Gently Needling 60s Fashion with Spinnerin Knits

Fear... Friendship... Pain... Adoration and stalking... Knitwear-based chafing... You'll find them all here between the pages of Spinnerin: More Fun Time with Giant Jiffy Needles.

At a mere $0.45 cents at the Salvation Army Thrift Store in Greensburg, I felt I'd uncovered the entire range of human emotions wrapped up into an eight-page knitting and crochet instruction book.

Also, I kinda laughed out-loud in the book aisle. That was probably forty-five-cents-worth right there.

For its time, Spinnerin seemed to have had a pretty good handle on the trends in 60s/early 70s fashion... Like harvest yellows and oranges, aqua blues and short hemlines. But leafing through its pages, it stikes the viewer instantly that Spinnerin's inter-model posing was a bit on the... um... eccentric style...


I can hear the shoot director now.

"Okay, you, brunette: look at the camera. Now you, blondie: look adoringly at the other gal like a puppy who'll follow her anywhere. That's right! Very good!... Groovy, baby!..."

"Okay, you can stop now.... Blonde girl? You can stop now... Um, I got the shot... You can stop now... Please stop..."

"Okay, you're kinda creeping your colleages out now. You do know that, don't you? And I don't have a lot of film to waste here... We're on a budget."

I like how the brunette appears to be trying to project herself out of the scene entirely, by having gone to her happy place.

"She's still staring. I know she's staring. But I will use my one Method Acting class to imagine myself in a warm summer meadow... alone... with the sun beating down upon my face like this yellow knit dress I am wearing... It's filled with sunflowers, gently swaying... I can hear birds chirp and...

"Is she still there?...

"She's still there, isn't she?

"I knew it."

Finally, it looks like they had to send the blonde stalker for a little break. Only one of the other models seems concerned about what she's getting up to off-stage...

"What's she's doing now? Oh my gosh, Cheryl, it looks like she's dyed her hair brown and she's wearing all your clothes!..."

"Oh, that's definitely your favorite sweater, micro-mini and go-go boots, Cheryl!...

"And what's that she's carrying in that boiling pot? Oh, surely that's not...(gasp) Your pet rabbit, Mr. Thumper?!"

"Nevermind that, Lacy: look how I can turn my arm around the entire wrong direction! I'm double-jointed you know. Isn't that far out?"

Finally, though, after the blonde's breakdown, they've gotten her properly medicated and subdued. She looks almost like a new person! One way of controlling her seems to be through full-body knitwear...


The discomfort distracts her from anything else. In this shot she realizes she probably shouldn't have had the full glass of water with her 12:30 anti-anxiety pill.


Well, that about ties off and blocks this particular post of The Thrift Shop Romantic.

• For folks who missed last week's Treasure Box Wednesday, click here.

And this coming Wednesday's post promises an astounding array of goodies to share with you. When vendors at fleas are offering an additional 30%-50% off antique items, well, you just know it's going to be a good day!

Hope you have a terrific week ahead of you-- and knit-jumpsuit free. :)

Getting Knit-Witty with Minerva Yarns

What says Parisian high fashion better than...er... Minerva, the Roman goddess of war, wisdom, and lots and lots of yarn? Yes, smart goddesses everywhere know armor and togas are out, and knitwear is in! And this "Paris Book" from 1935 showcases all the glamor.


Why just look at our cover model! So, some might say she looks rather severe. Or a little like a man in drag. But that's the nobility of Minerva, yarn for all occasions. I mean, just look how sexy knitwear can be...


Er, okay. So maybe she looks like the organist down at the church trying to catch the eye of the dishy new vicar. But this is French fashion, and we know it is so because the outfit is called "Angers." That's "ahn-jjairs," a city in France, and not a commentary about how hot and irritable you'll be in head-to-toe tightly-knitted clothing.

Need an outfit for the next time you're leaning on a wooden fence in the rolling French countryside? Well, how about this little "French Triumph" called "Champlaine"?...

Certainly rough and picky wood, and wool fibers, are always the perfect combination!

Or maybe the Champlaine is a little too much for your tastes. Maybe you're looking for something more demure... sweet... more girl-next-door. Then why not knit yourself the "Falaise" in dark coral "velveen" yarn?....

Yes, you might have to fake good cheer like our model here. But even so, in yarn up-to-your-neck, you'll be certain to get noticed! And isn't that worth it?

Ah, but maybe that's not quite enough yarn for you. Maybe the Falaise allows just a bit too much skin to breathe. No problem! That's why Minerva designed the Bordeaux Four Piece Ensemble...

Hat, blouse, skirt and vest, all of glorious knitting! Even the buttons are made of yarn-- a true knitwear triumph!

Well, what about those rare special occassions when you need a full-length gown and-- gasp!-- you can't wear knit?

Who says you can't wear knit? You'll be the belle of the ball with this "Antoinette" ruffled knit dress! Guaranteed that no other woman will have one like it!

And how about for a quick trip to the park? This "Rayole" pattern "has a charming restrained note and is fashionable for travelling and for crisp autumn days"...


It's restrained mainly because its sleeves are so tight it's a little hard to move in. But just look how thrilled our model seems to be in wearing this cheeky little number! No, she's not really gritting her teeth. No, she's not sweating through her girdle. Knit is It!

Just ask these two fine ladies, chatting away at the docks in their Minerva Paris Fashions...

Just a happy day in the sun for our models. Like this woman in the "Normandy"...


Look at that beaming smile, not at all forced or pained! And her friend in the "Touraine" looks... er....


Perfectly natural.

But what if you really like pattern? What does Minerva have for you then?

Why the "Toulon" might be just the thing you're looking for...

"The novel jabot collar and tie give an air of great distinction to this smart costume of Dusteen. The brilliant stripes of the combined yarns give a note of boldness to the design." And don't forget the Pinnocchio hat! A must-have to top off any stripey creation!

And lastly, what if you want a knit dress with just the right amount of cling?

You'll want to whip up the "Nancy," as modeled by Renee Zellweger here. It's made of special "Minerva Rayona," an exclusive new yarn with the rich sheen and softness of real silk, cool enough for the warmest climate."

Because when we think tropics, we think knitwear!

Well, that about wraps it up for today. I don't want to hold you all back any longer than necessary, because I know you've all been really inspired to pick up those knitting needles and make yourself some brand new couture.

PS- Don't forget the hat!