Vintage Knitting

The weather may not be cooperating, but post Labor Day I am ready to pull out all my cardigans and tights.  I did, however, get a chance to wear this sweater last week before it got super hot again.

The Fall season means my knitting needles will start to get more of a workout, and I will hopefully complete a few of the projects that have been stashed away on needles for quite some time.   

This sweater is “The Rose Jumper” from A Stitch in Time.  The book is filled with knitting projects from the 1920s through the 1940s.  Copies of the original patterns are included along with updated versions with extended sizes.  I am absolutely in love with every project in Volume 1 – if only there were more hours in the day!  And if you are looking for a little vintage inspiration, the photography is stunning.

I finished this sweater back in January, but never got around to wearing it - mostly because I could not find a skirt to wear with it.  That means it is time to start sewing up some 1930s inspired skirts!  Then the weather got too warm, and it was tucked away.  As soon as the weather gets cool again, I will be sure to pull this out again.

More pictures of the finished sweater may be found over at Lilacs & Lace.

CROCHET

I know this is not a sewing post but perhaps it might be useful for some of you, here are the instructions to knit these things, I'm sorry they are in spanish but perhaps some of you can understand it.

Warm vintage sweater

Although sewing will always be closest to my heart, I must say knitting has a special little place. I found a great vintage pattern for a raglan sleeve sweater with cable stitches along the seams and collar. Since the yarn was pretty chunky (and warm! I'm sweating!) I finished the project in a week (in between sewing projects). It will be a perfect sweater for the cold Canadian winter.

Please stop by my blog Creative Accomplishments!

Vintage cardigan

I have been taking knitting-breaks in between sewing projects making a cute vintage cardigan (free pattern found here) and here is my latest creative accomplishment:

I also made the red skirt I'm wearing in the picture from a Mailoder pattern:

Please visit my blog for more pictures!

Early 1960s dress and bolero - Simplicity 2550

I made this dress a few years ago and wanted to share it with you all. It's an early sixties pattern I found somewhere ( I don't remember where); Simplicity 2550.

I've also made the full skirted version, although I don't wear it as often.

There's more information about this dress on my blog.












I've also gotten a bit farther on that lace sweater. Almost finished with the back!

1930s Lace Sweater

I started this sweater just before school started and finally had a bit of time to do some more work on it this morning, managing to make a little time this week for Stitch 'n Bitch at my friend's tea shop. It's a 1930s knitting pattern I found on Ravelry, and the yarn I'm using is a lovely baby alpaca and silk blend. It's absolutely decadent! Some of the softest yarn I've ever found. It's taking considerably longer than my last two sweater projects, but I'm really excited about this one. It's going to feel so nice!

I'm about a third of the way finished with the back.

Detail of the lace pattern.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacouturieredimanche/ 
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/eviecat
http://lacouturieredimanche.blogspot.com/

Thrifting and Hoarding to Feed the Sewing Obsession

I know many of us share a common obsession with sewing patterns and vintage notions that sends us out scouring the thrift stores every chance we get. Well, recently I scored pretty big in my opinion when I found a pile of vintage sewing books (one with buried treasure), knitting patterns, and notions at a couple of local shops. I would love to share some photos with you, but don't want to hog the whole page here at Sew Retro. If you would like to see my goodies, head on over to Farmhouse Garden and have a looksie! Here is a photo from a Bernat knitting pattern book I found:

My waist hasn't been this small since I was 8!

I Really Need A Knitter

I hope everyone's OK with me posting this here. I know that everyone on here is multi-talented and I'm in need of a knitter (or should that be kneed of a knitter? har har).

I have been searching for lovely short sleeved knitted cardigans and shrugs for ages now with absolutely no luck. Down, but not defeated, I took a break and started to read my favourite blogs. It's thanks to Green Apples that I found the lovely knits of Kim Hargreaves. *swoon* This is one of the items I'm looking for:

'Blossom' from the Misty Collection

If you're a knitter and are interested in working with me, please see my blog for more information.

Thanks a bunch!

Sarah :)

Hello Everyone!

Hello, I’m Collette of Serendipity Vintage. I have been reading Sew Retro for over a year, and I am so excited to be a part of the community (thank you, Angela!). I’ve collected vintage sewing and craft patterns for while now, and I’ve also collect vintage beauty books, vintage and antique homemaking manuals, vintage etiquette books, vintage sheet music, vintage housewares, and vintage cookbooks for over fifteen years.

I was a crafty kid and enjoyed crocheting and sewing as a teen, but it fell by the wayside over the years. A friend taught me to knit a few years ago so I began crocheting again. But I haven’t sewn since I took Home Ec. in high school nearly 20 years ago! Seeing all of your creations has inspired me to start sewing again; I truly appreciate your posts. I just bought a Brother machine and I’m starting at the beginning again with really, really easy patterns. It’s like riding a bike, right? Once you learn you never forget? (smile)

I started an Etsy shop a couple of weeks ago to help sewists and collectors find patterns and other fun vintage items (and to destash – my collections are outgrowing my space!). I also started a blog, Serendipity Handmade, to share my love of vintage sewing and craft patterns, as well as share the other vintage items I collect. I post new shop items to my blog, Facebook, and Twitter, and one day I hope to have my entire collection on Flickr. Of course, I plan to be active on Sew Retro too.

I will be posting a free 1940s knitting/crochet pattern on my blog this week so be sure to check it out!

Lace Crochet Fingerless Gloves

I just started knitting and crocheting last year and I am still getting used to reading patterns and using different yarn weights. I found a great pattern for lace fingerless gloves and stitched some up in some left over yarn just to get the feel for the pattern. As you can see this gold yarn was way too bulky and my glove looked more like a strange wrist cast. I recently bought some finer yarn shown below that I am really excited about. I will keep you posted on my progress with the new yarns.