Those Swell Vintage Mary Maxim Hand Knitted Wool Sweaters!

Posted January 12, 2013 by finnfemme & filed under Daily Life, Fashion, Vintage.

I’ve always had a hankering for those wonderfully kitschy, yet amazingly stylish Mary Maxim knitted sweaters. I cannot pass one up if I see it in a thrift store; they are like magnets pulling me toward them! It’s so fun to see a bright, bold design on an incredibly warm and functional item. I got this great vintage 50s/60s Mary Maxim knitting catalog that shows a lot of the fab and funky designs of the era. How neat to pick out your yarn, pick out your style, and knit it up yourself!

Make a statement! Knitted with Mary Maxim Northland Wool that was made in Canada from the best blends of New Zealand and Canadian virgin wools. I especially love the Hockey Player, the Jet Plane, and the completely awesome Archery Target! (The pics don’t seem to be showing fully on my post, so just click on the pics for a full view.)

These are quite fabulous too – love the Curling, Totem Pole, Reindeer, and the super cool Bowling one!

For the ladies, it’s a little more subdued (drat!). I do like the Snowflake and the Dancing Ice Skaters. If it were for me to chose though, I’d actually chose one the men’s designs.

You got to pick out the wool color with these groovy yarn samples. Too cool!

Maybe I’ll find the fab Bowling or Archery one at a thrift store. Wish me luck! 😀

~Marilyn Huttunen

Vintage 1949 Ivory Snow Soap For Washing Lingerie

Posted January 7, 2013 by finnfemme & filed under Fashion, Vintage.

First of all, I love Ivory soap. There is just something about the smell of it that evokes clean familiarity. I am glad that they have not changed the formulation or scent of the soap that’s still 99 44/100% pure! What the “unpure” .56% was, I never found out. It remains an unsolved mystery from my childhood.

What isn’t around any longer is Ivory Snow soap. It was granulated Ivory soap that was used for fine washables and even dishes. Like this advertisement with a lovely lingerie-clad model from November, 1949 states, “Safe…in Snow! Yes, Ivory Snow keeps lovely lingerie lovely far longer!” The exquisite Empire nightgown and matching satin robe are by Iris.

They still have Ivory Snow, but it is now a detergent, not the original granulated soap flakes. I don’t know when they stopped producing the soap version of Ivory Snow, but I really wished that they still made it. When making my own homemade detergent, I have to hand grate a bar of soap. It sure would be a lot easier and faster to have the soap already granulated!

~Marilyn Huttunen

Fab 50s Vintage Bolero Sweater Knitting Pattern

Posted January 6, 2013 by finnfemme & filed under Fashion, Vintage.

Since this is my first post of the new year, HAPPY NEW YEAR! I thought I’d start out 2013 with a great knitting pattern. This beauty is from 1954, and is a really splendid short bolero cardigan pattern. Knit with jumbo knitting needles, I love the cuffed 3/4th sleeves and pointed shawl collar. Sweet!

This is vintage sizing, so size 12 correlates to a 34″ bust. Size 14 is a 36″ bust. Size 16 is a 38″ bust. Happy Knitting!

Download Pattern Here

~~Marilyn Huttunen

A Happy New Year’s (Eve) To You!

Posted December 31, 2012 by finnfemme & filed under Daily Life, Fashion, Vintage.

As I write this, I realize that most of the world has already celebrated the arrival of 2013. But living in the Pacific Northwest, we still have about 6 hours to go until the appointed hour. I am tucked into my house on this very cold night and am commencing to cook Hoppin’ John and cornbread. I’ve been making this very traditionally southern dish every New Year’s Eve for about 3 years now. It’s incredibly delicious and when you eat the leftovers on New Year’s Day, it is called Skippin’ Jenny.

Being from Seattle where we have no such traditions, I don’t know the whys and wherefores of Hoppin’ John. I just know it’s good and it’s supposed to be lucky! Oh, and I was instructed by southern friends that you eat it over rice and with cornbread, so I am making that too.

The photo is from the cover of the January, 1951 issue of Ladies’ Home Journal. The model, Joan Westfall of Raleigh, North Carolina, is an ‘Undiscovered American Beauty’. Love her fresh face! Being from the south, I bet she made Hoppin’ John too. 😀

Wishing you and yours a very happy, healthy, and lovely New Year 2013! ~Marilyn

Vintage 60s Chunky Knit Sweater Car Coat Knitting Pattern

Posted December 30, 2012 by finnfemme & filed under Fashion, Vintage.

This is a great knitting pattern from 1968 for a woman’s ‘Grand Prix’ car coat! It’s in a chunky knit and has a really neat Grecian Key design to it. I love the look to this — with the model’s green leggings in high boots, topped with the big knitted sweater, she fits right in with today’s style. A perfect knitting project for these cold days!

Download Pattern Here

~Marilyn Huttunen

Mod 60s GoGo Mini Dress Vintage Knitting Pattern

Posted December 29, 2012 by finnfemme & filed under Fashion, Vintage.

Here is a fab mod chunky knit dress knitting pattern from 1968! A ‘Sweet ‘n Sassy’ sleeveless turtleneck shift mini dress that is pretty awesome. I love how the model is rocking the orange boots, wide headband, chain medallion, and flip hairdo.

This is a timeless style that looks quite easy to make. I love the neon orange! Get out those go-go boots, start doing the twist…oh, and get knitting! 😀

Download Pattern Here.