In Episode 9 Renée Rotthier shares her vintage knitting, Dutch style, in Knitters of the World. James Norbury, controversial knitting figure of the past, makes an appearance, and Andrea shares her intarsia misadventures. Plus a taste of Italy, a short musical pilgrimage, and lots of knitting fun.
Bring and Brag
Lovage by Marie Wallin
The Lovage is finished, except for the crochet details. Andrea will be practicing her trebles, half trebles, double trebles, …
You can download the Lovage pattern as PDF or find it in Marie Wallin’s book Windswept.
Under Construction
Amaryllis by Marie Wallin
Design uses the Rowan Felted Tweed, with 50% Merino, 25% Alpaca and 25% Viscose. The colors suggested in the pattern are Avacado and Clay. The technique is a mix of Fair Isle and Intarsia.
This is one of eight patterns in Marie Wallin’s book Springtime.
Andrew’s socks
The saga continues. Currently working with double pointed needles, which is easy, but does have the disadvantage that you need to keep track of the number of rows done to ensure that the socks are the same.
Knitters of the World – Renée Rotthier
Renée Rotthier is Dutch but is now living in Southampton in the UK. Her passion is fashions from the forties. She taught herself to knit just so that she could create the 40s-styled jumpers and cardigans, as she couldn’t afford to buy original vintage garments or even reproductions.
Garments of the 40s and 50s were very fitted and typically knitted in the flat and then seamed. There was a lot of stylized shaping, with flouncy tops on the sleeves, and gathered waists. This styling could be achieved much more easily by knitting pieces in the flat, similar to sewn garments.
You can find Renée and see more of her wonderful work at:
- reneeandthecatsmeow.blogspot.co.uk
- @melanostalgia on Instagram
- melanostalgia on Ravelry
KAL Knews
First Garment KAL
The prize for the First Garment KAL is the book “The Knowledgeable Knitter” by Margaret Radcliffe. This book will be invaluable for the budding garment knitter, or the experienced one!
Fair Isle Garment KAL
The prize for the Fair Isle Garment KAL is a 25 Pound gift voucher from Alice Starmore yarns (Virtual Yarns), which gives you free delivery anywhere in the world!
Thank you to everyone who is joining in and contributing to the discussions on the Ravelry thread.
What we’re wearing
Jayne by Madeline West and Rita Taylor
Thank you for the comments on this top! The pattern is Jayne and is taken from the book “Sweater Girls” by Madeline West and Rita Taylor. Here is the link to my Jayne project on Ravelry.
Guido, by Carlo Volpi
Andrew’s jumper is the pattern Guido, by Carlo Volpi. We talked about that jumper in Episode 7 – From the Archives.
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16 thoughts on “Vintage Knitting, James Norbury, and a bit of Intarsia”
I would love to know what the pattern is for your vintage top. I think its just beautiful and would love to know also,what yarn you have knit it in.
Hi Nicky. Thank you very much! The top is called “Jayne” by Madeline West and Rita Taylor. You can see Andrea’s Ravelry project here. I see she’s used the Rowan Siena 4 ply in the Vindaloo colorway.
Hello you three! Another wonderful episode! I especially enjoyed Renee…I think it is so interesting to see old vintage items…what goes around comes around. Marie Wallin’s designs seem like they could have been inspired by the past for sure!! Italy looks nice.Keep up the GREAT work…I really enjoy every episode SO much. Thank You.
Michele
Please tell us where to find the pattern for that vintage top you were wearing.
Hi Vicki. The pattern is the “Jayne”, from the book “Sweater Girls” by Madeline West and Rita Taylor.
I have finished watching all of the episodes and want to thank you so much for such a culturally interesting, informative and inspiring podcast. I look forward to more great interviews and amazing knitting.
I binge-watched your first 5 podcasts. And have been savoring the rest.
Recommended the podcast to my knitting guild this month.
I have gotten like lots of inspiration from watching. Thank you.
Hi Suzanne. Thank you very much, and thanks in particular for putting out the word. Andrew and Andrea.
Hi Andrew and Andrea, I just wanted to say how much I enjoy all your episodes,but episode 9 was particularly inspiring. Loved your singing Andrea and your enthusiasm for all things knitting is contagious. You make me feel as though I can try anything! Please keep podcasting! Best wishes Elaine from the UK.
And yet another great episode full of inspiration, humour and fun. I really enjoy your podcast as you can tell. I am now going to learn to knit two handed fair isle with your tutorial Andrea… after 55 years of knitting I am still learning.
What a hoot that clip from the TV show was where on earth did you find it? I have a collection of vintage books and Stitchcraft dating from the 1930’s and they are a huge source of amusement and knowledge…
Well, until next time and many thanks for all your excellent hard work putting the podcast together. From wintry Perth, Western Australia.
Hi Lydia. Thank you for your lovely comments, so great to hear from Perth, and good on you for giving the two-handed Fair Isle a go!! Are you on Ravelry? We would love to see your work.
Cheers, from a summery Offenbach – Andrea and Andrew.
Thanks for another lovely episode. I have not had time to watch anything this summer, now I jumped directly to the last episode. I love Marie Wallin’s patterns, although I would never dream ow working fair isle flat. You made me buy her latest book, though 🙂
I’ve only just discovered your podcasts through Fibertrek’s Sarah Hunt and I’m so enjoying watching them (starting with #1.) As you can see I’ve made it up to #9, and I have to let you know how much I laughed at the James Norbury segment! “What’s My Line” was a family favorite, and I think we must have watched it every week. Now that I’ve admitted to being of a certain age, I’ll also admit to being an enthusiastic spinner and knitter. Thank you both for all the hard work you put into these lovely podcasts. Best wishes from a soon to be Fall colored Massachusetts.
Thanks, Nena.
Andrea, I love Amaryllis and am considering buying the Springtime book, but I’m wondering if I’ll be buying the uncorrected pattern. What do you think? This would be quite a stretch for my knitting skills, and I won’t be able to make the corrections you did! I haven’t been able to find the pattern for download online anywhere.
Thanks for all you and Andrew do!
Wow! What a lovely episode! I loved every slice! In 1967 I would have missed the TV program, as I was with the USAF stationed in Kaiserslautern, W. Germany! Yes, we really wore eyeliner and teased hair and all that silly fashion. What EZ gave American knitters was common sense knowhow for taking charge of their knitting. She settled in Wisconsin which has very hard winters. With a German-born husband and 3 kids, of course she worked out how to knit Strumpfhosen! We had been fashion victims — and remember many of the knitting patterns stopped at 38″. I have used Burda patterns for years. Now in South Lake Tahoe, I appreciate the snow shirt more than ever — whether it’s a thick knitted garment or polarfleece, it needs a certain amount of ease. Elizabeth wasn’t letting it all hang out, but only helping us knit to fulfill our own visions. XO!