Vintage Punchcard Patterns

          Not  long ago I began collecting antique knitting machine magazines for inspiration. They have proved to be a wonderful source of patterning and knit silhouettes. These designs come from "Lavori Di Maglieria,"  an Italian industrial knitting machine publication which seems to have been in print  from the 1930's to the mid 1960's. However, there are also publications such as "Revue Du Tricot" and "Tricotuese." 

          Since all of the text is Italian, all I can tell you (with my limited understanding of the text) is that many of these patterns were punchcard patterns for Dubied Jacquard industrial machines ("Tipo Mut"). Punchcard Jacquard machines were the precursor to todays massive computerized machines. Punchcards could control both the shaping on a garment as well as graphic patterning depending on the machine.

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Each pattern has a reference number with technical info for colour changes, and the development of texture through tuck and slip. Similar books can be found in domestic knitting machine publications however I feel really attracted to the Art Deco-esque patterns.

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I left the surrounding text on the following images for interest. Aren't these textures beautiful?

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These are distinctly Art Deco, I have a whole series of these which conjure early cinema, urban city scapes and Modernity.

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More simple yet charming patterns...

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