Vintage Crochet Mini Dresses

Vintage Crochet Mini Dresses

My Mom's 1970's crochet mini dress got a lot of attention. Thanks for all the nice comments here and on Ravelry.

Besides knitting I have an obsession for collecting vintage knitting and crochet patterns. I knew I had some "mod" patterns from the 60's and 70's so I went looking through them today. Can you believe I had this pattern which is pretty darn close to my Mom's dress?

The vintage pattern is Big & Little Crochets, Leaflet # 2519, by Columbia-Minerva. (Original price, 35 cents.) I can not find a date on it but it appears to be from the same era, the early 1970's. The hot pink dress is pattern # V-15 and the turquoise dress is # V-16.

The pattern for the pink dress can be found on Ravelry or at Vintage Creations for free.

My Mom's 1970's Crochet Mini Dress!

My Mom's 1970's

Crochet Mini Dress

Today just happens to be my Mom's birthday. In honor of my Mom, I thought it would be fun to share her 1970's crochet mini dress with you.

Now keep in mind, my Mother did not save this dress. I did. I love the fact that I did not knit or crochet since I was a young girl yet I saved everything we had in our house associated with the needle arts my entire life. Even though I did not knit again until I was in my mid 40's, I know that knitting and crochet were dear to my heart or I would not have saved everything that I have saved all these years.

1970's era mini dress!

Today I asked my Mom where she bought this dress. My Mom said she received it from her mother for Christmas back in the early 1970's. My Mom said "she probably bought it at Goldman's or Joseph Magnin's back then!" My Mom loved the dress but wasn't sure when she would ever wear it. Then the perfect event presented itself, her high school class reunion.

My Mom and Dad

&

the Chartreuse Mini Dress

I've always loved vintage so I am thrilled that I saved this dress. I think my Mom wore this around 1970 - 1971. It is in remarkable great shape for being stored in a plastic dry cleaner's bag (in a box) out in the garage all these years. I just love it's 1970's chartreuse green color!

Vintage Tarrri Dress Label

The designer dress label says Tarrri (I think). It is 100% wool. It was made in the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong. It must have been hand made. The crochet work is beautiful. The mini dress is 33" in length. And yes...my Mom was quite "foxy" in it back in the day!

Crochet Shell Pattern?

I hope you have enjoyed this look back at 1970's fashion and my Mom's mini dress. I am so glad I saved it! Someday I hope to become a better crocheter. I would love to crochet a scarf in this crochet shell pattern in a chartreuse for my Mom to wear and me to borrow!

Maybe an avid crocheter can help me to identify it's shell pattern? I would love any tips or comments!

The Knitter Issue Three

The Knitter Issue Three

I am a lucky knitter!

This week has been a good knitting week.

On Tuesday I had morning coffee, lunch and knitting with my new knitting friends Lorna, Sheila and Michele. On Wednesday I went to my class at Knitique and Danielle (owner/teacher) told me that I am a really good knitter. That praise just made my day since I have been taking knitting classes from Danielle for over a year now!

And, then I lucked out and found Issue Three of The Knitter!

Urchin Sweater

by Kim Hargreaves

This issue's theme is Coastline Designs. It is filled with lots of wonderful patterns inspired by the waves, shells and ripples of the seaside and perfect for this time of year, springtime!

Here is a sneak peak at Issue Three if you haven't' been lucky enough to see it yet. Every issue has sold out both in the UK and US. Hmm...perhaps I should just subscribe to The Knitter?

Starfish Shawl

by Norah Gaughan

Norah Gaughan is an American Knitwear Designer and Creative Director for Berroco.

On Ravelry, I have a British (Yorkshire Gal) knitter friend, Melanie who is lives in Australia currently. We met over our love of Yorkshire Tea and Tea Cozies! Melanie knows how much I love British designers like, Louisa Harding and she loves American Designers, like Norah Gaughan. I thought of Melanie when I saw this issue so I hope she can find Issue Three! She says it is pretty tough to find in Australia. Good luck Mel!

Beachcomber Bag

&

Wristwarmers

by Amanda Crawford

What fun accessories for a summer outing or beachcombing at the beach! The Beachcomber bag and coordinating wristwarmers are knit in Wendy Supreme Luxury Cotton DK in Spring Bouquet and Crystal Blue colorways. I have never heard of this yarn, have you? It must be popular in the UK?

Mason-Dixon Knitting

Even though The Knitter is a British magazine there is a regular feature each month with good 'ole USA gals Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne. They have the popular following Mason-Dixon Knitting. This month's feature is about too many scarves? I love scarves so I am loving this article. I am known on Ravelry and wherever I go knitting as I Love Scarves!

Louisa Harding

My favorite British Knitwear Designer!

Well, it's no secret that Louisa Harding is my favorite knitwear designer. I loved this issue's article Best of British, the ultimate guide to the UK's top knitwear designers. In my book, Louisa Harding tops that list!

Issue 4 has already hit the news stands in the UK on March 31st. I can't wait to find my copy here in the states. I read that there is a Louisa Harding capelet pattern in it!

PS: Issue 3 has errata for both Issue 1 and 2!

Close-Knit Friendships

Designer Lorna Miser

Today marked the second book signing and trunk show on Lorna's book tour for Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting. It was held at my other LYS Babetta's Yarn & Gifts.

This morning I started reading Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting. I was so touched by Lorna's stories about knitting and her knitting friendships. Then my telephone rang. It was Lorna's good friend Sheila asking me if I would like to go see Lorna today at Babetta's Yarn and Gifts. Of course, I said "yes"!

I met Lorna when I joined the Cameilla Stockinettes, my local knitting guild chapter of TKGA last January. She is also the president. When Lorna found out that I live in Folsom (like her and Sheila) she immediately introduced me to Sheila and said "you've got to knit with us"!

Lorna and Sheila's friendship story is in the book. They met knitting about five years ago at a local coffee shop. Sheila was knitting mittens and having some difficulty. Lorna offered her help and advice. So yes, there is a pattern in the book called Helping Hand Mittens along with the story of how they met.

Today at the book signing, I purchased a book for my knitting friend Ruth. I met Ruth on Ravelry, the online knitting community. I admired one of her projects and we have been emailing ever since. Ruth lives in Oklahoma. I live in California. We do plan on meeting one day. We hope to meet on a special knitting tour maybe even in London or Paris!

As Lorna was signing Ruth's book, I was telling her the story about my friendship with Ruth. Lorna shared that she had a similar knitting friendship with a friend in Mississippi. They eventually did meet and Lorna then realized that her knitting friend had a very Southern accent. Hmmm...

I bet my friend Ruth has an accent, too?

Lorna signing a book

for my special knitting friend Ruth

I love stories about knitting and friendships. Every knitter you meet has a story. Every knitter I know has made wonderful friendships through knitting.

I love the resurgence of knitting. Knitting group get-togethers today are like the quilting bees of my grandmother's era. Now I know why the ladies all gathered around the quilt at quilting bees. It was much more than just quilting. It was about celebrating womens creativity, kinship and friendship.

Thank you for your knitting friendship Ruth! Enjoy your book. It's in the post!

"Congratulations Lorna" Cupcake!

" Congratulations Lorna" cupcake!

Awhile back I lucked out and caught a Martha Stewart segment on how to make marzipan knits for cupcakes with Blogger artist Lauren Ulm. They were adorable! I printed out the directions and tucked them away for a special occasion.

Well that special occasion arrived last week when I found out the Lorna Miser was the special guest at Knitique my LYS for the release of her first book Faith, Love, Hope, Knitting.

Well, let me just say, that Lauren Ulm made it look pretty easy to make little yarn balls out of colored marzipan. I should have known when Martha was having a bit of difficulty making them that I would, too! Nonetheless, I persevered and did make three little marzipan yarn balls in purple (Lorna's favorite color) for her special celebratory cupcake.

I had never worked with marzipan before. Perhaps the next time I try it, I will achieve better results. I will try it again...sometime.

Designer Lorna Miser

Lorna was touched that I made a special "Congratulations Lorna" cupcake for her to celebrate her first book. That was all that mattered!

Please let me know if you attempt any knit marzipan decorations. I would love to know how yours turn out!

Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting

Designer Lorna Miser's new book

Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting

Does the name Lorna sound familiar? If you're a knitter and love yarn, I know it does!

Yes, Lorna is Lorna Miser knitwear designer and the founder/original owner of Lorna's Laces, luxurious hand dyed yarns. She eventually sold Lorna's Laces in 2003 to focus on being exclusivley a knitwear designer.

Lorna wears many hats these days. She is a Designer, Teacher, Creative Director for Aurora Yarns, President of The Camellia Stockinettes (my TKGA local chapter knitting guild) and now a published author with her first book just out; Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting.

Lorna is also a local knitting celebrity around town (Sacramento region, where we both live) and wherever she travels and teaches!

Three Cozy Kittens

(Inspired by 3 Kittens Yarn Shoppe in St. Paul Minnesota)

My LYS Knitique hosted Lorna's first book signing and trunk show last night. Danielle the owner of Knitique has known Lorna for years. What a treat to have Lorna appear at Knitique for her very first book signing.

It was also Knit and Nosh night at Knitique so everyone brought delicious food and desserts. Since I have been on a cupcake roll, I made cupcakes iced in purple (Lorna's favorite color) and a special "Congratulations Lorna" cupcake for Lorna.

Sweet Baby Sweaters

Lorna's new book is so much more than just knitting patterns. It is filled with heart warming stories of the people and friends Lorna has met knitting through life.

There are 24 patterns and each pattern has a name and a special story about the person who inspired the pattern. I especially love Grandma Helen's lace shawl named after her Grandmother Helen.

Faith, Hope, Love, Knitting

In chatting with Lorna at Knitique, 

I asked her how long it took to write her first book. She told me it took her about a year to write it and then another full year to edit it. She is already hard at work on her second book. I can't wait!

For the record...Lorna's first official book signing party was a huge success! Knitique sold out all their books in just one night!

Cupcakes

Knit cupcakes by members of the

Camelllia City Stockinettes

I recently joined my local Knitting Guild the Camellia City Stockinettes. It is a wonderful group of talented and experienced knitters (plus a few crocheters). We have a meeting once a month. Each month there is a fun challenge project to knit. The finished projects are then brought to the following month's meeting for everyone to see. Tonight we got to see knitted cupcakes!

I missed last month's meeting so I did not knit a cupcake. I did however make over 50 cupcakes...the good old fashioned way!

Edible cupcakes by me!

My cupcakes were the edible type and not knitted. My knitting friend Catherine and I were the volunteers for tonight's refreshments. I was also urged on by my Guild friend Nina to make cupcakes due to the cupcake theme!

I love to bake. I make fabulous muffins nearly every weekend yet I hadn't made cupcakes since high school. Well, I figured cupcakes are kind of like muffins so this should be "a piece of cake"!

I purchased some adorable decorated cupcake liners by Wilton. I thought they would be perfect for the "cupcake theme". Well, my first batch of white cupcakes were a disaster. The liners burned and turned black.

In despair, instead of calling my Mother or even Martha Stewart...I called Danielle at Knitique. I knew she and her daughter make a lot of cupcakes and she used to even decorate cakes.

Well, it turns out that Danielle can teach me other things besides just knitting. She diagnosed the problem immediately. It was my fancy decorator paper cups. She told me just to use the ones (Reynolds brand) from the grocery store. Well, she was right. My next four dozen cupcakes turned out fine.

So I know have a few of my own cupcake secrets plus a few from Danielle. Here they are:

1) Duncan Hines Package mix is convenient and taste home-made! (Dark Chocolate Fudge and Yellow Cake were my favorites. I didn't like the White mix.)

2) Wilton's Buttercream Icing tastes delicious and pipes beautifully with a 1M star tip!

3) Bake only one pan at a time.

4) Use Reynolds baking cups and oil the top of the pan for when the cupcake top bakes up over the cup. (This prevents sticking and burning)

5) Danielle says "bake and frost the cupcakes the day before". They really do taste better!

There you have it. Now I just have to get Danielle to teach me how to make a cute knitted cupcake! I want to a make a cupcake pin cushion holder!