I may never need another hat pattern
On the other hand, I'm not sure I'll ever knit any of these. They're awfully fun just to look at. Gotta love all these toques, don't you? Only, the one I'd really like to make is The Greenery Hat, only more like this version.
I just love the disclaimers printed in these pattern books: "YOU MUST USE THE EXACT YARNS SPECIFIED IN ORDER TO BE SURE OF SATISFACTORY RESULTS." "COMPLETE SATISFACTION AND PERFECT RESULTS ARE ONLY GUARANTEED WHEN YOU WORK TO EXACT TENSION WITH THE SPECIFIED YARNS." Do you think they really mean that perfect results can be guaranteed in handknitting?
And then there are the slightly less stern ones: "Your best assurance of success is to use the Beehive yarn specified and to work to the the recommended tension."
And this considerably more reasonable one: "For best results, be sure to use a top quality, and check your gauge before beginning." and "Yarns and qualities vary from year to year and country to country. The secret of using this book at any time, in any country, is to use a yarn which knits up to the right tension."
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How cute! I was so curious when you showed the cover of this book in your last posting (fab mountains btw). There certainly are some unthinkable models, but some good ones, too! Love the women's hat and child's helmet, both second from the bottom. The 'loopettes' look like little mushrooms.
I have an old Beehive baby pattern book and some plastic straight needles from my late mother in law. Mostly musem objects, but nice to have.
Posted by: strikkelise | Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 11:04 AM
Wow, those are some hats! I actually really like the helmet in the second to last row, but maybe just becuase that little kid looks so sweet in it.
Posted by: Jen | Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 11:18 AM
The helmets, popcorn, and looped styles are particularly flattering, don't you think? I always wonder if anyone ever actually knit and wore one of these when the pattern was first released. I don't remember seeing such incredible creations on people's heads back then, but maybe I've blocked it all out!
Posted by: Susan | Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 11:33 AM
I love me a good vintage pattern book, myself!
I really love those kids hats!
The warnings are so very, very!!!
Posted by: pippi | Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 01:16 PM
Love 'em! Some very amusing designs in there, but I'm sure one or two that can be modified to suit more modern tastes too.
I do love those warnings on older patterns too- they really have a different way of saying things!
Posted by: di | Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 01:24 PM
Holy smokes! The Loop-ette? Wowza. The Ribbed Helmets? Oh-so-very attractive. And yet others are truly lovely. I love the child's hat, second one from the bottom on the right. Using the correct yarn and tension, of course.
Posted by: jean | Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 03:17 PM
Hehe, those hats are hilarious! But I do like: the cable toques, the short stocking cap, the angora tam is pretty cute (not on me though), the popcorn cloche, and that little kid's cap with horns or ears! I'll pass on the "helmets"! ;)
Posted by: Julia | Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 05:15 PM
Oooooh . . . the helmet with the stripes AND the ribbed nose warmer/bridge protector is so 2007! Oh my goodness - this may be the laugh I needed today.
Posted by: Ava | Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 06:33 PM
WOWIE KAZAAM! Some of those patterns are really something; I'm especially terrified by the ski mask with the extra nose band (and the chain mail ski mask, oops, I mean eyelet hood).
On the other hand, some of the patterns are really cute. I really like both patterns in the second row from the bottom.
Posted by: jodi | Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 07:22 PM
Glad you had fun shopping here in Canada! I kow that brand, I may have a few of those patterns myself! LOL
Posted by: Silver Ilix | Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 07:32 PM
Hi,
I have the pattern book on the left...from my Gramma's collection. I haven't actually made anything from it yet,although i intend too. Do you think you'll make anything out of it? I'd be curious.
take care,
erica
Posted by: erica | Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 09:17 PM
I love the last two little *horned* versions. lol
I actually recognize some of these hats from growing up in the 60s. Lots more people wore handknits then.
Posted by: Jan | Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 04:34 AM
The little girl in the bottom left looks like Cindy Lou Who! So cute.
Posted by: Beth | Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 07:53 AM
Perhaps I should start writing very beastly warnings about swatching in all my patterns. So many people don't swatch, and then write to complain that their hats and mittens, in particular, don't fit properly. I could nip that in the bud by writing dire warnings in all caps.
I think I might actually wear the Head Snugs and Snowdrop. I'll skip the Loop-ettes, for sure.
Posted by: Adrian | Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 08:00 AM
Those are awesome! I love the lacy bakala..baklava...balacava...eyelet hood thing. Those disclaimers go a long way toward explaining why I can't convince customers that it is safe to substitute. Sometimes they won't even veer from the color that the sample garment is knit it! Drives me mad!!
Posted by: Cirilia | Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 08:36 AM
Oh my, how funny! And the possibilities, as well! I love looking at vintage knitting patterns. My brother gave me a whole set once and I found a pattern to KNIT a FERN plant to put in your macrame plant holder; in avocado green, no less!! It was SOOOO funny! I wish I could find that pattern...!
Posted by: Amber A. | Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 09:56 AM
I think I have the book on the right (inherited from my mother). I recognize many of the pictures. I am pretty fond of the bottom two, especially the Martian hat on the bottom left.
Some of them are pretty awful like the peaked hat.
Posted by: Maia | Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 02:36 PM
Siri, that eyelet hood would make a great knight's chainmail hood...
Posted by: Steph | Friday, March 02, 2007 at 06:36 PM