Category Archives: knitting

A TRUE VINTAGE KNITTED SWEATER CAPE BY BANFF, FROM THE 1960’S OR EARLY ’70’S

A TRUE VINTAGE KNITTED SWEATER CAPE BY BANFF, FROM THE 1960'S OR EARLY '70'S.

TRUE VINTAGE BOLEROS, CAPES, SHRUGS AND SHAWLS FROM McCALL’S

TRUE VINTAGE BOLEROS, CAPES, SHRUGS AND SHAWLS FROM McCALL'S.

A FABULOUS EARLY 1950’S JUNE WEDDING – IN HANDMADE LACE

A FABULOUS EARLY 1950'S JUNE WEDDING – IN HANDMADE LACE.

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?! 1950’S NEEDLE-WORK PATTERNS THAT FOLLOWED RUNWAY FASHION IN EUROPE . . .

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?! 1950'S NEEDLE-WORK PATTERNS THAT FOLLOWED RUNWAY FASHION IN EUROPE . . ..

A TRUE VINTAGE HAND-KNITTED WARDROBE FOR YOUR NEXT SEA CRUISE?

A TRUE VINTAGE HAND-KNITTED WARDROBE FOR YOUR NEXT SEA CRUISE?.

A TRUE VINTAGE HAND-KNITTED WARDROBE FOR YOUR NEXT SEA CRUISE?

IMG_1476 IMG_1477     Can you imagine making your own travel wardrobe for that ocean voyage overseas?  Well, that’s what some ladies were doing in the early 1960’s!

Springtime, beginning in February, was traditionally the season for international travel – after the Christmas season was all tied up, and before Easter.  Although some North Americans jetted off for ski or beach vacations, the true “Jet-Set” or those planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip headed for Paris & London, East Asia, South America or the Caribbean.

Our grandmothers thought that an ocean cruise was one of the most glamorous ways to travel – and it was, then.  What more elegant attire than a wardrobe of custom-made clothing.  If you weren’t in a position to visit a couturier and had good do-it-yourself skills, a McCall’s Magazine needlework pattern would have been just the thing!

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

PRETTY 1960’S SPRING INTO SUMMER DRESS ENSEMBLES OUR GRANDMOTHERS KNIT AT HOME

PRETTY 1960'S SPRING INTO SUMMER DRESS ENSEMBLES OUR GRANDMOTHERS KNIT AT HOME.

OUR GRANDMOTHERS AND THEIR MOMS AND GRANDMAS KNITTED SWEATERS ALL YEAR LONG!!

OUR GRANDMOTHERS AND THEIR MOMS AND GRANDMAS KNITTED SWEATERS ALL YEAR LONG!!.

OUR GRANDMOTHERS AND THEIR MOMS AND GRANDMAS KNITTED SWEATERS ALL YEAR LONG!!

IMG_1461 It’s hard to imagine, but

IMG_1462mid-century and before women wore sweaters of one kind or another all year.  These McCall’s needlework magazine pictures from the 1950’s and early 1960’s prove it!  Not only dresses, cardigans and little boleros, but I’ve seen patterns for shorts and even bathing suits.

If you keep a woman confined with time on her hands, it’s amazing what she will come up with . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

MID – CENTURY TRUE VINTAGE ELEGANCE: WHAT REALLY MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

MID – CENTURY TRUE VINTAGE ELEGANCE: WHAT REALLY MAKES THE DIFFERENCE.