Top Ten his and hers knits

Last night at midnight you would have found me rummaging through my pattern collection as an idea for a post had struck at a most inconvenient moment and I had to act on it right then to find out if it was going to work out. This led me to finding the relevant patterns in my collection and then setting up a temporary photo studio in the bathroom as it had the best light I could find at night! I knew I couldn't go to sleep until I had it all sorted out so I just cracked on with it!

For some reason, the idea of matching set knits, often known as his and her knits (though they could also be his and his or hers and hers) appeared in my head as quite a vintage thing. Especially a vintage outdoor activity thing. I was sure I had quite a few his and her matching knits and it got me wondering as to why the whole matching clothes thing was a thing? How did that come about? Did people actually knit and wear the matching sets? Would you? Do you have matching outdoors wear jumpers? Is it still a thing? I would say not, except for in an ironic way, or for a specific event but what made the change? I don't know the answers to this but if anyone does do share.

Let me present the Top Ten his and her knits in my pattern collection. My choices were made purely on liking the patterns and feeling that if I were to be in a matching knit mood any one of these could make it onto my needles.

If I was knitting this I would make the one the man is wearing for me. I like the chunkiness of the knit and the shawl collar design, as well as the motifs.

I do like a yoked jumper and I am yet to make one so these have definite appeal. I like the roll neck too.

If I was going to perch a heavy old typewriter on my knee and sit on an uncomfortable stool this is the jumper I would like to do it in. A lovely look for vintage casual inspiration.

I love this one, this is what I want to look like whilst walking my dog. The matching hat is an added bonus.

My other outdoor outfit of choice would feature this lumber jacket. I like the raglan sleeve and the cable detail surrounding the zip.

You can't beat a traditional Aran cardigan. I like the fit of this one, the longer length for casual cosiness and of course, the pockets.

I prefer his button up version to her zip up one and I like the contrast of the plain body with the ribbed sleeves. Please take a minute to notice that massive saw. This one ticks both the his and hers and the worrying props categories of my pattern collection.

This 1940's knit is very similar in style to the 1950's one above except for the shawl collar and the tighter, shorter fit. This one is a double pattern category entry (men smoking) too as the man has a pipe.

Not only do they have matching jumpers they have matching hats. Fabulous yokes and the pattern continue round above the cuffs and the bottom of the jumper. All good.

Karaoke and motif knitwear? Go on then. I like both designs.

Which would you choose?

Top Ten vintage Christmas gift wrap

As I have been busy wrapping presents for the last few days I thought that I would take a little break before finishing off to look back at the gift wrap I might have chosen if I went back in time. I'm quite drawn to highly illustrated, brightly coloured, slightly kitsch vintage gift wrap which sort of surprises me as in real life I am a brown paper and a nice piece of ribbon wrapper. Perhaps it is my alter ego coming out. You can find more vintage Christmas goodness on my Pinterest board The ghost of Christmas past and in this post.

In no particular order here are my Top Ten, all found on Pinterest:

1.

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Poodles wearing ribbons tying ribbons. What is not to like?!

2.

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Jolly snowmen in a variety of scarves and hats on a lovely coloured background.

3.

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Clever typography, a colour scheme with impact and beautiful illustration.

4.

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I had to include a reindeer and these ones have decorations swinging from their antlers.

5.

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Mid Century, atomic and a fabulous colour scheme.

6.

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Cute little colourful houses all lit up and glowing in the snow.

7.

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Unusual but lovely colour scheme and a real feeling of movement.

8.

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Snowflake ballerinas? Go on then.

9.

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Pine needles and snowflakes and pretty colours.

10.

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More poodles. I love their extreme curl coats and their turquoise noses.

Are you a kitsch or classy gift wrapper? Merry Christmas everyone.

Top Ten cases of vintage Resting Bitch Face

As I have mentioned before: here, here and here, I sometimes buy vintage knitting patterns for reasons other than wanting to make the featured garment. Some of the categories I also look for are: use of bonkers props, men smoking, odd backgrounds, scary children and the category that I want to share today - vintage Resting Bitch Face (RBF).

So, RBF is an unfortunate situation which occurs when someones ordinary face (at rest, not attempting an expression), is, well, bitchy looking. The person looks mean, angry, annoyed, irritated but that is not how they are feeling. It is just their face. Whilst RBF is a term that has only been used commonly in the last few years, this Top Ten shows that whilst the term may be newish, the look is pure vintage.

Enjoy!

Take a look at my book? Er, no.

Spare chair? Nope, can't see one.

Yep, the spit is still in her hair.

Me? Need customer service training?

Take me for a drink after? No way sunshine.

Just practising my death stare.

One little smile just for you? Creep.

Fashion modelling they said? I am so better than this.

I don't do cleaning.

This is my happy face.

Top Ten 1940's twinsets

Last week I got an opportunity to buy some 1930's, 1940's and 1950's Stitchcraft, Needlewoman and Needlework, and Needlework Illustrated magazines. I haven't finished looking through them all yet but already I have seen many amazing pieces of knitwear. I love a vintage woollie! I am considering making a twinset for myself so I was paying particular attention to those patterns in my initial flick through. I thought it might be fun to compile a Top Ten of 1940's twinsets. It is by no means comprehensive, it is just out of my latest batch of magazines.

So, in no particular order:

From 1949.

Just look at that lovely decorative pattern. I really like the way it is repeated just along the edge and the cuffs of the cardigan.

If you think it looks good in black and white - take a look at this:

Yes please!

From 1948.

I like the way the cardigan buttons up to the top which means that the lovely pattern on the jumper is a surprise until the cardigan is undone. I like the use of two tone too. Apparently this could have been knitted for seven coupons.

From 1940.

This twinset is entitled 'for the coldest months'. It looks so cosy and warm. The stitch pattern is very pretty and the model is so glamorous. I have hair envy!

It is good to see this one in colour on the front cover. I like his casual Western style.

Isn't it pretty how the stripes peep out at the neck?! Also, the cardigan looks quite plain on the front cover but here you can see that it has a pattern and has a band of ribbing at the waist for shaping. I really like it.

It would be fun knitting all those stripes.

From 1945.

It is just possible to make out that the rib on the jumper follows a kind of sweetheart neckline which is a fabulous little detail. I do like a nice ribbed cardigan. This is entitled 'a well fitting twinset' and I would agree!

From 1949.

This uses a gorgeous honeycomb stitch pattern and I really like the look of the little collar as it pokes out over the edge of the V neck.

This is the amazing bow covered jumper of the twinset.

This is it paired with a lovely green cardigan. I feel very sorry for the model as the garment's title is 'a twinset for a plump youngster'! How offencive is that?! So I had a look to see what size this monstrous plump youngster would be. Guess what? A 36 inch chest! Yes really. So I am plumper than the plump youngster which is good to know!

From 1940.

This one has such an interesting stitch pattern, ribs and squares and bobbles. I think the light jumper, dark cardigan pairing works very well.

From 1940.

I adore this one. Deep rib at the waist and neck, puffed sleeves and a fantastic pretty stitch. It is just glorious.

Apparently this is the 'latest thing in twinsets'. 'Make yourself this delightful bolero, then knit a jumper to match. An easy rib and two strands of wool make short work of the jumper, and crochet trimmings in the colours used for the bolero add the finishing touch.Worn by itself the bolero would be delightful over summer dresses; worked in the colour scheme shown if you are dark, and in pastels if you are fair.

The bolero is made from woollen material.

This shows the lovely details on the jumper.

So many good ones to choose from. If a wardrobe full of 1940's twinsets opened up in front of you now which one would you pick?