Plane Sailing...

I don't usually knit clothes for other people, I find it a little tedious these days - even my family have to make do with hats and gloves as knitted presents.  However, when someone approached me with this pattern, I could not resist!

It is a vintage pattern, I couldn't find a date on it but it cost 25 cents new.  Judging by the design of fighter planes (they are, aren't they?) I would put it at from the 1940's.  It's also knitted in chunky wool, so knits up really quick - the back took me under a week of evening knitting to complete.  I am enjoying this, and even the prospect of making pockets and fitting a zipper doesn't put me off.

However, there is a certain gentleman in the house who thinks he'd like one of these as well...I might not be quite so enthusiastic second time around!

Hello Sailor!

In exchange for the sofa and dog, I received a bumper envelope of vintage knitting patterns.  The two that really took my fancy were this one (love the sailor with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth, you couldn't get away with that these days) which has these beauties inside :-

Anyone fancy a balaclava helmet and some knee warmers?  If you want me to knit you some, you only have to ask!

This one is pretty cool too:

 although I don't think my waist ever looked like that!  I'd love to make this but for someone else - the pattern only goes up to a 36 bust anyway.

I've put some more paintings for sale in my Etsy shop recently, including this one:

 It was painted in situ a few years back when I used to take an art class at a local church hall.  One bright summer afternoon I sat in the graveyard outside and had great fun painting this sun-dappled headstone.  The subject matter is a trifle bleak, but I feel it is actually a very peaceful picture.  I've always liked it and it seems a shame for it to languish hidden in a porfolio.