Long Lake Yarns » Vintage knitting

Poor Donald Jr.

Noreen — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:29:11 +0000

This, from another 1917 knitting booklet. The leggings look like bandages. The shoes seem to be dress shoes, not fit for play. Same for the shorts. His sweater is the only comfortable piece of clothing poor Donald Jr. was allowed to wear that day. And what of the expression on his face? Bored? When the photo shoot was over did he rip that sweater off and head on to a life of privilege. Or something else?

How about this Cover girl?

She looks more pleased with her outfit than young Donald. Both sweaters make ample use of the mainstay of knitting–garter stitch. Plain old knitting. The first stitch every knitter learns, maybe with a rhyme like this one to help her remember how to do it: “In through the front door, around the the back, open the window, and off jumps Jack.”

1917 Corticelli Cover Girls

Noreen — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 03:03:49 +0000

Ninety-three years ago, this young woman modeled fashionable knitted tennis wear on the cover of The Corticelli Yarn Book, “Lessons in Knitting and Crochet.” The book contained an extensive assortment of fashions for men, women, children, soldiers and babies. It was published by the Corticelli Silk Mills of Florence, Massachusetts. Odd little crochet do-dads dangling in front, but other than that, somewhat modern styling. Nice subtle color combination too. Seems to hold up rather nicely, especially figuring this model was likely born in the 19th century.

“Holding up rather nicely” isn’t what comes first to mind for the “Silk Dresden Sweater” featured on the book’s inner cover page, though. I don’t think knitters with a vintage knitting bent are going to be lining up to knit this one, “posed” here by “Mrs. Vernon Castle:”

Knitting for Soldiers & Sailors

Noreen — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 02:34:29 +0000

It was 1917. The Corticelli Yarn Book, “Lessons in Knitting and Crochet” published by the Corticelli Silk Mills in Florence, Massachusetts provided “instructions to help the women throughout the country who are at this time utilizing every available moment in the making of warm and comfortable garments for the boys who have responded to the call of our country in its present crises.” Women were cautioned to knit in either “gray (Oxford) or khaki” or “light Oxford” for the Navy. Corticelli supplied patterns for a sleeveless sweater (above), a “sleeping cap,” two different wristlets, a muffler, an “abdominal belt,” a “cap for convalescents,” a cap and scarf set, socks, bedsocks and a helmet liner (below). A “comfort set” would be the sleeveless sweater, wristlets and a muffler (scarf). ”The knitting should be done evenly and firmly and drop stitches should be avoided. The stitches should not be cast on too tightly. The garments should be free from lumps and knots, especially the socks, as they are liable to blister the feet.”

Today, Ship Support is “supporting America’s troops deployed in the War on Terror–one stitch at a time.” The items need to be “closely knit or crocheted for warmth,” knit in colors suitable for men. ”Women in the military prefer these as well.” Land’s End has teamed up with the Sailors’ Society to have us knit wooly hats for chilly sailors. Knit for the Navy is looking for afghans. Knitters are busy knitting glommits (a combination glove/mitten) and gauntlets (shooters gloves) for soldiers in Afghanistan. The need continues and those who chose to knit for soldier and sailor relief organizations knit because they care.

Does this young one look too ready for the wars to come? He modeled for Corticelli in 1917.