Le weekend

Good stuff happened this weekend, including this..

Ken Law print from 60s of Hampsted High Street via H is for Home. Our new favourite bit of wall candy.

Squidgy yarn, tiny little going-to-take-ages-to-knit yarn, and tortoise fabric. If I was a tortoise, I would join this tortoise gang. For real.

Happy feet, and quilted work in progress. Already getting use even though it's not finished. A good sign!

Four special words: snack in a den!

Seamless

The last 3 projects I've knitted have all been seamless.

And that my friends, may be the smuggest sounding sentence I've ever written! Of course, I mean seamless in the without-seams sense, rather than the "oh it went so terribly well" sense.

It all started with the experimental socks that I knitted for my brother - it was a last minute Christmas present dash, so no pics, but he tells me they stay up and do the things socks are supposed to, so that's good. I was pretty certain that of everyone I know, my brother is the most likely to be pleased by an experimental sock.

Then came this cardi for Esther. The pattern is the Seren Seamless cardigan from Katy Ferrall aka Ceradka. It was a super quick knit and had enough going on with thte yoke to keep things interseting. I used a cotton yarn which I think was probably a mistake as it's a bit more "hangy" that I'd like - especially the front hem. And the button bands are not my best work ever, but it looks nice on and whiled away a good few episodes of Masters of Sex.   It's also (I have just noticed) in Made by Loulabelle corporate colours. Good stuff.

The current seamless knit is a tank-top for Freya. Seamless it seems, is the way to go!

Hello stranger!

Oops, where did those last two months go? Well, while these hands have not been so busy typing, they have certainly been busy stitching. Inbetween enjoying the sunshine and not enjoying some flooded house shenanigans, I've been working on a wonderful order of knitting and crochet needle rolls for two rather wonderful ladies.

I'm not sure how much I'm allowed to say at the moment, so shall stop there, and switch to the medium of photo-visual delight....

 

Turban-tastic!

The turban: the grand-dame of headwear. Oh yes.

After reciving a lovely hank of Fibrespates Scrumptious 4ply in Dandelion & Burdock, I had to choose a project worthy of it's luminous deliciousness. Legwarmers, cowl and wristwarmers were all considered but put asunder as soon as I came across the DROPS designs Edith Piaf hat.  Super simple to knit, but brilliantly effective, this pattern uses double strands so the finished had is luxuriantly warm and weighty.

I've been wearing it non-stop... just need a 70s kaftan and the lounging lady look will be complete!

60s fashion knits

After the intimidating lady knits of the late 50s, let's head over to the 60s for a look at Patons Fashion Knits no 13. This is much more in my comfort zone - both in terms of style (safely back in a world of clashing colours and funky tights) and knitting ability. It's double knit and aran a go go from here on (phew!)

First up we banish the trauma of the 50s 2 ply lace dress with this infinitely more realistic version knitted in chunky yarn. Still likely to reveal every single biscuit you ever ate, but at least you could knit it within a year and it looks great in a sketch.

I love these his and hers apres-ski sweaters. Not sure I'd be able to convince Mr Loulaballe to adopt the Roger-Moore-at-play look but I'm definitely up for going solo with the lady version.

This red snow cape ticks all the boxes for me - cosy, all-enveloping and the perfect way to create an air of mystery (you could do all sorts under there - read a book, wash the dishes, strum a small guitar).  Okay, so I know this is very wrong, but I am also strangely drawn to the "attractive brushed helmet". It would give my children nightmares, but snug in my helmet of wooly check, the fearful pleas to "take the scary hat off, mummy" would be nicely muffled.

Unfortunatley, here is where Patons Fashion Knits starts to get the better of me. The stockings and pillar box hat are definite yes for style, but how do you keep a hat like that on your head, and as much as I love the green and olive stockings, I fear my attention span would reduce them to ankle socks.

Finally, I had to share this housecoat and long johns combo. The pattern says it all really:  "slightly crazy, but very chic... makes an amusing outfit for a winter evening at home". hmmm...

Knitting for Ladies

Last week I got my knitty little hands on another batch of vintage patterns - it's been a while since our last vintage knit post, so I reckon it's time for another review of the highs and curious lows of knitting moments from the past. I say moments, but some of these beauties would take me years to create!

First up is the Vogue Knitting Book No 52 published around 1958 - so a bit earlier than my favoured vintage era. These knits are much more for the "lady" and perhaps that's one reason why I find them beautiful but unnerving. The other reason is they are clearly aimed at the highly committed knitter. We're enticed to "Make this a Knitted Summer" and in view of our current climate, that still seems like a pretty good idea. But, on the downside, these patterns don't leave much time for beach trips, barbecues or ball games.

 Take for example, this beautiful minimalist two piece dress designed for "off-duty fun". Gorgeous yes, but knitted on the skinniest of needles (imperial size 11/metric size 3), that veneer of whimsical serenity on the models face is actually the vacant glaze acquired from many many many hours of teeny tiny stocking stitch.

Next we have the Late Day Dress - again, beautiful but that my friends, is a lace dress hand knitted in 2ply wool. We can be pretty sure that the butler finished that one off while Madam did some leaning against the summer house pillars (leaning against outdoor structures was big in 1958 it seems).

There are some more achievable styles - for example the striped cardigan blouse - described as "easy to live in" - probably because its knitted in 4 ply so might actually get finished. I think we all agree that "bracelet length sleeves" are much more glamorous than your bog standard 3/4 length.

 The rose cardigan is very pretty but I know my roses would look like blobs of blancmange.

This double breasted jacket blouse is a bit more accomplishable, and "pastels are knitting headlines in the Continent " you know, but I'm despeartely missing the chunky vibrant shades of the 60s and 70s.

 The most achievable pattern - and the one I might actually attempt is this garter stitch dolman pullover with roll collar.  In fact, it's going on The List, so who knows, one day I might actually be able to show you a finished version (although there will be no smoking on speed boats for me I fear!).

Well, enough of the land of ladies, next up is the 60s for some Patons projects that, while still ambitious are at least using double knit wool... stay tuned!

warm weather knits!

The weather has been so glorious this past week that it seems a bit strange to be thinking about keeping warm, but I've been saving this post for a while now, so thought it was time to share the latest in my Baby Number 2 knitwear preparation.

I really enjoyed knitting this blanket - it uses a chunky yarn so grew quickly, and the pattern is different for every other row so although the finished blanket is pretty large, it doesn't get too repetitive. The pattern was the Baby Chalice Blanket by Karen S. Lauger  (aka Lykkefanten), available as a free download via Ravelry.  As you can see, I went BRIGHT on the colour front - maybe a bit to much, but at least it won't get lost at playgroup!

These leg warmers were really easy to knit using the easy Baby Frog Legs pattern from Ruthie Pearl  The pictures in her post are so cute, I can't wait to have a baby to model them! I'm trying to convince myself that they are a practical knit for Spring as they should hopefully work well with a vest and baby knickers combo. This was my first introduction to the magic-loop technique and I'm now a definite convert!

As we don't yet have a real baby to try them out on, Freya's baby (who goes by the imaginative name of "Baby") offered to do the honours...

Action Man Chic

This week my collection of vintage knitting patterns and buttons quadrupled in size, thanks to a wonderful legacy left by a colleague's aunt. I'm looking forward to sharing some highlights in the coming weeks, and thought I'd start off with a little taster taken from a Wendy's Dolls pattern book.

Here is Action Man, enjoying the simple pleasures of outdoor life in a handknitted aran sweater (is it wrong to find him strangely attractive? The beard is definitely working for me)

And here is Action Man, putting the action into the man with his steel stallion and some lethal judo moves

Bed Cape Triumph!

... now there's a collection of words I never thought I'd write.

The latest result of uber powerful nesting hormones is this shrug, intended to make impending night-time feeds feel warmer and more glamourous. Based on a 60s "Bed Cape" pattern (how wonderful to be in bed with a cape!) from the The Vintage Knitting Lady, I swapped the very basic garter stitch design to the diagonal lace effect from a snood pattern on the Mollie Makes blog.

This is the first thing I've knitted for myself that turned out as well as I'd hoped it would. Adding to the general sense of satisfaction, it only took a ball and a half of budget yarn, so was really cheap - easily under a fiver - and it uses size 9mm needles so was also quick to make. I think this will end up becoming my "In-and-Out-of-Bed Cape"!

More Nursery Knitting

The last of my currently completed baby knits is this apple green cabled cardigan - another pattern from King Cole's Nursery Knitting. So, who wants to see some more of the finest early 90s baby fashion?

There's a definite tendency towards pastel and wicker-based styling, but there are some great classic knits in there, including this page of booties and bonnets. I've had a go at the pink booties and the pom-pom slippers already, but the little pixie blue bonnet is definitely on my to-do list.

I've got a soft spot for this cable jumper, although the arms could be a little longer. The matinee jackets are sweet - especially the apricot one - but more suited to a girl, so I'll have to wait until Wingnut reveals his/her true identity before I get carried away.

Last, but certainly not least, there are also some more, shall we say, "interesting" numbers - such as this really rather special head-to-toe fair-isle outfit. Well, at least baby is pleased about it - yoo-hoo, here I am!

(ps - I'm secretly a little bit in love with these leggings!)

Cardigan treat for Freya

Lucky Freya’s lovely grandma send her a special present in the post last week with a little note suggesting that she ask Mummy to sew on some buttons. Mummy had a look in her button stash and found some cute vintage red flower buttons that went perfectly…

Knitting work in progress

I've taken the plunge with the most complicated knitting pattern I've attempted so far - not really sure now is the time for a challenge, but hey ho, the great thing about knitting is you can always unravel it and make a scarf!


The 3.5 centremeters pictured here is the product of four evenings - this may take a while! If it avoids the scarf fate and acheives its ultimate purpose, this frothy, minty green yarn will end up as a delicate, lacy, vintage inspired balloon sleeve top designed by Rowan... just don't hold your breath!

Vintage knits

Where have I been for the past fortnight?... well, in the meandering lanes of my little mind I have been skipping through the soft-focused meadows and European walled gardens of the mid seventies, resplendent in some rather marvellous and also terrifying knitwear.

I recently acquired two vintage knitting books and have to share some of their highlights and downright mystifying moments ...

First up is the Woolworth Knitting Magazine 1974 Issue 5 which offers "something for everyone whatever the weather", claiming that "no one has been neglected". It's true. I don't think I'll be knitting myself a bikini or bodysuit any time soon, but I'll know where to look if I change my mind.

I will however, be having a go at this scoop neck tank top:

Life is so much fun when you're drunk on ale and highly patterned knitwear.

Here are some ambitious crochet projects - I find myself strangely drawn to the button-up dress on the right (or maybe it's just the man proffering crisps that's doing it for me):

Anyone noticed the pink theme yet? Oh, there's much more...

Have you ever seen a man in salmon crochet look quite so manly and yet... thoughtful... hmmmm.

There are some very cute girl's patterns - the knitted dress on the left is on my to-do list. But, someone needs to undo her poor little friend's collar - she looks like she might keel over at any minute (must...have..air).

This is my favourite pattern - how gorgeous is this smock top?


Okay, are you ready for more? This time it's the Patons Fashion Knits 76 book. Patons wax a bit more lyrical than Woolworth. The fashion story for 1976 is the "straight-to-your-heart" look which involves straighter lines but with a "strong mood for romance." There is some mention of "flying sleeves" and "a sweetening of crochet lace". The soft focus is definitely out in force because apparently "a new gentleness is here, there and everywhere." Lovely. Again, there is a great mix of the 'yes-please' and the 'what-were-they-thinking'.


I think the jumper/hat combo on the front cover look great on the model, but fear it would make me look like a sack of potatoes.. is it worth the risk I wonder?

I love this whole brown and cream ensemble - this is the lady I've spent most time pretending to be - the perfect hair helps. And even though I think she is probably VERY hot in her wool dress and shawl, clutching her wool bag, and no doubt wearing matching wool underwear, I will one day create this dress and wear it.. I will.

This however, is a dress I will not be wearing - and not just because I haven't been proposed to yet. You just can't risk a crochet wedding dress with weather like ours - imagine getting rained on in that creation?

This picture troubles me. Yes, they look very much in love in their bobbly his'n'hers cardigans, but something in her expression makes me think this is the moment of realisation that they are actually stuck together like two strips of velcro.

And last, but oh, by no means least... I bring to you.... 'The Homespun Look':

There are no words.