If you've watched my YouTube channel, you're likely familiar with my love of McCall's Needlework Magazines. Initially, this came about because this is where Virginia Woods Bellamy initially had her Number Knitting ideas and patterns featured. So I began tracking down the specific issues dealing with this.  Another history lover, Leigh from Something Under the Bed, has a massive online bibliography of thousands of crafting magazines, a project which she has been working on continuously since 2003. She even has an entire page dedicated to McCall's Needlework. It was from her website that I developed my initial list of issues which...

The Winged Blouse proved to be a challenge to fit, as the sweater shown on the model is not the same sweater that was  displayed flat. According to Virginia:  "To wear: Weight scarf points with carefully selected beads. Bring scarf to front and cross or tie for daytime wear. Throw back from shoulders for evening wear. Note: Unit 7 falls long on shoulders. Central point (on yarn, ending unit) should be weighted by matching bead, falling inside or outside blouse; or, if unit fits too loosely, draw neckline together on strand of yarn. The blouse photographed weighed exactly two ounces. Since less...

The Hampton Shirt is a sleeveless vest, easily adaptable to any size. In the original version of "Number Knitting," the vest was knit for and modeled by a. man. Because of this, the needle sizes are consistent throughout the pattern. According to Virginia:  "The adaptable pattern of this slip-on sweater for a man may be applied to a child 's shirt or woman's blouse, to an open cardigan, front-bordered and with sleeves, or open-necked slip-on, long or short sleeved." "One of the high points of delight in preparing this book on number knitting was the moment when I sat in Miss Frances Healey's drawing room watching her...

One of my good friends is a yarn dyer, whom I actually met through Etsy. We're bth avid knitters and she send me yarn to see what I'll make with it. Awhile back, she sent me two skeins of this lovely navy blue and light pink dip-dyed stellia yarn. After a few months of it sitting on my yarn shelf,I dedicated some time to figure out the best way to use it. You see, I like to have control over where my colors fall. I'm not a huge fan of random stripes. So I knew that to really showcase this yarn,...

The Rules of Number Knitting: Is it 4 or is it 8? This rare, out of print book can be purchased as an ebook here:    

Reading the Introduction of the 1952 modular knitting book: "Number Knitting: The New All Way Stretch Method"

The author discusses how far frustration with knitting led her to develop her own method of modular garter stitch knitting that was fun, cheaper, and more creative than simply following the strictly written patterns of her day.

One of the distinctive features of Number Knitting is the chain stitch outline that borders each stitch. This is accomplished by having a chain stitch selvedge, but the cast on method is, I feel, equally as important. There are various ways to accomplish this. The cast on method in the original version of "Number Knitting" is a knitted on cast on. But I feel that it needed a bit of improvement in order to get the perfect chain stitch edge. There are three different methods that I use to get this lovely chain stitch edge. Check out the videos below...

This scarf uses divided squares and center triangles. The calculator blow will maximize the size of the shawl while ensuring that you don't run out of yarn. It is a great use for mini skeins. Enter the following: The weight of your yarn for one of the colors Your gauge, and (after making a sample swatch) the grams per square inch of your sample.

This jacket is made from the top down. The cast on edge with its three points become the neckline and sleeve openings. The bind off edge with its two points become the waistline center back, and bottom points of the jacket. Enter your chest measurement and gauge below to calculate the number of stitches used in each panel.

  This glamorous evening blouse pattern original came only in a single size. Because the sizing up is done proportionally, people with a long and slim body type may want to lengthen the sweater by adding rectangles along the lower edges. Enter your chest measurement and gauge below to calculate your box number.