Score!

Every now and then, I pop into the local used book store 'cuz ya just never know what you're gonna find.  There's always someting crafty.  Last fall I found a few a few Patons booklets , some old and some new. 

This time, I found some hardcover knit books, but they were from the 80s.  What a waste!  The sweaters were so boxy and over-sized.  I wouldn't have taken them even if they were free.  The designs from the 80s have not aged well.

However, patterns from the 60s and 70s seem to have fared better, at least in terms of design (if you ignore the colour choices and the styling).  Check out my first find circa early 70s (an oversized book from Patons):

Plus-Size Pattern Book

This particular book re-prints popular patterns from L to XXL (approx 42-52")--just my ticket!!  Don't you just love the short-sleeved round-neck sweater on the cover?  Love the lace pattern paired with form-fitting ribbing--very hip and modern, n'est pas?

Crochet Vests

And I'm intrigued by the lace vest which happens to be crocheted (I'm sooo ready to tackle a clothing item in crochet).

More Vests

And what about these knitted vests?  Change the colours to something more current and add them over a simple white shirt and blue jeans--very wearable (minus the faux pearls of course).

My other find is also from the 70s.  And it also includes crocheted garments along with knitted ones.  Have you seen this booklet around?

Patons Family Favorites

Okay, I can't see myself knitting a vest using 2.75 or 3mm needles, but it is a basic design that could be worn today.  There are other wearable items.

Turtleneck Sweaters

I think these turtleneck sweaters are cute and it would be very easy to modify a design element that isn't to my liking (such as the garter detail around the sleeve's cuff).

Little Jacket

And how about the cute little jacket above?  Not sure if I'm keen on the striping, but the actual shape of the garment is cute (although perhaps not so cute on the male model).

The vest and sweaters pictured below are interesting in that they are crocheted.  Initially I thought they were knit.  Don't they look knitted?  If nothing else, they are an interesting design.

Is it crochet or  knit?

Anyone else keen on not-so-vintage patterns?  Although the 70s are about 40 years old, so I guess they could be vintage--just like me!

Sometimes . . .

Sometimes you can find knitterly items in the least likeliest places.  Everyday I walk to work.  It's a good half hour trek to and from, but the exercise is good for my heart (even if it hasn't done much for my waistline).  Walking along Main Street I go past shops that pique my curiosity. 

Take the used book store.  Sadly I'm not much of reader, but I popped in today, just the same, in search of craft and garden books.  I only had a few dollars on hand, but I scored a few old Patons books:

Both books are from 1984 and 1981 (Eeek!  The horrible 80s with too much eye makeup, towering hair-dos and hideous shoulder pads.  Ask me how I know).  Still, Nordic-style sweaters knit in the round never really go out of style.  And both books include children's sizes.  For a little over a dollar, how could I miss?

Then I stopped into a little shop selling Nova Scotian crafts and giftware.  There was a nice mix of neat items: hand-crafted pottery, paintings, matted photos, woodwork, goat's milk soaps and creams, homemade jams, sauces and syrups.  Then I spied two things that caught my attention: first there were handknits a-plenty and second there was handpainted yarn (I'm sure I gasped a little, but the clerk was busily knitting a scarf and didn't notice).  Now there wasn't much selection, but I was intrigued.  All the skeins came from Fibrepalooza.  This is big for me 'cuz there is no proper LYS in my town; nor is there one in the next town; in fact, I'd have to drive all the way to Halifax . . . . Sadly I could not make a purchase, but I'm gonna put the word out so Santa's elves can make me very happy Christmas morning (and I know at least one of Santa's elves reads this blog).

To tame my yarny urges, I walked over to the local V&S Department store to purchase some sock yarn.  Sadly no colours "jumped" at me.  However, I did spy a few pattern books for 99 cents!  How cool is that?

Two of those books include crochet patterns for the home.  Long ago, I could crochet: there are three afghans and at least one dainty doily in existance as proof of my skills (although where all those things are now, I cannot say).  I'd love to make a mat for the kitchen 'cuz the one I have now is lookin' very sad and dingy.

And just for good measure, I even picked up a few of those free pattern leaflets.  You can never have too many free patterns (there's a red binder and several file folders at home bursting with free  patterns--and yes, they are all organized too). 

Hope your weekend is shaping up to be a good one :)

Knitting: A Link to the Past?

For me, knitting is an on-going history of which I am an active participant. I learned to knit from my mother who was taught my her mother and grandmother, who in turn were taught by their mothers . . . and so on, ad infinitum. It goes on much as one stitch connects to the one before it, so too I am connected to my ancestors. And I feel blessed to have been given the chance to learn how to fashion fabric from sticks and string (oddly enough, my sisters never shared any interest in learning to knit, although one of them did sew for a while). I don't have any daughters onto which to pass on my skills, but one of my sons has expressed an interest in learning the craft.

I don't recall the exact age when I learned. Sometime before I turned 10, my mom busily knit many sweaters and such for my youngest sibling (who was in utero). I'm not sure if it was then or some time afterwards that my mom took the time to teach me. I remember she had bought me my own plastic needles; they were bright yellow (my sister had the green ones, but she wasn't too keen on the whole string-and-stick thing in the first place). I distinctly recall making a garter stitch scarf for one of my dolls. With each new row, the thing inexplicably grew width-wise as well as length-wise.

Once I was proficient enough, I naturally sought projects to practise my newly learned skills. Dreamly I browsed through the craft section in our local Woolworths (yea, that dates me, doesn't it). I'd fondle the yarns (yeah, they were acrylic but they were still fun to touch) and browse through the Beehive Patons booklets. The one that stole my heart and fanned my imagination: Patons booklet #139.


See all those Barbie doll outfits? Oh how I loved my Barbies! I ended up making the blue suit, the sheath dress and I think the long coat. I made some cute baby doll outfits too.

The last time I had visited my mom, I discovered to my great disappointment that she had gotten rid of all her old crochet and knitting books and magazines. I was so disheartened! I had hoped to take them all home with me as my mom no longer knitted.

And then one day while browsing through some old craft books at a rummage sale on campus, my little eye spied one Patons booklet: book #139!! I swear I jumped and I think my boys looked at me funny. I snatched that baby so fast . . . my childhood had come back and I could hold it in my hands!

I haven't knit anything out of that booklet--at least not yet. I'm waiting for my niece to be old enough for Barbies (is it wrong to still fondly walk through the Barbie aisle at the toy store?). I'm sure I will some day. . . .

Such good memories filled with fibery goodness--of the acrylic variety of course. After all, it was the seventies (I know. I'm old). Some day, I'll regal you with my fondest crochet memories full of ponchoes, granny-square vests, never-ending afghans and purty doilies . . . good times!!
:)