Retro Monday – Trio Knits

I popped into one of the local op shops on the weekend and was lucky enough to find this wonderful pattern called Trio Knits.

I haven’t done much op shopping lately, and I haven’t had a lot of luck with knitting patterns when I’ve ventured out anyway. But I had some very good luck with a bundle of 1960’s knitting patterns.

Whenever several patterns from the same decade end up at the op shop together, I wonder whether a knitter who hit her (or his) stash building peak in that era has recently died.

I know that sounds a bit grim, but I hope when my knitting days draw to a close my pattern collection ends up at the op shop for another pattern collector to discover and treasure. If my patterns end up at an op shop and are bought by a scrapbooker or “upcycler” I’ll return from the grave and reclaim my collection!

Today’s pattern – Trio Knits – features three open front vests. Initially I thought that there was only one pattern with different pocket variations. The picture isn’t very clear so was hard to tell.

After reading the pattern, I discovered that the red vest is crochet – well, the word “crochet” on the front should have given me a hint.

The yellow vest has a plain back and a moss stitch front, and the blue one is reverse stocking stitch all over.

On the surface, Trio Knits looks like it belongs in my collection of patterns that I bought for a laugh, but if you can get past the styling, these are actually quite nice, simple vests.

I don’t think I’d ever make the red vest – the crochet fabric and four flap pockets are not appealing to me. The yellow and blue vests however are well designed, simple and fun.

This pattern is from the late 60’s. I think it’s easy to look at this one and think it’s 70’s, but paisley shirts and stripy pants in menswear are very much 60’s.

A lot of people think of paisley as 70’s – but the prints of the 70’s were more influenced by textiles of India and Afghanistan. This look is a lot more late Beatles (60’s) than Fleetwood Mac (70’s).

I’ve found a great resource for helping me to date knitting patterns that don’t have a publishing date. The Ultimate Fashion History series on YouTube is my new favourite thing. I’ve just finished watching one of the playlists called The Complete Ultimate Fashion History which takes you from prehistoric clothing up to the current decade.

If you enjoy fashion, these videos are really worth watching. They’ve helped me appreciate a lot of the the fashion trends I didn’t know much about. And they’ve even helped me understand – if not love – my least favourite fashion decade, the 1970’s.