This book is a sample book of the various types, thicknesses and colours of hand knitting yarn produced by the Villawood Textile Company under the trade name of 'Villawool' in c.1963. The illustration on the front cover was produced by a designer / design firm called 'Saxton'.Front cover of a book of Villawool knitting yarn samples produced by the Villawood Textile Company, c.1963.THE / FashioN / iN / kNiTTiNG / Villawool SAXTONhandicrafts knitting, villawood textile company, handicrafts, knitting

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 American Vogue in 1955 and contains knitting patterns for womens garments.VOGUE KNITTING / BOOK / Fall and Winter 1955 / Over 60 / New Designs / Introducing a new / Easy-to-Knit / Section / 50 Centsknitting fashion, vogue - america, knitting, 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 American Vogue and contains knitting patterns for womens garments and mens jumpers.VOGUE / KNITTING / FALL-WINTER 1961 / 50c / 50 FASHIONS / FOR YOU / TO KNIT / new shapes / new textures / new colours / THE LITHE LOOK / IN KNITTED DRESSES / BOUTIQUE / OF SWEATERS / FOR MENknitting fashion, vogue - america, knitting, 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 in 1958 and was part of a twice yearly sereies. It contains knitting patterns for mens and womens garments.VOGUE KNITTING / BOOK / Make this a / KNITTED / summer / Instructions inside / No. 52 PRICE 3'10knitting fashion, vogue - english, knitting, 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 in 1959 and contains knitting patterns for mens and womens garments.Vogue Knitting Book / For all / occasions / .. jackets / .. ski sweaters / .. bedjackets / Sizes 30-44 / Instructions inside / No. 55 Price 2'6knitting fashion, vogue - english, knitting, 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 patterns for men, women and childrens garments.Vogue / knitting / BOOK No. 61 / For you .. / For men .. / For children .. / All you need / to knit now / Instructions inside / 2'6knitting fashion, vogue - english, knitting, 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 patterns for womens garments.VOGUE / Knitting / Book / no. 65 / Over 28 / new designs / suits / sweaters / dressesknitting fashion, vogue - english, knitting, 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 patterns for mens, womens and childrens garments.VOGUE / Easy / Knits / No 2 / Quick / knitting / for the / family / 2'6knitting fashion, vogue - english, knitting, 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 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

One of a collection of 56 knitting pattern books donated by Mrs Hilma Carruthers. These books had been used by Mrs Carruthers, her mother and her two daughters. This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains knitting patterns for children.Knitting book, 20pp. Cover depicts a young girl wearing a knitted twin set holding a paint brush. Contains patterns and some photos.Patons / KNITTING BOOK / NO. 244 / 7d. / "ANNA" / See page 9handicrafts - history knitting, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting, fashion, style, knitwear, wool

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. Cotton is a common material for knitwear worn in the warmer months, as it is very breathable and absorbs moisture easily. While we mostly associate knitwear with keeping us warm in the cold, the market for Australian knitwear would be very limited without options to wear all year round. 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.Royal blue double breasted cardigan 'Reefer Jacket' with short sleeves in a textured rib stitch with six chrome metal buttons in two rows down centre front. Style 319/J .2 is sample tag with manufacturing information, including sizes and colours available.1) [white label at back neck with blue stitching] KATHRYN REGD. CREATED BY ALL COTTON / 24 / ROBERT BLAKE .2) [sample label] [OBVERSE] STYLE: 319/J – Reefer Jacket – Combed Cot. SIZE: 22” 24” 26” 28” 30” 32” PRICE: 20/- 21/- 22/6 24/- 26/- 27/6 COLOR: NAVY ONLY. [REVERSE] KATHRYN Garments are • PRE-SHRUNK • STANDARD MEASUREMENTS • FIT EXACTLY • LAUNDER PERFECTLY Designed and Manufactured by ROBERT BLAKE, MELBOURNEknitwear, children's knitwear, clothing, children's clothing, cardigan, manufacturing, fashion textile production, machine knitting, fashion cotton

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

Knitting pattern book with colour pages and black and white printed text. Contains 13 patterns for knitwear.front: [printed] Cleckheaton / Myth front: [handwritten] 3.95knitting, pattern, fashion, knitwear, cleckheaton

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 wearing a black and white striped jumper with a fountain in the background.front: [printed] PRICE / 3d. / ALBANY / Knitting / Two Colour Sweater / ALBANY 4-PLY FINGERING / Bust 32 36 40 inches / Main Colour 14 16 18 ozs. / Contrast Colour 3 3 3 ozs.knitting, 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 two children wearing grey, yellow and purple knitwear, one child is using a yo-yo.front: [printed] ALBANY / KNITTING WOOLS / Girl's Sweater and Windcheater / ALBANY SCOTCH KNIT / CHEST .... 24 26 28 30 ins. / SWEATER ... 10 11 13 15 ozs. / WINDCHEATER . 10 11 13 15 ozs. / PRICE 3d.knitting, 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

Four page paper fold out brochure with colour photograph on the front and printed black text on other pages. Image shows a woman wearing an orange cardigan with black gloves and black headwear.front: [printed] Albany / PRICE 3d. / JACKET in 2 LENGTHS / ALBANY 4-PLY FINGERING / Bust 32-40 inches Hip Length 19-21 ounces. / Waist Length 17-19 ounces / ALBANY / designed by / V O G U Eknitting, pattern, fashion, knitwear, albany woollen mills

Four page knitting pattern booklet featuring black and white printed graphics and text. The colour cover shows a woman, man and child wearing matching knitted jumpers.front: [printed] L794 / VillaWOOL / Superwash / Slalom / KNITTED IN / 12 PLY / SIZES: 61 to 106 cm / (24 to 42 in.) / PRICE / CODE / B / PURE NEW WOOL / A Superwash / Design / Machine Washableknitting, pattern, fashion, knitwear, women, villawool

Four page knitting pattern booklet featuring black and white printed graphics and text. The colour cover shows a woman wearing a knitted jumper, with a man on an exercise bike in the background.front: [printed] 898 / PRICE / CODE / C / VillaWOOL Belvedere / Kwiknit / Designknitting, pattern, fashion, knitwear, women, villawool

Twenty page knitting pattern book featuring black and white printed graphics and text. The colour cover shows a woman wearing a white dress and knitted red cardigan.front: [printed] Lincoln / BOOK 749 / MODEL NO. L2062 / See Page 5 / 1'0knitting, pattern, fashion, knitwear, women

Four page knitting pattern booklet featuring black and white printed graphics and text. The colour cover shows two women wearing pink and white knitwear, in a garden setting.front: [printed] 923 / PRICE / CODE / C / VillaWOOL Machinewash 5 plyknitting, pattern, fashion, knitwear, women, villawool

Fifty page knitting pattern book featuring black and white printed graphics and text. The black and white cover shows a woman wearing a knitted top.knitting, pattern, fashion, knitwear, women

Twelve page knitting pattern book featuring black and white printed graphics and text. The colour cover shows four inset images each of a child wearing knitwear.front: [printed] VillaWOOL / 12785 / PRICE / CODE / F / MADE IN AUSTRALIA / 8ply Machinewash / Tasman 8ply Brushed / Derwent 8ply / Tasman 8plyknitting, pattern, fashion, knitwear, women, villawool