“Knit for High Summer”! The June 1965 issue of Stitchcraft “covers practically everything the family needs in the way of holiday knits”, i.e. sporty separates, cardigans to be worn as outerwear, and lots of warm, bulky sweaters for that unpredictable British summer weather. Our cover model sports a loose, unshaped, fine-knit blouse in 4-ply “Nylox” yarn, a combination of wool and nylon not unlike many sock yarns popular today. The matching skirt is below-knee length — it will take a little while for the miniskirt to reach high fashion and longer for it to be popular in a more conservative magazine like Stitchcraft.
The “crochet look” is already quite popular at this time, though. Prior to the 1960s, crochet was more often used to make doilies and fancy lace borders in fine thread, or quick and bulky items like hot pads, teapot cosies and mittens. The mid-1960s saw a transition to blouses, suits and other garments, and this issue features a lightweight blouse in an easy shell patter, worn by a model who looks uncannily like the young Barbra Streisand. Those who prefer knitted summer tops can make a little cap-sleeve blouse in fine bouclet wool, unfashionably short in this year of long, unshaped tops. The fine-knit items are rounded out by a striped cardigan in a mixture of plain wool and fluffy “Fuzzy-Wuzzy” angora blend yarn.
It wouldn’t be a proper summer without some cold wind and rain, so be prepared in your warm “bubbly stitch” cardigan made in bulky, but (comparatively) lightweight “Ariel” wool. The photo is so very 1960s! Diagonal camera angle, tilted head, high-contrast lighting for dramatic shadows, unsmiling but alluring facial expression — it’s all there. There are similar, but not quite matching, his-and-hers DK pullovers in ultramarine blue and white. The colour detailing is embroidered on at the end in cross-stitch. The man of the family can also get a bright blue waistcoat in a mock-cable and welt pattern. You know the model is on holiday, since he’s wearing his casual button-up shirt and tie.
“Youngsters” can stay warm (on their upper bodies at least) as well, in a Norwegian-style round-yoke pullover with a simple stranded pattern at hem and yoke or a “tough Lumber-style” zippered cardigan “for hard play”. You can tell the little boy in the picture is playing hard, since he’s wearing his playtime button-up shirt and tie! The girl model gets to wear shorts for once, instead of a tiny miniskirt that barely covers anything.
There are plenty of easy projects to take along on your holiday, or to prepare for it, or even serve as a memento of it — like the embroidered place mats with maps of France, Italy, Spain and Portugal, or Switzerland and their associated stereotypical motifs. Those who prefer to plan ahead can sew a simple folding bag lined with towelling for a bathing kit, or a cross-stitch hold-all for beach take-along items, as well as a little sundress-smock for a toddler.
A tablecloth is probably too big to pack in the beach bag, but the easy cross-stitch pattern is given for a cushion or chair-back as well. Little embroidered animal pictures in cross-stitch “for the nursery” are also quick and easy to pack along on holiday.
The highlights of the homeware designs in this issue are definitely meant to be made at home, particularly the embroidered “Chinese Garden” wall panel. I cannot vouch for any kind of cultural or historical authenticity in the design, but it is very pretty and delicate in shades of blue, green, lilac and orange. I’m glad they included a colour photo.
Last but not least, I leave you with this amazing “Practical Set for your bathroom” consisting of a bath mat and “Pedestal Set” made in cross-stitch with rug wool on mesh canvas. With penguins and fish! If you can’t get to Antarctica for your next holiday, the penguins can come to you.
My project this month will be a destash adaptation of the “Fuzzy-Wuzzy” cardigan. Happy holidays, or whatever else June brings for you.
The Stitchcraft Sixties 