knitwise

Vintage inspiration

I haven't done anything productive in months and I am ashamed of the pile of  "In Progress, To Be Abandoned" projects in my basket... So, why do I have to start something new? I think that I needed to be excited about a project again and I believe that I have just found the right sweater...

I have been drooling over this 1962 vintage pattern on Etsy for a while now. When I discovered by accident that it was also available for free on "freevintageknitting.com/women.html" , my decision was made. How could I resist any more?... (Sorry, I can't make the link work today)

As I don't like knitting sleeves as a rule, I have decided to start with one. I don't find them difficult, but they are rather  tedious. I think I will lengthen the body by one inch or two, not sure yet...

Not so quick!...

Back in January, when my head was full of plans and resolutions, I said I would try to finish some of my WIPS.  Rather late than never: I have finally managed to tick one off my list. Ironically, it is called  "Quick work in thick wool", from Susan Crawford A Stitch in time, vol 2'. I started it before Christmas and, indeed, it was knitted up in no time at all. But, then I put it aside and it took ages before I picked it up again to sew it up, find the buttons and  the right opportunity for a picture. Not exactly speedy!...

It is knitted in Rowan Kid Classic which is incredibly soft and warm to wear. Overall, I am quite happy with the way it turned out. I have narrow shoulders and usually this type of neckline ends up too wide for me.  The raglan sleeves construction meant that I couldn't try it on for fitting until the seams were sewn together (it is probably why I lost interest at the sewing stage: I was too scared to find out!...) But I was pleasantly surprised. All is well that ends well (eventually...)

 

Things to do in 2012...

I wish you all a very happy New Year 2012!

As a rule, I never make New Year resolutions for the simple reason that I know for a fact that I am unlikely to stick to them...  All I allow myself to do instead is to make a  "To do" list with the hope to tick at least a few items off that list before the new year is over... (No promises that I won't be able to keep, just a few things I would like to achieve).

• Finish my WIPs, or at least finish one BEFORE starting a new project. I have currently 3 ufo's : two vintage knits and one crochet blanket.
• Eat healthily and take some exercise to regain my lost waistline... (This might mean more time spent in the kitchen!)
• Have a go at sewing tops and dresses for myself (can only be done  if the above is achieved).
• Try to use as much from my stash as possible (wool and fabric)
• Have a critical look at my current wardrobe: get rid of the unwearable, recycle or revamp the acceptable. I would love to adopt the "make do and mend" attitude this year.
• Be more creative.

As you can see, this is quite a short list. The hardest might be the "healthy" bit!...

Happy...

I was very excited by the relase of Stitch in Time vol 2, but now that I have received it and had the chance to discover all the 80 patterns featured in it, I am over the moon!...

This book was well worth the long wait. The patterns are divided in sections covering the 30's, the 40's and the 50's decades.  Here are my top favourites:

Kasha

Don't you love the lace pattern? I even love the colour which is very "in" at the moment.

One never tires of ribbing

I am not generally fond of ribbing but I love the unusual construction with the flaps at the front and the cuffs.

Quick work in thick wool

Once again a rib pattern but the details of the buttons along the raglan seam makes it interesting and knitted in Aran wool, it should grow faster.

Simple - But so attractive

Okay, ribs again, but I just love the collar!

Summery - And a new pattern

Love the sleeves, the lace pattern and even the colour. This would be a beautiful top for the summer...

Trimmed with roses

I love the colors and even so I am not confident with intarsia work, there isn't too much of it so, maybe, I will be able to tackle it.

Those patterns are my top favourites  but there are still many more  that I love in this book. If you want to see more, all the patterns are now in the process of being added to the Ravelry database here.
Winter can come now, I am looking forward to the many happy knitting hours ahead...

Afternoon tea...

A little while ago I had the opportunity to have Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it and my 16 year old daughter took my place to accompany my sister-in-law to London. You can imagine how envious I was!... I have been wanting for YEARS  to experience this very English tradition in beautiful surroundings and when, at last, I gave got the chance, I have to let it go because of work commitments! Such is life or, as I would say back home: c'est la vie!...

Anyway, both lucky girls had a wonderful time and told me all about the perfectly cut finger sandwiches,  the scones with clotted cream and jam, the little cakes and the tea, the delicate blue china and silver spoons, the attentive waiters, the pianist and the elegant decor. They both expected Miss Marple to make an appearance.

Nowadays, we live in a fast world and such things as Afternoon Tea belong to the past, but it would be nice sometimes to be able to just slow down and take our time over home-made cakes and fresh tea or coffee served on a crisp table cloth with the best china we own...

I bought a delightful little book entitled Tea at Fortnum & Mason in an attempt to re-create some tea-time recipes.

Maybe, one rainy Sunday afternoon, I will host my own tea party with home-made scones and cakes served on pretty plates and lacy doilies....

Peace at last...

Once again I must apologise for the long silence... Sometimes life just becomes too busy for a break even a coffee one! But now the holidays are over, school term has started and it will be nice to go back to a quiet routine (I hope!...) Autumn is getting close and it is time to pick up my needles again.  

For my next project I have chosen to go back in time. My heart settled on this little number from the 1930's. My love for vintage knitting and my yearning for a lace cardigan drew me to this pattern at once.

 
I am enjoying the last of the Summer warmth outside with my new project. Peace at last... Bliss!....

My 1953 Vintage blouse...

It took me longer than expected with work, holidays and family life, but I got there eventually!...  The explanations were quite clear even for a novice like me (It took me two days  to work out how to do the collar though! ...). It is not as perfect as I would like it to be (I have so much to learn!...) but I really enjoyed this project and am looking forward to tackle something else.

A week off...

Next week I won't be posting because we are going to Paris. It will be a little break between exams for the children, a chance to see my family again and catch up with all the news back home. It will not be a restful week as there will be lots of talking, visiting and walking through our favourite places but I am looking forward to our trip as it has been such a long time since we were there...

My 1953 blouse pattern has arrived! The pattern was already cut by the previous owner and it makes me quite emotional to think that at least once, sometimes in the 50's maybe, someone else used this very pattern to make the blouse.  I feel as if I am holding a precious antique piece of paper and I am nervous about damaging it. Sadly it is too late now for me to start before we go away. I want to take my time over it to make sure I do things right. The pattern states that it is an easy one  but,  glancing quickly at the instructions, I am in doubt...

Now that I am in my 50's mood, a pile of Miss Read novels is awaiting me. It has become a ritual every Summer. I love re-reading those books at this time of year and dream of simpler times....

 

Wips...

 
I have been very good lately at restraining myself at one project at a time...  BUT, the approaching Summer with all this sunshine (going to my head) and the constant inspiration from Blogland have changed all that!!! I feel like a butterly flying from one flower to the next. So I have to keep my head cool and get organised!

Christina is growing nicely on my needles and is reserved for evenings in front of the TV. The back is done, so is one sleeve. I love the constant changes in stitches, the work  progresses  in stages, I am happy...

The beginning of Christina's left front

Everytime I go to the bedroom, the sight of my granny stripes blanket feels my heart with a sense of warm happiness. I have decided to give her a twin sister to go on the other bed. It won't be an identical one but the colours will be more or less the same. This project will be for the long Sunday afternoons I will be spending watching the children cricket matches this Summer.

 

The very first stiches on the Twin...

Finally (I hope), I have been literally dizzy with all the sewing achieved by all the talented ladies on Sew Retro. Through these posts, I have discovered some truly inspiring blogs. I have been bitten by the sewing bug and must do something about it!... I am a bit of a novice in this subject so I have to start by something not too ambitious. I have bought a pattern for a blouse from the 50's era. Strangely enough, I have seen a similar blouse in a shop recently. Is the fashion turning into a retro mood?...

 

The pattern. Note: it says "Simple to make"

I am waiting for the pattern to be brought to me by the postman. I have already got the fabric which I think will do just nicely.  When will I have the time for this project??? Well, I am sure I will find it...

Pink gingham for a retro look. What do you think?... 

Vintage cardi...

 

I  wanted to knit from a true vintage pattern for ages, but I always hesitated because I was told that old patterns are usually obscure to read due to vague instructions.  It goes to show that we should not always believe what the others say and follow our heart. I didn't change a thing to the original pattern apart from knitting the button/hole bands together with the fronts instead of individually. I have used Debbie Bliss Rialto 4 ply which was very nice to work with and I now hope it washes well. If it does, I will surely use this yarn again... maybe for other vintage projects.

I might not be as elegant as the 1940's model and my waist is not as slim as hers but I am very happy with the way this little cardi turned out.