Customer Reviews

Retro Knits: Cool Vintage Patterns for Men, Women, and Children from the 1900s through the 1970s

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

 

 

This book met all of my expectations and more. This book is for the retro enthusiasts and any lover of fine knits. What I like about the old patterns is the creativity and the attention to detail. With fewer distractions, it seems to me that people had more time for their craft which resulted in intricate patterns or designs with a finer gauge. For the beginner or knitter of today who doesn't have the patience for fine knitting, as you get into the 1970's section of the book, you'll find that there are designs for bulky knitting! The original photographs for the old pattern booklets are great. You may find a photograph that features two or more designs that don't have a pattern and you'll think "Hey, I want that pattern!" The Authors have to do another book. I intend to write them and ask for more patterns. Well worth the money, every knitter needs this book in his/her collection. The book features designs for the entire family.

I'm a 45-year old mom who grew up in the preppy 80s -- so I still tend to gravitate towards "classic styles" and lines. I also believe they look best on the average figure.

This book has gorgeous projects and very classic looks. It is a refreshing change to many of the amorphous shapes that seem to be popular today... Not everyone looks good in a round bolero style shrug that just makes it look like you accidentally threw your sweater into the dryer and it shrunk.

There are classic twin sets, men's sweaters (that would look equally good on women), lacy projects, cables.

My only "quibble" with this book is that I wish they had included updated pictures in addition to the "originals". Vogue put out a "classic knits" book many years ago which were reprints from decades-old patterns. Not only did they show the original picture of the pattern but also the modern day version so you can picture the project in this day and age.

I love the patterns in this book however almost all of the women's items are modified to fit a 38-40 bust. I'm a scrawny girl at 5'2 100lbs. Most of the patterns only have one or two size options and only 5 or 6 out of the whole book offer patterns with a 32" bust. I have a sneaking suspicion that the author is a 38" bust. If you are too I would recommend this book. Otherwise you may as well stick with the vintage patterns because this book is useless.

Believe it or not, I actually made the '70s cape from this book during the '70s. I wore it, too, with pride, and still have it. (Although these days I mainly wear it on Halloween!) It was great fun to see that pattern again. Some of the other patterns are so interesting that I plan to make them. I highly recommend this book for people who are interesting in the history of 20th-century American knitting.

Really great book for knitters who are into vintage. There are a couple of choices for each time period. You can get to see the original picture with up-to-date yarn suggestion and lingo. However, I guess there is no harm to have at least one picture to show the FO of the product with the new yarn suggestion, gauge and everything. It is just kind of difficult for me to imagine the real FO and how it is going to look like on a 21st century body from those vintage photos, that's why I give 4 stars. But the whole book is so much fun to look at, happy to have got it.

Many of these knits are given in modern sizes, and would look great today. for the classic loving knitter.

I was super excited when I ordered this book but thank goodness I found a cheap used copy. I have many old pattern books from the early sixties and thought this would be updated, maybe with some circular knitting. Alas, most of the patterns are 'updated' by giving yarn recommendations. You can get an old pattern and figure that out yourself by making swatches or looking up old listing for yarn on the internet. It felt like a rip off. Plus some of the pictures don't have patterns which is a little odd. The patterns in the book are pretty traditional and not necessarily unique representations of the era. Ultimately, I use this as a look book and stick with writing my own patterns so I can knit top down in the round. If you knit in the round, this book is not for you, unless you like to write your own patterns and just need some inspiration.
From buying this I have learned one thing, I will check Ravelry before purchasing a pattern book.

Get out your needles because you're going to want to knit every project in this book. The 1940s chapter and the 1970s are especially amazing! You should get this book!

They may as well have made this book a strict written summary of the history of knitting and fashion because the patterns shown are just so bland and at least to me didn't really exemplify something that was specific to the era or something I couldn't figure out how to make on my own (and I'm barely an intermediate level knitter) with information from other books and/or free patterns. Basically what I gleaned from this book is that they pretty much dressed since the early 1900s the way we do today - add a hood onto one or two of the sweaters and you've got a modern "hoodie". I don't see a specific need to buy this book over a more general how-to book or borrow one from the library.

Sorry, I cannot give it a good review,but I feel sure you want your customers to know what others think of it.All the patterns are just too out of date. It is fun to look at, but not useful.