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Hi everyone!! Recently I’ve been chugging away at several projects and working on doing my Make Your Home Challenges, and I’ve been pondering something. Condo Knitting. Recently, I have been hearing this phrase and people claiming “it was hugely popular in the 70s.” Condo Knitting is knitting using two different size needles. Here’s the thing though I have been reading vintage stuff, and especially craft stuff, for most of my life (born in the wrong era remember) with a huge emphasis on the 60s and especially 70s. I’ve read pretty much every 70s thing I could get my hands on for over 20 years. (MakeRead More →

Crochet Hot Mat made from a 1964 pattern- My Workbasket

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You guys, what happened to November?!?!?!?!!? Seriously. I know it’s December (omg!) but I DID do a project from the November issue and never got a chance to show you. I actually made this a few months ago, which makes it that much worse that I’m showing it to you late. The November issue featured this Hot Mat set that I thought was just SO fun, funky, and adorable, and I got straight to making them. Well, I got straight to trying to make them. Slight problem though, I could NOT get it to work. So I sent the pattern to my mom and askedRead More →

An overview of a Pack-o-Fun Magazine from December 1968 -- My Workbasket

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I’ve mentioned my Pack-o-Fun stash here before. In fact, since I won an eBay auction in August for a decent stack I since got a great deal a thrift store for another stack just a few weeks ago. My collection is quickly growing! Even more exciting is two random stacks and not a single duplicate! Just for fun, I wanted to share a few highlights from this December  1968 issue. I’m hoping to even make a few of these crafts this month! I have to say, that nativity, that’s a lot of matches. The mobile is quite simple and cute. You could probably make oneRead More →

The cover and craft highlights from a December 1960 magazine issue-- My Workbasket

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December 1960! When this magazine cost 15 cents to pick up at a newsstand, and as the handwritten note says shows “knit cuffs!” Also in 1960, the US was the first to legalize the Birth Control Pill. Queen Elizabeth made it known her family would be known as the House of Windsor. The Beatles made their very first ever public performance. Perhaps you were reading Lady Catterly’s lover, this year it was unbanned in the England after 32 years, or maybe you were more of the To Kill a Mockingbird type.  If you could afford $219.95 for a 23″ tv then you could watch theRead More →

The magazine issue of the month, November 1964. I'll be making some projects and trying some recipes. Plus posting funny ads! My Workbasket

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I noticed this issue has no sign of an address label! Perhaps it was picked up at a newsstand for 15 cents. If you drove to the newsstand you may have paid 30 cents a gallon for gas. I have to say I’m very glad that magazines and gas have NOT followed a similar ratio over the years! Imagine how much our gas would be right now! Pretty much every year has important events, 1964 was no different. The Civil Rights Act of 1964. Beatlemania was sweeping the nation, and those boys from Liverpool had people singing about holding hands. People were listening to a LOTRead More →

A classic granny style triangle shawl/scarf in an easy stitch, with two sizes and two edging options-- My Workbasket

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I have always adored granny squares. I’d buy granny items from thrift stores even at a very young age. At around 13 years old I became really determined to make my own. The only person I knew well that crocheted at the time (and was local enough to teach me) was my Aunt Ann. Only one problem, she was left-handed, and I am not. I remember sitting face to face instead of side by side and trying to figure it out. It wasn’t working. She was very determined that you start your slip knot with your crochet hook, and to this day I make mineRead More →

Cover art for the October 1966 Workbasket magazine- My Workbasket

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Ronald Reagan was voted in as Governor of California. Simon and Garfunkel’s “Sounds of Silence” was number 1 earlier this year. Cigarette packages got warning labels. There were lots of Vietnam War protests. The Miranda Rights came into being. The US Department of Transportation was created. Ladies were rocking the Mini-Skirt, which took several years to become such a popular trend (the designer Mary Quant started making skirts shorter and shorter in the late 50s.) Adam West appeared as what some people will still claim is the best Batman of all time. Star Trek also debuted this year. My Dad’s personal favorite, How the GrinchRead More →

Highlights from the September 1967 Workbasket. I'll be making projects from this issue all month long!-- My Workbaskt

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September 1967, a time for Lonely Hearts Club (the Beatles released that famous album in June) but you won’t have  a lonely heart if you desire an interracial marriage. Thanks to Loving vs Virginia that was declared legal this year. 475,000 men were off in Vietnam, so you could have been lonely for them though. It was a year of protests and upheaval in many ways. Exciting things were happening and not just at war or protests against them. Evil Knievel jumped 16 cars on on his motorcycle. Elvis Presley married Priscilla. The musical “Hair” was showing off-Broadway. People were watching Doctor Who, The BeverlyRead More →

Showing off 5 lbs of sewing goodies and vintage crafty items!

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I said that I wanted to show you my recent ebay purchase with all the sewing goodies. I kept putting it off because it would take SO many photos to show you everything, so instead I decided to make a video! I’d love to hear your thoughts (I know the video could be better) and what your favorite item from the box is! Sorry I talk a bit fast, I knew there was a LOT to show and didn’t want the video to be an hour long. It’s not truly a “box opening” because I have opened it already, but all the goodies are there,Read More →

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When we go to visit with my parents it’s nice to see them and be part of their lives for awhile. It’s also nice to spend some time away from home, in the country, just mostly relaxing. I usually come home in a good mental place, and usually with something I have been struggling with all figured out. All of that is great, BUT the real reason I go, is for thrift shops! Here at home we have two Goodwill’s that are easy to get to and close, but I don’t like shopping there (expensive!!) There is a small independently run shop that we love,Read More →

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I’ve said when I introduced this issue that I LOVE a sunbonnet. Possibly as much as I love a granny square poncho. (Remember, I’ve also said I was born in the wrong decade.) I was really excited to complete this project. I was also excited because I have a habit of doing so many of the yarn based projects in these magazines, but so few of the others. Admittedly I put it off because I HATE enlarging patterns. It’s easy enough, it’s fast enough, but just like doing dishes, I HATE it. (Side Note- I HATE doing dishes. I hate it with a serious passion.)Read More →

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If you picked up this issue on the News Stand (I assume it was sold there) you may also have just bought hamburger meat at 53 cents a pound, and dropped off your $80 rent check. There is a pretty good chance your family owned a car (3 out of 5 did,) as well as a telephone (2 out of 3) or even a television! (1 out of 3) It is sad to say though that on that TV you may have watched news of the Korean War, or Nelson Mandella’s arrest, or about the polio epidemic. There was some good news this year though.Read More →

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I mentioned recently that I’d be taking a trip, and I’m back. Originally I had intended to crank out some crafts, post a new thing or two, and be productive. Instead I spent some time sitting in a wheelbarrow by a fire, being driven around in a lawnmower trailer, enjoying family, and planning my garden. My son played at a playground where I went a few times as a kid, even playing on the same old firetruck. He drove the lawnmower, spent time with his cousins and grandparents, and drank way more southern sweet tea than a Maryland boy usually would. I did get aRead More →

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When I saw the ad on the back of the January 1967 issue I became infatuated with the Snack Hound. The National Handcraft Society,  aka The Fad of the Month Club, was a long running craft club that has lots of advertisements in the Workbasket over the years. What I found interesting is that there were also membership pins! If you remained a member for one year you got a little gold pin. So cool. You can still find the kits on ebay, and other second hand sources like thrift stores and yard sales.  I decided to try to track down a Snack Hound, soRead More →