Thursday, April 23, 2009

Back To The Knitting

Both the husband and I caught that bad cold/virus that was going around, the one that plagues you for over two weeks. I am finally better and starting to work on my projects. The picture above shows the almost completed Sockotta sock that just needs the toe grafting, the start of the second sock, and the cafe cardigan that needs seaming. Being sick through Easter meant that I didn't get to wear the lavender cardigan as I planned to, but at least I finished it on time.

The next cardigan I start will be the royal blue plain cardigan. I still haven't wound up the yarn, so that's next. I feel more in a royal blue mood than a red one so the red jacket will have to wait.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Retro Knit Sunday!

I finally, after about 8 months, finished up the Monkey socks and gave them away to M before I remembered to take a photo. I finally managed to memorize the pattern on the very last repeat, which is lame but amusing. I have started knitting a pair of plain Sockotta socks for A and am already down to the first heel. I need to start assembling the cafe cardigan and to hang another cardigan from the machine.

The booklet we are going to see today is undated, but seems to be from the sixties. It is Spinnerin Volume 181. The first outfits are classic suits. The green suit on the left is crocheted of knitting worsted, and the 3-piece suit on the right has contrast banding and a very tailored look. I've never had a handknit skirt so don't know how they held up. I imagine you could reblock it if it got stretched out in the seat. Here's another cardigan suit, and I really like this jacket with its bright color and lace banding on the body and sleeves. The yarn used for this outfit is a sportweight and the gauge is 7 sts to an inch.
Notice how the basic shape of all these garments is very similar. The jackets are straight sided and boxy and the skirts are all slim or straight skirts (today called a pencil skirt). The suit below follows the same pattern but is crocheted from sportweight yarn. Notice the giant thumb that is trying to climb up the black couch.
The two dresses show the trend toward 'mod' fashion that followed the Beatles to America. They are mini dresses worn with tights. This type of dress was very comfortable to wear except that you had to be very careful how you sat if you wished to have any modesty at all.



This weekend I decided to dig out my old yogurt maker and try it out. I was shocked to see a container of yogurt at the grocery store for nearly $4, so decided to make my own. I also mixed up some Herman starter, which I have always wanted to try. Making yogurt and bread and knitting socks, I am practically in a time machine back to the sixties myself.