A Penny Spent

 

I'm not much of a shopper these days, waiting until I want to start a new project before looking for yarn or other supplies. But every now and then I'll stop at a charity rummage sale, usually held at a local church, to see if there is anything useful waiting for me to take it home.

Over the years I've made quite a few scores in this area, finding wonderful knitting, crochet and sewing supplies for pennies, and I get a bonus good feeling knowing the money is going to charity. 

One such bargain sale find was an Ashford Electric Spinner (normal retail price $750) for $5. Granted, it did not include extra bobbins, a lazy kate or other accessories, but is was new in the box, in perfect condition, so I consider it money well spent. 

At other sales I've poked around under piles of acrylic yarn, abandoned plastic canvas projects and musty fabric to find vintage knitting needles in a rainbow of colors, fabulous cashmere yarn for $2, and other fun, useful things. 

I pretty much stick to a strict rule that anything I purchase must have a useful purpose, but recently I was intrigued by a tiny cardboard box, simply because it was cute. That and because it said "Paris" on the front.

Upon opening the box I was delighted to find several skeins of silky cotton embroidery floss, in lovely shades of antique beige and gold, nestled in tissue paper (see top photo). 

Not being an embroiderer, I nearly left the little box behind, but the beautiful, rich, neutral colors spoke to me and for .25 cents I decided to take it home and try my hand at a project. I might share the results here sometime, we'll see... 

How about you? Have you ever happened upon a wonderful needlework bargain? 


Thanks for stopping by my studio today, have a wonderful week!






Ashford Spinner Photo: The Woolery

Vintage Vogue

Not long ago my friend Loren sent me some vintage Vogue Knitting Book magazines she'd scored at a yard sale. I had a ton of fun leafing through them, both admiring and giggling at various designs and advertisements from 60 years ago.

The issues she sent, from the Fall/ Winter 1953 and Spring/ Summer 1954 seasons, each include patterns for 70+ knitting and 16+ crochet projects, an impressive value for only 50 cents. 

While some designs are clearly of their era, others are remarkably timeless.

 

I thought it interesting that both issues include patterns for sandals.

Nearly all of the shawl patterns are for long rectangles.

1950's pink proliferates. 

The majority of the designs are more formal than those of today, often knit in very fine gauges, and the magazines include loads of patterns for dresses and suits.

This coat is a true classic, but I'm not sure I have the fortitude for the oceans of sport weight stockinette stitch required.

I'm impressed with how many crochet designs are featured.

The written instructions are a little more abbreviated than those of today, and look slightly more complicated to figure out. The magazines also include patterns for men, children and home. 

I really enjoyed the look back into our knitting history, and I hope you did too. Thanks for stopping by my virtual studio today, I wish you peace, blessings and happy stitching!

Let it Snow!

We don't normally get much snow in this part of the state until January or February, but this year we've already had a sugary dusting, just enough to be pretty. The snow seems to have caused a hush to settle over the woods I love to visit whenever I can.

In the quiet of the early morning it was not surprising to come across a small doe foraging among the leaves and snow for her breakfast.

 

We stood and stared at each other for a few minutes and then she bounded off into the safety of the forest.

I love to collect old buttons cut from clothes purchased at thrift stores, or found on the sewing materials tables at church rummage sales.  Some I use on sewing or knitting projects, others are made into jewelry.  

These vintage Jadeite-green glass rounds, trimmed with a hint of gilt edging, are pretty on their original card. 

The brown, carved squares below were labeled Bakelite (although I've not tested them).  Regardless of their material, I love their simple graphic quality.  They look like chocolate, mmmm.....

 

Each of these antique, molded black glass, shank rounds has a poinsettia picked out in red and gold paint, making them perfect for a special Christmas project.

Although I'm not planning to knit anything new at the moment - I have plenty of projects going to keep me busy for weeks - I've enjoyed following the Christmas Calendar patterns from Drops Design/ Garnstudio this month for a daily dose of festive knitting (and crochet!) fun (Drops photo).  

This sock design reminds me of what my Swedish grandmother used to call "Tomte."  It makes me miss her, especially at Christmas.  

It's never a bad idea to let loved ones know you care about them, you might not get another chance!

Peace, blessings and happy knitting to you.