CREATIVE HANDS

Two weeks ago I asked my mum if she could look through some of our old knitting patterns and books and see if she could find a pattern for a knitted rabbit. It's a very old pattern of a rabbit family, I knitted the daughter when I was in high school and would like to knit the whole family now. Needless to say mum is still looking, but in the interim she thought I might like to have these.

Yesterday the FedEx truck brought 22 volumes of Creative Hands. We subscribed to this series in the early 1970's, I think ours is 3rd or 4th printing, the first printing was around 1967.

The volumes are in exceptional condition, there is slight damage to the spine of one volume but apart from that they are like new. I have had a quick look through a few of volumes, this weekend I will set aside an afternoon or so to have a really good browse.

The series was set up to teach you knitting, crochet, tatting, embroidery, sewing, needlepoint etc. there is one or two lessons on each in every volume. The sewing patterns are definately dated, but the others do seem to stand the test of time, and the techniques for all haven't changed over the years. I love this knitted jumper, very Twiggy, and not that dated in today's market, especially seeing the Marc Jacobs 1920's inspired Spring Collection.

This lovely little crochet jacket is so sweet, and very upscale French baby boutique. What mum wouldn't want this for a very special occasion.

Two sweet little loopy fall/winter coats.

I desperately wanted this coat when I saw it the first time (1970ish), and would still love to own it. I just think this is timeless.

I know the pictures are really cheesy, but take a look at the workmanship of this beautiful coat. It's heirloom quality.

This great coat is knitted on "jumbo needles 3/4", I have no idea what size that is but I am assuming 35's or so, what we used to call broomstick handle. I would knit and wear this coat today.

These are hysterical, they are knitted stockings that would be held up by suspender belts, bless the creator of panty hose, the cold draughts that used to shoot up our 1960's mini skirts was a true form of fashion torture. However, the pattern could be adapted to knee highs.

I cannot express how much I love these books, I loved them when I was a teenager and they would arrive (one a month for two years) and I still love them when all 22 of them arrived last night. Needless to say my mum is still looking for the original requested rabbit pattern, but according to my dad she has found some loose patterns to send so it maybe in those.