I thought today I’d share a couple of places that I enjoy visiting for free inspiration.

I’m a big fan of vintage, and I adore whiling away a bit of time browsing old patterns.  One of my favourite sources is the Antique Pattern Library, a vast resource of somebody’s patient scanning of (mostly American) knitting, crochet and crafting magazines from the 1800’s onwards.

Unlike today, where even the most complex of knitting books have a chapter on how to cast on (seriously, if you can’t cast on then you really shouldn’t be picking up one of  Nicky Epstein’s books just yet), these older beauties assume that you know the basics (and quite a lot of the advanced) and throw you straight in the deep end.

Of course you have to work out what might be meant by “a medium bone needle” and “2oz of German zephyr wool” but the patterns themselves are just such a rich vein of inspiration that it’s worth the struggle.

My favourite pattern to date is still the one for an Opera Cape, which instructs you to ‘Cast on as many stitches as required.  Knit until you have a cape.  Cast off”.  Each publisher had their own abbreviations and methods and really makes you appreciate the standardisation that came along in the 1940’s and 50’s that we take for granted today.

The crochet work is unbelievably skilful and involved – major pieces of undertaking given the lack of evening light, the fine threads and tiny hooks – but the finished edgings, piano skirts, collars and tablecloths are inspiring.  Look closely and you’ll find interesting shawls, coats, slippers and bags (although I am working hard on translating some of the shaping instructions for some of them!)

Vintage Purls has a lovely collection of 1940 and 1950’s knitting patterns

The Vintage Pattern Files is a lovely vintage pattern focused blog with knitting, crochet and sewing patterns, helpfully sorted into lots of different categories.

maybe one of these sites contains the inspiration for your next project?