The theme of this collection of knitting patterns by Minerva from 1936 is gloriously Tyrolean. Two of the patterns from ‘Minerva Styles the Future’ were featured – probably for the first time – in an article of 19 July 1936 in The New York Times, ‘High Style Knitting’, by Virginia Pope. One of the two patterns is the Edelweiss Jacket, and the article describes the designs as follows:

Lanz of Salburg is the author of the two sweaters shown here, or rather of their prototypes, for these were produced in this country. They are typical of the enchanting things worn in the Tyrol, with their snug collar bands and their attractive buttons. The patterns in typically gay peasant color schemes are embroidered after the knitting is complete.

The Minerva pattern does not credit Josef Lanz, a popular Austrian clothing designer from Salzburg who was shortly to emigrate to America. He founded an immensely popular brand in New York and later California, patronized by Marlene Dietrich and other glittering stars. The Edelweiss Jacket is possibly one of the first Tyrolean patterns made accessible to all knitters in America, if not further afield.

Materials

• 6 (7) × 50 g balls cream
• 1 (2) × 50 g balls green
• 1 × 50 g ball of red
• Oddments of black, yellow and blue 4 ply wool (for embroidery)
• 1 pair 3 mm/11 needles
• 1 pair 3.25 mm/10 (3.75 mm/9) knitting needles
• 1 × 3 mm crochet hook
• 8 buttons (9 if including an additional one at the top of the neck – though if sourcing original vintage buttons this can be an awkward number to find!)
• Piece of stiff card 5 cm/2” wide for making the tassels (the short side of a plastic credit card is perfect)