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Vintage Knit: 25 Knitting and Crochet Patterns Refashioned for Today
Vintage Knit offers lovers of retro style 25 beautiful knitting patterns from the 1940s and 1950s, regraded to fit modern sizes (small, medium, and large) and to knit with yarns easily available today. A short introduction describes each garment and suggests how to style it, followed by clear instructions for knitting and making up. Details of the exact yarn used are given to ensure perfect results at home.
Each garment is photographed on a model, letting you see how the styles of the past can be part of a very up-to-date look.
A useful section on equipment and terminology, plus a list of useful resources, gives you everything you need to knit the patterns in the book.
Each garment is photographed on a model, letting you see how the styles of the past can be part of a very up-to-date look.
A useful section on equipment and terminology, plus a list of useful resources, gives you everything you need to knit the patterns in the book.
- GenresKnittingCraftsNonfiction
176 pages, Hardcover
First published September 2, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 3, 2018
I had expected a lot from this book, given it's title, that's why it is sooo disappointing. The choosing of "vintage knits" is problematic, but not too bad. At least it is certainly not the worst part of the book. There is one big problem with all the projects (except maybe one): exquisite and elegant things from the pictures in the process of "refashioning" somehow became bulky and baggy. Though the originals appeal to me, I would never wear anything close to those "refashioned" projects. Just another bad knitting book.
September 2, 2023
It's OK. Not great, but not horrible. It's not one I'd get for my personal shelf, but it wasn't a total wash either.
Standard warning - I haven't made any of the patterns, so no opinion on errors or completeness or clarity of the patterns, but they seem alright on a superficial read.
Really, my biggest complaints revolve around the actual patterns chosen. Very few small patterns, for example, and not a lot of variety in them. It's always nice having a range of projects, right, some quick and easy and others more involved. But there just isn't that here. Really, the hats were the only really quick, small projects, and none of them appealed to me. They are all these little partial hats that perch on the top of one's head. Some of them were little more than a knitted yarmulke. In some parts of the world that might be enough warmth, and those might stay in place with some hairstyles. But for me? My ears would get cold, and there's no way that would stay comfortably on my head.
Other reviewers have complained about the reworking of some patterns, how the original had a better silhouette or drape, and I can definitely see some examples where that is the case. For example: The Blouse with Round Yoke? The modern version is this weird bubble shape that loses all the appeal of the original.
And then there are patterns that I just can't see making because it would be a bit of a slog. The Housecoat, the Dress, and the Skirt just seem like miles of uninteresting knitting. Stockinette or moss stitch until your brains melt out your ears from boredom - and not in tiny pieces to later seam together either, but in long panels or whole pieces. Boring knitting.
So were there any patterns I did like?
Jumper with Slanting Yoke in Cable Stitch - the boxy shoulders aren't my favorite, but I liked the cable details
I liked the texture and color details of the Jumper in Stripes of Two Colours but the actual shaping was a little odd. Just not as flattering as I'd hope.
Man's Lumberjacket and Man's Cardigan - I'm a sucker for a classic cardigan, but I've seen similar patterns elsewhere, so they wouldn't be enough incentive to get this book for myself
Jumper with Double Scarf Collar - fun collar detail, and the shaping isn't bizarrely baggy or box-shouldered in the modern version.
I like the Spiral Jumper pattern, but can't tell if the fit doesn't appeal as much because the model is slouching too much or because of the actual fit of the sweater
So, overall, Just OK. Nothing really stand-out making me want to add this to my personal collection, but knowing it's in my library gives me options, if I want them.
Standard warning - I haven't made any of the patterns, so no opinion on errors or completeness or clarity of the patterns, but they seem alright on a superficial read.
Really, my biggest complaints revolve around the actual patterns chosen. Very few small patterns, for example, and not a lot of variety in them. It's always nice having a range of projects, right, some quick and easy and others more involved. But there just isn't that here. Really, the hats were the only really quick, small projects, and none of them appealed to me. They are all these little partial hats that perch on the top of one's head. Some of them were little more than a knitted yarmulke. In some parts of the world that might be enough warmth, and those might stay in place with some hairstyles. But for me? My ears would get cold, and there's no way that would stay comfortably on my head.
Other reviewers have complained about the reworking of some patterns, how the original had a better silhouette or drape, and I can definitely see some examples where that is the case. For example: The Blouse with Round Yoke? The modern version is this weird bubble shape that loses all the appeal of the original.
And then there are patterns that I just can't see making because it would be a bit of a slog. The Housecoat, the Dress, and the Skirt just seem like miles of uninteresting knitting. Stockinette or moss stitch until your brains melt out your ears from boredom - and not in tiny pieces to later seam together either, but in long panels or whole pieces. Boring knitting.
So were there any patterns I did like?
Jumper with Slanting Yoke in Cable Stitch - the boxy shoulders aren't my favorite, but I liked the cable details
I liked the texture and color details of the Jumper in Stripes of Two Colours but the actual shaping was a little odd. Just not as flattering as I'd hope.
Man's Lumberjacket and Man's Cardigan - I'm a sucker for a classic cardigan, but I've seen similar patterns elsewhere, so they wouldn't be enough incentive to get this book for myself
Jumper with Double Scarf Collar - fun collar detail, and the shaping isn't bizarrely baggy or box-shouldered in the modern version.
I like the Spiral Jumper pattern, but can't tell if the fit doesn't appeal as much because the model is slouching too much or because of the actual fit of the sweater
So, overall, Just OK. Nothing really stand-out making me want to add this to my personal collection, but knowing it's in my library gives me options, if I want them.
Read
November 7, 2020I really liked one summery short-sleeved wrap top. I have some cotton coral yarn and saved the pattern. Otherwise I tended to prefer the aesthetics of the original vintage patterns to their updated "modern" versions.
February 19, 2023
This is ok, the patterns are beautiful in the original, but the 'modern' remakes aren't even close to the originals. Funnily enough, they kind of look like bad 90s outfits, if that makes sense. If you are a vintage knitting lover like me, I wouldn't recommend it!
June 25, 2016
This book was a huge disappointment. I´m a big fan of Geraldine Warner´s earlier book, Knit Back In Time, and was hoping for some of the lovely 30s patterns that were included as illustrations in that book. Unfortunately, this was for the most part not the case.
There is one beautiful pattern that I really like and is the sole reason for me to keep this book: the twotoned 30s Lady´s Jumper with double scarf collar. (I´m adding an extra star just for that pattern.) There are a couple of patterns that are ok but nothing very special: a jumper with slanting yoke in cable stitch, a man´s fair isle cardigan, the spiral pattern jumper, the tuck in surplice, the two color spot jersey and the twinset in rib. The rest of the patterns are either too nondescript (i.e. there are lots of modern patterns that would do just as well) or too ugly and unpractical to contemplate making.
The yarn choices for the most part are unfortunate, and the resulting knits ill-fitting and amateur looking - either bulky and oversized or overly cropped. The styling of the photographs is awful. I do agree with Geraldine Warner´s opinion that vintage knits should to be updated for the knits to be used for all occasions, but the reason for most knitters to knit vintage patterns is to create something elegant and well-fitting to add a bit of glamour to everyday life.
That being said, Geraldine Warner´s earlier book is wonderful and well worth purchasing!
There is one beautiful pattern that I really like and is the sole reason for me to keep this book: the twotoned 30s Lady´s Jumper with double scarf collar. (I´m adding an extra star just for that pattern.) There are a couple of patterns that are ok but nothing very special: a jumper with slanting yoke in cable stitch, a man´s fair isle cardigan, the spiral pattern jumper, the tuck in surplice, the two color spot jersey and the twinset in rib. The rest of the patterns are either too nondescript (i.e. there are lots of modern patterns that would do just as well) or too ugly and unpractical to contemplate making.
The yarn choices for the most part are unfortunate, and the resulting knits ill-fitting and amateur looking - either bulky and oversized or overly cropped. The styling of the photographs is awful. I do agree with Geraldine Warner´s opinion that vintage knits should to be updated for the knits to be used for all occasions, but the reason for most knitters to knit vintage patterns is to create something elegant and well-fitting to add a bit of glamour to everyday life.
That being said, Geraldine Warner´s earlier book is wonderful and well worth purchasing!
February 11, 2016
A+ job on translating vintage patterns. The photographs, which include both the original vintage photos, and multiple photos from all angles of the finished item on modern models, with modern style and body types, are excellent.
June 4, 2015
Not really my style.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews