began manufacturing children’s knitwear in his bedroom in Strathmore using a hand powered machine in the late 1940s. The operation moved to Ascot Vale and Essendon, before eventually establishing a factory in Moonee Ponds in the early 1950s. The business continued to expand, necessitating a move to a new factory in Broadmeadows. By 1962, the Broadmeadows factory was producing an average of 20,000 garments per month, which increased to 24,000 by 1964. Robert Blake’s Son, Brendan recalls that “The Kathryn brand was famous around Australia, anywhere children needed to keep warm and dress smartly. It also won a number of wool fashion awards”, including the 1969 Wool Awards, which was held by the Australian Wool Bureau and published in Women’s Weekly. The Kathryn range was designed for durability, comfort and care, without sacrificing style. They used patterning techniques that increase stretchiness, comfort and fit, as well as integrating decorative elements into the fabric to prevent them from being bulky, uncomfortable or tight. Making longevity of style a priority, Brendan Blake remembers that “there was one particular garment that was in the range for at least thirty years”. He also recalls “In the past, when women have found out that I was associated with Kathryn Knitwear, they would often relate to me the story of a garment they had purchased or received as a gift and, when their child had grown out of it, they would hand it on to another child. Several ladies have told me of purchasing garments for their daughters’ glory box, or saving a particular garment after their daughter had grown out of it. Brendan Blake: “At the peak of their operation they employed approximately two hundred people, mainly women and girls. A family would often seek to send their daughter to work in this company because they knew they would be looked after and safe. One lady wrote to me telling me that working at the Moonee Ponds Factory prior to getting married was the happiest time of her life.” In 1963, workers at the Kathryn factory earned £13 per week, which was 8 shillings and 8 pence higher than the minimum weekly wage for female workers in the textile manufacturing industry (£12 11s 4d). By 1970, the Kathryn Knitwear brand expanded from children’s knitwear into womenswear under the brand name ‘Lady Kathryn’, and for boys and men under ‘Robert Blake’. Continuing to diversify their distribution, they also began exporting ‘Kathryn’ garments to New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and Japan. The decoration on this garment was embroidered by hand by a skilled worker at the Kathryn Knitwear factory. ‘Kathryn Knitwear’ was well-known for their early adoption of modern materials and techniques that had broad appeal to their customer base. This is shown in their early use of the acrylic fibre ‘Orlon’ in the 50s and 60s and ‘Superwash’ wool in the 1970s. Many of Kathryn Knitwear’s styles, particularly those that were long running staples of the brand, were available in both wool and Orlon to suit the consumer’s preference. Wool has been renowned for its excellent properties for thousands of years, by people from all over the world. Not only good for thick winter woollens, it can help keep you cool in summer, as well as being durable and resistant to water, fire, ultraviolet light, stains and odour. Far from the humble origins of one man in his bedroom with a hand-cranked machine; at its closure in 1980, the Broadmeadows factory of ‘Kathryn’ housed more than 100 machines, including 53 sewing machines and 45 knitting machines. Robert Blake was “a passionate advocate for wool and Australian Made” throughout his whole life. A strong thread that ties through the lifespan of Robert Blake and Kathryn Knitwear is a balance between adopting new innovations without sacrificing the core values of durability, comfort, care and style that had made the brand so well known. Their legacy forms an integral part of both Australian social and manufacturing history.Grey children’s cardigan with embroidered flowers and human figures in folk costume, and crocheted design around neck in green, yellow and red. Left panel has embroidered figure of man with blue lederhosen and yellow shirt, black shoes and hat, hat has red accent. Right front panel depicts woman wearing red skirt with white stripe, white shirt, and green headscarf with black stockings and shoes. Flowers are embroidered in pink, white and blue with green and yellow accents for stems and flower centres. Cardigan closes in front with five marbled grey plastic buttons[Label at back neck with blue lettering woven into label] KATHRYN REGD / 22 ALL WOOL CREATED BY ROBERT BLAKEchildren's knitwear, knitwear, clothing, children's clothing, cardigan, manufacturing, fashion textile production, machine knitting, embroidery, embroiderer, folk art, folk embroidery

Sixteen page booklet with printed text, photographs and illustrations in both colour and black and white. Image depicted on the front shows two adults and two children seated in a home environment crocheting. front: [printed] WR / Guide to successful homemaking / Volume 2 / CROCHET MADE EASYfashion, women, magazine, knitting, crochet, home life

Sixteen page black and white knitting pattern book featuring men’s jumpers and vests. Book contains black and white photographs and printed text. Front cover shows a man wearing a knitted jumper and shorts holding a tennis racquet. front: [printed] Sun-glo / Knitting Book / DESIGN No. / 3845 / PAGE 5 / Series 121 / 7 ½ d [handwritten] H Lambas?fashion, women, magazine, knitting, crochet, home life, patterns

Sixteen page black and white pattern book featuring designs for slippers. Book contains black and white photographs and printed text. Front cover shows two pairs of feet with slippers. front: [printed] 9 D. / BESTWAY / BOOK / No 110 / 10 / DESIGNS / FOR / SLIPPERS / In Knitting, / Crochet, / Felt, etc:fashion, women, knitting, crochet, home life, patterns

Sixteen page black and white pattern book featuring designs for slippers. Book contains black and white photographs and printed text. Front cover shows four pairs of children’s shoes. front: [printed] BESTWAY / BOOK / No 109 / 9 D. / SLIPPERS / for / CHILDREN / Age 2-8 Years / 11 / Designs in / Knitting, / Crochet, / Felt, etc.fashion, women, knitting, crochet, home life, patterns

Twenty page black and white pattern book featuring designs for gloves, stockings and socks. Book contains black and white photographs and printed text. Front cover shows a colour image of a woman seated on the floor wearing a long jacket, stockings and knitted socks, gloves and scarf. front: [printed] Gloves Stockings / and Socks / BY Stitchcraft / 8 D. fashion, women, knitting, crochet, home life, patterns

Eighteen page black and white pattern book with colour front and back cover. Book contains black and white photographs and printed text. Front cover shows a colour image knitted items, a chicken tea cosy, knitted dolls outfit, and two crocheted textile items. front: [printed] FUN TO MAKE AND FUN TO GIVE / CROCHET AND KNITWEAR / Novelties / No 31 / 9 d. / A “NEW IDEA” PRODUCTIONfashion, women, knitting, crochet, home life, patterns

Sixteen page black and white pattern book with designs for hats, bags, gloves and blouses. Book contains black and white photographs and printed text. Front cover shows images of women wearing various knitted items. front: [printed] BOOK 67 / HATS, BAGS, GLOVES and BLOUSES / CROCHET AND KNITTED / Paragon / KNITTING BOOK / PRICE 1’3fashion, women, knitting, crochet, home life, patterns