Knitting in 1968

I had hoped to have some actual sewing* to show on here for once, but my current project is taking longer than planned. Also, in a development which will surprise no-one who knows me, I can't find any buttons that I like! I've ordered a couple of different designs online, and am hoping that at least one of them ticks all the boxes.

So in the meantime, having looked at the sewing element last week, here's some of the knitting patterns in the Autumn/Winter 1968 issue of Vogue Knitting.

The cover jumper, shown full length

This issue would have come out in the run-up to Apollo 7, the first crewed flight of the Apollo spacecraft. Which may explain this "Space Setters" feature.

Because nothing says space travel like knitted knickerbockers . . .

. . . or go-faster arrows on your knitted anorak

Hoods seem to have been popular at the time.

Plum from head to toe

There are lots of more classic pieces to make as well, such as this cardigan.

Fair Isle banding and pockets

It isn't all jumpers and cardigans, though, there are quite a few dresses. Knitted mostly on size 10 / 3.25mm (US size 3) needles, I like some of the designs but dread to imagines how long they would take me to make.

Textured dresses

More doable would be this V-neck jumper, here knitted in metallic yarn.

Sadly still tiny needles, though

I once had an evening cardigan knitted in metallic yarn, and it was unwearable over anything sleeveless because it was so itchy. So I won't be rushing to try making the lurex lace dress on the left. I'm not sure that the angora dress beside it would be much better on me.

Ouch

Not all the dresses are fancy; this one reminds me of Butterick 4384, from 1967.

Looks familiar

Also reminiscent of my own makes is this cardigan-coat, which looks like a longer version of my gingerbread Express Line cardigan. It’s knitted on ¾" needles, using six strands of wool together!

Super-chunky yarn is much easier to use

Also knitted on ¾" needles, but using only two strands of DK wool together, is this chunky "aprés ski" sweater. The woman's version is embellished with sequins, approximately 1,750 of them, threaded onto the wool.

Not the most Alpine of backgrounds

Showing how the sequins are knitted in

If knitting with sequins is your thing, then you are in luck, as there's also an embellished waistcoat in this issue. This uses a mere 1,400-1,600 of them, depending on the size knitted.

More sequins

Finally, there aren't many advertisements in the magazine, but the one on the back cover is a stunner. Why anyone thought that large brass instruments were the obvious thing to put in there is entirely beyond me!

Tubas. For a yarn advert. Groundbreaking.

* - Remember, that thing with fabric, needles and thread that I used to do regularly.