Published by Carlton Publishing Group, 2012, softcover, illustrated, 176 pages, condition: as new.
The contemporary trend for retro-inspired fashion and vintage clothing is often overlooked in modern knitting patterns and many of today's knitters are frustrated by the limited availability of challenging patterns using interesting shapes and stitches, which is why so many are turning to vintage patterns. Unlike other knitting books based on copying vintage patterns, however, Knitting Vintage aims to reinvent retro patterns for modern fashion trends. Divided into chapters according to eras, there are approximately five knitting projects per decade, from the 1900s to the 1980s - the last time that hand knitting was popular with the masses and before runway trends were so readily available and affordable. Mood boards provide illustrations, photographs, materials and colourways that were used as inspiration for the projects. With a beautifully illustrated publication with a nostalgic feel, the book has a foot firmly in the present. Each project uses modern yarns but encourages the use of vintage accessories and notions, with listings of where to source them. The patterns are for more experienced knitters, but there will be a range of skill levels involved to encourage newer knitters to progress and learn new (or old!) techniques.
Claire Montgomerie is a textile designer specializing in knitting and crochet. A graduate of the Royal College of Art, she has designed her own range of knitted accessories, toys and garments called Monty. She has also created for the US fashion market, made knitwear for film costumes and knitted characters for music videos and animations. Currently teaching textiles at Barnet College. Hertfordshire, she runs knitting classes at Loop, the London knitting emporium. She is the author of Easy Baby Knits (2006) and Yarn Palette (2008).
