Retro Knit Friday!

I have started the Fiesta pullover, but I decided to
make the sleeves 3/4 length. The back and front are knitted, and I have two yarn cakes left. Both sleeve ribbings are done, so will there be enough yarn? Each cake is about 6 oz, and I did the whole back with one cake, so I think so. Not bad for one day's work.


This Friday's retro offering is one of my favorite pamphlets, published by Minerva in 1948. I am especially amused by the setting, since it was photographed in the Met in New York, and the exhibits are right out there for the public to touch, stealing evidently not the concern it is today.



This red three-piece outfit is made of wool and has a two-piece dress with matching overcoat. It is photographed in a display of early Pennsylvania-German items. I have seen that painted chest in other books on early American furniture. The gauge was 8 sts/inch.



This grey tiered dress is posed in front of a panel of Egyptian carvings. It is knit from some of the dress yarns of the period (Minerva Stylaine or Monterey) at 9 sts/inch.

The brown dress is called a 'long-torso costume' and is photographed in front of 19th century Duncan Phyfe furniture. It is knit at 9 and 10 sts/inch on size 0 needles!

The bobbly dress in front of the horse in armour is a 'fast' knit at 7 sts/inch.

The suit with the striped jacket is knitted in a sportweight yarn at 8 sts/inch on size 3 needles. I do believe that ladies of the period had to wear a 'merry widow' waist cincher to get those wasp waists.

The elegant navy outfit is knit in a yarn with the fetching name of 'Velveen'. The instructions have the knitter crochet each polka dot separately and sew them on, and does not tell how many to make. I think they could have rethought the dot placement, however. Love the gloves with the bracelet and the classy pearls.

The red outfit is a fitted suit with detachable cape. Short capes were popular in the late forties and you see them with day and evening attire. Look at how perfectly her hat matches the yarn color. In those days it was possible to buy yardage to match the yarn you were using so that you could knit a sweater or top and sew a skirt to match.

My mother did not knit or crochet, but she would have looked fabulous in some of these outfits.