FO: Lavenda Jumper, from A Stitch in Time Volume 2

Or as I like to call it, my Strawberry Pips Jumper because the bobbles look like strawberry seeds.

Yarn: Merino Bambino, 7.8 balls.
Time: 6 weeks.

I can't wait for winter (or even autumn) to wear this number out - I might even take it to the USA as Chicago is going to be pretty cold I hear.

The sleeves are more puffed than in the pattern photo - but I like puff so that was fine by me. It was a pretty easy knit too. The yarn is a baby wool, and its such an intense red that my camera kept blurring the photos - these were the only ones that came out ok. Very bizarre.

Mods: The only real mods I made were to knit the sleeve and waist ribbing on 3mm needles so they didnt look so tight.

Anchor Brooch, self made.

The pattern is very straightforward, the style is flattering and its cute to boot.

I think this is my favourite thing that i've knitted to date!

Lady Luck Festival, Katoomba

How much do I love the Lady Luck Festival!?

This was the second year it's been on, and it was definitely bigger and better. The weather was typical Blue Mountains - cold, rainy and misty - hence no outside photos. It was a delight to be able to wear a cardigan in the middle of a muggy Sydney summer.

It was held in The Carrington, a grand old hotel in Katoomba. It was great to see rockabillies and vintage-folk parading around the lovely grounds and through the historic rooms.

Our friend Sam, and Jakk looking spunky as always

It wasn't till the day was over (and I was dishevelled from dancing) that I realised I failed to get a photo of what I was wearing! It's my new favourite dress, a graphic mid-century printed cotton dress from The Vintage Studio.

Dress, Etsy. Cardigan, op-shop. Dance shoes, Kmart.
Brooch, Newtown markets.

And then we drove back home through the mist, and fell promptly asleep!
I you all had a fabulous weekend too...
x

Cable stitch - and a touch of Angora, c. 1947

Today's free vintage knitting pattern comes from the Woman's Knitting Book, 1947 (I think this is actually the Women's Weekly Knitting Book).

The grey fluffy sleeves and the pink cables - bizarre to our sensibilities, yet oddly attractive at the same time... I love her casual scarf too!

Blue Lagoon



Photo credit: Natalie Rogers

 

Dress: Raleigh Vintage on Etsy

Shoes: Pink Leopard Print, by Leg Avenue

Necklace: Vintage mock-pearls, from my Nan

Bracelet: Diva

Kitty Lamp: Southern Antiques Centre

Vintage Print: Vinnies Sutherland

Inspirational Aspirations

Clockwise from the upper left:
- Faux forties embossed wedge heels, Shellys of London
- Amazing 1940's plaid playsuit
- Kalandra Jane's new geisha inspired fascinator
- Brooch made by Italian prisioner's of war during WWII
- Simplicity 3457, circa 1940.
- Cherry Red peeptoe shoes, I wish I was a size 5

Giveaway Winner

Congratulations Kate from Vintage in a Modern World! I'll leave a message on your blog.

And thanks to everyone who entered, I got to check out a lot of new and interesting blogs.

Arlene twin-set from the Women's Weekly, c. 1951

I love the Australian Women's Weekly knitting books to death.

They are crammed with fabulous advertisements and interesting knitting patterns, its a shame most of them are only sized for a 34 inch bust.

I've been planning my next knitted object (the Lavenda Droplet jumper should be finished soon), and I really need a plain, round necked cardigan knitted in a 4-ply.

This twin-set is adorable and plain, but spiced up with a little tie-neck on the jumper. Plus it's sized to fit a 38-40 inch bust.

Presenting,
"Arlene, the twin-set chosen by the well-groomed matron of today."

Wait, what?

Well, I dig her glasses at least!

 

'New Year, New Projects' Giveaway

Its time for another giveaway, and this is my biggest yet! I want to say thankyou to all my fabulous readers for the support over the past year.

Every year we make resolutions (or evolutions), and i'd love to hear about yours.
Are you planning to sew more? Learn a new technique? Spend more time on the couch?

To win this giveaway, all you need to do is tell me what your plans are!

Clockwise from the left:
Kooba Knits - late 1950's/early 60's sweaters (very Marilyn Monroe)
Anne Adams weskit in large size (late 1940s)
Butterick side button wiggle-skirt, size 30 (1950s)
Advance weskit and circle skirt, size 12 (1950s)
1930s style Shanghai-style printed notebook
Sun-Glo Knitting Book Series 77 (1940s). Want to see inside? Click here.
2 x Strutt's Milford cotton blouses (1950s)
Marriner 156 yoked blouse (1940's)
The Australian Women's Mirror, 1953
Patons Knitting book (1950s)
Villawood Knitting Book (1960s)

PLUS
A vintage handpainted rose celluloid brooch
Revlon's fabulous matte lipstick "Really Red". The most perfect, vintage coloured, matte lipstick around.

Sun-Glo Series 77 is one of my all-time favourite knitting books, the styles are pure fabulous forties. I was lucky enough to find another copy to giveaway on my blog!

Please leave your comments by noon, 19 January (Sydney, Australia time) and i'll select a winner at random.

Good luck!
xxx

Stitchcraft Magazine Flickr Set

Hello Vintage-lovers!

When I first started collecting Stitchcraft, I wished there was a resource showing me what the issues looked like so I could drool a bit.

So here's my attempt to create that resource, I hope it proves helpful to fellow knitters and vintage-lovers. I'm trying to scan up all from Stitchcraft covers from 1933 - 1954. A lot of the Australian editions just had numbers, so if anyone knows the date for sure please do let me know!

xxx

Sydney Festival First Night - Trocadero Dance Palace

Cowboy, some friends and myself braved the crowds on Saturday night to check out the Sirens Big Band playing at the Trocadero Dance Palace. (It was Sydney Festival First Night, where everything is free)

Best. Night. Ever. So much dancing!

The Troc was a dance hall that ran in Sydney from 1936 - 1970, which had a full brass band that played swing, lindy, cha-cha and rockabilly. It was closed and demolished in 1971, but every year as part of the Sydney Festival they bring it back to life with a series of dance nights.

Last year we saw The Royal Crown Review, but due to increased costs I don't think we'll make any paid events this year.

Copyright RovingISydney
















The Sirens Big Band is an all-female jazz brass band, and they went off! The dancers they had out the front were so acrobatic, I don't know how they managed to dance all night. A lot of people in the crowd were dancing and energy was so joyful and fun.

We need to get as much dance practice in as possible before we hit Viva Las Vegas - can't believe our trip is only 11 weeks away!

Next event up, Lady Luck Festival, Katoomba 28 January 2012.

Nightingale blouse from Patons No. 218, c. mid-1940s

Happy New Year all!
I'm going to be putting up a new year's giveaway really soon to celebrate, so keep your eyes peeled if you want some AMAZING vintage knitting patterns.

Today's free vintage knitting pattern comes from Patons Knitting Book No. 218, which I believe is mid-late 1940s. I just love the round yoke neckline and that draping, I hope you enjoy it too.