Timeless Tyrolean Knitwear
“Timeless Tyrolean Knitwear: Recreating the vintage style” by Linda Ivell (2022).
Figured I’d start the new iteration of this site off with a review of a new(er) knitting acquisition! It’s been a while!
One of the first knitting-related Instagram accounts I followed is knitting4victory. Run by Linda Ivell, the account focuses on re-creating vintage knitting patterns, often using the original yarn if still available. She also does commissions and occasionally sells patterns that she has adapted from the original vintage pattern to include more size options and consistent abbreviations. It was a pretty exciting day for me when she announced her first book about the style and patterns back in 2022.
Historical Tyrolean knitwear (named for the Alpine region of Tyrol) is characterized by densely patterned garments, often using cable patterns, colored edges and trims, and floral surface embroidery. Cardigans are usually cropped at the waist to show off the voluminous dirndl skirts.
“Timeless Tyrolean Knitwear” contains an informative section on the characteristics of vintage yarn, which is especially helpful if you are hoping to use vintage yarns or are looking to substitute them with a modern yarn, which is generally much easier to achieve. Personally, as much as I love the idea of knitting with vintage yarn, there is no way to tell what kind of enviroment the yarn has been stored in, and what kind of condition it might be in until you’ve invested time and effort in your project. While I prefer vintage items in many circumstances, like furniture, it’s modern yarn all the way for me! I would hate to be halfway through a cardigan and the yarn gives up on me, or for holes to develop before their time or for the whole thing to fall apart after a handwash.
One of the best parts of this book is the array of patterns that are directly inspired by vintage Tyrolean knits. The pattern introductions often include vintage photographs of the original knitwear that the pattern from which the pattern is derived. There are fourteen patterns in total, mostly cardigans which I adore! My only real quibble about this book is the lack of charts for the cable, and lace patterns. There are charts for color-work, but the instructions for the textured sections are written out line-by-line. I know that a substantial amount of knitters prefer written instructions, so this isn’t a legitimate flaw, just a personal thing for me! I am a huge fan of charts! I find them easier to follow than written instructions, and I find them more likely to be correct. There are plenty of detailed photographs of the textured sections, which does help to balance out the lack of charts. There are also no schematics included so you have to rely entirely on written instructions for assembly; choosing what size to knit; finished dimensions, etc. Having said that, as long as you are really good about following written instructions (and even if you have to follow along with your finger like I do), this book is a complete treat and I’m looking forward to my next vintage-inspired cardigan!
Looking forward to Ivell’s next book, as of this writing titled “Recreating Vintage 1940s Knitwear” this coming July!
