I went home for the holiday weekend and my mom and I spent a few hours garage-saling (a word I made up just now, verb; shopping at garage and yard sales). I had some great finds! The best? Check this out:
I got a pair of these – and the best part is that they rock back and forth. I would guess they’re from the 30s
or 40s at least and they’re super solid, in great, sturdy shape. My parent’s were pretty jealous and threatened t
o steal them. Why am I so excited? What do
I plan to do with them? Well, I think I’m going to knit new covers for them. Annie Modesitt has a pattern that is sort of like what I want to do – you can see to the left. I’m not a fan of the pattern itself. The instant I saw these chairs, I instantly thought of an Interweave Knits pattern that features lots of cabling designs and a gorgeous natural look. I’m not sure when I’ll ever have a pair of finished chairs… but I think there’s some good potential in these chairs. Check out the IK version (different chair):
I got a few other good finds: Some neat retro pyrex, and… a ton of sweaters! There’s a university back home that does a huge garage sale of all the stuff the students leave behind. I got a bunch of sweaters to felt for different projects, and a few to take apart for the yarn. The best was a hand-knit Irish Aran sweater. It was on the top of the pile after I’d walked away – I saw it and almost killed 3 people trying to grab it.
There’s a ton of wool in it – I already took it apart and balled it. If I had a scale, I’d weigh it to get an idea of how much there is… but I know it’s a lot!
And finally, I got some old knitting and crocheting booklets. Follow the jump for more photos and some smarmy comments.
These are some baby blanket patterns from a booklet dated 1941. I love these patterns!
Pretty sure this baby is pooping. Right now.
Let’s forget for a minute that these are toilet paper covers and are inherently absurd. Can we also discuss the absurdity of such dolled-up, elegant southern belles spending their days hiding toilet paper rolls?
These are garments are… interesting.
Ok. The best part of these sweaters? The discription:
“Classic.”
Who needs a duck sweater?
This kid looks like a tool. I don’t know what else to say.
I don’t even know what to say about these two.
I actually really like this motif!
All Buttoned Up 
Wow, great finds! And I’m sure any duck would love to have a sweater like that!
I’ve always wanted to knit a chair cover like Veronik’s (the Interweave one) but haven’t had the desire to spend the $$ on the Ikea chair frame. Kudos to you for scoring 2(!) that you can work with!
Hi! I had to de-lurk to tell you that I recognized the Bucilla “Lovable Hand Knits – Infants to 4 Years” by the picture of the duck sweater. I actually own that pattern book! And even worse, I’ve made stuff from it! The newborn sweaters, including the duck sweater, are actually kind of cute, if taken out of the horrible context of the book. But I totally agree about the boys. What can one say (except maybe that they actually scare me)?
Have a blast with your finds!
Great photography too !! any chance the chairs will be finished and back home for the fourth of July weekend ??
Am I strange for liking that peacoat-esque number in the second to last photo? I’d wear that…! Awesome thrifting finds, what a great haul! Those chair are great, I can’t wait to see the covers you make for them.
oh man… that kid DOES look like a tool. that comment made me laugh inappropriately – thanks!
Great finds Nicole! I’ve always loved that Sweet&Lowdown chair, I bet you could mod it or use the cables for your sling chairs – that would be so awesome!
Hi
I love your blog. I too like buying old patterns, some of the patterns are interesting but very colourful, others you could knit today, wear and no one would notice how old the pattern is.
Keep up the good work
Jenny
South Australia
I also love the peacoat-cardigan and its accompanying helmet in the second to last picture. I’d wear them! As for the ‘classic’ sweaters, hee hee. Hee hee hee.