2017 knitting wish list - 1960's-1970's

Clearly this year's knitting wish list is not nearly long enough so after going through my 1930's-1950's patterns I thought that I had better round things off and pull out my wish list from the 1960's and 1970's too. These are not always my preferred eras but I do find things that I would really like to knit from them. In particular, the 1960's knits have a good range of summer appropriate tops, something that I have discussed with another 1960's knits fan Crinoline Robot.

I really like the styling on this pattern before we even get to the knitwear and look at her glorious hair. This lovely little lacy top would be perfect for a summer's day.

We might as well look at all the lacy summer tops first. I haven't narrowed down my favourites yet which is why there are quite a few in the list. I like the way the lace carries on into the hem on these two.

This is called a harebell shell which sounds fabulous and I do like the harebell stitch pattern. The neckline is good too. It has styling potential for the 1950's so that would make it a versatile wardrobe addition.

Lee Target were obviously on a lace shell top roll in this year as this is very similar to pattern number two, just a different lace pattern. I still like it though.

I love this one. Who doesn't need a knitted poodle jumper in their wardrobe?!

I'm particularly taken with the orange jumper on the right. I really like the deep rib and the interesting stitch pattern. I think with careful styling this jumper could work in a 1940's outfit too.

I must deal with my hankering for a tank top soon and just knit myself some. I like the slip stitch pattern of this one and can see it working in many colour combinations as well as this fantastic monochrome one. Check out those blouse sleeves too.

I am after making myself the perfect Aran jumper or cardigan and I have a number of patterns to choose from. The one on the left is a strong contender. I even have two bags of Millamia aran in ochre stashed away ready to knit the perfect Aran when it is found!

I don't have very many (any?) jumpers as I am usually all about the cardigans. I think there may be a jumper shaped hole in my knitwear drawer and this might be just the thing to fill it. It finishes nicely on the waist, has interest in the lace panels and has a raglan sleeve.

I could also do with a fairly plain cardigan but I never put that very high up the list when there are all the fancy stitch cardigans to be knitted. Then I found this lovely ribbed Mary Quant number and suddenly a plain cardigan is looking quite likely.

One thing I love about 1960's knitwear are these fabulous skirt and jumper outfits. I think knitting a skirt might a) try my patience and b) not be flattering but I really like the look and would like to try it out. The cables on this skirt would relieve the tedium of miles and miles of stocking stitch too. Though I'm not knocking miles and miles of stocking stitch, that is good for watching films, inducing a calm state and knitting and talking/drinking/eating cake/all three at the same time.

A variation on the set above. I like the striped skirt but am not sure it would look so flattering. I do like the fact that you can have a matching hat and scarf to go with your jumper though.

So many fabulous patterns and not enough knitting time! I wonder what I will have made by the end of the year, if any?!

Next weekend I am off to Edinburgh Yarn Festival with a lovely group of friends. It is massively exciting and there will be many yarn shopping opportunities. I have been saving up and now I have kind of narrowed down my pattern choices I will know what to look out for! I am supposed to not get sidetracked by yarn that I don't have a plan for so I will see how that goes! Wish me luck!

A beautiful bungalow

As it has been another hot day today, reminiscent of late July weather, and as it isn't officially Autumn until later this week, I thought that right now is the last chance to talk about my summer holiday. I shared some snapshots of the Isle of Wight here and I now want to show some pictures of where I stayed.

I booked a bungalow on a 1960's built small holiday park through Vintage Vacations. It is located about 20 minutes walk outside Ventnor. I can't see the bungalow on their website at the moment, I hope that doesn't mean that they no longer own it. Vintage Vacations own several holiday properties on the island, all of which look interesting, and they have a field of Airstream caravans (which might need to be another holiday!).

The bungalow doesn't look like all that much from the outside, but inside it is decorated in a blend of vintage/retro/secondhand/granny chic splendour. I just loved it! I somehow neglected to photograph the bathroom or the third bedroom but here are all the best bits!

You enter straight into the lounge.

The sofas are covered in a patchwork of old fabrics and are so very comfortable.

This is on the other side of the front door.

Retro phone!

Cosy spot and a place to eat.

Pretty little details.

Looking through to the kitchen.

Fantastic 1950's style kitchen units. I think one was original and the others reproduction.

Wall cabinet in the kitchen.

Cabinet details.

In the main bedroom.

Great curtains.

Dressing table companion!

The second bedroom.

More great fabrics.

Patchwork runner close up.

Very smart dressing table!

Decorative touches.

The outside. A little shabby around the edges and not much hint of the fabulousness within! Happy memories! It was a really super holiday home.

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.

An archive of wonder part two - 1960's-1980's

I talked about my visit to the Knitting and Crochet Guild archive in this post; I explained about the Guild, our day and the items that we saw from the 1920's-1950's. This post picks up where that one left off, from the 1960's-1980's. Yep - bright, highly patterned 1980's knitwear coming up!

This is a 1960's dress which is a brighter pink in real life! It is made from Bri-Nylon. The central back strap meets the two front straps to form a part halter neck. They are held together by a large crochet covered button.

It is just about possible to see in the first picture that the dress has a thicker panel of stitches over the bust area to prevent it being completely see through!

The next series of pictures are of a 1970's wedding dress.

This is an image form the original pattern which was published in June 1970 in Woman's Realm magazine.

The dress is crocheted in 3-ply yarn and is floor length. The dress looks a creamy yellow now but apparently it was originally white.

The bottom panel of the dress is trimmed with velvet ribbon.

It fasteners with these small, sparkly buttons.

This shows some more velvet ribbon trim and the decorative yoke of the dress.

The dress was given to the collection with it's veil - made from a net curtain.

Now we move to the 1980's!

This is a Patricia Roberts design called Harold and Maude. The design features bunches of grapes and cherries and is knitted in mohair. The cardigan was knitted by the donor's mother.

This jumper is also a Patricia Roberts design. It is not knitted in the recommended yarn and the inexperienced maker used two methods of colour work, firstly floats across the back and then intarsia. It was obviously well loved and worn as it has some stains on the neck from sun tan oil!

This beautiful grey tunic is a Jean Moss design who, as a patron of the Guild, donated it. It features lots of knots, bobbles, cables and colour work and is very intricate.

Kaffe Fassett is also a patron of the Guild and he donated this cardigan which is his design - The Three Virgins. It is knitted in cotton and is very vibrant and incredibly detailed. It fastens up the front with clasps.

That brings us to the end of the large selection of knitted and crocheted item that we saw to begin with. I think there might well be a part three to this as there are some tools, gadgets and some interesting household pieces yet to be covered!