my stash.
UPDATE: I put a heap ton of pictures up on Flickr from these books. Check out my new photosets!
1940s-50s
1980s
“Hand Knits for Young Moderns“
I think I’ve mentioned before that I don’t have much of a yarn stash — at least not compared with most of the folks I’ve seen on Ravelry. And I don’t buy a whole lot of pattern books, especially when I’m in Minneapolis, where the public libraries have a huge and up-to-date collection of them.
I do have a stash, though. A shameful, ridiculous, enormous stash of about 100 vintage knitting and crochet patterns, books, and pamphlets. If I see one at a yard sale, flea market or thrift shop, I can’t not buy it.
Some of them are beautiful. Some of them are funny. Some are just plain weird. And, if you read between the lines of the patterns and images, some even tell stories about rationing during WWII, about how white middle class families were represented during the Cold War, or about how leftist countercultures of the late 60s shaped handknitting fashion.
And each of them cost less than $1.
[click photo for details]
I recently proposed a swap with Ms. Stitchywitch — to trade the pattern she used for her lovely 80s sweater for one in my stash. Trouble is, I had to find a way to let her browse my giant vintage pattern library. So, Stitchywitch, here are a few of my favorites. Let me know which ones you’d like to see more of!
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June 19th, 2007 at 11:55 pm
Oh, those look awesome. I just brought home an armload of 80 and 90s knitting magazines from my parents house, and the photographs are fantastic. There’s at least 5 blog posts in those. I have never been so happy to have never worn a headband. (the ones that go horizontal across your forehead, not the ones that actually hold back your hair)
June 20th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Wow Pam you retro gal, you have such amazing taste…I love those patterns so so much!!
June 20th, 2007 at 12:02 am
oh my god. we have a HUGE backstock of the most rediculous patterns at the store. i am not sure how vintage they are, but they are definately not of this century. i have one in mind i would LOVE to send to you.
June 20th, 2007 at 12:09 am
Oh, wow. I’d love to come over and play…
June 20th, 2007 at 1:24 am
Ooh, fun! You have lots of the same 1960s books that I do! Hmm… I’m actually the most interested in the 1980s books you show in the lower right corner, except for the one with the aqua sweater on the cover (I swear I have that one around somewhere!) I like puffed sleeves and I don’t mind shoulder pads, but I don’t like the crazy oversize 80s stuff… what would you suggest? I’m very excited… I just love the 80s sweater I made and I think I’d like to make another!
June 20th, 2007 at 1:28 am
How fun! I have a 1970s knitting book from my Grandmother. It’s from Ruhama’s yarn shop in Milwaukee (written by Ms. Ruhama). The first several sweaters are very traditional and classic, but then all of a sudden, wham-o it’s 70’s ponchos in bright “earth tones.” They are kind of scary.
June 20th, 2007 at 3:13 am
Oh, how fun! One of the books I picked up at the rummage sale last week was vintage patterns updated for “today”, with today being 1985. It was quite funny!
June 20th, 2007 at 4:49 am
i always want to buy awful olsd pattern books on Etsy. some are hilarious, others I’d probably love.
June 20th, 2007 at 4:49 am
old*
June 20th, 2007 at 5:31 am
My mother-in-law had picked up four binders of old 80’s patterns for me at who-knows-where, and they were hi-larious. Not even remotely cool like most vintage patterns, they were truly the worst of the 80’s. I sadly left them behind when I moved down here, boo!
June 20th, 2007 at 6:38 am
How cute a bag. I am sure your friend will love it.
June 20th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
I have been obsessed with older patterns for a long time. I loved browsing your collection. In my free time (?!) I’d like to photograph my collection to give you a good laugh too. The sad part is, some of your *retro* patterns are patterns I bought when they were published.
June 20th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
what an amazing collection! you should start an archives for old pattern booklets
…know any archivists? 
June 20th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
That is a terrific collection. I never buy them because I just can’t keep collecting knitting related stuff! But next time I will just send it to you!
June 20th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
Wow! That’s a lot of kitsch!
I desperately miss the Hennepin County Library system. So many books! Great online access! You can place your own holds! The Chicago Public Library is absolutely awful. It’s stuck in about 1975.
June 20th, 2007 at 11:07 pm
Those old patterns are great! A friend of mine gave me a whole bunch of them for Chistmas, and I love looking through them. Do you ever use any of the patterns?
June 20th, 2007 at 11:41 pm
wowie wow wow! I have only a couple of old knitting pattern books - your collection is very impressive! I really want to make something from one of my books - maybe one day.
June 25th, 2007 at 5:22 pm
I love those old pattern books, too! You have an amazing collection.