Back to the Future: Vintage Stoles and Chill Chasers

Every once and awhile I browse through my mom's old pattern books. Right now I'm knitting the Multnomah Shawl and my eye was naturally drawn to the patterns for stoles and "chill-chasers". Any of you shawl knitters know the difference between the two?

This is from a 1952 magazine called "Smart Knitting". I wish I could fill out a knitted blouse like this. Oops, this is all about the stole!

The lace pattern for the stole above is quite simple. It's a repeat of  *yo, P2 tog*.

This stole is a bit more complicated, as you can tell from the face of the wearer. With this one, the knitter wraps the yarn around the needle on one row and drops it the next row to make long open  lace work. It reminds me of hairpin lace.

For 20 cents this pattern book could have been yours in the 1950s.

If only they were still that price! Oh well, enough of vintage. I better get back to the present and knit my shawl.

Happy knitting!

G' Day: It's Katie the Knit Kangaroo!

My knitted kangaroo Katie and her baby had been packed away in a mover's cardboard box for about eight years. The box was stored in the dark recesses of my house's dormer crawl space. I came across this box while on my hands and knees choking on fiber glass insulation (Don't ask!).

I had forgotten about my knitted toy phase where I obsessively knit stuffed toys from patterns and my imagination. This kangaroo was knit some 20 years ago from a pattern in this 1950's Beehive Toys and Novelties pattern book which I dug out of my collection after rediscovering Katie.

If my peri-menopause memory serves me right, I think Katie was one of the many items I had made for my one and only craft show (Don't ask about that either!).

Here is the rest of the menagerie that I could have knit but didn't.

Oh wait, I remember also knitting Donna the Donkey who you can see in the background with the hat and flowers. She actually sold at my one and only craft show.

My problem now is what to do with Katie and her baby. I know she's only wool and stuffing, but I feel very guilty shoving her back in that mover's box.

Happy knitting and stuffing!

This post is brought to you by Fiber Arts Friday at Alpaca Farm Girl.

Crocheting From Vintage Doily Patterns: My Mom's Latest Creation

My Mom has been busy this summer crocheting a "Cluny Centerpiece" doily. The final result is quite beautiful with lots of cluny leaves. The cluny leaves are in three sizes starting with the smaller leaves in the center. The largest leaves ring the outside edge.

The fine detail of this doily is quite impressive. Some people may believe that doilies are too traditional, but they are great examples of lace making using crochet.

She has crocheted more doilies over the years than she cares to remember! She loves the challenge of crocheting such a detailed piece and seeing such beautiful handwork emerging off of her crochet hook.

My Mom has many vintage crochet patterns. I have never attempted to crochet a doily. Maybe its time I gave it a shot. I certainly have lots of patterns to choose from! Happy doilies to you!