No-Bull Book Review: Vintage Baby Knits, by Kristen Rengren

Okay, let me get this out of my system first:

KITTEH!!!



BUNNEH!!!



DUCKEH!!!


BEBEHS!

Okay, now I can get to work. Today's No-Bull Book Review features lots of babies clad in beautiful, vintage-inspired knitwear -- some even featuring kitties, duckies and bunnies. Yes, today GKIYH takes a look at Vintage Baby Knits: More Than 40 Heirloom Patterns from the 1920s to the 1950s, by Kristen Rengren.

Last year at TNNA, I was fortunate enough to run into Kristen and to see some of the garments that were going to be in the book. I was knocked out by how beautiful they are -- a stuffed elephant, blankets, cardigans, pullovers -- and have been eagerly anticipating this book ever since.

The wait is over. Stewart Tabori & Chang just published Vintage Baby Knits (MSRP $27.50, available for $18.15 by following the above link) and it's every bit as wonderful as I'd expected it to be.


Kristen had been knitting for ten years when she first became fascinated by vintage patterns. Working for a vintage clothing dealer, part of her work day already consisted of haunting estate sales and poring through Ebay listings to find old and retro garments. She began a personal collection of vintage knitting patterns. As she tells in her introduction:

The baby pattern booklets -- loaded with black-and-white photos of babies in handknits, as well as lively illustrations of frolicking tots, friendly zoo animals, and smiling storks -- always intrigued me the most. The projects were classic and simple in style, yet detailed enough to hold even a highly distractable knitter's interest, and I could easily imagine modern babies wearing them.

Upon closer examination, Kristen found that it wasn't as easy as knitting up the patterns. They often called for long-gone brands of yarn (Lady Betty? Germantown Zephyr?), didn't include schematics or charts, and often didn't even include yardage or gauge notations. There were safety concerns (e.g., ill-placed buttons or ties) and issues of convenience (like making sure items were practical, and easy to get off and on modern-sized babies). Some patterns had to be rewritten entirely, while others just didn't make the cut. But when Kristen's hard work was done, she'd pulled together a collection of over forty patterns (yes, forty -- and don't worry, designers, I've already told Kristen to quit being such an overachiever or she'll make the rest of us look bad with only 20 or 25 patterns in our books!).



The book has a very straightforward structure. After a brief introduction, Chapter 1 (called "Getting Ready to Knit") contains tips about issues like sizing; which fiber and type of yarn to use; tools; and the all-important swatching. The section is short and sweet, as is Chapter 3 ("Resources"), which contains details on the yarns used in the samples, hints for choosing and using vintage patterns on your own, and a few techniques (like cabled cast-on, short rows, and fringe). But the heart of the book is Chapter 2, the pattern section: 136 pages full of sweaters, blankets, hats and footgear, among others.


Here's a rough list of what you'll find in Chapter 2 (I may have missed a pair of booties here or a cap there, since did I mention there's SO MANY patterns?):

• 2 shrugs
• 3 types of headgear (including a bonnet, beret and cap)
• 5 pullover sweaters (some short-sleeved, some long, one also doubles as a vest)
• 11 cardigans
• 2 soakers (won't someone please think up a less disgusting name for these? can we all agree on "diaper covers" instead?)
• 3 stuffed animals
• 3 blankets
• 2 pair of pants
• 1 cape with hood
• 1 pr mittens
• 2 or 3 pr of socks
• 1 nursing shawl that also can be used as a blanket
• 1 christening gown that is also shown as a dress

That's a hell of a lot for one book. If you're concerned about gender-specificity, fear not. I'd say only about half a dozen of these patterns are not unisex. (The shrugs, the dress -- although christening gowns are gender-neutral, the cape, possible the kitty sweaters and one or two of the lacier cardigans, depending on age of the baby and gender-role paranoia of the parents).

Sizing is about as you'd expect. There are a few size-doesn't-matter patterns, like the blankets and toys. The remainder are sized for babies from 0 to 24 months, with chest sizes ranging from 18 to 25 inches. Most patterns come with 3 sizes, a few have only 2 and some have 4.



With regard to yarn choice, skinny yarn fans will jump for joy: approximately half of the forty-odd patterns are written for fingering weight (samples are shown in some of your favorite sock yarns, too, like Socks That Rock, although, alas, nothing (sniffle) in Black Bunny Fibers). The christening dress is knit in Jaggerspun Zephyr, a gorgeous wool-silk laceweight; about 5 patterns call for sportweight yarn; about 3 call for DK weight and 3 for worsted; and about half a dozen for aran-weight yarn. Vintage knitters knew what they were doing when they stuck with fine-gauge yarns; a lighterweight garment, even if knit in wool, helps keep a baby cozy whether it's an autumn breeze or a summer air conditioner that's blowing, and the natural fibers let the garments breathe in the stain-topia that is baby's world.

When it comes to style, well, these are baby patterns and they are vintage-inspired, which should tell you quite a bit. I love the traditional, yet contemporary feel of the patterns as Kristen has reworked them. You'll find a mix of knitting techniques and difficulties, including garter stitch, stockinette, lacy stitches, cabling, and colorwork. As always, your personal taste is everything, but these patterns start out with a leg up, since they've already stood the test of time. I find it hard to imagine any one of them not eliciting major oohs and aahs at a baby shower. I also like the specific yarns chosen for the garments (except the prominent omission of BBF yarn, ahem) -- these are gorgeous yarns like Hand Jive, O-Wool, STR, Rowan 4-ply Soft, Sheep Shop and more. The yarns shown tend to be natural fibers, with complex colors, and it's fun to see baby patterns in colors like brown and cherry red and sunflower gold and olive, as well as the more traditional pastels.



As usual,STC has produced a high-quality book: hardcover, beautiful color photos with adorable, moppet-models, multiple shots of each garment (some worn, some flat), schematics, charts where appropriate. I like the historical text inserts (e.g. "Knitting in the 1920s") that give context to the patterns. Special props to Thayer Allison Gowdy for the spectacular photographs.

If you were looking for snark to send you off on your Memorial Day weekend, sorry; we're fresh out today (but I'm sure we'll be getting a restock next week). Nothing here but praise for this beautiful book, overflowing with elegant, charming patterns. I hope that Kristen will soon turn her needles to patterns for older kids, or even -- dare I suggest it? -- us adults.

Conversational pitfalls

Kids. They are either offering up information that you wish they'd keep quiet about, or asking for information that you'd prefer to keep quiet about. Case in point:

Tom: How was your day?
Twin No. 1: Mommy took a nap today. For like more than an hour.
Tom: Oh, re-e-e-eally?

It doesn't matter if your husband snores like a banshee and you've been awakened every few hours to redose a kid with tylenol and then get woken at 5:45 a.m. when your daughter has a nosebleed. It just sounds bad when your kid rats you out to your husband. (Although it wasn't as embarrassing as the time Elvis announced to his grandfather, "Mommy is wearing a black bra." Note to self: close door ALL THE WAY SHUT when dressing.)

On the other hand, this morning at the bus stop I was asked for too much information. The daughter of neighbors, age 7, said, "I wonder how babies get out of their mothers' tummies." I made a noncommittal noise, hoping she'd be distracted, when she asked me point-blank. A thousand thoughts rush through my mind: Don't lie, it's a perfectly normal question, don't push the kid into a shame spiral, MUST NOT TELL NEIGHBORS' KIDS FACTS OF LIFE OR I WILL BE ARRESTED. For once, I blessed my two C-sections, saying, "Well, it depends on the mommy and the baby. When I had the twins, the doctor split me open like a watermelon made a cut in my tummy and pulled the babies out that way." My dilemma was solved by the timely arrival of the bus.

After several days of sick kids, I nearly kissed the bus driver. I'm really looking forward to a day of catching up -- with no nosy questions and nobody except the bunny to tell all my secrets.

Unlike my kids, the bunny can easily be bribed with carrots.

Belated report on booksigning

Facebook friends already know that all three of my kids came down with strep at various points this week (and it's only Wednesday!). Everyone has been started on their antibiotics, so hopefully we'll see them all back in school tomorrow. With all the shtuss, I didn't get a chance to tell you about my wonderful booksigning in Swarthmore on Sunday.

Finely a Knitting Party is a lovely shop right



in the business district of downtown Swarthmore. The owner, Cathy, is warm and friendly and definitely has a knack for partyhosting! She decided on a painting theme (get it? handpainted yarns....) and even wore painter's clothes.



She thought of every detail, including wine sold in paint cans from a local winery, yummy cupcakes and cookies (Miss Thang liked the chocolate-chip ones) and door prizes. Even stargazer lilies,



which I have a soft spot for since we had so many of them in our wedding flowers long, long ago. Everyone who purchased a book was entered into a contest to win goodies like wine and a skein of BBF yarn. Here is Miss Thang, who got to roll the dice to help select the winners:


We set a record for most copies of KSWHY sold at a signing (woo-hoo!) and I met some amazing people, some of whom I knew from the 'net (Hi, Amie!) and lots of new friends, too.



I even got to see dear pal Laura (not Knit So Fine Laura, the other Laura), who as a special treat brought along the Well-Read Hostess.


(Here is the Well-Read Hostess on the left saying "Wait, don't take that picture, I am not ready---oh crap.").

If you live in or near Swarthmore, you should check out Cathy's shop. She has great classes (including one for kids that is very fun and very popular), pretty yarns like Lorna's Laces and the new Berroco stuff and other goodies, and you might even run into special pal Jeanne T there (Jeanne T works with my husband, God bless her, and helps keep him in line when I am not around....). A huge thank-you to Cathy and all of her wonderful customers. . . I had a great time and hope you did, too.

Inspiration

Selections from Sock Club C. . .

Don't forget: Book signing in Swarthmore on Sunday

The menfolk will be returning from their camping trip this afternoon, and I'm very curious to hear about their weekend. In other news, Miss Thang capped off a night of being extremely rude and disrespectful, by barfing at ten o'clock last night. (Must have been an accumulation of bile.) She seems like she's on the mend, although we will be graced with her presence at home today just to make sure she isn't coming down with something nasty.

In the meantime, don't forget that I'll be booksigning at Finely A Knitting Party in Swarthmore, PA this coming Sunday, May 17th, from 1 to 3 p.m.

For some reason, Blogger is acting a little wonky, especially with regard to the comments, so I'll sign off for now. I'm hoping to have a new No-Bull Book Review for you next week, so look for that.

Dear Little League Dad,

Dear Little League Dad,

I realize that you are going for the Fabio look, what with the flowing mane of wavy locks. You can even get away with the ponytail (although, honestly, you'll be getting a little long in the tooth for that soon). But wearing your hair in a bun whilst coaching third base is just absurd.

Sincerely,
A Little League Mom

Father-son bonding...

Today I waved good-bye to Elvis and his dad, who were headed to the Poconos along with 300 other fifth-graders and their parents, for the annual 5th grade camping trip. Three elementary schools feed into one middle school (ack -- Elvis will be in middle school in the fall!) and to get the kids from different elementary schools to meet each other, they take them all up to a camp in the woods, mix them up into groups, and let them do things like canoe and hike together. Being of the view that if it's not as nice as my own bed, I don't want to stay there, I was happy to let Tom take this chaperoning job. (I didn't even have to play the Lyme disease card, but having finally been symptom-free for the better part of a year, I'm taking no chances.)

In the meantime, I've had one reader ask which pattern I used for the Crazy Goat Lady bag. It is the Amy Butler Frenchy Bag pattern.

In other news, Mindy is going to be doing the AIDS walk in Boston in a few weekends. She's looking for donors, and if you're interested in donating (even a few dollars can help), the link to her pledge page is here. That photograph of Eric and his partner is so beautiful, it brings tears to my eyes to think that they are no longer with us. Mindy has already said in her blog everything that needs to be said about why it's important to continue the fight against AIDS. I'm off to donate, and if any of you can spare a buck or two, I'd consider it a personal favor.

Mother's Day update

You may recall that a few weeks ago, I was told by my daughter that I was "the meanest, worst, most horrible mommy in the world" and that I "don't know how to love." For this reason, I wasn't exactly sure what kind of a Mother's Day I would have -- especially since my husband, knowing exactly what I would want to do on Mother's Day, ensured that I would actually be doing the opposite. (He and the boys went to a Phillies game, leaving me alone with my nemesis daughter.)

Luckily for me, one essential part of Mother's Day is that all is forgiven.

Sort of.

From the lovely montage of Mother's Day tributes I received from Miss Thang:

an ode to me:

-- although I'd kill to know what was edited out ("Who fears my wrath"? "Who fears being left alone with her 7-yr-old daughter" "who fears her daughter's teenage years"?);

a letter (competitive much?):


And my favorite, the back-handed compliment:



I am nice "often." The rest of the time? Not so much.

I guess it's the best you could expect for a woman who doesn't know how to love.

A sewing FO

Did you ever finish a project that was meant to be a gift, and end up so pleased with it that you can hardly wait 'til the recipient sees it? I just did, and with the recipient's permission, am able to show you the finished project before it goes into the mail.

This is fabric with goats on it.


When I saw it, I knew it would make the perfect bag for my pal Mindy -- nobody in the world loves goats as much as she does. I needed a contrast fabric and lining, and I found the contrast fabric (the tippy top of this photo)




with little sheep and hedgehogs. Laura from Spool helped me pick out the dotty lining (great call, Laura!).

Ta-da!



A handcrafted goat bag.

Happy birthday, Crazy Goat Lady!

Meet me in Swarthmore, PA!

Save the date: on Sunday, May 17th, I'll be doing a booksigning at Finely A Knitting Party, in Swarthmore, from 1 to 3 p.m. The owner, Cathy, is full of energy and enthusiasm and promises lots of fun! She also has a lovely shop in charming downtown Swarthmore, so please stop by and say hello if you can.

And speaking of Swarthmore, my friend Laura (not Knit-So-Fine Laura, this is a different Laura), who lives in Swarthmore, turned me on to a great blog, called The Well-Read Hostess. I am still cracking up over this post.

Am-nimals, a pattern and a book review

Okay,where're all the sheep? We-e-ell,



No, no, we don't want to go there. So let's look at sheep and goats and buns -- NOT on a bun.

Oh, hai.

Fluffeh bunneh

One of Kid Hollow's goats (I bet Mindy knows his name)

Got hay?

I didn't get any photos of the babies but this vendor had the most teeny, tiny, adorable baby bunnies. I really, really wanted to bring one home.

Alpaca

Now that you've gotten your fix of the fiber-givers, you can click on over to Knotions. The summer issue just went live, and you can help yourself to a free pattern by me, called "Sunny, Sunny, Sunny," modeled by the (occasionally) charming G.





The bodice is knitted, and the skirt is a simple fabric panel, gathered and sewn on (why, yes, that is a Kaffe Fassett fabric, from the glorious Liza's fabric-topia). The yarn is Nashua Handknits Creative Focus Cotton DK, which was a pleasure to work with, with excellent stitch definition.

You will also find a book review of Marianne Isager's Japanese Inspired Knits which is a great new book by the Danish superstar designer. I believe that Loop is the only Philly-area shop carrying the Isager yarns, and they are indeed spectacular.

Maryland Sheep & Wool report

When I first started going to fiber festivals, it was all about the yarn. Seeing the vendors, finding yarns and colors that weren't available in my LYS, discovering farms that sold their own yarn in tiny batches: it was addictive and dizzying. I returned home with large, Santa-like sacks full of goodies that would keep me entertained for months.

Nowadays, I find it's about the people instead. I've become a little jaded; having seen many vendors before and already tried some of their wares, I've lost that kid-in-a-candy-store mentality. I'm a bit choosier about purchasing and I tend to focus on things that aren't readily available, even on the internet.

Even better, having developed friendships with people on-line and through knitting groups and at knitting shops, I've found that connecting with these people in person, even if it is just a quick hug and photo op, is more exciting and fulfilling for me. So here are some of the people I saw during my fab day at Maryland.

Here are my passengers, Laura, Jim and Jen:


Our rolling caravan of knitting malcontents made the trip go fast with witty repartee and funny stories.

Here we arrive at the front gate, with drizzly, damp weather to start the day:



Now, Laura, her lovely sister Sasha and Jen begin to plan the attack:



(You've got to watch that Jen; she'd cut a bitch for yarn.)

I began by purchasing some fleeces; they'll be processed into roving that I will dye and put up on the BBF site (or use for the fiber clubs) sometime late in the summer, after they are processed. Then it was off to hug Mindy:




God, I look crazed in that picture. I'm sure it has to do with the classy T-shirt I was wearing (available at The Pantopticon's CafePress store).

From then on, it was the pleasure of seeing so many old and new knitting friends, including:

Turtlegirl

Robin and Laura

Savannahchik

Mar & Ger

Kris (a blogstalker of mine)

Sasha, Laura, Jen & Allison

MamaE on the left, along with LSGers

Jen & Courtney

More LSGers, including Eudyptyla, PoorLuci & me

KnittyD and MamaD

Bill and Jim

Whew.

I also got to see some of the kniterati, including Amy Singer, I stalked the Rav-posse



and I met Ysolda Teague:


Although the weather was a little rainy in the earlier part of the day, by the time we left, the sun had broken through the clouds, our bags had some fibrous goodies in them, and we were happy to have spent time with the sheep and our fellow knitters and spinners and crocheters.

More photos tomorrow...

You need to check out this new book....

You may remember a while back, I gave y'all a sneak preview of a forthcoming knitting book, called Vintage Baby Knits: More Than 40 Heirloom Patterns from the 1920s to the 1950s by Kristen Rengren.



It's now available for sale on Amazon (a paltry $18.15 if you click on the link above) AND to make things even more exciting, Kristen will be signing copies of her book at Loop tonight, from 5 to 7 p.m.




I will definitely be there, since Kristen is a pal of mine (she's one of the folks I visited in Chicago back in January) and I can't wait to see her book. And her!

Maryland Sheep & Wool

I'll be spending tomorrow at Maryland Sheep & Wool -- woohoo! The station wagon will be hitting the road nice and early. I'll be spending some time at the Kid Hollow booth to catch up with Mindy, which makes it a good place to find me if you want to say hi. (And if you bring copies of Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarns, I'll gladly sign them! Knit So Fine, too!) Don't be shy -- I love meeting y'all.

See you there!