Being enamoured with the aesthetic of the 1930's and having a background in varied aspects of costume history and historical design, I find that as a knitter I have tried to maintain the fit and style od the decade in my own work.
The 1930's and 40's mark a height in two trends in American Culture. Knitting and the Art of the Pin Up. Living in a time torn between the reality of a major war effort and the counter reality of larger than life Hollywood epics depicted on the silver screen. Women wanted more than ever to look their best and to emulate the styles put forth by these celluloid stars. But with finances stretched thin, women took up the needles to create Holywood style at home by crafting wool into stunningly feminine creations.
At the same time came a nationwide campaign to raise the spirits of our boys at war. As the casualty list lengthened, the Pin Up Girl became not only untaboo, but an important part of the war effort. Even Betty Grable stripped down to a swimsuit for an army issue calisthenics calendar. At home, girls were enlisted to entertain soldiers home on leave at U.S.O clubs all over the United States. They were encouraged to create the illusion of a happy, care free world to ease the minds of uniform clad boys trying to forget the harrowing world of war.
As we speed into the Twenty First Century, there is more and more of an interest in a return to times past. What better way to embrace the past than by keeping the age old tradition of knitting alive, and using the skill to create sexy, sultry clothing.
Betty Grable eat your heart out.
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