Swimwear special

All that glitters ain't gold but is possibly Lurex

Now summer has finally come to London, and the Olympic Games are in full swing (almost literally on my doorstep), my thoughts turn to swimming – it's all I want to do when it's hot, and probably the only Olympic sport I'll bother watching. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the synchronised swimming team took to the Aquatics Centre pool sporting gold crochet one-pieces like this?

Or the bikini this Cybill Shepherd lookalike (who was out of focus on a deckchair at the back, above) is wearing on her own page:

Both of these beautiful bathing costumes are taken from one of my trusty favourites, The Home Pattern Book of Needlecraft by Joan Fisher:

Published by New English Library, 1979

Fancy yourself in a hand-crocheted metallic bathing suit? Here are your (free, printable) instructions.

Not put off by its unseasonal cover image, I had a flick through The Ladies' Home Journal book of Crochet...

Published by Mason Charter, New York, 1976

...and discovered a pattern for this pretty white one-piece with flower-shaped cutaway (shame about the dodgy shell-tasselled shawl). If you'd like to make yourself one (a swimsuit, not a shall-shawl), click here for all you need to know.

This is the daisy age

If you're not a crocheter, I've also dug out this lovely 1930s 'Simple bathing costume' pattern for your knitting pleasure:

How very daring

This must have been rather risqué at the time. Not many people wore two-piece swimsuits back in 1939 when The Pictorial Guide to Modern Home Knitting was published – after all, the word 'bikini' wasn't coined until 1946.

Edited by Catherine Franks (Odhams Press, 1939)

The book has a textured cloth cover and particularly nice endpapers:

Caught red-handed

For your ahead-of-its-time 1930s knitted bikini instructions, click here.

All the above swimsuits are probably better for lounging around by the pool or at the beach than actually swimming in – imagine how heavy and uncomfortable they'd get when wet!

Well, I promised a swimwear special – and I haven't finished yet, I love the illustrations on old sewing patterns and I can't help slipping the odd one in now and again, even though I can't share the actual patterns. This cute beachwear collection is from New Zealand from 1969:

Still the daisy age: see toes, left

And last but not least... this one's not makeable, but what a fantastic image. Jackie magazine had THE BEST fashion illustrations EVER:

Jackie magazine, 12 June 1976

Knit your own crown jewels

Happy Jubilee time, Liz!

Apparently the country has gone Jubilee crazeee and, while Union Jacks adorning everybloodything as far as the eye can see is getting a tad tiring on the eyes, at least we, Liz's subjects, get to enjoy a four-day weekend.

Hmm, well you know what they say, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em... so how about getting out the Lurex yarn and knocking up a posh tiara, sash, choker and ring, fit for the Queen? 

This priceless crown jewellery is taken from the 1983 St Michael Fun Knitting book – hideous of cover, wacky of content – which I stumbled upon in a second-hand book tent during the Apple Festival in the village of Appledore in Kent:

A bit on the '80s side for my liking

'Rubies, sapphires, diamonds and emeralds are displayed to outrageous effect in knitted Lurex settings. Imitate full regalia complete with sash and tiara for a truly devastating effect using simple stitches to construct intricate designs...'

Even the most anti-royalists knitters would find that hard to resist. So what are you waiting for? Here are the instructions (parts one, two and three) for your cuddly crown jewels, all jazzed up with eye-wateringly eighties illustrations. You'll be the belle of your street party in this glitzy ensemble (elbow-length white gloves optional).

Hats of the week (part 4)

There's a distinct whiff of spring in the air, so for my last
hats post, I've cast warmth aside in favour of this daft lot:



I like the swimming hat-style Crusader helmet so much I'm considering making myself one AND actually wearing it. But WFT is going on with Cleopatra in the middle? No wonder she can't keep a straight face, she's wearing a knitting blue bob. And has Mantilla just washed her hair?

Anyway, towel, wig or swimming cap – the choice is yours. Click here, here and here for how to knit your own, er let's say distinctive, headgear.

While we're at it, if you like the synchronised swimmer look, and let's face it who doesn't, you'll love this chunky version, modelled by a very fetching young lady:



Dontcha just love her toothy smile? I'm also diggin her
friend's eye make-up:



So, if you want to knock up your very own 1960s chapeau, clickety, clickety click to find out how (there's always next winter). PS: the white one is crocheted.

Hat of the week (part 3)

This yellow mohair and gold lurex scarf-hood number is not strictly a hat I know, but doesn't she look lovely? If you ditched the glittery bits in favour of a nice chunky wool, you could have the cosiest winter ever.

The uninspiring-looking 1976 book it came from is much more colourful and altogether 70s inside than the rather drab cover suggests:

You can tell author Pam Dawson's got a few tricks up her sleeve:

Sadly she's keeping the pattern for her lovely landscape cardi to herself, but if you fancy knitting the evening hood, you'll find simple instructions by clicking here. Keep toasty!