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.

Next Pattern:

Why should the fireplace get all the fun? Instead of knitting stockings this year, why not whip up a pair of Christmas themed socks? These Christmas sock knitting patterns are lots of fun to make and you can wear them to holiday gatherings for years to come.

For our friends in the southern part of the world, there are the Christmas in July socks from the Kiwi Lodge – Kylie (Ravelry link). These shorty socks are covered in Christmas trees and have bright pink heels and toes for a tropical feel. There’s also an option to make a longer sock if you celebrate somewhere it’s colder.

Twin Stitches Designs (Ravelry) has a fun pattern with mix and match colorwork motifs you can use to build your own cozy Christmas socks. From the sample socks I see Christmas puddings, trucks hauling trees, Santa belts, ornaments and a couple of different borders. There may be more patterns included but the listing doesn’t say. Make a pair that matches or use different motifs on each foot for extra holiday cheer.

If you want to stick to Christmas puddings on your holiday socks, check out this cute pattern from Stone Knits. These lovely socks feature a band of puddings around the leg and a bit of holly by the toes.

These vintage holiday light socks from Grey Owl Knits by Sarah are classic looking and lots of fun at the same time. I love this color combination but of course you can make your lights and stripes whatever colors you like or have on hand. They’re worked using stranded knitting.

And if you’d like even more of a mix of patterns for your socks, try Barbara Ceglédi’s Christmas Chaos socks, a free pattern on Ravelry. The pattern includes 25 little motifs you can choose from, ranging from snowflakes and Christmas trees to elf hats, reindeer and hearts.

Next Pattern:

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