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Throwback Thursday in Knits: 101 Sweaters by Women’s Day, part 1

People. People, people, people. I made the most amazing re-discovery over the weekend while I was starting to clean out and organize my craft room: I have a ridiculous collection of “vintage” knitting paraphernalia. Why do I have these things? I’m a collector at heart and a pack rat in nature (and a minimalist in my head… yes this creates a lot of internal discord). That’s all I can think of. I don’t even know how I acquired some of these pieces, but I decided over the weekend that it’s a complete shame for me to keep these all to myself. And lo, Throwback Thursday in Knits is born!

So first up, I’m going to share some wonders from a Women’s Day compilation, titled 101 Sweaters, copyright 1972 by Fawcett Publiciations. All photos are their property, I just think they’re fun.

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Oh yeah, we’re totally doing this.

I cannot even begin to read these notes, but I like to think that someone did their appropriate swatching and these are their adjustments to the pattern.

Some of these patterns would totally hold up today, I think. Some of them… maybe not.

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I would totally knit this big cable-y goodness, no lie.
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This totally makes me think of the Retro Ribby Socks.
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That sweater on the left? Sarah will be trying to replicate it once she sees it, I bet you $10.

I can’t leave this post off without sharing some of the advertisements. Again, I do not own these, I just question their effectiveness (maybe these were de rigeur ads 40 years ago, what do I know?).

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Next time on Throwback Thursday in Knits: 101 Sweaters, part 2, or the Men’s and Children’s patterns.

4 Comments

  1. I saw that triangle top and thought, “Crap that looks like something I sketched!” I am so predictable, even the 70s know me! ps. I am loving how awesomely bad some of these are. Hope nobody looks back on my designs and laughs but I’m sure some are already doing that. No shame in my game!

    • Amy Amy

      Like I said, there are some that I would totally knit! And then others… not so much. Even if someone dares to think that about your designs, there will be others who rightfully think they’re awesome.

  2. I have some old knitting stuff too…We should compare collections!

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