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.

If your family is the sort to do a turkey trot for Thanksgiving, or even just to take family pictures, you’ll want to get started knitting up some Turkey Sack Hats with this pattern from Underground Crafter.

The pattern uses super bulky yarn and is rated easy. It’s knit flat but there are a few skills in here around the shaping of the eyes, which includes changing colors, working bobbles and doing a wicked purl 3 together decrease. Twice.

But that’s all in one row, and the rest of it is pretty simple. The beak is worked separately and sewn on, and the side of the hat is stitched up to make it into a hat.

What’s great about this one is that it comes in 10 sizes, ranging from newborn to adult large, so you really can make one for everyone in the family. And because it uses super bulky yarn you can knit a bunch pretty quickly if that’s a thing you’d like to do.

It’s also fun because you could use this base pattern to make different animals or for different holidays. Make it all in orange and stitch on a jack o’lantern face for Halloween, or make a white one that’s a snowman, for example.

In any style this would also be a fun gag gift for that person in your life who has everything or doesn’t want gifts, or if you do a secret Santa or white elephant gift exchange at work or elsewhere.

And make sure whether you’re making it a turkey or some other character that you include the pom poms at the top! They’re just so cure and a great way to add a bit more color to the project, and they’re easy to make. (See also: ways to make a pompom with yarn.)

You can grab the free pattern at the Underground Crafter website.

[Photo: Underground Crafter]

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