A Stitch in Time saves...

I am a big fan of vintage knitting and have several books on the subject which I lovingly drool over when looking for projects. Making these items does take a lot of time and dedication with the yarn and needles being so fine, but this gives lovely wearable results if you can face the knitting involved.

My past vintage knitting efforts have included an Evening Top, which I tweaked a little in the sizing and then a Evening Bolero which I wished I’d tweaked as it was still too big for me even when I was pregnant!

One of my favourite books is Jane Waller’s Knitting Fashions of the 1940s: Styles, Patterns, and History which the Bolero pattern was taken from. I love the bits of history and old photos that go with each pattern, but I think the translation of the patterns might have required a bit more attention, hence my giant bolero!

Thankfully lots of careful pattern attention was bought to another of my favourite books A Stitch In Time, Knitting and Crochet Patterns, 1920-1949 Vol. 1 in which Jane Waller teamed up with vintage knitter extraordinaire Susan Crawford. Each pattern is meticulously rewritten and tested before publication and errata for any pattern mistakes that have gone under the radar have been subsequently published. The photography is exquisite and really shows the knits off to their full potential, which is another reason why I use this as a beautiful coffee table book.

When I heard that there was to be A Stitch in Time Vol.2 I got totally over excited and pre ordered my copy the moment it was possible to do so. You can still pre order the book which is due out on the 30^th June and with your pre order you get a couple of goodies, including a project bag and discounts on the yarns used, so it’s well worth it.

Whilst waiting in anticipation for A Stitch in Time Vol.2 to come out I am also getting excited about Knit Nation which is happening from the 15^th to the 17^th July. I loved it last year and hope that it will be just as good again this year. I’ve booked tickets for Mum and I on the Saturday and have also booked us in for the Knit-Tea Salon which is basically a yummy afternoon tea to refresh us mid yarn shopping spree.

Knit update: My knitting has finally progressed beyond the mindless lace I was working on and I have now thankfully moved on to the bust increasing of my lacy blue top. This morning on the train I discovered that I had lost four stitches in the process, but managed to find them on my next row round. Note to self; don’t knit in bed moments before you’re going to sleep.