Customer Reviews

Lion Brand Yarn Vintage Styles for Today: More Than 50 Patterns to Knit and Crochet

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

If you are a collector of old knitting or crochet books, you know that one of the problems you face when you want to knit one of the patterns is the yarn. What is "wheeling?" And what gauge was the yarn they used? How many yards? It's not impossible to reproduce vintage items with trial and error, guessing gauge of yarn, but it's a lot easier with "Lion Brand Yarn Vintage Styles for Today." I myself used to struggle with the only knitting book we had at home, one dating back to World War II and I knit a bedjacket for my mom (using baby yarn, only thing available that was fine enough in gauge.) She has it still, 30 years later. That yarn wore like iron.

This book updates famous knitting patterns and interprets them in Lion Brand yarns, which are widely available in yarn shops and even discount department stores. So this book is useful for a number of types of knitters--the knitter or crocheter who wants to create theater or vintage-style garments, the funky modern knitter looking for shrugs and scarves, or the classic knitter who wants to make coats, vests and jackets in a timeless style. The patterns are a mix of knit and crochet. For example, the cover model is a famous bedjacket-style crochet reinterpreted as a lacy cardigan.

The pattern chapters:

1. Cardigans and Jackets
2. Vests and Shrugs
3. Shawls and Wraps
4. Sweaters for Everyone (Cardigans, Ski, Turtlenecks, Men's)
5. Hats, Caps, Scarves
6. Baby things (sacques, layette, hats)
7. Mitttens, Gloves, Slippers, Socks
8. Blankets, Afghans and Throws.
9. Techniques

As you can see, this is a comprehensive compilation of patterns. I was asked an IMPORTANT question by one knitter; how many extra large sized patterns are included? Several of the coats and sweaters go up to 3x. There is a loose coat that is "one size fits most" but the more experienced knitter can look at the measurements and try a larger gauge and blocking to increase the size. The fitted style garments (tightly knit or crocheted vests) tend to only go up to size L.

Highlights: a crocheted cutaway coat with suede yarn frogs. A dog sweater that was one of the nicest I've seen, knit in a checkerboard texture stitch. There is a fisherman sweater in a classic style for men. The famous Navajo Crochet blanket is here, something found in many of the old Fleisher books. This is a crocheted afghan that imitates a Navajo blanket. There is a pair of gloves knit in Lion's self-striping "magic" yarn. I especially liked the crocheted "Poet's Shrug" and a bolero in novelty fringe yarn. Definitely something here for everyone. I really like this book.

To those who complain the styles aren't true to their "forebears" - well, this is not a book of faithfully reproduced vintage patterns, nor does it purport to be. The instructions and choices of yarn have been revised to appeal to modern knitters and crocheters who love the vintage look but don't have the skill or patience or $$ for the necessary materials to recreate it. Clothing inspired by vintage styles is everywhere these days and this book provides the knitter and crocheter with the tools they need to make their own vintage-inspired fashions without the necessity of searching for old patterns, attempting procedures that exceed their skills, or investing a fortune in top-quality wool.

I purchased this book based on one item alone (the breathtaking "Linda stole"), but my friends who knit and crochet are ga-ga over most of the other patterns and have already asked to borrow it. For what it is, this is a wonderful book.

I have a hard time finding crochet or knitting patterns that look classy, funky, fashionable, yet not dowdy or dumpy. When I got this book from the library, I was thrilled. This book takes all kinds of patterns from the 1900's (most decades) and reworks them for today- keeping the essence of the pattern, but with the comfort of today.

I just love the different funky and unique ideas in here as well as the old staples like hats, scarves, etc.

There are many different types of yarns showcased in this book from the old staples of woolen type yarns to the funky fur with lumps that is so popular today.

This book has feminine cardigans and jackets, vests and shrugs, shawls and wraps, sweaters for all ages, hats and caps for everyone, baby things, and really cool and fun wristlets, gauntlets, mittens, socks and slippers as well as gloves.

There are some patterns for blankets and throws to round it all out.

So far, I am really impressed with this book and it sits among some of my select few favorites. I love the idea that it has BOTH Crochet and Knitting- all of which are interesting and motivational. There are also many levels of projects in difficulty too.

I can not rave about this book enough- it is right up there with my favorites from the Stich N Bitch collection (I only like a few of those), and even more exciting than many of those.

If you can get it out of the library first or see it at a bookstore that will tell you if you want to have it in your collection. I probably would never have ordered this if I had not seen it first, because there are SO many books out there that have disappointed me. After seeing it however, I am absolutely thrilled with it.

I'm drawn to "vintage" like a bee to honey. I went to the library today and checked out this book and Vintage Knits: 30 Exquisite Vintage-Inspired Patterns for Cardigans, Twin Sets, Crewnecks and More, so a comparison is inevitable. Personally I find this book less appealing because the designs have been tweaked so much they've lost their "vintageness" or they were unattractive to begin with, and because nearly all of them use heavyweight synthetic yarn. Some of them are boring or similar to what's available online. The publisher should have let people view this book on Amazon so potential buyers can see what they're getting.

Nonetheless I found a few interesting items, such as All-Seasons Cardigan, which actually looks better than the original; and the Look-Back Jacket, which has side slits and a wide belted back. Some of the designs have Zimmermann-type construction--made in one piece and then seamed into a garment. For example, a cute Sailor Sweater is unfortunately sized for children, but since it's constructed in one piece, sizing up should be a matter of simple math. Each pattern includes a photo from the original publication and the modern reworking, a difficulty rating (most are easy or intermediate), and garments have a schematic. Projects include sweaters, shawls, hats, and scarves for men, women, dogs, and children; baby items; gloves; slippers; and blankets. Based on the artwork, the originals are from the late 19th through mid-20th century.

If you like the designs than this book is worth the money. I'm glad I didn't buy it based on the title.

This book is exactly what I was looking for - vintage fashion for the entire family. There is beautifully feminine sweaters, shawls, and more for women, as well as stylish sweaters and accessories for men and children. There are varying levels of skills required for these patterns - some easy and some more advanced. There is also a wonderful "vintage" photograph of the original pattern for you to compare to your newer, more updated version. Lots to look at in this book!

I barely had this book out of the box when I sat down and immediately made a project from the book. In one week's time, I've made another project. Directions are clear and easy to understand. Love comparing the pictures of the vintage piece and the same piece made up for today. Am very happy with the results of the two patterns I've done so far. Planning on doing two more. Wonderful book. Lion Brand does it again.

Nancy Thomas and Charlotte Quiggle have combed the Lion Brand archives for patterns to reinterpret for today's modern lifestyle. Lion Brand Yarn Vintage Styles for Today: more than 50 patterns to knit and crochet is the result, illustrating the company's contribution to fashion over the last century.

To use vintage patterns to make modern garments, attention must be paid to sizing and fit. In the past, styles were more fitted with higher armholes, narrower waists and less ease. As the editors point out, "since our bodies are so different today from those of our forebears, whether because of undergarments or because of diet, any reference to 'size' in a vintage pattern is relatively meaningless."

Today, fit is looser, and for some patterns in this book significant design changes have been made to create modern looks. One blanket, originally created as a baby item, has been redesigned in bulky yarn, resulting in the stitch pattern now appearing as a modern leaf design.

The patterns in Lion Brand Yarn Vintage Styles for Today are evenly split between knit and crochet and all skill levels are covered. All patterns of course use Lion Brand yarns; however, the Standard Yarn Weight system icons are included for each pattern, allowing for yarn substitutions. Patterns cover the gamut from unusual shrugs to sweaters, layettes to something for man's best friend.

Armchair Interviews says: Something here for everyone.

I'm a relatively new knitter. I love this pattern book! Lion has been around forever and has taken their designs from the 20s,30s, and 40s, and put a stylish new spin on them. My favorites are the wonderful hats and what Lion calls The Poet's Jacket. Today we'd call it a shrug, but the design is slightly different and quite lovely. Beginner or seasoned, crocheter or knitter, this book has something for everyone!

This book surprised me. I was not expecting it to be all that useful. A young friend wanted me to make one of the patterns so I purchased it. Low-and-behold it's full of fun ideas. Being a pattern tweaker from way back I can see all kinds of possibilities. This book is worth shelf space.

I found this book very helpful because I love vintage clothes, I own the previous book published by Lion Brand featuring vintage garments, and I thought it was somewhat difficult to try to find yarn substitutions and to modify the designs slighty in order to make them wearable, but this book saved me the work and I think the authors did a great job adapting the patterns to be worn with contemporary clothing but still keeping a vintage look about them.