Review: Vintage Hollywood Knits

There have been a lot of classic knitwear designs in movies and TV shows through the years, but the early days of Hollywood provided a great variety of iconic sweaters for both men and women, from striking sweater girls to dapper men in cardigans.

Years ago knitwear and fashion designer Bill Gibb re-created a number of classic Hollywood garments for a book called Vintage Hollywood Knits, which has recently been re-released with updated patterns and modern yarn choices.

The book in either form isn’t really on Ravelry, but there are 20 sweaters originally worn by the following actors and actresses:

Vilma Bánky
Claudette Colbert
Gary Cooper
Joan Crawfors
Peggy Cummins
Errol Flynn
Great Garbo
Judy Garldan
Cary Grant
Jane Greer
Jean Harlow
Adele Jergens
Jennifer Jones
Dorothy Lamour
Virginia Mayo
Marilyn Monroe
Robert Taylor
Lana Turner
Jane Wyman
Loretta Young

The book includes a little biography of each star and a picture of them wearing the original sweater.

What it doesn’t include is a picture of the updated version in any case, which makes me wonder if these garments were ever knit by anyone or if they were just designed from the pictures. So I guess I’m saying enter at your own risk.

Still, the idea of the book is a great one, and if you’re willing to go on a little adventure with one of these patterns (I’d go with Judy Garland’s fuzzy angora cardigan with embroidered details, or the gigantic Half Fisherman’s rib sweater or dress modeled by Jennifer Jones if it were me) you’d probably be well rewarded.

The patterns use Rowan yarn, come in three sizes each and are good for intermediate to advanced knitters.

If you’ve tried a pattern in this book I’d love to hear how it went!

About the book: 96 pages, hardcover, 20 patterns. Published September 2016 by Pavilion Books. Retail price $19.95.

Looking for more knitting patterns for knitted Cardigans? Check out these Knitting patterns we found on Etsy.

Specific to knitters, you can join our Knitting Patterns Only group to get, well, knitting patterns, ask questions and gain inspiration for what to knit next.

Looking for Yarn online? Check out Lionbrand our preferred source for purchasing yarn online.

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Blankets are a great blank slate project that you can change up in a million different ways. From color to stitch pattern to size, the possibilities are almost endless.

Jared Flood, the designer behind Brooklyn Tweed, was inspired by a log cabin quilt his mother made in 1995 to re-create that design in knitting, which led to more blankets and ultimate Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit and Crochet Blankets, which includes 25 patterns from an array of designers using different skills and techniques to make cozy, pretty blankets.

The patterns are divided into three aesthetic themes: traditions, minimalism and colorplay. The patterns are rated on a scale of one to five, with one being the easiest, and there aren’t any pieces rated five. Two blankets are rated one, 14 are two, eight are three and one is four.

In addition, three of the 25 patterns are crocheted, but they either use single crochet or granny stitch, so they are pretty easy even if you don’t do a lot of crochet. You can see all the patterns on Ravelry.

Some of my favorites include Rattan by Rastus Hsu, a chunky blanket worked in knits and purls with simple crossing stitches to make a raised woven look; Homewood by Seth Richardson, covers in dramatic, loopy cables; Ainur Berkimbayeva’s Tessellate, one of the beginner projects that doesn’t really look beginner but is totally worked in knit and purl stitches; Warp + Weft by Aist? Butkevi?ien?, which is mostly knits and purls but makes a fun woven look fabric that blew my mind a little bit; and the same designer’s Canyonland, a multicolored blanket with wavy stripes.

The patterns tell you how to resize them for different dimensions and include information on pattern repeats where it is possible to make a totally custom size.

Many different techniques are included here such as cables, lace, shadow knitting, intarsia and other colorwork techniques, as well as modular knitting and lots of sewing pieces together. The patterns are all presented with charts, but there are line by line written instructions available on the Brooklyn Tweed website if you need them.

The book ends with a deep dive into log cabin knitting, telling the story of the quilt Jared’s mom made and how he made it in knitting, as well as the multitude of variations you can make if you want your own log cabin style design.

The back of the book includes a little written information about some of the special techniques needed, but there are no photos.

This is a lovely book full of inspiration for knitting and crochet blankets for any skill level. If you like to make blankets as gifts or aspire to have a handmade blanket in every room of the house, these designs would be a great place to start.

About the book: 192 pages, paperback, 25 patterns. Published 2024 by Abrams Books, suggested retail price $24.99.

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