“Tiny togs for tiny tots to knit to crochet.” Columbia Minerva knitting leaflets for childrenswear, dating from 1970-77.
“Decorate your body with all sorts of things… Make a headband… wear it as a dog collar… wear it as an armlet… make it longer… wear it as a belt… Express Yourself!”Columbia Minerva knitting leaflets for various fashion accessories, including, bags, belts and slippers. They date from 1970-77.
“Get with fashion’s newest rage. These handknits fly off your fingers with supersonic speed.” Columbia Minerva knitting leaflets for Women’s fashion. They date from 1967-77.
Columbia Minerva knitting leaflets for men’s fashion. They date from 1968-75.
“In the mood of yesterday, today and tomorrow, in colours to blend with a mood, to accent a quite scene.”
Columbia Minerva knitting leaflets for various gifts household items, including rugs, toys and cushions. They date from 1971-77.
Columbia Minerva knitting leaflets for ponchos, cloaks and shawls. They date from 1967-77.
“Bright touches to warm gay spirits from top to toe.” Columbia Minerva knitting leaflets for scarves, hats and mittens. They date from 1967-77.
I came across an amazing book of knitting patterns by Columbia-Minerva recently called “Fables and Fabulous Yarns: Knit Fashions for Boys & Girls” (1970). Not only does it the most fabulous photographs inside featuring floral backdrops and slightly creepy stuffed animals, but it also has a short story and poems written by Christie White Dauphin. Concept, photography & lithography by Low’s Inc.
Welcome madam, sir! Looking for some dubiously unhygienic fur coverings for your bathroom furniture? Well, step back into the 1970’s, you’ve come to the right place!
“Handknits for all the family.” This small, A6 magazine by Patons & Beehive was published in 1963. It included instructions for nine designs as well as images of a selection of their other patterns. There was also hints and tips on various aspects of handknitting.
“As recommended by the medical profession.”Health vests were obviously quite the thing in England in the 1950’s, and after looking over these knitting patterns you’ll wonder how you ever survived without one.
During the 1980’s-1990’s, Intarsia (a UK based company) produced over one hundred super cool knitted jumper patterns of cartoon TV characters (plus a few non-cartoon characters too). They are out of print these days, but still circulate on the second-hand market.
“Elegant. Sporty. Excellent.” This edition of Machine Knitting Chic was published in 1990 (no.5, £1.75) and included 30 over-ornamented jumpers with such wide shoulder that getting though doors must have taken some consideration.
Here is a fine selection of images from the front of festive knitting patterns.I just can’t decide which one I love most! Not that I’d ever wear one…
“A galactic collection to knit and sew!” The Doctor Who Pattern Book by Joy Gammon was published in 1984 and featured all kinds of weird and wonderful things to knit and sew.
“How to design and create beautiful garments on your knitting machine.” The Machine Knitting Book by John Allen was published in 1985 and featured a wealth of highly dubious jumpers.
