Musings from Marilyn

Posts Tagged ‘fluffy sweater’

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

I love this oh-so chic and elegant vintage 1963 knitting pattern for a fluffy mohair sweater coat!  It has a big collar and an open front, and would be just perfect for snuggling up in this fall and winter.  It’s a great style that stands the test of time.

More importantly, I love this photo!  The model is just way too Euro-hip in her green stretch pants and black ankle boots.  The black leather gloves are awesome, as is the black hat.  But I just adore her sunglasses.  Gawd, they are just about the coolest sunglasses I’ve ever seen, I covet them!

I also like the suave and debonair man as a backdrop too…nice eye candy.

Anyway, I digress…I hope you enjoy the knitting pattern!

You can download the pattern here: Mohair Sweater Coat 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

With all the great sartorial hoopla surrounding Kate Middleton’s (ahem, Princess Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge) white angora sweater that she wore to the royal wedding reception, I thought I would talk a little more about angora.  First off, see that big white fluffy bunny rabbit pictured above?  That is an angora rabbit, and its exquisite hair is used to spin into angora yarn and then knit into garments.  Contrary to some who believe the bunny is harmed or killed to get its hair, it is a very gentle, natural process to harvest hair from those adorable bunnies.

Angora rabbits are specially bred for their long fur; they live long and happy lives while they grow their incredible fiber.  Angora rabbits molt about four times a year, and it is during the seasonal molt that hair is gently combed and removed.  They even purr while hair is being removed, so it must feel good to the bunny!

The angora fiber is amazing.  It is 7 times warmer than wool, more lightweight and much softer.  It has a natural fur-like halo and has many insulating and warming properties.  Plus it is just so doggone sensuous!  Nothing else quite feels like angora against your skin!

Since I buy and sell lots of angora sweaters, especially vintage angora, I have a lot of experience in caring for and washing them.  First off; never, never, never dry clean angora!  I know many labels say to do so, but don’t.  Angora is meant to be very gently washed in cool water and a mild washing liquid like Woolite – not bathed in a harsh chemical dry cleaning solvent.  Lay flat to air dry.  Never put it in the dryer – you will ruin it – the horror!

A gentle hand washing will leave your angora sweater sparkling clean and fabulously fluffy.  It will bring out the radiant beauty of the angora and will feel divine.  And so, gentle readers, start seeking out those wonderful angora pieces.  You are in for a delightful experience!

~Marilyn Huttunen