Searching for 40’s or 50’s size chart conversion?

[abigailgrace]

Hello! I’m relatively new to crocheting and a friend of mine gave me some old but good patterns from her stash! There’s one in particular that I want to try but would like to understand the sizing. Only thing is it’s from 1948 specifically, not sure if that matters. If anyone has had luck finding a size chart for that time and for baby/children sizing please help!

 

[retro ruth]

Is it children's shoe sizes you are looking for? Or gloves? Or both? And USA sizes?

I think shoe sizes haven't changed as much as clothing sizes over the years, but hopefully someone else can confirm this.

I think it's safe to assume that 0 is for newborns.

 

[retro ruth]

Also if the pattern gives a gauge tension (stitches and rows per inch) you may be able to work out the measurements of the finished article from that.

I also knit and crochet sometimes from vintage patterns.

 

[The Old Leaf]

In sewing patterns for childrens clothes from the 1940s through today, not much has changed in size standards, unlike ladies clothes patterns which have changed sizing a number of times thru the decades.

In Simplicity patterns from the 1940s, a Size 1 is Chest 20 / Waist 19.5. This is close to today's standard for 12 Months. Likewise a Size 2 is Chest 21 / Waist 20, comparable to today's Size 2 or 24 Months.

Layette patterns for new babies from the 1940s, typically consisted of a christening gown, bonnet, bib and jacket, were sold as "One Size." So there usually wasn't a differentiation for Preemie, Newborn, 3 Months and 6 Months like there is today. That tells me, by 1940s standards, a Size 0 would have been the only option for any baby under 12 months. And I guess that since a baby isn't actually walking in the bootie at that age, one size was close enough.

Attached file shows size information from a 1940s Simplicity pattern for Children's sizes 1 to 6.

 

[AndrewBridges]

Is it children's shoe sizes you are looking at these results posted by viasil users for? Or gloves? Or both? And USA sizes?

I think shoe sizes haven't changed as much as clothing sizes over the years, but hopefully someone else can confirm this.

I think it's safe to assume that 0 is for newborns.

When I first started out on my vintage love I didn't even look at labels, ... Here's a sizing chart from the 1930s to give you an idea – all ... I found a nice graphic from the '40s about how to measure yourself, that ... Here's the earliest numeric chart I could find, and it's from 1971 and includes a handy conversion.