[ the book, my knitting, and my oh-so classy yarn holder; née oatmeal box. ]
I recently was able to get my hands on a copy of A Stitch in Time: Knitting and Crochet Patterns of the 20s, 30s, and 40s by Jane Waller. While this book has been reprinted, the version I got to look at is the original 70s edition, which is basically reprints of vintage needlework publications. Let me just say that I think my heartbeat quickened quite a bit when I paged through this book! I am absolutely in love with just about all the designs that have been reprinted–I think if I were an octopus I’d try knitting them all right now! lol.
[ peek inside the book. ]
As it is, I can’t knit more than a couple projects at a time (and certainly not at the same time). I decided to frog a sweater I had started several months ago (and completely lost interest in), and use the yarn to start a new project. I had been looking for a new use for this yarn long before I checked this book out, since the sweater I had been knitting just wasn’t coming together. Now I’ve got something new on my needles!
[ the design that is currently on my needles. so fun to knit up! ]
Perhaps it’s because so many of the books I read as a child were published in the 70s (we spent a lot of time at the library growing up–it was a weekly event!), but these older “vintage style and craft” books always make me feel nostalgic. Partially because I wish I could time travel back to the early 70s when vintage was only just starting to gain interest and things were still widely available, and also because it reminds me of the books that got me interested in handcrafts and vintage clothing as a child. There is something rather wistful in returning to one’s roots nearly 20 years later… it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy and just a bit sad that time has passed so quickly! (Although I think part of this is due to my birthday coming up in two weeks–I’m turning The Big 25! I always get silly and nostalgic like this around the end of April…)
[ another sneaky peek inside... more pictures here. ]
Those cables look so nice! I haven’t knitted anything, much less cables in so long. Maybe I need to rethink how I spend my evenings. Hope you have lots of fun with the new project.
Love,
Mom
Gorgeous texture on that sweater! What kind of yarn are you using? It looks nice and crisp.
oh, yes, ripping apart one project to start another…I feel like doing that with a sweater I started awhile ago and have lost interest in. But I hesitate because it’s the second sweater I’ve started with that yarn! How many transformations does my poor bit of yarn have to go through? lol
Oh, looks like a lovely book. I also found a nice knitting book from 1956 a while back, so many great looking sweaters and tops! Couldn’t wait to get started…and then I had to stop because I had no suitable buttons (and making buttonholes without having any buttons is a bit risky). So now my cardigan to be is just lying there, waiting for the right buttons to come along so it can get finished. Hope you have better flow then I did!
What a great find! Those sweaters are absolutely lovely. Looking forward to seeing your finished project.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts – I am just the same with the 70′s/80s craft books. I had to laugh though, since I am 37… knowing that a 25 year old can feel like that made me feel not quite so old! Thanks for brightening up my day!
Gosh! I didn´t know there was a 70´s edition!
It must be amazing to see all original vintage pitchures!!!
I got the 80´s edition from the library around christmas but sadly almost all pattens seemed to be reworked into big and (in my oppinion) ugly 80´s style… So nothing really caught my eye..
Well, when I get rich I will buy the new one!
Love the look of what you are knitting!
I too love the old craft books – I was a 70′s child and Mum had lots of 50′s/60′s Stitchcrafts which were sources of inspiration then and even today!
Wonderful find! Those sweaters are oh so lovely and I wish I could get my hands on this book as well!
Ahhh! You are so lucky. This book has been on my wishlist since I started knitting 2 years ago. I’m so jealous.
looks like a neat book! love your blog
I have the newer version of this book. It has so many great patterns in it! I love the one you’re knitting. Can’t wait to see it!
This looks amazing, I love the pattern on your half knitted top – so in love. Can you make me one? Tehee, joking, I really do need to teach myself to knit – oh the things I would make…
I bought this exact book for about $50 on eBay a few years ago….now it would be about $200. It’s a beaut, for sure.
That book looks fabulous, so much so I have added it to my Birthday wish list
I am so obsessed with vintage knitting now I have my Mother in Law and a friend knitting things up for me as I simply can’t knit enough at once. In fact, I am yet to complete my first vintage jumper for myself but I am nearly there and thoroughly addicted already.
Not enough hands and not enough time. Looking forward to seeing your completed jumper.
Lottie -x-
I love vintage fashions – especially those from the 40′s! Looks like a great book.
these are adoreable! i hope i get better at crocheting so I can learn to knit cute stuff like this.
Goodness! I wish I could knit!
It was lovely to see the original version of ‘A Stitch in Time’ featured on your fascinating site. As it was my very first book, I have a great fondness for it.
Thanks very much for letting people know about my work.
best wishes
Jane (Waller)