Retro Knit Friday!

I can't remember where I found this booklet, probably in an antique mall in Monterey. It dates to 1955, and for a purchase price of 60 cents, gave the knitter 18 different fashions to make. It is Spinnerin Volume 132.

The cover dress is a special occasions dress made of two different yarns. The basic sheath is knit with a stockinette background with a purl ridge every 12 rows. The purl ridges are the foundations for the scallop crochet, done is a sparkle yarn. The crocheting is done after the dress is finished and assembled. The dress is knit on size 2 needles at 8 sts/inch.

Here's the description for this lovely dress: "A swirl of a dress, light and lacy, a breeze to knit, it is made with a double strand of yarn and big, fat needles. . . . belt it with a rope of multi-colored beads." It is knit on size 10 1/2 needles with a blackberry stitch at hem and wide neckline. The instructions start with 'cast on 475 sts' which is much less than you would expect of a dress with such a full skirt. The dress above is a two-piece dress with a very fitted top that is trimmed with a two-color cabled trim. The skirt is a variation on the knitted-in pleat skirt with the wide portions knitted in reverse stockinette and the narrow bands in stockinette. The directions in this booklet for assembly and finishing are really skimpy since the knitter of the time was expected to have those skills.

The very fitted, feminine dress above is crocheted. Black velvet ribbon is threaded through the single crochet beading strips at neckline and hip. The materials list calls for 2 yards of Nylon tulle which is used to make a petticoat. The tulle is gathered and sewn to the inside skirt top and the edge is covered with seam binding.

The black sheath dress is knitted in a lace pattern. The description says, "Sophisticated as a siren song: a knitted Satinette Ribbon sheath knee-deep in fringe". It is hard to tell even in the large booklet photograph, but there is very long (25") fringe starting several inches above the knee.

Today is supposed to be a little cooler than the rest of the week was, so I am going to go out and plant some beans and onions and see if any seeds have sprouted.