Currently knitting - Sirdar Lady's Jumper

I have decided to try and do some regular posts which will look at what is currently on my knitting needles. At the moment I can not knit as much as I normally do and I need a way of seeing that some knitting is still happening and that progress is indeed being made. Otherwise, I focus on how much I haven't knitted, that I could have knitted by now if only my neck and shoulder were up to it. Obviously, that is not a very positive way of looking at things so I need to fix that!

 I am seeing a brilliant and understanding Physio who is getting my neck and shoulder working again, there are great improvements already and I will spare you the details of the excruciating armpit massages that have helped to make that happen!

I started this pretty 1950's feather and fan pattern jumper on the first of January. I keep a little notebook in my knitting bag to keep track of these things, including row counts, changes or clarifications, number of balls of yarn used, sizing etc. When I finish a project I transfer that info plus a picture of the pattern into my knitting journal/scrapbook which I really should do a post on at some point.

I very much liked the original colour scheme but knew that it wasn't really me and that I wanted something with more of an autumnal palette. The original pattern was knitted in 3-ply but I figured a thin 4-ply should do just as well. This is where I admit that whilst I do tension squares and check sizing if I am knitting for others I don't do it as much if I am knitting for myself as I just want to get started. So if this turns out massive or too small I have only myself to blame!

I am in the unfortunate position of being a knitter who loves using real wool but who can not tolerate it against my skin. I go like a crazed itchy thing and need to rip off whatever I am wearing. I have found that a wool/silk blend can be ok as long as I wear long sleeves and a scarf round my neck (handily looking like I have styled in an accessory but actually just anti itch protection)!

When I went to Yarndale last September I was looking specifically for yarn to knit this jumper and another as yet unstarted jacket. I fell for the beautiful colours of this lovely yarn from Eden Cottage Yarns. It is Askham 4-ply in Walnut, Crocosmia, Air and Yarrow. It is a blend of baby alpaca (70%) and silk (30%) and it feels very soft indeed.

This is how it looked when I had got all the colours knitted in so it was the first chance to check that I did like them all knitted up together. Which I do. Phew!

This is less of a close up and I've spread the stitches out a bit so that it is possible to see the pattern a little better.

Here you can see that I have done the armhole shaping and the back of the jumper is on it's way to being complete. I tend to share my knitting progress, amongst other things, on Instagram so do come along and say hello on there.

Tip top summer tops

I realised that I have a big gap in my wardrobe where some warm weather appropriate tops should be. I have some t-shirts and vests but nothing at all in the knitwear department. My go to outfit is a dress and a cardigan so some summer cardigans are definitely needed. I also have a few lovely summer skirts that are just crying out for a lacy knitted jumper to go with them. As I am having a period of knitting for myself rather than other people (which I am really enjoying!), I thought I would work on filling up this wardrobe gap.

So, I spent a very happy time going through my patterns and pulled out everything that looked like it would fit the bill and that wouldn't need any resizing or tricky yarn finding to make it become a reality. These are what I found:

Lady's cardigan

Isn't she particularly glamorous?! Fabulous hair. Lovely shape, short cardigan, flattering V neck and lacy stitch pattern so that it would be cool.

Lady's jumper

She is so happy to have this jumper! Pretty stitch pattern, sweet cap sleeves, stylish neckline, nice bit of deep rib.

Summer cardigan and jumper

I like both of these. I like a nice rib pattern, the cardigan has a fabulous collar and I like the neckline on the sleeveless top.

Jumper with bead trimming

This is a pretty fitted jumper which looks good with a skirt. It is knitted in a lurex fleck which I wouldn't bother with but I do like the beaded neckline.

Lady's summer jumper

This pattern photo is lovely. I like the square neckline and the short sleeves. The lacy, trellis pattern is interesting and pretty.

Sleeveless jumpers

Four lovely tops to choose from here. The same basic shape but each has a different stitch pattern and I like all of them.

Quick to knit jumpers and cardigans

Another multi garment pattern and again I like them all. However, the cardigan would probably be a bit on the warm side for what I want so it is the two lacy jumpers that I am interested in. They both have a deep band of rib which would give a flattering fit.

Lady's jumper cardigan

This is a very good shape, it fits so well. I like the deep rib button band and neckline. She is very glamorous too, maybe it will rub off on me if I knit this one!

Easy knit jumpers

I love the shape and the lacy stitch but I can't decide if I would find the high neckline a bit irritating if I was hot.

Lady's jumper

I wouldn't be snuggling up to that man in the bad blazer if I was her. This jumper has a pretty scoop neck and an attractive pattern.

Three delightful economy garments

I particularly like the jumper on the top right. Again it has a pretty scoop neck, nice little sleeves and a cool lacy pattern.

Summer jumper

Isn't she lovely with her nails and her pearls?! This looks like a perfect summer jumper to me.

Lady's summer jumper

More pearls! A pretty boat neck. I imagine she is wearing a pencil skirt, which suits this jumper.

Ladies' economy jumpers

These are gorgeous and the photo shows you how nice they will look with skirts! A scoop neck and a V neck, both lacy but with different patterns. I really like these.

Figure trimming jumpers

Three tops to choose from, with mock cable panels, with lacy motif panels and with lace insertion panels. I think I like the lacy motif panels most.

Summer jumper

Excellent hair flicks! I like the pattern, the boat neck and the sleeves.

Summer jumper

The pattern states that this jumper only takes 8 hours to make so I think I will have to try this one to see if it is true. The neck and sleeve edging is really attractive.

Lady's summer jumper cardigan

I like everything about this one which is a very good job as I am making it at the moment! I happened to have exactly the right yarn in the right quantity in my stash so it was meant to be! I have completed the back and am shaping the armholes on the right front. If you wan to follow my progress do pop along to my Facebook page.

Do you have a favourite tip top summer top?

Maybe one day - knitted dresses

If you have read some of my posts before it probably won't come as a surprise to know that I have a thing for vintage knitting patterns. I collect them; some I wish to knit, some I really don't, I just want them as they are a piece of fashion history, or they have comedy value, or I like the picture on the front or I like the props that were used. I catalogue my patterns into women's, men's, children, accessories etc but also into groups like men smoking, scary doll's clothes, bed jackets, 1940's models with great eyebrows, kitsch household items and so on. It is one of these categories that I want to have a look at today - women's knitted dresses.

Marvellous dress with a shirt bodice and lace stitch panels

I really enjoy a great knitted dress pattern like the one above and I am partial to knitted suits too so will also feature them here. As is so often the case with dresses they look elegant, glamorous and well put together whilst being quick and easy to pull on and style. Really, you can look very well dressed for minimum effort if need be which has got to be a winner. But, whilst I adore a knitted dress and have many patterns that I love I have never actually made one and I don't even have one lined up in the 'must make this next I NEED IT pile'. I have questioned myself about this and it seems it is down to two main issues. The first is whether I have the patience and stamina to complete a knitted dress. After all, it would be an enormous amount of knitting. The second is whether, having made it, would it be flattering on my shape? I am not convinced that even with all the greatest underwear in the world, a knitted dress wouldn't highlight any surplus lumps and bumps that one might not wish to draw attention to. It is hard to judge from pattern covers, after all, models are models for a reason.

What a beauty, a belted cardigan and A line skirt, with a
marvellous hat.

A teal V neck dress with a pencil skirt and pockets.

Gorgeous patterned jumper and flared skirt. It looks
like it could be very flattering.

'A slender, elegant dress in a new tweed texture'.
From a Vogue pattern book.

So, at the moment the knitted dresses and suits remain on the 'maybe one day' pile whilst I keep on picking up the patterns when I see them. No reason why we can't take a look at a few though! These patterns from the 1940s-1960s are all for hand knitted garments. Obviously many commercially available knitted dresses would have been made on knitting machines, making the process much quicker. Throughout the period home knitting machines also became more popular.

Great cable detail on the skirt and a blouson jumper to
match.

Scoop neck dress with pencil skirt and moss stitch
panels.

Dress with a pencil skirt and a crossover
V neck top in rib.

Pink dress - ' a deep tuck outlined bib with tiny
round collar and mock gored skirt'.
Blue dress - 'trim blouse with shawl collar and
skirt with can't come out pleats'.
From a Vogue pattern book.

I was inspired to hurry up and write this post after reading a recent post by the wonderful Joanna from Dividing Vintage Moments. It was an Ode to Vintage Knitwear and it features Joanna wearing a fabulous piece of 1950's knitwear. She also features some fantastic knitwear available on Etsy and Ebay. Take a look! It made me go through my patterns and admire all the dresses again!

From a Vogue pattern book. 'A three piece set worked in
boucle wool in broad ribbing for a slender effect'. 

A lace pattern mini dress with matching cardigan.

 A cream suit consisting of a hip length cardigan and
a straight skirt.

From a Vogue pattern book. A ribbed button
through blouse and a straight skirt.

A suit with trim on the shoulders and pockets.

A straight ribbed dress with a matching cardigan.

I think my favourites are the lace panel dress, the belted cardigan suit and the skirt and top with cable details. How about you?

Manly Pursuits (as depicted in vintage knitting patterns)

I am often entertained by the front covers of old knitting patterns and have been known to buy patterns that I have no intention of ever knitting just because I find the picture funny. Sometimes it is down to the garment, or the model, or the colour, or the staging, or the props or the scenery. Some moments of comedy gold are down to all of the above. I like to look at them with my mum and my friends, adding captions etc. Sometimes I do wonder what the yarn company were thinking and how they thought that particular image would help to sell their pattern.

I was sorting through some patterns to put some new ones away and was struck, yet again, by this. I realised I had a lovely pile of men's patterns which showed men 'doing something' in their knitwear. Almost like it might be embarrassing to model knitwear unless you were also doing something stereotypically manly such as posing against your car or map reading. In a manly manner of course. Maybe with some facial hair, a stern expression, or a pipe. Or all three.These are my favourite manly pursuits as seen in knitting patterns.

This is photo heavy, I liked so many I included them all!

Sporting activities are acceptable, of which golf is the most popular:

Archery

Fishing

Golf

Golf - lovely band of Fair Isle

Golf

Golf  - nice cravat

Golf - explaining the finer points

Tennis

Map reading  - as long as you are on an adventure, leading the way, or are an explorer:

Explorer

Map reading

Map reading

Map reading - in a smug manner

Map reading

Arctic explorer - in your string vest

Posing alongside your vehicle:

Teaching your son to pose with the wheels

Car maintenance

Scooter

Tractor?

Leisure activities:

Drinking beer

Having a pint

Frowning at your girlfriend as she plays the drums

Hanging with your grandad

Yachting in your chunky jumper and your tighty whities

Woodwork

Sailing yachts with my boy

Sailing yachts with my son

Gardening - chopping logs with a very large axe

Gardening - let loose with the shears

Being outdoors  - manly holding of benches

Jobs:

Author - of boy's adventure stories

Author - travel and adventure books

Lighting director for films, especially Westerns

Executive - reading the finance news

Studying is also an option:

On the way to the library - so smart

Using the library as a place to meet girls

Maybe you are in charge of the family pet?:

A big knit for a big dog.

Awww

You may go to the local camera club:

Explaining your latest gadget. Lovely Fair Isle

Checking through your photos

Working out the technical bits

Maybe you belong to your local shooting club?:

Down the range

I love this one, it makes me laugh. Green jumper and red jumper clearly have no idea how to shoot a gun and are likely to shoot someone else instead. Yellow jumper is about to fire and put them both to shame. Pink jumper is too busy posing to get his stance straight and is about to miss the target.

The other activity that men do in knitting patterns is smoke. Pipes or cigarettes or both (not at once). This will be the subject of another post as I have a whole collection of men smoking patterns!