Eielson Jet Sweater

 

I’m very proud of this particular project representing my current home in Alaska! Alaskan-dyed wool, fighter jets, and snowflakes--what more could I need?!

Joanie Boatneck Sweater - Poison Grrls

I'm always looking for projects to use up the yarns in my stash, and when I saw Poison Grrls release their new pattern, the Joanie Boatneck Sweater, I knew it would be perfect! There are five colors on the garment, so it was perfect to use the odd fingering-weight yarn balls I had left over from other projects.

Munro Sweater - Vintage Shetland Project

Say hello to my FIRST. FAIR ISLE. SWEATER!

This has been one of the most enjoyable, learning-filled knitting projects that I've ever done! I loved watching the design grow row by row, and I tried out new techniques that I'd never used before, mainly steeks.

(TLDR details at the bottom!)

Tongue-Tied Blouse Resources

I've finished my Tongue Tied Blouse by the Poison Grrls! I absolutely *love* it and will definitely be making it again... a few dozen more times!

One of the things that I've really enjoyed about this pattern is that it has stretched me as a knitter. I don't use modern patterns a lot, and--believe it or not--some new developments have happened in knitting over the last 80 years, ha! I was able to learn several new-to-me techniques throughout this project. 

1940s Scrap Yarn Sweater

I don't know about you, but I don't enjoy packing up a house to move. I enjoy unpacking a house after moving... but not the "before" phase of purging and packing!

In anticipation of moving this spring, I've been working largely from my stash for projects, especially knitting projects. (If I use my stash, I'm not acquiring more... and I have less to pack later!) I've got lots of leftover yarn balls from other projects, but they're all different colors and weights, and I don't know the amounts of a lot of them since they're partial-skeins or I ripped the labels off. I wanted to make a project using them, but it's harder to fit scrap yarns to a project rather than just buying a bunch of new yarn!

1930s Cynthia Sweater

Sweaters are just the best, aren't they?  They're comfortable, they're size-forgiving, they can be dressed up or down.  Solid ones, like the one I just finished, are fantastic wardrobe basics that go brilliantly with patterned bottoms, suits, etc.  After my eagle sweater and striped sweater, I figured it was time to make something more versatile.

Greta Sweater at "Murder on the Orient Express"

Veterans Day & Eagle Sweater

Happy Veterans Day!  In the US we're honoring the men and women that have served and who are currently serving in our armed forces.  If that is any of you, thank you.  You're an asset to our country. 

Stash-Busting Vintage Beret

I'm on a constant search for hats that flatter my round face and short hair, and I finally decided to start making my own.  I've found that a beret works well for both my hair and face shape as well as being a classic style that works for any decade.  I decided to look through my patterns and stash to see what I could come up with for a low-budget topper.

Streamline - Sunglo 40, Design 2291

Have you ever had a project that begin with trepidation, knowing you aren't quite sure how you're going to pull it off?  Well, this cardigan was such a project for me.  The pattern is from Sunglo No. 40, Design 2291 called "Streamline."  (If you'd like a TLDR description of the pattern, scroll down to the bottom!)

Deco Sweater Victory

I have a love-hate relationship with knitting.  I love the possibilities for one-of-a-kind garments that knitting affords, and I ADORE the fact that knitted items don't need ironing and such.  HOWEVER… I am a slow knitter, and oftentimes I don't catch onto mistakes until I've knitted pretty far past it, or the fit just doesn't turn out right.  I'm still working on my skills.

Resources for Beginner Knitters/Crocheters

Since this month's theme is all about starting to learn those skills you've wanted to learn, even if you have to start out small, I have a roundup of resources anyone wanting to learn or improve their knitting or crocheting skills!

Pre-Season Wardrobing: Spring/Summer Preparations in 6 Steps

There's nothing that causes me to take sewing and shopping shortcuts like desperately needing an item right now.  As in actually needing it.  You know, a snowstorm hits and suddenly I realize I don't have a warm coat.  Which happened this winter.  Moments like that.

So, NO MORE!  This year I'm going to work on "pre-season wardrobing," or the idea of working ahead a season in my clothing purchases and projects.  That means that now, while it's winter here in the northern hemisphere, I'll be taking on my summer sewing plans.  Below are my process steps on how I'm deciding what to sew and when.  It's a bit involved, but I wanted to give you guys insight on my full thought process, just in case you're in the same boat I am!

Actually Easy 1940s Cardigan

This is the first cardigan I have ever knitted, and I completely love it!  It has so many features that make it a simple, quick knit.  If one of your New Year's resolutions was to learn to knit, make more garments for yourself, or bust that ever-present stash, this would be a GREAT project for it.

6 Tips for Prioritizing Projects

I have so many projects I would like to do.

And for many of these to-do projects I already have most, if not all, of the supplies needed to create them.  The only thing I don't have is time!

This means that I'm having to prioritize my projects, a very difficult task.  I'm finding that how I pick my project order does actually have a logic to it, and this process has really helped me determine which projects to do when.

Graduation Outfit!

Sorry about the first posting of this not having any pictures!  I scheduled it ahead of time, and when I was going to add all the photos I got very sick and, obviously, wasn't thinking about this post.  I've fixed it, so now I hope you enjoy it more!

So, as many of you know, this picture pretty much encapsulates my life for the next three weeks:

source

"Vintage Design Workshop: Knitting Techniques for Modern Style" Book Review

As those of you that have been following Flashback Summer for a while know, I've had an ongoing desire to learn to knit clothing, especially vintage clothing.  You would also know that it has definitely been an up and down process, most recently ending in a Knit For Victory 2013 failure in which I planned to knit this cardigan and ended up with a mess of a cardigan that was way too wide, too short, and had unintentionally leg-o'-mutton-ish sleeves.  After spending a ridiculously long time knitting with such high hopes, it was a devastating time.

A Boy's Sweater Will Do

I bought this sweater a while ago at an estate sale and fell in love with it.  It's missing one button, but besides that it's perfect!  I think it's a 1930s/40s boys sweater (it's shaped like a short rectangle), and this is the first time I've worn it.  I do like it, but I think I'll do a bit of sewing to give it some more of a womanly shape.  I'm also a huge fan of the gray and super-bright-red combo!

I haven't owned any other vintage sweater vests, and I discovered how amazingly easy this outfit was to put together with a vest!  It was simple to accessorize with a monochromatic feel, and the sweater easily classed up the otherwise plain look.  I'm going to have to make some sweater vests!

Which, speaking of sweaters..... my "Knit For Victory" project is a bust.  To put it in a nutshell..... I killed it through ignorance.  I went in with too little knowledge and just didn't do it right.  I'll be unraveling it and using the yarn for something else.  I ordered a book on vintage knitting over Christmas that I LOVE (and will review soon!), and it has HUGELY helped me.  I have a great plan now, and I'm working on a proper sweater that I'm 97% sure will turn out correctly!

Outfit Details:

skirt: handmade

shirt: Banana Republic

shoes and headscarf: thrifted

tights: estate sale

necklace: me-made from African beads!  (Thanks for sharing those, Mother!)

sweater: estate sale

lipstick:  Estee Lauder "Nectarine" (highly recommend!)

A close-up of the amazing engagement ring!

Knit for Victory!

When I heard about the Knit for Victory challenge presented by Tasha of By Gum, By Golly, I was stoked and new I'd be participating in this go-round!

To find all of the information about rules, ideas, etc., you can go to the link above.  Also, to see all of Tasha's "Knit for Victory" posts, click on the "Knit for Victory" picture on the sidebar. It started November 4th and runs until January 31st, so I should be able to get one or two things done!

What am I working on, you ask?

Well, I have this 1940s Sunglo 57 "On Duty" cardigan I'm currently working on (the bottom one):

... in this lovely pink yarn...

I originally wanted a forest green, but the store didn't have that color in the yarn size I needed.  So I've settled for a pale pink, and hopefully when the pattern works out and I become a lightning-fast knitter, I'll make a forest green one!

I bought the pattern from Granny's PDF Patterns, a lovely Etsy shop.  There are lots of great options and fabulous prices!  The ladies running the shop were also super helpful in answering my questions, since I'm not a very experienced vintage knitter yet.  Not an experienced knitter, period, that is!

I happen to also have some gray yarn left over from a project, so I may also be knitting some very-needed mittens.  It was frigid today and I realized I don't have any warm hand protection.  So..... that may also be in the Knit for Victory project list, if I can find a quick vintage pattern I like.

Also, I joined Flickr specifically for this challenge.  I have no idea how to do much of anything on it yet (besides having uploaded one photo, woohoo!), so bear with me as I figure out what the heck I'm doing!

Have any of you joined in the knitting extravaganza, or would you like to?