I found this in a second-hand bookshop recently:
The Golden Hands Encyclopedia of Knitting and Crochet. It’s full of wonderful examples of the fashions of yesteryear.
As always, the worst fashion crimes are inflicted on children:
And these jackets aren’t too awful. Really. It’s just the colour that’s so challenging. Imagine them in charcoal or black. But the trousers? Look at the cuffs. Cor.
Always wanted a housecoat gown with a loopy fringe to get caught in everything? Well here you go:
And just when you thought you’d seen every possible use for granny squares… cloaks. Yes, cloaks:
But you know what? I actually rather like this coat:
In fact, I’m a little worried at how many of these patterns are suddenly appeallingly retro rather than hilarious examples of a bygone fashion era. And when the tubular bind off method of casting on for the fronts of Swizzle proved too awkward for me, I found a much easier way to get the same result in this book.
Sometimes the old ones are good ones.
hee hee – I would totally wear that pink coat – just not in pink. Mmmm, imagine it in a deep red, or purple, or charcoal or black – very nice!
I’ve seen that book!!! In fact, I have a suspicion that my MIL has it, plus a selection of 70s craft mags… (unless they went with the National Geographics in the farm clearing sale)
I like the very simple, clear line drawings in those old books – often better than most photos.
Mmm, charcoal.
I’m with you on line drawings, kate. But then, I used to be an illustrator, so I’m biased!
I love the Golden Hands books as well…I think the 70s are inspiring a lot of our fashion today and have a cool chic about them.
I also like the 1940s Patons pattern booklets.