1930s Beret

Do you go through style moods? One of mine is vintage. I love girly clothes from the early decades of the twentieth century, especially the ones in old movies with Cary Grant, and the BBC mysteries. Sam Stewart had a lily-of-the-valley-esque green cardigan in the last episode of Foyle's War that was to die for. Sadly, I can't find a photo of it to share with you.

Anyway, I'm always interested in those designs that are vintage, yet updated enough so that you can wear them today without feeling like you're wearing a costume. One of the things I came across on Ravely was this 1930s beret pattern, from petulant feminine. Her posting the pattern with a black and white photo of an actress wearing such a beret just called out "make me! wear me!" and I cannot refuse. Even though I've never knit a hat for myself before! Here is the yarn that I chose for my beret. It's teal green Mountain Mohair, from Green Mountain Spinnery.

If you like vintage knits too, you might check out Popknits. Their first issue is up, with a gorgeous cardigan by Blue Garter, and a fair isle beret that I might attempt, if I can do the one color one first. Please share your favorite vintage knits or styles with me!

Two new knittings books arrived from Amazon last night, and they are the perfect compliment to each other: Custom Knits by Wendy Bernard, and Inspired to Knit by Michelle Rose Orne. Wendy's is the left brained "here's how to analyze a schematic and mathematically alter a pattern to fit" book. Michelle's is the "here's how to take the color, pattern, and texture inspirations from nature and design a pattern to fit" book. They really raise the bar as far as looking at yarns and patterns, and making them your own, rather than knitting them exactly as directed (which I do). Perhaps this is one of the dividing lines between "art" and "craft" that so many knitters discuss in forums and around the knitting tables? 

Public Service Announcement: The Animal Rescue Site and Petfinder are having a $100,000 Shelter Challenge. They are giving money away as follows:

Grand Prize:  One $25,000 grant
Runner Up:  One $10,000 grant
State Winners:  Fifty-four $1,000 state grants
Weekly Winners:  Eleven $1,000 weekly grants

All you have to do is go here and vote every day (or as often as you remember) between now and Dec. 14th for your local shelter. Tell your friends and relatives too! All of the smaller shelters are desperately in need of funds: so many pets have been abandoned due to foreclosures, moves, hurricanes, and so often are unmentioned victims of the difficult economy. If you don't have a favorite local shelter, please click for Rosie and Rainy's former rescuers: Forgotten Felines or Meriden Humane Society, both in CT. Let's get some funds to those who really need them.

P.S. This post was drafted early last week, but before I could finish it, we received some difficult personal news. The company I work for has been purchased by another company, and most of us will lose our jobs in 60 days. As you can imagine, it is overwhelming at times, trying to maintain some sense of normalcy when things are definitely not normal. But I do intend to follow those infamous words of Elizabeth Zimmermann: "Knit on with confidence and hope, through all crises." Good thoughts and prayers are very much appreciated.

Comments

[Bridget]

Oh, so sorry about the job thing! I do hope that you will not be one of the ones who loses your job - but if you do, I hope you won't be unemployed for long.

[Sara]

Good thoughts headed your way...

Went to the site to vote for our local humane society...and sent the e-card to several friends and my daughter.

[Dotty]

I'm not a vintage girl. I don't have the right body type to wear vintage clothing. I do like the way it looks. I have been watching BBC's Poirot series and I do like the clothes but I don't see a lot of knitwear.

Sorry to hear about the job situation. I hope things work out for you.

[Kristen]

Oh no, that is bad news and I hope you find employment right away. Good thoughts and hopes definitely winging your way.

I love vintage looks too and have a small collection of pattern booklets from yard sales and antique stores.

[Sheepish Annie]

thanks for the shelter links. I'll have to check that one out. I am so very sorry to hear about your job. That has to be a frightening thing to have happen even in the best of times. I'll definitely be thinking good thoughts for you.

[Chris]

Ack! I am so sorry to hear about your company and job. :( I went through all that anxiety last fall, although (so far) I've been really lucky. Here's to luck - or to quickly finding something else that you love.

[Dorothy W.]

Oh, sorry to hear about the job situation! I do hope everything works out okay. I'll keep you in my thoughts.

[Erika]

I'm so sorry to hear about the job situation! I hope you find something better soon...

[Jane]

What a bummer about your job! Hope you find something you love to replace it. And thanks for the Popknits link. Such pretty things.

[Robin]

I have been obsessed lately with Faye Dunaway's look in Bonnie & Clyde. I think it is because the costumer designed her outfits with a 70s vibe instead of being as historically accurate as they might if they made that picture today. After the weather today I guess I'm ready for sweaters and berets...

So sorry about your job situation. Maybe this means something even better is just around the corner? Fingers crossed and good vibes heading your way.

And I will be voting every day on the shelter fundraiser. Plus they have some cuter items for sale on that site. I like the retro kitty notebooks...

[Karen]

I wasn't sure if you were going the share the work crisis on your blog - but I'm glad you did and I don't have to leave you cryptic comments of support. :) You've been in my thoughts and will continue to be!!!

Great patterns picked out to keep you busy. I have Custom Knits on my Christmas list. Never too early to start a Christmas list. ;)

[Julie]

Oh Debby, I'm so sorry to hear that about the job! You know I can feel your pain. Sending good thoughts your way and hoping you find something else soon.

[Sarah]

Fervently wishing for something new and better to come your way on the job front. I know you will knit - and live - on with confidence, and also with tremendous style in your new beret! (Try the colorwork. It's not as hard as it looks, and you'll feel like a knitting rock star.)

[Sydney]

Oh no! I'm sorry to hear about the job thing. Hopefully you won't be one of the ones that's cut or that you'll find something else quickly.

Thanks for pointing out the 1930s beret pattern and the shelter link!

[Pam]

Thank you for the link to Popknits -- good stuff there. I'm sorry to hear about the uncertainty (and impending doom) at your job. Never fun. I'll be hoping you find yourself in a better place a year from now, whether your job is the same or new.

[madalyn]

I'm sending my good thoughts and prayers your way... :(

[Rebekah]

I am so drawn in by berets! I absolutely love them, always have. My husband detests them though! One day I'm just going to be a rebel and knit myself one!

[Meg]

I'll be thinking of you and your co-workers. Knit on, indeed!

[Lynne]

I am so sorry about the job sitation, Debby. Trust completely that no matter what, there is a purpose for this. When JR lost his job last year, it was a very difficult thing to accept, but now looking back , I can see exactly why it happened the way it did. Thank you for the Popknits link...I hadn't seen it before! It's wonderful!

[2paw]

Oh, The Labradors and I are sending you lots of positive thoughts. I am sure Karma will be good to you!!
I love the hat and the teal wool. But even more I loved that green cardigan. It was beautiful.

[Emily Barton]

Well, we've already talked the job situation to death. So unfair! But I know you will land on your feet, and you're in our prayers. Anyway, I love the vintage beret and the wool you chose. You've inspired me to want to stick with the knitting.

[Sonya]

Oh, jeez. I'm so sorry to hear about your job situation. You guys will be in my prayers. I know how scary it can be. It definitely helps to follow EZ's advice.

[jillian]

Oh no! I am shocked and saddened to hear of your work situation! I hope you'll be able to land on your feet and find something else, if you need to, before the 60 days are here.

[Brigitte]

Oh, that's awful news! I hope you find something else quickly...

I love vintage patterns as well; women from the 30's and 40's knew how to dress so elegantly.

[wendy g]

I am so sorry to hear the news about your job but I know you will come out on top!
Thanks for the info on the Shelter Challenge too.