Musings from Marilyn

Posts Tagged ‘angora’

I just had to share this fab 1960s knitting pattern for a head scarf.  Perfect for the upcoming chilly days, you can rock the mod 60s head scarf look, and keep your ears warm!

Made in either fluffy angora or mohair, it is triangular with tie strings.  The instructions look pretty easy, so it’s a good project for a beginner.

So get out those knitting needles, buy that angora yarn, and get stitching!

Download the pattern here: Angora Head Scarf Pattern

~Marilyn Huttunen

Now that autumn is firmly ensconced,  I turn my attention once again to those lovely angora sweaters.  I love angora sweaters, but my special devotion lies with vintage angora!  You see, most of the new angora sweaters that you find today are flimsy, thin, and in a blend with about five other fibers, leaving the angora content around 10%.  They tend to pill very easily, and are not soft, furry, or have that extreme hairy fluffiness that vintage angora has.

I am always on the hunt for quality vintage angora.  The best decade for FABULOUS angora sweaters was the 1980s.  OMG, those sweaters are just the bomb!  Usually made in Korea (where I think the best angora comes from), and in incredibly bright colors, with bold shoulder pads and ornate beading and embroidery embellishments.  Just completely out there in that bold 80s way!

But the most fabulous thing about the 80s angora is that is almost always 80%, 90% or 100% pure angora rabbit hair.  It is just incredibly thick and plush, with long fluffy hair.  The softness is not to be believed!  I have sensitive skin, and cannot wear wool or mohair next to my skin.  But angora (and cashmere) is so soft and nonirritating against the skin.  Very warm too, without the heaviness of wool.

I gently wash my vintage angora sweaters in lukewarm water and Woolite.  I air dry, and then carefully comb out any pills with a fine tooth comb.  Never, never, NEVER dry clean angora!  The natural rabbit hair was meant to be washed, not bathed in chemical solvent.  It will turn out sparking clean, soft, glossy and fluffy.

The vintage 1980s white angora bolero and pink angora sweater shown are two that I have sold recently.  They are off to new homes with appreciative angora lovers.

So don’t be afraid of angora!  It is truly a glorious fiber, brought to you by mother nature.

~Marilyn Huttunen

Grab your yarn and knitting needles and GET OUT THERE tomorrow!  The second Saturday in June is officially “World Wide Knit in Public Day”.  Yes, it’s time to show off your fancy stitching to the adoring masses.

Public events are being held all around the world on Saturday, June 11th, and will continue throughout the week.

You can find your local KIP event here: http://www.wwkipday.com/find_kip.htm

It looks like it would be a fun way to encourage the craft of knitting.  As for myself, if I don’t make it to my local event at a city park, I will sit in my front yard and boldly knit.   I’m one of those renegade, independent knitters so I’ll probably do a solo act.  My neighbors already think I’m nuts with my clothesline and push reel mower, so knitting on the front lawn will not seem weird at all. 

Let me know if you knit in public tomorrow!

~Marilyn Huttunen

I realize that it may seem a bit odd that I’m posting knitting patterns when it’s almost summer, but it has been so cool and rainy here in Seattle that it seems like perfect knitting weather!  I am not one to knit in hot weather; I find it most sticky and annoying.  But for those that do, you can work on knitting those pretty cardigans for fall and winter wearing.

This pattern from 1954 is just adorable.  It is a button-up, long-sleeve cardigan with a snazzy collar.  It calls for it to be knitted in petite knitting worsted, but I think it would look smashing in fluffy angora or mohair.

As always, happy knitting!       Cardigan Sweater Knitting Pattern

~Marilyn Huttunen

Going through my vintage knitting pattern stash, I found this sweet 1960s pattern!  Knit in fluffy mohair, it is a button-up cardigan style.  The scallop edge detail is so fabulous.  This would look so pretty in white or pastels.

Again, this is vintage sizing, so a size 12 would fit a 32″ bust / size 14 – 34″ bust / size 16 – 36″ bust.

More vintage knitting and crochet patterns to come!  Happy knitting!

“Knitting is very conducive to thought.  It is nice to knit a while, put down the needles, write a while, then take up the sock again.” ~Dorothy Day

~Marilyn Huttunen

Download: Here

Okay, I found one more 50s knitting pattern for a short bolero jacket!  This one is really cute, with a stand-up shawl collar and cuff sleeves.  It is more fitted than the 60s bolero I posted.  This would look adorable knitted in angora, or some fluffy yarn.

This jacket is for sizes 12, 14, and 16.  These are vintage 1955 sizes which would be a 32″ bust for 12, 34″ bust for 14, and 36″ bust for 16.

I love these styles so much!  Happy knitting, and don’t forget to send me pics of the finished product!

~Marilyn Huttunen

Here is the pattern: Knit Jacket