Vintage Knitwear

Knitting is currently insanely popular, one is tempted to say that it is popular as never before, but of course that is not entirely true. After sleeping through the 1990s and up until a few years ago, knitwear has suddenly become 'the new black'. Everyone knits, or buys knitting. Knitting is even so popular that it is featured in revues and comedy shows.

There are probably many reasons for the upswing in popularity, it is clear that the corona shutdown has helped, moreover, knitwear looks delicious on social platforms such as Instagram, and then there is nothing like a well-loved sweater on a cold day.

In Mondo Kaos we get the beautiful sweaters and cardigans from Palava , even more beautiful knitwear from The House of Foxy and last but not least, our classic from Emmy Design ; The Ice Skater cardigan. That's why we think it was fun to talk a little about knitting today. We will look at knitting through the ages and talk about fashion and designs.

It is assumed that knitting has been known for a very long time, but we start at the beginning of the 20th century, when it was here that knitting became a fashion phenomenon for the very first time.

In the 1910s, something happens. French designers such as Vionnet, Lanvin and especially Chanel, who in the 1910s started making couture in knitwear, were to blame for this. It simply fit in with the ideal of the body of the time and the freedom of movement, and the knitted clothes were both easy to wash and easy to work in.
What started as couture became the property of every man/woman in the 1920s, and people knitted like never before.

Home knitting took off both to imitate the designs, but because the patterns became available, it also became easier to knit the new fashion. Even Vogue came out with knitting patterns for their readers.

Knitting was still used as a fashion statement, as you can see from, for example, the famous Schiaparelli 'bow cardigan, where the bow is a trompe-l'œil knitted in the so-called tapestry technique.

In the 1930s, knitwear becomes a necessity. The stock market crash in 1929 meant that people had to make their own clothes to a greater extent, and that these clothes had to be primarily functional.
In the 1930s you see patterns such as waves and chevrons which are completely in the spirit of the Art Deco era.

In the 1940s, knitting, and especially home knitting, was fashion and necessity in one. Knitting had become a matter of course, and you had the necessary skills and recipes available like never before. With the Second World War underway and rations, people knitted both for the soldiers at the front and for their own use. In England, the brochure 'Make do and mend' was published, about making your own clothes and reusing as much as possible, for example by unraveling old woolen sweaters and knitting new ones.

In the 1940s, sweaters and cardigans were waisted and preferably with a little extra fullness at the shoulders in the style of the fashion of the time. Cardigans could often be closed high and with many buttons, and they were often inspired by knitting traditions from Norway and the English Isles, such as twists, patterns and fair isle techniques.

Don't be fooled by the hottest knitted look, namely the vest from The House of Foxy in the beautiful fair Isle.

It is both beautiful and practical. You can still wear all your wonderful shirts, and by pulling on the fine fair isle vest, you are both warm and have great freedom of movement. So if you're going to channel your inner 1930s fashionista, or vintage golfer, get your hands on this beauty now while we have it.

From The House of Foxy also comes the well-known Cable knit cardigan; the cardigan with twists, but it has been updated and has long sleeves. We get it home in 3 beautiful colors.

Last but not least comes a new cardigan in blouson style. Tight-fitting ribbing at the shoulders and waist, as well as cutouts around the bust give the perfect hourglass look, with the mix of tight-fitting waist and looser knit around the bust. WE get it home in beautiful gray blue and rust.

What about you? Have you resumed knitting in the corona shutdown, are you perhaps one of those who never stopped, or did the small crooked acrylic cloth you knitted in elementary school make you give up knitting forever? Regardless, the beautiful knitwear from The House of Foxy , Palava and Emmy Design is really something very special that you can afford to add to the vintage wardrobe this autumn/winter season. Come down to the store and let us guide you to the right combination for you.

Sincerely,

Team Mondo Chaos