A Most Unique Vintage 50s Crocheted Stole!

Posted by & filed under Fashion, Vintage.

Crocheted Stole – with cuff and pocket (17″ x 79″)


This is a really fun vintage 1950s pattern for a crocheted stole, with cuff and pocket.  Most unusual in the fact that there is a cuffed sleeve, of sorts, on one end of the stole, and a pocket on the other end.  Quite practical, really.  You will definitely be the only one wearing a shawl of this sort, I can assure you!

Made with all purpose yarn, and one size fits all.  Looks fairly easy to make too.

Have fun crocheting!

Download pattern here: Crocheted Stole Pattern

~Marilyn Huttunen

The Pigeon and I

Posted by & filed under Daily Life.

I have this thing about birds.  I mean, I like them when they are flying around in their natural state outdoors, but any bird indoors just sets me on edge!  I don’t even like them in cages; it just seems so unnatural and dirty.  And the couple of times where wild birds actually flew into my house nearly caused a panic attack in me.  Nope, nope, birds are best kept at a distance with me.

It had been quite a long while since I had any kind of run-in or incident with a bird.  And I was quite happy with that situation.  But all that changed last Saturday…unfortunately.

I was walking out to the parking lot after shopping at one of my favorite thrift stores.  I noticed a number of pigeons lurking around the Chinese restaurant across the street.  I thought, fine, just as long as they stay away from me!  Well I was almost to my car when I heard a thud, and felt something hitting the side of my head.  The pigeon had got me.  And got me good.

I have long hair, and the complete side and length of my hair was covered in a gooey gloppy smelly mess.  I tried to wipe off what I could, but decided to head straight home and wash my hair (again…of course, I had just washed it).  I was zooming along as fast as I could, gagging and choking all the way.  I immediately washed my hair – three times.  Let’s just say that pigeon poop has many layers to it.  All disgusting.  And reading later that pigeon poop is toxic, and can make you very ill didn’t help matters much.

It may have the bird’s revenge on me for copping such an attitude about birds in general.   Or it may have been some of cosmically-timed occurrence.  But most probably I was just at the wrong place when the pigeon decided to dump his load.  I am hoping for more positive chance occurrences in the future!

“Accept that some days you’re the pigeon, and some days you’re the statue.” 😀

~Marilyn Huttunen

Kate Middleton’s Thrifty Beauty Secret

Posted by & filed under Daily Life, Fashion, Frugal Living, Vintage.

I had to smile when I read that Kate Middleton was seen at the British  high-street beauty store Boots, last week.  It was before attending a charity gala dinner at Kensington palace; the one where she wore the gorgeous sparkly pale pink sequined gown by Jenny Packam.

It turns out our Kate was buying Nivea moisturizer.  Yes, that same basic tried-and-true moisturizer that has been the staple of many a woman throughout the years.  I just love this!  Well, other than the fact that it will probably be hard to find Nivea moisturizer from here on out, that is!

It’s rather refreshing that Kate’s beautiful English complexion is owed, in part, to a basic beauty product that is available and affordable to us all.  She could afford any expensive luxury beauty product, but opts to buy a moisturizer that she has probably used most of her life.

The smell of Nivea moisturizer will forever be a poignant reminder of England for me.  Several decades ago, in my more hippie/alternative years, I backpacked and camped out throughout Europe and the UK.  I can remember buying Nivea moisturizer at Boots (a store that I was completely enamored with), and slathering it on while inhaling the delicately intoxicating scent.  It was a delightfully feminine indulgence in an otherwise rather unconventional way of traveling.

So I think I’ll go buy some Nivea moisturizer for nostalgia’s sake;  I want to experience the poignancy once more.  And if it makes my complexion look like Kate’s, all the better.  Now that we know Kate is using it, there will probably be a run on Nivea moisturizer at the stores – I hope they don’t sell out!

~Marilyn Huttunen

June 11 is World Wide Knit in Public Day!

Posted by & filed under Daily Life, Fashion, Vintage.

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

Antelopes! Adorable Vintage 40s Sweater Knitting Pattern

Posted by & filed under Fashion, Vintage.

This sweet 1940s knitting pattern is for a sweater with, for all things, antelopes!  I think it is completely fresh, original and oh-so charming.  It is just so darn jaunty.

I’ve been thinking how really cool it is to knit sweaters using vintage patterns.  You get the double advantage of new materials with an old design.  Plus, you’ll most likely have a one-of-a-kind garment, which is cool these days when most people wear the cookie-cutter mall look.

That’s what is great about vintage clothing, and vintage sewing and knitting patterns.  You get to develop your own style completely.  You won’t have to worry about someone else wearing your same look on the red carpet (for the celebrities among us, that is).  You’ll stand out in your own unique way, which believe me, is wonderful.  I get weary of looking at a sea of jeans and sweats, all in drab colors of blues and grays!

So, be bold!  Knit up an antelope sweater.  If you are more daring you can knit it in shocking pink or neon orange. 🙂

~Marilyn Huttunen

Antelope Sweater Pattern

From The Food Pyramid to My Plate

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There’s a new food chart in town, and it ain’t the pyramid.  I like pyramids, the Egyptian ones that is, but what they had to do with eating the correct foods was always a bit confusing.  All those angles pointing upwards with food stacked here and there really didn’t make much sense to me.  I am a visual person and trying to figure out the mathematical proportions on what to actually eat was a bit difficult.

So voila, finally some simplicity!  Today, the federal government announced it was getting rid of the food pyramid and revealed the plate; MyPlate to be exact.  It shows a plate divided into proportionate sections of fruits, vegetables, grains and protein, with a glass of dairy.  I guess since most of us eat off of plates they figured it was something we could all relate to.  At least those of us who cook and eat at home – not quite sure how the fast-food drive-thru eating crowd will relate to it though!

Anyway, it seems to get down to business.  There is nary a sweet or junk food item to be seen.  As always, lots of fruits and vegetables are recommended, along with whole grains, low fat dairy, and lean protein.  All good advice and it gives us a direction to strive for, especially when feeding kids.  But, to be truthful, I will sneak in a cookie or ice cream from time to time (sssssh – don’t tell!)

~Marilyn Huttunen