Time after time

I went to the 'Vintage Fayre' in Stroud this morning. Different people were organising it this year, but I recognised some of the stallholders from last year (and some of the items for sale!). There was a good selection ranging from 1940s shirt dresses in floral and 'holiday scene' prints, fabulous shoes (too small for either Hatty or me) and hats to jewellery, sunglasses and spectacle frames and wonderful ruched bathing suits. There were a few knitting patterns and I bought a little selection of individual patterns which I can adapt or knit just as they are. I love these little 1940s cardigans, so finely but simply tailored, with deep waist ribbing and restrained pattern details.

Hatty was looking for a summer dress and picked up a 1970s 'playsuit' in a lovely floral fabric. It is basically a dress but with culottes in the place of the skirt part. It fits like a dream, although she is already pinning it up ready to shorten it slightly!

Our best finds, though, were in the vintage shop at the top of the High Street, Time After Time. They were doing a 20% off all purchases deal just for today. I couldn't resist this knitting bag with its bright printed squares and gentians.

 

It is very roomy and perfect for holding my current work in progress. I am adapting a cardigan pattern from the 1960 Vogue Knitting Book, number 56. Described as 'Cinched to fit a slim waist - a Jacket in Wool and Rayon', it is a round necked cardigan with deep ribbing and 'bracelet length' sleeves. The original is knit in light fingering wool but I am using Sublime Extra Fine Merino 4-ply in a beautiful redcurrant. Instead of the original moss stitch, I am taking the stitch pattern from another cardigan in the same booklet. It is a very simple stitch based on stocking stitch but every fourth stitch is slipped purl wise with wool forward. The effect is to create a checked impression and a more stretchy fabric. Not as monotonous as stocking stitch and not as slow as moss stitch! I think the overall effect, in the fine wool, is really nice.

 

Last but by no means least among my haul was this leather schoolbag. I have been looking for one for ages - they were standard when I was at school! New ones or reproduction versions cost the earth. This one did not and just needs a bit of leather cream to revive it a little.