Knitting projects on the go

Now the winter has started I have been enjoying getting my knitting out again - it always goes on the back burner, like everything else, when the weather is fine. Also, knowing there is a baby on the way helps me get around to finishing things! I have recently finished a pair of boot socks that have been knocking around the knitting basket for ages, and am halfway through a nice cosy hat for myself. If I like the way the hat turns out I will knock out a few more for Christmas presents. 

My most cherished current knitting proj is a baby jumper from the BBC Knitting Fashion book (c1975!), hopefully for my own forthcoming winter baby. I wanted a fairisle look, but without the work, so I went for this self patterning wool. I have managed to finish the back and it's turning out really nicely so far, what do you think? Here's a picture too from the original pattern which shows the neckline. I'm making mine in a slightly samller size hopefully 0-6m. My last two babies were big ones, so no point making teensy jumpers! 

Pattern Wednesday - Look on the Bright Side Tank Top

OK OK I know that there is a basic error in the title: it is not Wednesday! But I just got around to posting this today. I am on a kind of 12 hour time lag at the moment. If you could see my house you would realise that the disorganisation is not just blog related.

Here we have a simply 'lovely' men's tank top in what the magazine claims is an easy cheat for Fairisle, making a several colour sweater but only two colours at a time. "Cunning". Shame it makes you look like you have stolen a blanket from the Peruvian Musicians in the High Street and cut it up to make a tank top. The styling in this photoshoot is adorably romantic/camp. I love their unkempt hair. And this must be the last recorded sight of a full beard on a male model. Enjoy.

UPDATE! I have now suceeded in saving the file in an acceptable format so now you can view the whole pattern including the chart for the tank in the large picture here

Margot's Nightdress

As I mentioned in the previous post, I  have been dressmaking this week. After deciding to go to a fancy dress disco (which was last night - sooooooooooo tired right now!) I had to get out the patterns and find myself something. This lovely maxi dress jumped out at me, I've been wanting to have a go at it for ages, but not really had a suitable occasion. Anyway, the combination of the pattern, and an original 1970s duvet cover I have been hoarding have combined to create this completely mental outfit that looks a lot like a nightie! And like something Margot from The Good Life would have worn. So that's a happy thing. I did get some funny looks when I wore it last night  - not at the disco (there was someone dressed as an Oompa Loompa: I blended right in) - but the other diners in the Chinese Restaurant I went to were surprised as I wafted past them. Just spreading the love xx

Folksy Friday - The Good Life!

Inspiration strikes this week in the form of a homage to one of my all time favourite TV shows The Good Life. Spent most of this week making a dress from a 1970's pattern, to wear to a fancy dress party this weekend. Pictures of this will follow and will merit a post on Sew Retro I think, as I have been rather quiet on the dress making front. Until this week! Once I have hemmed the purple "Margot's Nightdress" (as I have dubbed it) I have to start on a makeshift Flamenco dress for European Week. Sew Sew Sew!!! But first a little light hearted moment.

To get the Good Life you will need:
Goat's Milk - Oakwood Soaperie
Vegetables to spare - Kate Broughton
A love of Handmade - Mark Smalley
A Margot Apron (of course) - Audreys Cat
Chicken in the Yard - Kettle of Fish
Green Fingers! - Galavant
And a big dollop of  LOVE, 1970s style - Kirsty Griffin

Pattern Wednesday - Victoriana Bolero

Bolero Pattern

This cute little pattern for an angora sweater is simple and would still look lovely, although maybe not with the big sleeves? Such a sweet photoshoot, really in the Laura Ashley Victoriana vein. As they say the 1970's are a big story for your fashion inspiration this season, drink deep from the well of faded charm I have here. Enjoy xx

Childrens 'Fashion'

One of my most dearly held wishes is to create many more of the clothes that we wear and not have to rely on shop bought items. Unfortunately, I am usually quite busy and all too easily beguiled by price, or cuteness! Still I have now started as I mean to go on this year, and made the baby a pair of crawling trousers from a nice roomy pattern I have lying around. A good easy one to ease me in.

Pictures to follow of the finished item.  I also intend to make a few other things for my big girl. A candidate is this short childrens skirt. Although I am torn between this and the lovely skirts here - they do the best cute girls skirt tutes. Anyway, gotta love this 1970's pattern illustrations. Cute!

Pattern Wednesday - Continuing the Little Ladies Collection - Ingrid

This simple little jumper would be a great play jumper for a little girl, with a cosy folded over collar and enough of a pattern to make it interesting to knit. Not really a 'vintage' or 'retro' look, just old fashioned enough to suit me!

Ingrid Jumper Pattern

Hands up who loves Flashdance?

A pattern from my stash of old magazine clippings. I really love this photo shoot. Although it is a bit more sultry than my usual fare.....

This 1970's magazine article simply oozes that Flashdance sex appeal - and if you like easy chunky knits with a dancewear vibe then follow the link to legwarmer heaven!

Slouchy Knitwear Pattern Document - Various Jumpers, and Legwarmers

Pattern Wednesday - Melon Sleeves Sweater

Todays pattern is a lovely little mohair number. Actually this is a decent wearable pattern. I might try to find time to knit it in a different yarn as I love the look but mohair is not compatible with my lifestyle!. The full sleeve detail and trim fit are pretty compatible with the current trend for 1970's styling. Loving the photographers conceit of having the model eat a melon in her melon sleeves! 

Again this pattern was clipped from a 1970's magazine, by my gran, and sadly she did not note which one.

MELON SLEEVES KNITTING PATTERN

More 1970s decorating ideas

Red Rum Red Rum

As per my previous post I have a new book about 1970s home decor that I am enjoying thumbing through very much. As I unexpectedly have a little extra time tonight whilst my daughter is listening to a nice long story CD, here are a few more pictures.

"

"Women got the vote? Huh, that's news to me. Another Tom Collins dear?"

Hang this outside your kids bedroom and I guarantee quiet nights

Found, in a fish and chip shop!

My latest find, to add to the retro sewing library that I've got going on, is a fantastic edition, The Collins Enclyclopedia of Home Sewing (1976). For 30p at the 2nd hand book box in my local fish and chip shop (why?) I am now the owner of this marvellously psychedelic collection of sewing ideas and embroidery charts. The fashionable lady of the house was obviously expected to be able to whip up a matching kitchen set for herself and then, after making a nice pot roast, relax in her fabulously over stitched bedroom. I hope she doesn't get headaches or fevers, as this decor will only aggravate them! 

Pattern Wednesday - Fairisle for the Fellas

Back in August I started trawling through the stash of old patterns from magazines that I was given. Having failed all summer to get around to downloading any, I thought that I would begin again in a more structured way - ha ha. Every wednesday (or so I plan) I will share one of my downloaded patterns. Usually knitting. Usually a 1960's or 70's magazine clipping. It is a real shame that in most cases I don't even know which magazine they came from, and the knitwear designer is so rarely credited. So spare a small thought for the unsung hero/heroine of the needles when you are enjoying the fruits of my Pattern Wednesdays!!

The first one is Fairisle for the Fellas, a 1940's inspired V Neck Fairisle tank or sweater for Monsieur.

Vintage Patterns continued

Still ploughing through the stack of vintage patterns and clippings. There are some classic examples from the fashion of the1940's to the 1980's. Here is a 1970's magazine knitting pattern for a little cardi, with the clothes and lovely styling giving it such a touch of Victoriana.