Knits From the Swinging Sixties

A few days ago my next door neighbour brought me round a bag of old magazines. I have a few friends who use me as a decluttering halfway house. They can't bear to throw things out, but are happy to pass them on to me, where I (who am less attached to their possessions) help them on their way. There was a big pile of Woman's Realms, from the 1990's. These were quite fascinating, and I have saved some with interesting knitting patterns. The cookery pages seemed very ordinary compared with today. And the fashion pages looked very dated - big shoulder pads, some very bright colours. 

But tucked between two of these magazines was this gem from the Sixties which I though I would show you. I love the twin set on the cover.

My daughter, who likes short clothes, said that even she would not wear a dress this short!

But this is my favourite. To me the model looks anything but rugged. And I love the sub-title which says "Designed for Slim Chaps".

Vintage Patterns

I think people can be basically divided into two types: Type A, those who spend their time getting rid of things, and Type B who like to keep everything, just in case it will come in handy some day. Unfortunately my mother is one of the first type, and I am one of the second. Or perhaps that is lucky! I promise you that when we visit she has been known to fill the back of the car with bags of stuff without even telling us. Mind you perhaps that means she is a bit of a Type B, as she has kept some of her stuff a long time.

Last time I visited she did give me these lovely old pattern books.  I am not sure even how old the first book of patterns is. I think it could be pre-war. Although it is a bit yellowed with age, it is jam-packed with knitting patterns, or as it calls them "recipes".

The other book she gave me dates from the 1970's, and it made me nostalgic. I had not seen since I was a teenager, but do remember knitting several of the patterns.  I definitely made a teacosy, as well as some of the coathanger covers, and have a feeling that either me or my sister had a go at the doll.

Perhaps most knitters and sewers have a pile of old patterns stashed away?