The Great Sweater Search

[Mary]

Funny you should mention it Gingermore I was looking at the very same thing some nights ago! I love them 30's sweaters too and I'm thinking of persuading some knitting ladies to make some for me. Don't know the best way to find them though?! Maybe I should start playing boule.

 

[Kassia]

Hmmm since my Mother never throws anything out i bet that she still has some of the old sweater patterns... I will ask her next time i talk to her..

 

[positivelypinup]

I wish it wasnt so hot here cause i love sweater season. Its been 105 all week! I would have a heat stroke trying to walk around in a sweater.

 

[Black Dahlia]

Here's my favourite vintage sweater...as I don't see another thread devoted to just sweaters, I'll post here. ;0
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[Mrs Cleaver]

Oh my!That is soooo adorable i luv it ,luv it ,luv it!!Can i have it?lol
I wish i could find something like that,but i have a hard enough time finding plain ones even modern ones in a simple classic style that a) i can afford & b)fit me.I have seen alot of pretty vintage ones lately but they are generally too small,sometimes it's only by a few inches but i really don't want the "my buttons are about to pop open any second look"

 

[Kate O Potato]

I'm currently knitting my third vintage sweater. I bought some wool in the sales recently, and have been buying Vogue knitting books pretty cheaply on Ebay, so my next project shouldn't be too costly at all..

 

[Black Dahlia]

Oh my!That is soooo adorable i luv it ,luv it ,luv it!!Can i have it?lol
I wish i could find something like that,but i have a hard enough time finding plain ones even modern ones in a simple classic style that a) i can afford & b)fit me.I have seen alot of pretty vintage ones lately but they are generally too small,sometimes it's only by a few inches but i really don't want the "my buttons are about to pop open any second look"

*lol* If I ever decide to part with it Mrs Cleaver, I will remember that you would love to have it! My mother gave it to me for X-mas about four years ago. I didn't think it was going to fit and was SO happy it did!

I can relate...my buttons sometimes strain in the chest area on some sweaters and dresses...not the best look! *lol*

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[Black Dahlia]

I'm currently knitting my third vintage sweater. I bought some wool in the sales recently, and have been buying Vogue knitting books pretty cheaply on Ebay, so my next project shouldn't be too costly at all..

That is a great idea! Have you posted pics on here of your creations? I'm starting to learn to knit...it's going pretty slowly. I think I need some sweet little old lady to teach me!

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[Puzzicato]

That is a great idea! Have you posted pics on here of your creations? I'm starting to learn to knit...it's going pretty slowly. I think I need some sweet little old lady to teach me!

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My grandmother tried so hard to teach me to knit - I never, ever got it!

 

[Black Dahlia]

My grandmother tried so hard to teach me to knit - I never, ever got it!

I've been trying on my own with books..think it's time to attend a workshop or something!
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[Mrs Cleaver]

My mum in law tried to teach me to crochet but to put it bluntly i sucklol My hubby can crochet though.He's made scarfs,baby bonnets even a bottle warmer.Pretty sad that my hubby can sew & crochet & i can't

 

[velvetongue]

For those who can sew, there's a link below about how to refashion your existing cardigans. I tried this with one of my cardigans from Old Navy that had unique buttons but was hip-length and a little too large and it does help. I shorted the cardigan to waist length and fitted it more closely and it does have a more vintage look to it. You can also buy better quality buttons and replace the cardigan buttons that came with the sweater, and it does help.

Cardigan re-fashion link:
http://blog.caseybrowndesigns.com/2009/12/how-to-refashion-a-cardigan/comment-page-1/#comment-8253

 

[Foofoogal]

Very nice. Still looking for my emerald green beaded vintage cardigan in large or 44 with 20 to 21 inch sleeves or somewhere close. Saw a too small one the other day. So mad.

 

[23SkidooWithYou]

Foof,

Don't give up! You're emerald green beaded cardi is out there...sitting...right next to my clearview compact...our Holy Grails of vintage, lol.

I just got a sage green Jantzen for a steal and an odd brown one by Peterfreund. Ever hear of them?

I saw a cute red cardi with a little collar but I was too late as it was already "reserved". I am a sucker for a cardi with a little collar or something dif about the neckline.

 

[RodeoRose]

I love vintage knitwear so much; such a shame it's so delicate and hard to find : ( I just found a stack of late 20s/early 30s knitting patterns for ladies' robes, dresses, and sweaters in the attic of our "new" house (new to us; it's almost 200 years old). Unfortunately I have no idea how to knit nor the inclination to sit down and learn, but the photos that accompany the patterns are so cute; I'll have to scan them in once I'm back home.

My favorite vintage sweater is my 1950s 100% cashmere pull-over "made in Scotland expressly for Saks Fifth Avenue"; it has cute little bows at the shoulders and is the prefect mustard-gold. It's not pilled at all, which is sort of incredible considering the age, but it's been very neatly reinforced in the underarm seams. I wish I had a million little cashmere sweaters just like it!!
(You can see some pictures of it right here, though sadly my hair is covering the little bows!)

 

[RodeoRose]

Foof,

I just got a sage green Jantzen for a steal and an odd brown one by Peterfreund. Ever hear of them?

I wonder if it's the Jantzen of swimsuit fame?

 

[23SkidooWithYou]

I wonder if it's the Jantzen of swimsuit fame?

One in the same. Check out the old Jantzen adverts for sale on ebay. You can watch the silouhettes change as the years progress. A lot of the vintage Jantzen available are men's though. The swimmer on the Jantzen tag changes but I don't know how to interpret them. Also, be VERY careful about the "rare" Christmas looking sweaters. I saw one listed for $100 and the same darn thing listed as an inexpensive 1970/80's representation.

The gold color of your sweater pops up a lot in 50's knits. I've often wondered if that meant the color was super popular (tons made so greater chance of finding it today) or super unpopular (got pushed to the back of the drawer and never used so it exists today). I dunno. Yours looks very nice on you but I wish I could see the dang bows! LOL

 

[Foofoogal]

RodeoRose. You are young and stunning.

I know the Jantzen name and was thinking the swimsuit link as well.

I have a vintage Joskes brand cardigan and it is one of my favorite ones. Perfect size, fit and well made. I have never seen the label anywhere and I have been looking. Would buy one in every color they made. Mine is black.

 

[RodeoRose]

Skidoo, I've never really seen many other 50s knits, but I'm glad it's a common shade, whatever the reason! Personally I love that color; it's perfect for fall. I would imagine it was a popular color, as it seems very vintage to me (like the way seafoam greens with cream look vintage in kitchen appliances) but perhaps it's wishful thinking.

Thanks Foofoogal! Good luck sweater hunting

 

[kymeratale]

My vintage wardrobe is sadly lacking in cold weather stuff. I really need some more sweaters and I have been trying to find places that do repos of vintage styles. I do have one from Rocket Originals and I quite like it, but I don't like how much acrylic it has and all their sweaters are short sleeve. Does anyone know of somewhere that does some repro sweaters, preferably long sleeve and things that will actually keep me warm/