Lion Brand Yarn Vintage Styles for Today
by Nancy J. Thomas and Charlotte J. Quiggle, Editors
Published by Potter Craft
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Reviewed by Janelle Martin
Nancy Thomas and Charlotte Quiggle have combed the Lion Brand archives for patterns to reinterpret for today's modern lifestyle. Lion Brand Yarn Vintage Styles for Today: more than 50 patterns to knit and crochet is the result, illustrating the company's contribution to fashion over the last century.
To use vintage patterns to make modern garments, attention must be paid to sizing and fit. In the past, styles were more fitted with higher armholes, narrower waists and less ease. As the editors point out, "since our bodies are so different today from those of our forebears, whether because of undergarments or because of diet, any reference to 'size' in a vintage pattern is relatively meaningless."
Today, fit is looser, and for some patterns in this book significant design changes have been made to create modern looks. One blanket, originally created as a baby item, has been redesigned in bulky yarn, resulting in the stitch pattern now appearing as a modern leaf design.
The patterns in Lion Brand Yarn Vintage Styles for Today are evenly split between knit and crochet and all skill levels are covered. All patterns of course use Lion Brand yarns; however, the Standard Yarn Weight system icons are included for each pattern, allowing for yarn substitutions. Patterns cover the gamut from unusual shrugs to sweaters, layettes to something for man's best friend.
Armchair Interviews says: Something here for everyone.