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December Pattern: The Homefront Jumper!

UPDATE Dec. 2 - I revised the PDFs to include the construction method in the title so you can keep better track of which version you're working from! There was also a small errata I fixed in the left side button placket: 

Last direction should read: repeat rows 3 & 4 once more, not repeat rows 3 & 4 two times. Sorry I didn't catch that! 


Happy December, students! 

I am SO excited to bring you this month's pattern: The Homefront Jumper! This is the first original pattern at Squid School, dreamed up entirely by yours truly. Homefront is a classic 1940s lightweight knit blouse that is designed to allow you to be creative and fashion the vintage jumper of your dreams. Looking at the photos, it may seem as if these are three different patterns. Here's the fun: they are all the same blouse! This, my friends, is the pattern that launched me into making Squid's School of Vintage Knitting. This is the blouse template that I have used for years to create the bulk of my vintage knit wardrobe. I am oh so thrilled to finally be able to share it with you. 

Below you will find two renderings of the patterns to choose from: a seamed version, and a seamless version. If you want, you can even use both! My preferred way to make this blouse is to work the body seamless, and the sleeves flat. Feel free to mix and match! There is also an Additional Calculations page attached. These simple equations will be needed in order to make your neck opening, and to determine the number of stitches at your shoulder.

Note that both patterns will require you to set in the sleeves, so there will be some seaming involved. I know that this is a particularly intimidating part of vintage patterns, so I will be putting out a video later this month for all tiers to supplement the written instructions in the pattern. 

Not only will there be additional help with setting in sleeves, but I am hosting the first ever Squid School KAL! Over the next three months, I will be checking in with you all every few weeks with videos walking you through different parts of the pattern, words of encouragement, and sharing inspiration on how to personalize your jumper. More information about the KAL will be available soon. :) 

I knit three versions of Homefront to give you an idea of how versatile the pattern is!

Version One - The Blank Canvas:

Seamless body, seamed sleeves

Knit in Fiber Optic Yarns Kashmir, shown in “Kelly” colorway.

Knit to pattern with1x1 ribbing, and including pocket flaps

Version Two -  Sassy Stripes:

Seamless

Knit in Queen City Yarn Berry Hill, shown in colorways “Cardinal” (MC) and “Tobacco” (CC).

Body of jumper is knit with a four row MC, two row CC pattern; sleeves are knit with stripe sequence four times, then knit in MC. Ribbing is 2x2.

The yardage for this jumper was approximately 4/5ths MC, 1/5th CC.

Version Three - Color-block Bombshell:

Seamed

Knit in Catskills Merino fingering, shown in colorways “Blue Bleu” (dark blue) and “Celadon” (light blue)

Body of jumper is knit with the first color until 10 rows after underarm bind off. Color two is worked for the remainder of the body, and all the sleeves. Ribbing is 1x1.

The yardage for this jumper was approximately 3/5ths first color, 2/5ths second color.


Film & Television Suggestions:

This list is particularly long and mostly older films-- I was going to edit it down but then thought, “wait a minute, I make the rules!!” So you get all of them. Enjoy!

Home Fires Season 1 & 2 [again… sorry not sorry] (2015-2016)

To Be or Not To Be (1942)

Tender Comrade (1943)

Invisible Warriors* (2021)  

Millions Like Us (1943)

Mrs. Miniver (1942)

Casablanca (1942)

* this is a very new documentary and is not yet widely available. There are currently screening events (some virtual, some in person) happening at museums and colleges. I have linked the website, which has the trailer and upcoming events. Hopefully it will be available to a wider audience in the near future!


Be sure to fill out a new copy of your Body Measurements Chart and make a gauge swatch before you get started! 

I can't wait to cast on with you all. <3 

xoxo

Sydney


December Pattern: The Homefront Jumper! December Pattern: The Homefront Jumper! December Pattern: The Homefront Jumper! December Pattern: The Homefront Jumper! December Pattern: The Homefront Jumper! December Pattern: The Homefront Jumper! December Pattern: The Homefront Jumper! December Pattern: The Homefront Jumper! December Pattern: The Homefront Jumper!

Comments

I bought the Scheepjes Catona yarn. I am working on the gauge. the yarn is cotton, I am not sure if it is a good choice for the jumper, it feels quite hard... or is it because I used only woolen yarn the last months? this will be my third sweater

Hi Laia! You certainly could make a DK version of the Homefront, though keep in mind that you will need to make some adjustments for the row gauge. The neckhole opening and button placket are both written for a fingering weight gauge (9 rows = 1"), so you may have to slightly adjust those areas. If you're comfortable doing that, then I say go for it! I don't have a DK weight version of the jumper...... yet ;)

I absolutely love this and I am knitting a sweater right now, but I can manage and knit the waistband for the KAL...I guess? Also, I wanted to ask you if you have knitted a DK version of this sweater? Being as it is based on gauge, could I make a swatch in DK and use that as my starting point? I am not too sure if it would work. Thanks!

Laia Garcia Sanchez

Very excited! I nearly joined last month but truly I'm a sweater knitter at heart so joined as soon as I saw this lovely pattern. Really appreciate your esthetic

I’m swatching now, gift knitting, who needs it! 😜

Welcome! :)

It's not actually! It's a vintage hat I've have for a while that just so happened to match perfectly. But a matching knitted hat sounds like a great idea!!

I’m so excited about this sweater! I have the perfect yarn in my stash. I just have to finish the scarecrow vest and Christmas knitting first.

Hi! My knitting got very tight when I was pregnant with my daughter. I'd been knitting for years with usually spot on guage! I went up in needle size for all the knits at the time. That seemed to do the trick. Eventually, I got back on track with the tension. I find it does ease the more one knits!

I'm so excited to join your school! When I met you at Rhinebeck back in October, I hadn't joined yet. I'm over the moon to be able to join now and I can't wait to knit this sassy top!

I love this! I really want to take up knitting again. I stopped because I am a tight knitter and every project didn't fit well. It's there anyone who has tips to learn how to knit more loose? Thanks!

BTW.... I can't tell from the tiny pictures on my phone, but is your green hat knitted as well? I might just have to make a matching hat! :-)

This is really exciting because I have a secret button stash! I think I'm going to make the version with the little button plackets so I can use some buttons from my stash! I think I have some vintage buttons that will work nicely. Well done Sydney!

Thanks for the kind words, Nadja-- I'm so glad you joined! Welcome! :)

Thanks so much Pooja! Yes, the puff should be just fine for a long sleeve version as well! Are you thinking more of a fitted sleeve, or a loose bishop-like sleeve? As for thicker yarn-- Because there are portions of the pattern that heavily rely on the row gauge being correct, it only means that there would be quite a few adjustments on your end for the sleeve &amp; armhole areas. If you feel comfortable doing that, then go for it! I would recommend not going any larger than a DK weight, though. The construction for this garment lends itself better to a light / medium weight yarn so it has a bit of drape to it. I hope this helps! :)

Thank you so much! I usually wear a camisole or slip underneath, but nothing that specifically protects the armpit/underarm area. Nearly all my blouses are made from wool, which wicks the sweat away from your body and regulates the body temperature, so my jumpers don't usually retain too much moisture. However, over time, the underarm area will tend to gently felt on my jumpers from the slight moisture + friction, and when this happens I end up washing them more frequently. If you want to avoid this, you could make some underarm shields! I *think* sultry vintage (@sultryvintage on IG) made some a few months ago and has some posts / story highlights about the process. I am going to make a note about this in my journal so I can talk about washing / longevity / etc. in the last KAL post. Thanks for bringing up this great question, Holly! :)

Sounds like a wonderful evening!

I saw in your stories!! It is the most perfect red!

Thanks so much, Lucy. &lt;3 I will admit that this was quite a knitting marathon even for me! But happy that I made it past the finish line :)

It sure is! :)

Thank you so much Rory! :)

I believe in you!!

I was on the edge of joining your Patreon, because I think you are awesome and I would like to support you. But I was a bit short on money. But this pattern sealed the deal for me. Thanks a lot, it is so beautiful.

This is everything that I was looking for to make my vision of a sweater to reality! Thanks Sydney!!I am a big fan of the vintage puff sleeves. Do you think the puff will hold if I make the sleeves long? also, what do you think about using a thicker yarn and adjusting the gauge for it?

I am beyond excited about this knit and it's just what I was hoping from this patreon, thank you Sydney. Just need to finish my vest first and then dream up what I want to do for my three versions 😍😍

This is absolutely fantastic!! I want to make every version!!! And here I just bought the yarn for my Scarecrow vest! 😂 Thank you for all your hard work in putting this together!! 💗💗

Oh wow! This is a truly fabulous pattern - I'm so thrilled to be able to support the work you're doing (and hopefully eventually knit some of these projects - time has been short lately). Pretty sure this is the perfect vintage sweater! Now I'm trying to decide if a short-sleeved version could work, as there is not a lot of time for sweaters in Florida. But those puffed sleeves are to die for!

First of all, wow just wow these are gorgeous! Question for when one wears them, do you wear any under layers to protect the garment from sweat (I’m thinking armpits) to reduce the amount of washing?

I can't decide which one to do and what color yarn to use! Oh the struggle is real!

Wow!!! Love it!!!

I can't wait to try this out!

Laura Heck

I'm so excited about this one! I'm going to dig through my stash tonight with Home Fires on the TV.

Ahhh, I am soooo excited about this pattern! I've always admired your gorgeous collection of sweaters. I'm going to cast on my very first item for myself since having kids! thank you so much, Sidney!

All right, I have already cast on my swatch! I have a RED cashmere I want to use, though it might be closer to lace than fingering... it'll be an adventure!

Wow, Sydney, you weren't kidding when you said December would be a big one! And you knit THREE versions. Holy crap. In yarn clearly more than 20st to 4inches / 5st to 1inch. I believe you when you say you were born to knit, and knit 4-6 hours a day. So much work. I truly believe you are delivering a quality service here. Thank you!

Lucy McCahon

So happy, this is what I was hoping for! I tried to knitt a jumper earlier but it came out to big so now I just need to frog that one so I can start on this!

I LOVE this! I’ve loved everything so far but this is what I had in mind when I decided to be a Patreon. Garments that fit beautifully and well, puffy sleeves!

Laia Garcia Sanchez

Staaaahhhhhp. I love this so much!!!

Wow wow wow! Jumped out of bed this morning when I saw your pictures in my inbox. I'm just about done with my current WIP so I'm going to spend the evening picking out yarn for the KAL. This is a gorgeous pattern and I can't wait to have a closet full of the different variations!

Oh my gosh! That is soooo cute. New cast on... Yeayh!

I just pulled four sq for this... so excited for these!

Y'all, I'm CRYING. Your kind comments mean so much to me!! Wow wow wow-- I'M the lucky one to have patrons like you! x

I am so sad!!! I got invested and then it was just over and I wasn't emotionally prepared for that. Even my partner got pulled in!

I don't think I'll be able to start until the new year (with exams coming up and flying home for Christmas, since I'm worried about taking knitting needles on the plane, I'm only flying with crochet), but I cannot wait to cast this on! I can't decide what variation to make, they're all so gorgeous!

Yes!!!! (Although...is anyone else miffed that home fires got cancelled after the 2nd season?? It left us with a cliffhanger and now we'll never know what happened)

Wonderful pattern; love the pocket details ❤️

Ria V

This is the pattern of my dreams! It's definitely going to the top of my non-holiday knit queue and I have at least two SQ yarns in mind for this. Ahhhh thank you so much!

You have absolutely outdone yourself! I am so ridiculously happy to be a patron of yours! I can't wait to cast on once Christmas knitting is done.

Ashley T

So exciting!!

okay, all existing knitting plans cancelled, this is IT.

Such a great pattern. &lt;3 Perhaps I have to change my plans for december a bit. *lol*

Nicole Zander

I wanted one of these so much! 🎉

This is beautiful 😍

OH MY GOD

Oh my goodness Sydney! Thank you so much for sharing this with us 💕 I can’t wait to get through my knitmas list and have a stash sort/shopping spree, and a KAL sounds very exciting!

Wow this is gorgeous and the perfect base for some fair isle yoke patterns!

I actually have yarn for this??? I was going to knit a second of a cap sleeve blouse but i wasn't loving it, this is way better. Plus i already have a big swatch! Also frogging and restarting is no net change to my WIPs lol

Knitbelove

This is so stunning! I've eyed off this blouse on many of your posts over the years. So excited to make my own version!

Elselynn Leighton

This is such a perfectly iconic pattern! It looks like it might The Sweater Pattern I’ve been searching for for years and I can’t wait to start knitting 🧶 I appreciate the work you’re doing here so, so, so much

I literally gasped, this is beautiful and I can’t wait to make it. I guess it’s really time to buckle down and do my measurements 😅

I love it, off to find/buy yarn!


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