Crinoline Robot's Vintage Week


Right! Time for a roundup of all the little bits and bobs I've been up to that don't deserve their own post. First, something that did deserve its own post, but got it over on Greedybots: on Sunday I made a couple of dishes from the 1959 cookbook Fun With Food. While the results didn't wow me, they did turn out rather nicer than I'd anticipated, and you can read my musings here. (Sorry for the lack of 1960s plates, I own no period-appropriate ones.) I'll definitely be trying some more recipes out of the book in future.

I've finally cast on It Cannot Fail To Please, and so far have been very pleased with the progress... After working on a fiddly fair isle for months, it's super to have something simple to knit in front of the telly. And, indeed, to use up some of my yarn stash. It seems to be growing at a decent rate, though I have been sidetracked by books. I need to get my knit together, though, as my little brother (39 this year and six feet tall!) is going to become a daddy, and I'm planning to knit a cuddly Gene Hunt for the nipper, based on the Camberwick Green Gene. I've wanted to make one for literally months. I'd be tempted to get one of those voice thingies to put in it, but it'll probably be too small, and I doubt my brother or his girlfriend will appreciate it if their child grows up bellowing, “Oi, Bolly Knickers!” at everyone. Jumper first, though, then the Gene Genie.
Something is on its way in the mail... a little Carter's Steam Fair lorry. I love Carters, with its amazing collection of fully-restored steam-powered rides, so Papa Robot snapped a toy one up when he saw it, and told me he'd post it to me. I try not to acquire too many purely decorative objects nowadays, but this is brilliant and I'm definitely going to find space for it. The fair is coming back to Bath in August, and you can bet your boots we'll be going. If you're in the London area/south-east, check their website to see where they'll be. They don't tend to get much beyond that (Bath is one of the furthest destinations on their schedule) as the whole show is transported on a working fleet of vintage lorries, so they steer clear of hilly places.
A new dress is also winging its way to me: a 1960s Horrockses. Vix blogged about her latest finds for Kinky Melon, I enthused about the dress, and she said it might be in my size. It sounds like it is, so I bought it. It's turquoise and white, with short sleeves and a scarf-tie neck, so very, very me. Photos to come as long as it fits!

On which note, are you bored of your winter clothes yet? I am starting to get fed up of mine. I'm already considering what to take to Spain later in the year, and it's really making me long to get my summery dresses out of the wardrobe. (I will, of course, welcome all my current winter clothes as beloved old friends when I get them out again next winter, I just need a break from them for a few months.) I'm more than ready for warm days, sunshine, and things growing in the garden. It's going to be hilarious to see Ziggy chasing butterflies. He goes loopy for flies and woodlice as it is, so butterflies will send him into a frenzy.

Comments

  1. Oo I bet that dress will look smashing on you! I do hope it fits. I love these round-up type posts, it's a little sneaky peek (and a nosey one!) into your life!

    I am not exactly bored of my winter outfits, I haven't actually worn everything wintery I wanted to as it hasn't been that cold. I also dread the wardrobe rotation process, which takes days to wash and pack stuff away and get the Springy stuff out.

    Hope you're having a good week!
    xx

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    1. Ha, I have a very boring life, it's mostly work and then pottering round at home, and I'm never sure how much of work to show on my blogs. I'm itching to get out more, though...

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  2. Looking forward to seeing you in the Horrockses dress, Mim.
    And I cannot wait to get my summer wardrobe out of its winter hiding place, although winter was so mild that I haven't worn my warmest winter clothes at all ...

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    1. I don't have that many clothes, so all mine are accessible all year round - but stuff always gets rehung at the ends of the wardrobe, so as the weather warms up all the wool stuff will migrate to the centre! I have worn my warm stuff, but I've left the scarves and gloves off this year.

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  3. That knitting looks intriguing! The pattern is lovely. I'm not a knitter but I crochet; having a break from it at the moment after crocheting 12 blankets in the space of about 18 months. I, too, have a yarn stash that I need to start using up!

    I vaguely remember Horrocks as a make and will be very interested to see you wearing the dress. I hope it fits you. I took a fancy to the 50s swing coat ut it wasn't my size.

    Have a good week

    Veronica
    vronni60s.blogspot.com

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    1. Wow, that's a lot of blankets! I keep meaning to learn to crochet so I can make one of the beautiful lace blouses I keep seeing patterns for; maybe I'll give it a go.

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  4. Can't wait doe you to model the Horrockses frock!
    Oh yes, it does seem to have been a long old winter - just as I thought it was on its way out, we've had snow flurries and howling gales. Enough, now!
    Some vintage recipes sound just dreadful, can't imagine anyone really made and ate them - but it's good to know your meals were fine! xxx

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    1. The book is intriguing because you can really see both the revolt against rationing in them (SO MANY BANANAS) and the desire to impress (green pepper - in 1959!). The puddings are quite jelly-heavy, but I'm still tempted to give more of them a go.

      I saw the snow in Yorkshire on the news. You had loads! We've had no snow here. Well, a light snow shower one night, but it didn't settle. I've lived all over the UK, from Shetland down, and Wiltshire's definitely been the place with the most congenial weather.

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  5. I love the sound of that Horrockses dress. I hope that it is a keeper for you. I am amazed that you think that pattern looks simple. To my wooly brain that the pattern looks very complicated indeed, but then again I find that 2 by 2 rib is hard. :) I think that it lovely already and very fancy. The colour is so soft and beautiful. You will look fab in it.
    I would love for it to be summer but have no summer clothes at all. Just the same thing that I wear less of. Have been wearing 4 layers as it is so cold up here. Who would have thought that just a few hours North would have made such a big difference? Your holiday in Spain sounds fabulous and really educational. I love that you have chosen such a cool theme. Xx

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    1. The fair isle was trickier because I was working with three colours on some lines, which was fiddly, and I've done some lace knitting in the past which is a right faff, and if you get something wrong absolutely horrible to unpick. This pattern is simple enough that if I realise I've made a mistake, I can drop the affected bit and then 'reknit' it correctly back up to the needle with a crochet hook.

      I was always surprised by the difference in temperature just between here and Bolton, we were usually a couple of degrees warmer (and usually rather drier...). The difference must be even more marked further north.

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    2. Looking forward to seeing your new dress and the knit looks so pretty!

      We have a steam fair permanently around this way but it has odd opening times, mainly bank holidays and weekends only in the summer and weekend crowds make me nervous.

      I've a few menu plans in one of my 40's cookbooks which I keep meaning to have a go at.

      xxx

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  6. Can't wait to see your dress and didn't I read somewhere you got it for a real steal? Yes, I'm fed up with winter clothes now and am longing to be able to wear short sleeves and summer dresses. Knowing our country though it'll be a rubbish summer again. x

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    1. Yup, a tenner! Kinky Melon always deliver a bargain, I got a dress for £20 off them at a fair last year too.

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  7. Fingers crossed that the dress works for you.

    I started packing away the heaviest of my winter clothing, but I know we'll go from freezing to sweltering with little to nothing to call "Spring" between. I need just one more very cold day as I bought a hideous baby blue faux fur cropped jacket I'd been watching all winter in the sales. It was such a triumph that I hope I don't need to wait until next year to wear it.

    None of my family will eat jelly, which is a pity as I own so many moulds (even a gigantic 70's one of the Zodiac), But no, and if I put vegetables in one, and called it a salad they would respond like they've suffered some sort of psychological abuse. Sometimes I make it for myself when I'm feeling nostalgic. They won't touch aspic either, so I think it is a texture issue.

    My 60's plates were of heavy plastic with Mary Poppins printed on. Had the matching cup and bowl as well. I don't remember what everyone else in the family ate from, but I wouldn't eat unless it was Miss Poppins.

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    1. Zodiac jelly mould? So 70s it hurts!

      Jelly salads were never a thing here, but it has become a staple for some people in trifle. (Not in my house!) I've never tried doing anything in aspic.

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  8. Congratulations to your little bro! He/she's going to have the best selection of knitted clobber in the land.
    I've heard it's going to feel like Spring at the weekend (as she sits here in a jacket and fleece socks). We've sold so many coats in the last few weeks, people have been wearing the same ones for months and need a change.
    Can't wait to see you rocking that frock. xxx

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    1. Well, one of the nans is already knitting away, so I don't really need to be on knitting duty. I think I'll be the sort of auntie who gives it toy dinosaurs and robots and cool things like that. (I don't care if it's a boy or a girl, dinosaurs and robots are for everyone!)

      Oh, I do hope it feels springy soon.

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  9. I am so utterly beyond sick of my winter clothes! I even went through a big throwing-out session and it felt very cathartic. But unfortunately just made me want to wear my summer things even more!
    I think if I did a roundup like this it would be an embarrassing list of all of the things I buy online and probably very little else!!

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    1. You do buy some lovely stuff, though! I've managed to slow my shopping from last year, when I seemed to buy a new thing every month, though I am considering hitting House of Foxy for separates before my holiday.

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  10. I am off to The North at the weekend just as we are meant to be getting some warmer weather here, how typical is that??

    I must say a big chunk of my wardrobe gets worn all year round with just a cardigan or jumper over the top, it will be nice to lose a few layers though.

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    1. Well, I wouldn't say it's been exactly warm down here, but it has been really sunny, which I've appreciated. It does feel as though Spring is on its way at last.

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  11. Oh golly, I packed our winter things away last month!
    Pix of the new dress please!

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    1. They will be coming! It fits beautifully.

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  12. I love Carters, they used to come every year to where I lived when I was little so I have some very happy memories of the carousel and the swing boats and chair-o-planes. Liking the look of It Cannot Fail to Please.

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    1. It feels like a funfair from a book - all magical, nothing seedy. I love it!

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  13. I wouldn't say I'm bored of winter clothes yet, but I could happily do with shedding a few layers once more. It feels like we've been buried under wool, fleece, tweed and corduroy for about a century now. I can't wait to let all my sheer, light, airy garments and accessories run free again soon. :)

    Big hugs & happy weekend wishes,
    ♥ Jessica

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    1. I want things to start growing... Spring is definitely my season.

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  14. vintage cookbooks are so much fun

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    1. I know! I love them so much, especially seeing the crockery and table settings.

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  15. Intrigued by what you might have cooked. It's good to experiment. I'm happy if anything I cook turns out edible. Winter clothes totally flummox me. I need help. I bought a brown long sleeved Kinky Melon dress about 10 days ago and have already worn it twice. That Horrockses dress was a beautiful colour. Bet it looks fantastic on. Let's have a swizz? Xxx

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  16. Spring weather can't come fast enough. The best part of vintage cookbooks is the decadent ingredients with no calories counts.

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