The Knitting Fiend

Let us not forget that most interesting of knitting techniques popularized during the 80’s.

As I already showed my young knitting apprentices, the 80’s was an era of knitting nirvana. We, older and wiser knitters introduced that timeless classic: the shapeless oversized drop sleeve sweater knit on US #17 needles. With furry yarn!

But we did more. Much more.

During the 80’s, some proficient knitters wishing to foster the ancient artistic techniques of our foremothers, we turned to intarsia. Drawing on our own more modern sensibilities, we expanded our skill set and adapted this arduous, fiddly technique to create wondrous marvels.

Like this:

Better Homes and Gardens,
Needlework and Crafts Idea, 1981

C’est magnifique, non?

Of course the splendor takes away your breath; it renders you unable to think clearly. So let me point out some fine details.

First, notice the unshaped armholes. During the 80’s, we understood the importance of treating the fabric as a canvas which we used to display our artistic vision. Accomplished, refined knitters knew the greatest achievement was to create something that wordlessly proclaimed “I knit this!”

Intarsia, displayed on unshaped rectangles, “I’m in heaven”, say you?

There is more! The directions call for that timeless classic yarn: Red Heart.

Rest assured that this vest still hangs in a closet somewhere in America because this color fast, durable yarn never wears out. Better still, you can still find that brand of yarn and knit one for yourself!

Oh yes, it is this type of pattern that earned the 80’s magazines the reputation that decades later results in quotes like these:

I often bought Needlework & Crafts for well-designed, well-written patterns, which I usually modified until I realized I didn’t need patterns anymore.

But young knitter, I know I have already thrilled you with stories relating past glories. I will now risk turning you green with envy by revealing the following:

Intarsia was not limited to the pages of the more tasteful knitting magazines like “McCall’s” or “Better Homes and Gardens” . No, such was the influence of the artisans who ran those magazines, that even fuddy-duddy editors at other knitting magazines tried their hand at intarsia.

While many remember Knitters as a periodical filled with lace, Aran cables and true Hebridean fair-isle, I am delighted to report I found a gem hidden in a 1986 issue. Behold this boxy drop sleeve sweater festooned with the ultimate of knitting symbol:

Knitters, 1986

Young knitters, let me assure you, your counterparts in ’80’s never feared the following reaction when they opened a knitting periodical:

” I, too, am frustrated by the poor quality and bad design in current knitting magazines.”