The discovery of a true original vintage knitted piece can only be surpassed by acquiring one made from a pattern which is already owned. To see someone’s choice back in time of colours, and their skills so beautifully applied for the realization of a familiar pattern, is time-travelling joy for all enthusiasts of vintage knitting. This original piece was lovingly made at least seventy years ago, and it has survived those years to reveal jewel-like colours, true to the pattern, as a perfect lesson in knitting and embroidery as it was then.

This lovely puff-sleeved jumper was originally knitted in white, with green edges. The sprays of flowers are embroidered in bright colours in simple stitches. The front fastening is invisible.

Here is an example of the ‘white’ background, which in our vocabulary is ‘natural’ or even ‘cream’, together with the tantalizing choice of that special vintage green which totally eludes us in our modern yarns, at least in the finer weights. That particular green, sometimes defined as ‘deco green’, is a core colour in the 1930s and 1940s knitting palette, but along with other shades of green so popular at that time, it does not appear in any selection of 4 ply readily available to the modern knitter, much to our regret.

Although called a ‘jumper’, the pattern suggests an invisible fastening along the front edges with concealed hooks and eyes. The original garment is without a fastening, as an edge-to-edge jacket or bolero. It has currently been left as found, but it is tempting to find some appropriate fastenings, such as dirndl hooks, to finish the look.

The basic knitting of this cardigan is very straightforward, with no complicated textures or shaping, and the main work is in the embroidery. The maker has used the colours specified in the pattern for the embroidery, which can be taken as a model for embellishing this or other designs from the Pattern Collection, in the knowledge of this being absolutely authentic in every way. It has been given its name here in honour of the popular Bing Crosby recording of Lilli Bolero in 1948.

Materials

• 6 × 50 g balls main colour (M) in cream
• 1 × 50 g ball contrast for edgings (C)
• Small amounts of wool for embroidery in lavender, red, yellow and green
• 1 × pair 2.75 mm/12 needles
• 1 × pair 3.25 mm/10 needles (or 3 mm/11 for smaller size)