Crimes in Crochet V (McCall's Needlework and Crafts, Spring-Summer 1972)

 I haven't done one of these in ages.  The pictures really speak for themselves, so let's just say that this is what happened when the "do it yourself" and the "do your own thing" crazes of the late sixties were combined.

Take this little number.  The summer dress in linen-orlon is OK, but the designer has paired it with a beanie.  Wouldn't a sunhat make more sense?

These two young ladies look as if they've cut up granny's table mats to convert into tabards.  Stylish, they are not.

... And these two ladies look as if they've been cutting up her bedding!  

These shorts are giving me a rash just looking at them!

Still more granny squares, outlining this—ahem!—interesting little evening creation.  I hope to God that anyone who made this little number also wore something underneath it.  Unless she was going to one of those swinging "key parties" we were told were the in thing in the 1970s!

(A number of other fashion disasters from this magazine—yes, this very issue—were featured in The Museum of Kitschy Stitches by Stitchy McYarnpants.)

Styles of '65: Knitted and Crocheted Dresses (Stitchcraft, January and March 1965)

 Let's head back to 1965 again!  In this year, Stitchcraft featured patterns for full-length dresses on a couple of its covers. The simple lines of 1960s dresses would probably have meant that they were well within the power of the average amateur to make—though perhaps a bit more than average time and patience was required!

January 1965

 January 1965 features a knitted sweater dress—in double knitting!  For the non-knitters among you, double knitting is method of producing a fabric of double thickness using two sets of needles.  OK, maybe this pattern did take that little bit of extra skill, but the results would certainly have been warm and cosy! 

March 1965

In March we have a crocheted shift dress (so no need for shaping) in a fairly simply cluster stitch with fringed neck- and hemline.  Cluster stitch produces a double-sided fabric, so it's possible that this dress could have been worn inside-out.

Crimes In Crochet, IV: Fashion Knits 71

 I had something quite different lined up for this week, then I stumbled upon this little gem.  Yes, it's time again to look at the evil that can be wrought by a crochet hook.

The idea behind a lot of these styles appears to be "why wait for the moths to eat holes in your clothes when you can do it yourself?"  

The Fringe of Fashion

Our fashion scene opens with a dashing little crochet vest to wear in many ways.  Crocheted in shimmering white, we dressed it romantically in a gay peasant mood.

Pretty In Pastel

Fine crochet makes this graceful blouse.  Lace patterning in the delicate texture of 2-ply, with full sleeves, demure cuffs and collar, and tiny pearl buttons to add a delightfully feminine finishing touch.

"Demure", except you can see the model's underwear through it.

Nothing is better for lounging by the pool than a bright orange poncho crocheted in an unbreathable synthetic yarn.*

Crochet Cover-up Looks

Seen at the Yacht Club in these striking crochet cover-ups for after swim or sailing.  Brilliant orange for the gaily fringed poncho, or apricot striped with white for the jaunty cardigan-tunic.

 (*I checked.  The poncho is made in Courtelle.)

And lastly, what would a 70s fashion spread be without a crocheted pants suit?  This one is aerated to catch those summer breezes.

The Crochet Trend for Trouser Suits

Two of fashion's top moods — the trouser suit and crochet combine in this striking outfit to turn all heads on the casual scene.  Easy-to-wear tunic top has a cord tie and pretty picot edges match the trousers.

Being a product of the 1970s. this magazine also has some quite—ahem!—interesting knitting patterns as well.  But that will be a subject for another post...

Crimes in Crochet III (Stitchcraft, June 1970)

 I wasn't going to do a third post in this series, until I went through my collection and (re)discovered this:

I'm aware that bridal costumes weren't always as expensive as they are today.  Nonetheless, I'm taken aback at the idea that in 1970 someone thought it was a good idea to crochet your own wedding dress!  There are even matching crochet patterns for dresses for your flower girls.

The original owner of this copy of Stitchcraft wrote some notes on the cover.  Following the clues I investigated inside and found the following photo:

It seems that someone intended to make herself a "Tyrolean waistcoat" in crochet squares.   To be honest, I'm puzzled finding anything particularly Tyrolean about it!

Crimes in Crochet, II (McCall's Needlework and Crafts, Spring-Summer 1970)

 It's time for another look at the things people did with yarn and crochet hooks in the 1970s!  Below are some "essential fashions for 1970" as presented in McCall's Needlework and Crafts.

 

 

Here we have a "flower-striped shift with its own scarf" alternating "bands of chain stitch daisies".

 

 

For the beach: a "Riviera pants set in sunniest yellow, follows a slim line, flares for bell pants."  Very 1970s!

 

 

Also for the beach: "bikini and cover-up dress... combine openwork crochet with pattern."  Ah, the infamous crochet bikini—and to be honest, the dress isn't covering up much!

 

 

Some groovy "casuals to crochet reflecting the cooler look in fashions—five dresses crocheted for day-into-evening wear."   

 

 

... And the remaining two dresses from the page opposite the previous photograph.  There's still more than a touch of the 1960s about these dresses!
 

Crimes in Crochet I (New Idea, 1975)

 Among other crafts, crochet underwent a revival in the 1970s.  However the patterns of the era were anything but traditional.  Here are a few examples of designs for keen crafters wanting that typically seventies look.

As a part of New Idea's "Winter Crochet Special" model Jan Hopper wears a crochet waistcoat in tricot.  This garment is comparatively sane: other patterns in the same issue include ones for a rainbow-striped crocheted saddle blanket and these remarkable handmade ties:

 

... Perhaps fortunately they've left the colours to our imagination!
 

Also a fine example of seventies weirdness (in full colour this time), this dress above is described as 'a long dress for summer evenings".  Hopefully it wasn't intended for formal occasions, but in 1975 who can tell?   Other patterns in the same magazine included crocheted sunhats with floppy brims.

"A Hat For Every Frock" (Needlecraft Magazine, June 1929)

What is stylish 1920s outfit without a matching cloche hat?  It's no longer possible to run down to the nearest hat shop to pick one out, but fortunately it's still possible to make one.  Christine Perry and Maren Thoresen came up with these patterns in crochet originally published in 1929.

No. 3903 N—with Crocheted Brim

Using double thread (one end from each of two balls), chain 6, work 1 double in each of 5 stitches and 3 in end stitch, drawing up the loose end closely, so as not to leave a hole.  Continue with 5 doubles down opposite side of chain and 3 in second end. 

From this point continue round and round, increasing so as to keep the work flat by occasionally working 2 stitches in one along sides as well as the ends.  This is especially important at the beginning of the crown, as it must not "cup" or "peak" at the center.  Neither should the stitches be increased so rapidly that the crown shows a tendency to frill.

Work in this manner until the circumference of the top is of the same measurement as your head-size.  To make sure of this, measure with a tape drawn snugly around the head at the point where the hat is desired to rest, and multiply the number of inches by the number of stitches which your work counts per inch.  Then continue working without increasing until the side of the crown is of proper height, which necessarily varies with different individuals.

The brim is made in two parts—a front which falls softly about the face, and a back which turns up against the crown.  The length of the front must be determined by each worker, to suit her own face, and should extend to the point where the "turn" would come if the brim extended all the way round and were turned up across the back.  Mark the points where the brim is to end, with pins, remembering that the oval center of the crown-top should extend from front to back.

Work 1 row between these points without increasing, then chain 1, turn, 2 doubles in first stitch and continue across, increasing 1 about every 15 stitches, so as to keep work flat, the same as crown.  Work 2 doubles in end stitch, chain 1, turn.  Continue back and forth in this manner, always increasing in each end stitch, then chain 1 before turning, until brim is of the desired width—about 10 rows.  Fasten off.

For back brim, join thread and work back and forth without increasing, chain 1 each time before turning, for about 9 rows.

For the embroidered trim: Cut out paper motif, baste in position on crown and work row of running-stitches just outside edge, picking up only a thread or two between the surface stitches, which should be fully half an inch in length.  After this row is worked, remove paper and fill in design with rows of running-stitches spaced about a quarter of an inch apart.

For the embroidery use rope embroidery-silk in a contrasting color to that of the body of the hat.

 No. 3905 N—with Felt Brim

  The crown of this model is made in exactly the same manner as No. 3903 N.  After the brim is cut it is placed around half an inch inside the crown all around and secured both inside and out with fine sewing-stitches, making sure that the front and back are in line with the lengthwise oval of the crown top.

Although this model will work out attractively in any color-combination, it is exceedingly effective in a white crown with brim and trim in flame-red felt.

Eight or nine balls of No. 5 perle cotton will be needed for this crown, according to size of head.