Old and New Patterns

As a store owner I have frequently been approached to buy old publications from customers dealing with the closing of a knitter’s estate. On most occasions the goodies were simply given to me to do with as I pleased.  Of course I still have most of what was given to me in my possession.  Since I closed my store/studio and on several occasions, I have tried to weed out magazines I know I will never read or use for design inspiration. 

Today I reviewed a Fall-Winter 1962 and Spring-Summer 1963 Vogue. With the exception of photography, styling, poses and fifty years, nothing has changed.  The garments have a very contemporary appeal, especially for corporate professionals; but what has changed are construction techniques. 

For example this cape from the 1965  Reynolds Knitting Patterns Vol 41 is knitted in pieces (Back, 2 Left Front Panels, and 2 Right Front Panels, 2 Pockets).  The finishing is as follows:  Block pieces to measurements.  Cut lining to correspond with each piece, allow 1” for seams and 2” for darts at each shoulder.  Sew side and shoulder seams . . .

It continues with sewing instructions that we just don’t see in today's knitting magazines. I have to admit the garments from these old publications, have an attractive tailored quality.

This pattern, minus the lining, could very easily be adapted to circular construction.    

The Oat Collection

 

 

THE OAT COLLECTION was designed for Kelmscott Irish Oatmeal Yarn many years ago.  Unfortunately the yarn was discontinued when Kelmscott Rare Breeds Foundation disbanded.  I still have 20 skeins (maybe more) if anyone is interested.  Of course the patterns are still available (any bulky yarn can be substituted).

ROBYN’S WRAP

One size fits all. Robyn’s garter stitch wrap measures 24” around at neckline, 43” around at hemline, and 17” from neckline to hemline.

Materials: 2 Balls Mohair (50 grams each) approximately 400 yards

US #10.5 24” circular needle

Gauge: 2.75 sts x 4.5 rws = 1” using a US #10.5

Instructions: Starting from the hemline, with #10.5 circular needle cast on 120

stitches, place a marker to indicate the beginning and the end of rounds.

Join for circular knitting in garter stitch:

Round 1: Purl all stitches

Round 2: Knit all stitches

Repeat rounds 1 & 2 until your work measures 9” from the beginning.

Shaping: At 9” (staying in pattern) begin reductions:

First reduction: Decrease 6 stitches evenly spaced in this round as follows:

(k18, k2 tog) repeat to the end of the round. 114 stitches remain.

Continue in garter stitch pattern.

At 10” (staying in pattern) work another round of decreases:

(k17, k2 tog) repeat to end. 108 stitches remain. Continue work in

pattern.

At 11”: (k16, k2 tog) repeat to end. 102 stitches remain. Work pattern.

At 12”: (k15, k2 tog) repeat to end. 96 stitches remain. Work pattern.

At 13”: (k14, k2 tog) repeat to end. 90 stitches remain. Work pattern.

At 14”: (k13, k2 tog) repeat to end. 84 stitches remain. Work pattern.

At 15”: (k12, k2 tog) repeat to end. 78 stitches remain. Work pattern.

At 16”: (k11, k2 tog) repeat to end. 72 stitches remain. Work pattern

until wrap measures 17” from beginning.

Knitting complete, bind off.

YARNWINDER PUBLICATIONS http://theyarnwinder.blogspot.com

Dental floss threaders make handy needle threaders.

This is another project in progress. It too was started several years ago. When finished it will be a 6.5 x 6.5 pin cushion. I'm using Persian yarn doubled on an 8 mesh canvas. The geometric design was copied from the corner of an Oriental rug.

Project Complete

Almost Done

Okay, I started this pair of socks back in 2007 while visiting family in Minnesota and Chicago. Sock projects are great for traveling; the yarn and needles can easily be stuffed in a purse. And working on them while waiting for a delayed flight can help ease the angst of traveling.

Just a few more inches before I graft the toe. I used my pattern, a basic and easy sock pattern, that I wrote for my knitting students at Boston Center for Adult Education in the 80s.

There is nothing original about the pattern draft except that I used a Vogue Knitting 3-column format (which I have always found to be logical and easy to follow); and I clearly identified the type of heel used for the heel flap. To match a gauge of 4.5 sts to the inch with a 4.25mm needle, I used 2 strands of a fingering weight cotton/wool/poly blended yarn. If you think you'd like to use my pattern, it is available for $3.50. Email your request to me at yarnwinder@hotmail.com

John Whiteside Adjusts Truss Rod

Services Traded

In this photo John Whiteside was showing me two pieces of wood to use for the sides of a guitar that he would be building in the near future. As I was listening and snapping photos, I couldn't help but notice the frayed neckband of the Icelandic sweater he was wearing. After John adjusted the truss rod in the neck of my Mango Wood Ukulele, which was the reason for my visit to his Fremont workshop; I offered to repair the neckband, waistband and cuffs of his favorite sweater. You can see how nicely it came out in this after shot. Fortunately I had a ball of Lopi yarn very close to the original color.