Figure 1.--This English boy had is portrait taken in a knit suit, presumably one made by mother or granny. The portrait was taken in Ashington, probably in the 1910s or eraly 20s. As with many of these suits, nitice the solid color and lack of any pattern. Image courtesy of the MD collection.

We note many differet styles, especially with the collars. Many hand knitted suits did not havde collars and were simple pullovers. Collars added a level of complication to the knittng that was beyond the skills of some mothers. This the knit suits without collars or only simple collars are likely knitted at home. We have also seen these seen these suits with complicated collars. Some were collars similar to modern knit shirts. Other had buttons at the shoulders rather like some tunic or smock styles, like the outfit worn by the boy here (figure 1). This was a popular style as it made a little easier to dress the younger boy. Some early knit suits had styling details like belts as can be seen here. This us another style associated with tunic suits. in the early 19th century. There is obviously no purpose for the bely here. We note that older boys as late as the 1930s were sometimes wearing their belts over their sweaters.

Image

This English boy had is portrait taken in a knit suit, presumably one made by mother or granny. The portrait was taken in Ashington, probably in the 1910s or early 20s. As with many of these suits, nitice the solid color and lack of any pattern. The boy looks to be about 4 perhaps 5 years old. He has a short hair cut with the hair carefully combed. He wears button strap shoes and white 3/4 length socks. A HBC reader believes that it is a pre-Woeld War I image. HBC would not take issue with that, but notes that many pre-War styles endured after the War into the early 20s. The use of the belt is particularly interesting here.

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Created: January 29, 2003
Last updated: January 30, 2003