Old Hollywood eye candy

A goal that I've had for awhile is to have an entire outfit consisting of things I've made myself. And if you follow me on Instagram you'll know I'm currently working on making a pair of 1970s pants, that are turning out to have more of a 1930s/1940s look to them. So, naturally I've been on the look out for some 1930s, 40s and 50s vintage style sweater patterns. But, typical me has gotten side tracked in this search and have come across many pictures of Old Hollywood celebrities wearing some pretty awesome knitwear.

Below are some of my favorites, none of which are anything I have in mind to go with my pants, but they're pretty none the less. Is this more procrasti-knitting?

Everyone knows I'm a sucker for a good ole fashioned stranded sweater. So, it was only natural that it was love at first sight when I saw these two sweaters on Peter Lawford. From looking at vintage knitting patterns, these style sweaters seemed to be all the rage for both men and women in the 40s and 50s. 

I've been in love with Marilyn Monroe's Cowichan style sweater for a very, very long time. The Cowichan style was originated by the Cowichan people of the Vancouver Islands in British Colombia, Canada. It has been popular among both locals and tourists of the area. It's a lovely sweater, with the large gauge and drop shoulder construction it would be a it a super warm addition to my closet for this bitterly cold winter we're already having.

I've briefly talked about the sweater Sandra Dee wore in the early 1960s that I fell so deeply in love with. It looks so fluffy and warm and I know the stitch makes it even thicker and warmer, so, it's doubly wonderful. It was only natural that I immediately knew this was something I needed in my closet as soon as possible. And as you already know I plan on recreating the sweater using a vintage pattern I have in a booklet. Plan on seeing a lot more of this sweater over the next few months. Unfortunately, the pink and white stripes won't go with my red and gold plaid pants.

There's really nothing like a classic cardigan worn by some classically handsome men. It seemed to be all the rage for the teen heartthrobs of the 1950s, maybe in hopes of making them look a little more wholesome than they actually were. These sweaters are the closest thing on this list that would go with my pants. But I'm completely sold on a cardigan. If I do decide I'd like one it's super easy to find a pattern. 

I'm sure in about 2.5 seconds I'll be derailed from my pattern search and I'll find another handful of my favorite classic celebrities wearing some awesome knitwear. Which is why you should follow me on instagram, twitter, and tumblr where I regularly post my knitting inspirations.

Procrasti-knitting

Ordinarily, I don't set knitting deadlines for myself. I've found when I start a new project, baring any unfortunate mishaps I tend to finish them. Honestly, I don't have that many WIPs laying around the house. That all went to hell when I decided I needed to knit myself a Christmas sweater for our annual family Christmas. The key word here is, need. I don't really need to knit it, I want to knit it. But once I put that December 25th deadline in place it suddenly turned into a job that needed to be done. So, since I've put that connection together I've been procrastinating hardcore. Or as I like to say, procrasti-knitting. Not even last night's snow dump shook me out of it.

Here are just a few things I've made since setting my December 25th deadline:

Purple Rain Beanie

I'd been telling myself for months that I needed a lightweight slouchy hat for the cooler, but not too cool days of Fall. I'd also been telling myself that I needed a new show to watch. Enter Scandal and Purple Rain beanie. I both binged watched Scandal, starring the lovely Kerry Washington and binged knit my version of the Sock Head for a week straight. The hat, I love. The show is okay.

Pattern: Sock Head
Yarn: Cascade Heritage Sock
Skills needed: Cast-on, knit, purl, cable knitting, k2tog, ssk, weaving in ends
Ravelry Project Page

Innsbruck III

I've been on the prowl for some nice, soft yarn for sweater knitting. Malabrigo Rios is a yarn that's been on my mind for a long while now, and now's as good a time as any to use it, right? Why not. I didn't want to spend the money to buy a sweater quantity worth of yarn and run the risk of not liking it. I'm glad I did, because while I love the hand-dyed quality of the yarn for the hat, I'm not sure I'd be all too crazy about it for a sweater. 

Pattern: Innsbruck hat
Yarn: Malabrigo Rios 
Skills needed: Cast-on, knit, purl, cable knitting, k2tog, weaving in ends
Ravelry Project page

Two baby hats

With the new little niece around I've had to stop myself from casting on all the hats. It's not an easy task since she looks so damn cute wearing them, even if all she wants to do is rip them off her head and put them in her mouth.

Patterns: Both improvised by me
Yarn: Knit Picks Shine Worsted
Skills needed: Cast-on, knit, purl, cable knitting, k2tog, ssk, weaving in ends
Ravelry project pages: Purple hat|Pink hat

Like my procrastinating, my procrasti-knitting is very productive, but it's really time for me to buckle down and make some good progress on my Christmas Sweater. With that said, I'm off to go knit that pair of socks I've been wanting.

If you want to keep up with my procrasti-knitting follow me on Instagram, Twitter and Tumblr.