new design! book! contest!
You’ve probably already seen this book. You’ve probably already ordered it, received it, and cast on for at least six patterns from its pages.
But in case you haven’t? Three cheers for Stitchy McYarnpants and Caro Sheridan’s Knitting it Old School: 43 Vintage-Inspired Patterns
Most vintage-update knitting books (and I own and love them all) are (1) full of understated, classy, mid-century white-lady housewifely styles; (2) quite limited in sizing, at both the smaller and larger ends; (3) short on designs for men; and (4) pretty.
With Stitchy and Caro at the helm, you’re probably unsurprised to hear that Old School is none of these things. There are loads of classic and classy garments, like Kirsten’s sweater featured on the cover and a number of other lovely, wearable sweaters and accessories (I’m wild about Diana’s and Cirilia’s designs).
But at least 50% this book is 100% bananas. Even the design I contributed — a houndstooth go-go dress – is one of its more reserved, staid garments. For example:
If you want a multicolor granny square dress to wear to your local community theatre production of Hair? Check.
A crocheted beach bag shaped like a pineapple? Check.
Peppermint-striped bonnet and woolen pompom skirt for tipping back hot toddies by the fire with Pat Boone? Check.
An entire chapter full of patterns inspired by classic mid-century science fiction cinema? Also check.
Me, I’m whipping up a pair of Marnie MacLean’s crocheted hot pants to wear all over Rhinebeck next month. Yeah, that’s what I said.
Another remarkable thing about the book is the sheer number of patterns it offers — FORTY THREE, people. 43 patterns (9 of which are crocheted, plus a few bonus sewing tutorials). This is about twice what you’d find in most pattern books and, at the current list price on amazon.com, that comes out to about 38 cents per pattern. AND most of the designs come in sizes ranging from at least XXS to XXL.
My dress design, Rally, is available in chest sizes from 29.5 - 53.5 inches, with optional waist shaping, and bust darts for cup sizes A-DD. Plus the pattern includes 3 different skirt options, to increase away from the body at a 5, 10, or 15-degree angle (pencil, a-line, or circle). (It’s pictured in a size 33, with A cups and a 5-degree skirt.)
Find it on Ravelry!
Or on amazon.com!
Or at a trunk show coming this fall to your local knitting shop!
Aaaaand now for the contest: Leave a comment on this post saying which design from Knitting it Old School you love the most. On October 12, I’ll choose two commenters at random to win copies of the book, signed by authors Stitchy McYarnpants and Caro Sheridan.
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October 1st, 2010 at 5:51 pm
my faves are apocalypta and the peppermint lounge pieces, definitely!
October 1st, 2010 at 5:55 pm
I love the houndstooth pattern on your dress!
I think my favourite is Adrian’s peppermint set. So fun!
October 1st, 2010 at 6:10 pm
I love that double decker cardigan. And your dress is fantastic, and so versatile. Congratulations!
October 1st, 2010 at 6:17 pm
First off, yay to blogging again. But also YAY to this awesome book! I have two copies already, so no need to enter me in the drawing!
October 1st, 2010 at 6:18 pm
Holy sugar cows! I big puffy heart this book!
I’m hard pressed to choose between the double decker cardigan and the Go-Go-Granny dress. The whole book is brilliant!
October 1st, 2010 at 6:25 pm
I like the double decker cardi… but I love the St. Moritz!
October 1st, 2010 at 6:26 pm
aaaand now I want to see that knit in the DD size.
October 1st, 2010 at 6:32 pm
I love Ahoy Sailor and St. Moritz. A close third: the Peppermint Lounge Hat. This book looks awesome!
October 1st, 2010 at 6:41 pm
I’d look super hot in St. Moritz! Awesome book!
October 1st, 2010 at 6:47 pm
Love the designs in this book - I could easily see myself knitting almost all of them. Especially The Double Decker Cardigan for myself - and the Peppermint set. Love those stripes.
October 1st, 2010 at 6:56 pm
I had a hard time trying to narrow down favourites- I think I would choose to knit St. Moritz first!
October 1st, 2010 at 7:00 pm
Love St. Moritz!
Great designs!!
October 1st, 2010 at 7:06 pm
I like the double decker!!
October 1st, 2010 at 7:34 pm
I totally love your dress! Especially since it’s so customizable, but I also seriousl ylove the Trekkie sweaters. It’s way too tempting to knit those
October 1st, 2010 at 7:35 pm
Congratulations on your lovely houndstooth dress! I’m in love with Go-Go Granny & Peppermint Lounge Set
October 1st, 2010 at 7:49 pm
That pineapple beach bag is a-mazing.
October 1st, 2010 at 7:55 pm
I am the most in love with the Double Decker Cardigan and Ahoy Sailor, though I do have a soft spot for the Peppermint Lounge Set (c’mon, swirled poms?!) and I think the Staghorn Hat and Pullover are incredibly lovely feats of colorwork that are just begging to be knit and worn on real bodies, asap.
October 1st, 2010 at 7:59 pm
Yay! I can’t believe it, but I don’t have this book yet. I love Kirsten’s Swing Time, and the Go-Go Granny dress. And Ahoy, Sailor. So many to choose from!
October 1st, 2010 at 8:03 pm
St. Moritz for sure, but those hot pants (!!!) are also tempting!
October 1st, 2010 at 8:52 pm
I really want to make Saucy Convertible for myself. I love vintage sweaters.
October 1st, 2010 at 8:56 pm
I’m going to have to go with Swing Time. Lots of nice patterns, though!
October 1st, 2010 at 8:57 pm
Love the Clara and Shes not an Extra, though there is a bit of pom pom lust happening too!
October 1st, 2010 at 9:03 pm
Love the houndstooth dress and the double decker cardigan!
October 1st, 2010 at 10:07 pm
Yay! I’ve been knitting Rally, and I’m about 14 inches into the skirt now. I’ll be wearing it at Rhinebeck, so I hope I see you there!
October 1st, 2010 at 10:09 pm
OMG!!! I have to make She Is SO Not an Extra! This book is fantastic.
October 1st, 2010 at 10:12 pm
very hard to say. I’m actually digging “sunday drive”, though!!
October 1st, 2010 at 10:41 pm
Rally, your houndstooth dress, is by far the most amazing knitted garment I have ever seen. I am so in love with it I have no words.
Please please PLEASE enter me for the giveaway!
October 1st, 2010 at 10:49 pm
It’s hard to pick just one pattern, but I really love Snowden Becker’s St. Moritz sweater. The whole book is so fun!
October 1st, 2010 at 11:05 pm
Not for the contest, as I have the book and cornerned them for their John Hancocks already, but I do love your dress - and I sooo love those fair isle skirts. If only I could crochet, I’d have a bottle buddy.
But really, I can’t wait to see the hotpants at Rhinebeck! Boots? Leggings? Sneaks? What will you pair them with?? Can’t wait to see ‘em
October 1st, 2010 at 11:16 pm
I love Speedway!
October 1st, 2010 at 11:49 pm
I love the book concept, wearable, but with so much irony! My favorite patterns TODAY are the Chamonix Ski Skirt and AHOY, Sailor. Tomorrow, I think they will be Sunshine Day and the Staghorn sweater
October 1st, 2010 at 11:54 pm
Oh god that’s a hard one, they’re all so great… I guess I’d have to go with Swing Time, though I love the atomic bowling bag for pure silliness factor.
October 1st, 2010 at 11:55 pm
I love the neon contrast on your dress! I think the houndstooth dress is definitely my favorite. I love anything houndstooth.
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:16 am
That cover sweater is calling my name.
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:28 am
I find St. Moritz so beautiful. I didn’t realize how many patterns were in the book - great value!
October 2nd, 2010 at 3:11 am
Oh - that book is on top of my wish list at the moment!
Hard to pick a favourite, but I’d probably make the Peppermint mittens first, they’re so cute!
October 2nd, 2010 at 3:16 am
I really love the Saucy Convertible….though that granny-square dress is also delightful!
October 2nd, 2010 at 3:54 am
i think ahoy, sailor is my favorite!
October 2nd, 2010 at 4:34 am
So many great (and crazy!) designs to chose from. I love St Moritz - classy, elegant, and very cool.
October 2nd, 2010 at 6:38 am
I’ve never been tempted to knit a DRESS (waaaay too much knitting), but I can no longer say that!
This is one of the cutest dresses I’ve ever seen. I’d want to lengthen the sleeves (hellllooo fat arms), but that’s an adjustment that shouldn’t be too difficult!
If I don’t win a copy? I’m buying a copy anyway!!
October 2nd, 2010 at 7:02 am
I love the Sunday Drive cardigan. Thanks for the contest!
October 2nd, 2010 at 7:50 am
You’re right, there are at least 6 I’d cast on right away. Love your dress, love it. Also liking Adrian’s set.
October 2nd, 2010 at 7:56 am
I like Swing Time & St. Moritz. But there are others in the book that I’d like to make too.
October 2nd, 2010 at 7:59 am
I’m having a hard time deciding which would be my fav, the choise is hard… it would be either the front cover saucy convertible or the lovely swing time top. I guess if I won the book, I would make both (and more)
October 2nd, 2010 at 8:23 am
The Granny Square Dress has created several discussions at our LYS during the various knitting/crochet groups! Love it!
October 2nd, 2010 at 9:01 am
There are so many wonderful patterns, that it’s hard to just choose one. The Atomic Bowling Bag is so clever. And the Peppermint Lounge Set is lovely. I could definitely see myself making the hat & mitten combo. Lots of other faves. Congrats on your design!
October 2nd, 2010 at 10:24 am
I like both St. Moritz and Double Decker. The book has a good variety of projects!
October 2nd, 2010 at 10:32 am
I *just* saw this book for the first time yesterday at Barnes and Noble and was instantly drawn in. I’m loving St. Moritz and the peppermint set.
October 2nd, 2010 at 11:09 am
St. Moritz! St. Moritz! St. Moritz!
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:22 pm
I love the houndstooth in the “Rally” dress. Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:23 pm
There are a lot of awesome patterns, but I think I love the St. Moritz and Saucy Convertible- they would be so awesome to add to my work wardrobe.
October 2nd, 2010 at 12:24 pm
I love the atomic bowling bag and the Peppermint Lounge set. I love everything, really. Thanks for the giveaway!
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:07 pm
if i had the guts (well, and the ass, for that matter) to wear those hot pants, i would be all. over. them.
i’m intrigued by the peppermint set, but, as plain-jane as they may be compared to the rest of this book, i want to sink into the sock hop knee socks.
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Oh, just one? I’m loving the Houndstooth dress and the Beignets Apres skirt.
(Though, um, the He’s Not an Extra and She’s Not an Extra sweaters would be perfect for some friends of mine!)
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:21 pm
I am in love (bizarre, twisted, over-the-top love) with Go-Go Granny! It’ll be the perfect thing to wear when I finally finish my time machine and go back to 1969 to marry Richard Thompson and become best friends with Sandy Denny.
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:25 pm
I really like St. Moritz. In fact I was just looking for a pattern with that neckline!
October 2nd, 2010 at 1:29 pm
Thanks for featuring this book–it is awesome with its combination of classic vintage and fun, wild patterns! It is very hard to choose just one; on the classic side, I love the St. Moritz, and on the fun side, I love the pineapple bag.
Thanks for the contest!
October 2nd, 2010 at 2:04 pm
It looks like such a great book with lots of wonderful patterns! But I think my favorite is the cover pattern, the Saucy Convertible..
October 2nd, 2010 at 3:49 pm
I love the double decker cardigan and the sunday drive cardi is so Betty Draper!
October 2nd, 2010 at 4:20 pm
I can’t tell if I love it cause IT’S gorgeous or because SHE’S gorgeous, but I love the looks of the Clara tank from the photos in the book. Either way, what I love the most is the variety in the book. Looking at all the patterns on Ravelry, it’s hard for me to believe they really all are bound together as one collection.
October 2nd, 2010 at 4:37 pm
I love the Sock Hop Sweater along with the Sock Hop Knee Socks followed closely by He’s/She’s Not An Extra.
October 2nd, 2010 at 6:14 pm
I love your dress design. It’s gorgeous! I also really like the peppermint lounge hat and mittens set.
October 2nd, 2010 at 7:13 pm
The Staghorn Hat and the Lady Speedway sweater. Your dress design is hot, too.
I can’t wait to see you in the hot pants at Rhinebeck.
October 2nd, 2010 at 7:37 pm
Swing Time!
October 2nd, 2010 at 8:20 pm
Congrats on a great design! My favorite? My heart totally belongs to Adrian’s Peppermint Lounge set…but I’m predictable like that.
October 2nd, 2010 at 10:25 pm
Mitma the Alien. I love that little guy so hard.
October 2nd, 2010 at 10:49 pm
Umm, I’m kind of obsessed with the crocheted hot pants. Love. Them!
October 2nd, 2010 at 11:14 pm
I *love* the Atomic bowling bag and I don.t even bowl.
October 2nd, 2010 at 11:18 pm
I love a lot of the patterns but the St. Moritz sweater pattern is my favorite!
October 3rd, 2010 at 9:55 am
The sweater on the cover is something I’d love to knit!
October 3rd, 2010 at 10:19 am
It’s so hard to choose one design because I love them all! But I would say that my favorite is Rally, of course
I’ve been searching high and low for a cute, wearable dress to knit for evvvveeerrrr. I’m so glad my search is over!
October 3rd, 2010 at 10:50 am
I liked the Pump Jockey, very nice pattern for a men’s cardigan, and I also liked the Wiley Wahine jumper.
Thanks for the contest!!
October 3rd, 2010 at 11:30 am
Definitely the double decker cardigan. Love it!!
October 3rd, 2010 at 11:30 am
I don’t know about a favorite (impossible to choose–I can’t even decide what my criteria might be) but the two I am most likely to knit are Rude Girl and Saucy Convertible.
October 3rd, 2010 at 11:33 am
I would knit either dress - I love me a fall dress!
October 3rd, 2010 at 11:41 am
I love love the Go go Granny dress, .. because well granny squares rule !
Thanks for the contest
October 3rd, 2010 at 1:10 pm
[…] how much we giggle about it. Girlish glee abounds. My favorite comment so far about it is from Pam Wynne, the designer of Rally. In her words, “at least 50% this book is 100% bananas.” Ha! […]
October 3rd, 2010 at 4:01 pm
I’m quite partial to the Peppermint Lounge Set as well as the Fair Isle skirt … imagine them together with peppermint schnapps-y hot chocolate!
October 3rd, 2010 at 4:13 pm
Swing Time. Love the silhouette of it!
October 3rd, 2010 at 4:18 pm
I can’t say I’d for sure knit them, but I am LOVING those skirts!
October 3rd, 2010 at 4:54 pm
St. Moritz is my favorite. I wish I could get a glimpse of more than just a few patterns; but I seem to be unlucky today.
October 3rd, 2010 at 7:19 pm
So many lovely patterns! I really like your Rally, especially now that I know there are skirt variations (I’d make it in the circle version). Also liking the Double Decker Cardigan and Saucy Convertible, along with many other patterns.
October 3rd, 2010 at 10:29 pm
So I haven’t gotten my hands on this book yet so I will have to say that your houndstooth dress is my fav. Love the yellow trim.
October 4th, 2010 at 9:52 am
I would love to knit the Double Decker Cardigan. Please pick me to win
October 4th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
It’s really hard to pick my favorite but Saucy Convertible tops my list!
October 4th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
There are just too many lovely patterns to choose from! I like Ahoy Sailor, Swing Time, the Double Decker Cardigan and Rally the most, but if I had to pick just one I think it’d have to be the Double Decker Cardigan!
October 4th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Oh, so hard to choose! I love your knit dress, who wouldn’t need a few of those? But I’d have to say my first pattern to cast on would be the atomic bowling bag. That, my friends, is AWESOME!
October 4th, 2010 at 6:30 pm
Great book! I love the Chamonix Apres Ski Skirt and St. Moritz.
October 4th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
I’m really tied between the Chamonix Apres Ski Skirt and the Staghorn hat as my favourite(apparently I’m on a colourwork kick lol). Although all the patterns look pretty awesome.
October 4th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
thank you thank you for the contest! i saw this book on rav and nearly died. i love the star trek inspired pullovers. they’re in my queue. i think my mans would love it for xmas, and i even have yarn in that colour blue right now! ha! xo
October 5th, 2010 at 7:50 am
I love yours! I especially love that the skirt can be customized, I do not need the extra clingage in the belly/booty area!
October 5th, 2010 at 8:31 am
I love the Hot pants and the Go-Go Granny dress…too cute!
October 5th, 2010 at 9:39 am
I am not much one for knits below the waist but your houndstooth dress could sway me! LOVE IT! Also, thanks for sharing this book - I live under a rock and had not heard of it yet.
October 5th, 2010 at 9:49 am
Aw man, this book is so full of awesome. Do I have to choose just one pattern? Then it’ll have to be the Saucy Convertable.
October 5th, 2010 at 11:40 am
That book is too cool! The photos are a riot! I’d have to say the design I would most likely knit is St. Moritz but I am strangely attracted to that pineapple bag too!
October 5th, 2010 at 5:17 pm
I really like the St. Moritz sweater, but I love love love the Sock Hop Sweater and matching socks.
October 5th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
I really like all of the patterns, but I KNOW I have to make up some bottle buddies!
October 5th, 2010 at 8:07 pm
OH MY! Awesome! I would loooooove to knit the Saucy Convertible!
October 5th, 2010 at 11:00 pm
I need me some Cheeky Hot Pants.
October 6th, 2010 at 12:09 am
I am so in love with the Apres Ski skirts I cannot stand it, especially Chamonix. Not sure it would be the first thing I knit from the book, but then, you never know . . .
October 6th, 2010 at 9:10 am
I really love your contribution, Rally. I adore houndstooth and you used it masterfully in your design.
October 6th, 2010 at 9:31 am
Lady Speedway all the way, although that bottle buddy reminds me of one my great-grandma had… Thanks for sponsoring the contest!
October 6th, 2010 at 11:19 am
So many to choose from! I think Rude Girl is ace, though they’re all so good!
October 6th, 2010 at 11:24 am
i might be the only person who hasn’t ordered one yet, but it does look amazing! congrats on a job well done for a great pattern.
October 6th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
I am delighted to see so many pattens for us guys in this book! Speedwaym Galileo and Pump Jockey all want me to knit them. Don’t believe me? Just ask them, they’ll tell you.
October 6th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
I love Clara - though my vote was probably swayed by how cute the model looks in her matching black bathing cap.
October 6th, 2010 at 11:47 pm
I am completely smitten with the Atomic Bowling Bag, neon, retro, and bowling all in one!
October 7th, 2010 at 12:43 am
Love that double decker cardigan.. and the pineapple bag. So outrageous and yet so excellent!
October 7th, 2010 at 10:25 am
I am in love with the Chamonix Apres Ski Skirt. I would totally wear that to work. It is too cool.
October 7th, 2010 at 11:19 pm
You know, I’m gonna have to say Swing Time, just because it seems so very wearable. I’m trying to embrace my Joan-from-Mad-Men-like curves and shirk my wanna-be wardrobe of American Apparel-type straight up and down clothes, and Swing Time would certainly work for that. Hope I win! I’m broke and love books.
October 8th, 2010 at 2:26 am
First - I love those cushions on the cover, is the pattern in the book? Then I have to go with the Speedway. Speed Racer never looked so good, and he was pretty hot!
October 8th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
Can I say they’re all my favorite? I’d have to roll the dice to choose the first one to knit or crochet! LOL The Rally dress is so nice and would look good on so many people… but I’d make the hot pants for my daughter for sure!
October 8th, 2010 at 5:09 pm
The pattern I’m most likely to knit is probably Clara, but the one I would be most likely to wear is Apocalyptica. I have to say that while I haven’t bought the book yet (it’s the Q4 shopping moratorium), I would buy it alone for the WTFery of the pompom decorated skirt. It is amazing!
October 8th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
My favorite pattern is the go go granny dress. . . just so awesome! My favorite actually wearable one for me would be the St. Moritz. It’s just the most my style. Your pattern is amazing, I could just never pull it off!
October 9th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
My favorite would have to be Apocalypta. Awesome book!
October 11th, 2010 at 5:21 am
oooh that’s easy: st. moritz. love the stitch, the shaping, the fit, the buttons…
October 11th, 2010 at 8:17 am
I love the St. Moritz! And top down sweaters are fun.
October 11th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Love the Houndstooth dress!
October 11th, 2010 at 11:08 pm
My favorite is swing time. It reminds me of the 1950’s
October 12th, 2010 at 11:43 am
I love “Saucy Convertible”. And your “Rally” dress is gorgeous!
October 14th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
[…] Leave a comment at Flint Knits before October 12 sharing which design from Knitting It Old School is your favorite for your chance to win one of two signed copies of the book. […]
October 22nd, 2010 at 10:54 am
What a fun book!! My favorites are Saucy Covertible, St. Moritz, and Rally. Thanks so much~!
November 11th, 2012 at 7:57 pm
That’s a great little dress. Very functional!