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Tasha Could Make That

Tasha Could Make That

Vintage knitting, sewing, and a lifetime of craftiness

Innsbruck ski pullover

February 2, 2015 by Tasha 45 Comments

I wanted a comfortable, over-sized vintage ski pullover for winter, and now I’ve knit one!

Innsbruck pullover

I have a good bit to say about the construction of this pullover, so I’m actually going to save that for a separate post on Thursday. I knit this from a pattern from a 1956 issue of Bernat Handicrafter magazine. Pretty wonderful look in the magazine, isn’t it?

Pullover from Bernat Handicrafter (1956)

I didn’t knit the turtleneck quite long enough to double as a hood because it would have been strangling me, and let’s be honest, I doubt that could have stayed on her head like that without being pinned. So it was cute but silly. But I do love the turtleneck. So cozy! I don’t wear them much, but this pullover is definitely helping to convert me to the warm ways of the turtleneck.

Innsbruck ski pullover

Innsbruck

The pullover features wide bishop sleeves which I knit only slightly less voluminous than the pattern called for, a relaxed fit in the body (this sweater has 2″ of positive ease at the full bust on me), and a slightly longer torso. Not that you can see the length, since I opted to tuck it in, inspired by the woman featured in the original pattern.

Innsbruck ski pullover

Technically these amazing deadstock 50s pants are pedal pushers, but tucked into knee-high socks, with long underwear and wellies, they certainly work well for a walk in the woods!

Innsbruck ski pullover

While the shape of this pullover isn’t something I typically knit, I’ve realized that it’s exactly what I actually like to wear in the dead of winter. I keep turning to the same few over-sized pullovers that I can wear comfortably with layers and not feel like my body or arms are constricted. I guess I’ve learned that when I’m already cold, I don’t want to feel even slightly uncomfortable in other ways, ha ha!

I actually really like how baggy the sleeves are, since my tendency is to accidentally knit sleeves a tad too tight. Not these ones!

Innsbruck ski pullover

We took these photos at the forest preserve a week ago, where I hoped there would be enough snow leftover to be in the background to make a nice backdrop for a ski sweater. Nope. But who knew a week later we’d have a blizzard dumped on us!

woods

I used Stonehedge Fiber Mill Sheperd’s Worsted for the green and Misti Alpaca Worsted for the natural. I have a vintage 1960s ski pullover that has white angora in the colorwork among the other yarn used, and I love the halo it makes. So I decided to do the same with alpaca. The alpaca does indeed add a bit of a halo, plus extra warmth across the chest and the neck, since the turtleneck is actually white up into about an inch before the fold!

turtleneck

Sheperd’s Worsted surprised me. It’s a very soft, non-superwash merino. I’ll say right off that I don’t plan to use it again on a project that involved ribbed cuffs unless I drastically reduce the number of stitches. After pushing up my sleeves one time, the cuffs (which were knit on smaller needles) were already completely stretched out, and only bounced back slightly during the course of the day (you can see them a bit baggy in the photo above). The yarn just doesn’t have much memory or recoil to go back to the original shape very well. It’s fine on the hem which is thankfully not meant to be fitted, and it’s fine in the 1×1 turtleneck, as 1×1 ribbing is naturally more stretchy than 2×2 knitting. But I might have ended up disappointed if I’d meant for this to have a trim fitted look with the hem and cuffs.

Just one of those things that you’ll sometimes discover and swatching won’t necessarily tell you this. I’ve experienced the same thing happen with Brooklyn Tweed LOFT, unless knit with a bulletproof gauge (which actually makes for quite a lovely knit fabric!). But with two soft sweaters in a row (my last being alpaca), after my bolero project, I’m going for a really hardy yarn next.

Innsbruck ski pullover

Anyway, I’ve named this project Innsbruck ski pullover, after the Austrian ski town that hosted the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics, and where I spent my 21st birthday. I am a rabid Winter Olympics fan and in college while studying abroad in Ireland, I got a chance to travel to Innsbruck and visit the location where both of the Opening Ceremonies and the ski jump events were held.

Many years later, I tracked down a little souvenir pin of a gondola from Innsbruck to wear on my pullover, which came to me from England by way of Etsy!

Innsbruck gondola

If you like knitting nitty gritty, stay tuned later in the week for a separate post on the technical details, including armhole steeks and the rather unusual construction of this pullover. It just felt like too much for one post. But as a sneak peek, check out where the shoulder and body meet! I think it’s so neat looking.

Innsbruck ski pullover

While I knit the entire body in less than a week, it took me several weeks to finish up the sleeves and the turtleneck, so I’m glad to have this off my needles and on my back. I think I’m going to wear the hell out of this pullover in the cold months.

Starting today in fact, the day after a huge blizzard pummeled us with 19″ of snow! It was a pretty epic storm. I bet those woods look a lot different today! 😉

Innsbruck ski pullover

outfit details

1950s pullover: knit by me
hat: knit by me pre-blog (pattern is Foliage, this is the bulky weight version)
1950s pedal pushers: BombshellShocked Vintage
vintage Innsbruck brooch: White Magpie Jewellry
earrings: Glitter Paradise
wellies: Hunter

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Filed Under: Knitting, Vintage Wardrobe Tagged With: finished projects, vintage knitting

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Evie says

    February 2, 2015 at 8:50 am

    This turned out great, Tasha! I love it!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      February 3, 2015 at 8:15 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  2. Nickey Robo says

    February 2, 2015 at 10:05 am

    This is just gorgeous! I’m so impressed. I just started knitting my third sweater ever, I’ll be lucky if it’s even 10% as nice as this one. 😉

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      February 3, 2015 at 8:15 am

      I’m sure it’ll be lovely, good luck! 🙂

      Reply
  3. amy says

    February 2, 2015 at 10:30 am

    You are so cute I just don’t even know what to do with myself sometimes.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      February 3, 2015 at 8:16 am

      YOU too, mwah!!

      Reply
  4. Natalie @ Threads & Bobbins says

    February 2, 2015 at 11:00 am

    I cannot believe you have actually made this! It looks amazing and you’ve completed it just in time for the snow! 🙂

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      February 3, 2015 at 8:16 am

      Thanks! Yes, definitely in time for the snow! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Michelle says

    February 2, 2015 at 11:21 am

    This turned out great! The construction at the shoulder looks quite unusual and interesting compared to the average sweater. I’ll have to check back and see you notes on it later in the week.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      February 3, 2015 at 8:16 am

      Thanks, Michelle! Yes, I wouldn’t necessarily do the same construction again, but it was interesting!

      Reply
  6. Seifenblasenoptimistin says

    February 2, 2015 at 12:03 pm

    The Pullover is wonderful, i like the Pattern

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      February 3, 2015 at 8:17 am

      Thanks!

      Reply
  7. Lauren says

    February 2, 2015 at 12:18 pm

    *swoon!!!*

    Reply
  8. Andi says

    February 2, 2015 at 12:34 pm

    I love it! The yoke- and sleeve-styles aren’t things you see very often on modern designs, but they look great! I really love the color transition at the top of the sleeves.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      February 3, 2015 at 8:17 am

      Thanks, Andi! I really liked that extra little bit of the colorwork pattern on the sleeves too, it’s a nice touch!

      Reply
  9. SandyS says

    February 2, 2015 at 1:02 pm

    Wow, you’re a fast knitter – I on the other hand need more than a year to finish a backside of a pullover (still have to do the front and the short sleeves – maybe it’ll be done in 2017 XD).
    I love the colour and the pattern on this lovely pullover – and it looks gorgeous on you^^
    Greetings, Sandy

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      February 3, 2015 at 8:17 am

      Thanks, Sandy!

      Reply
  10. Katy says

    February 2, 2015 at 1:50 pm

    It looks amazing. Really great colour. I have just finished a jumper in a Sport merino and I found the sleeves to be baggy. I look forward to your construction post. I hope you show a shot of the inside!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      February 3, 2015 at 8:17 am

      I will! 🙂

      Reply
  11. Rochelle New says

    February 2, 2015 at 2:17 pm

    This whole outfit is so fantastic and I LOVE how the sweater turned out! The colors looks amazing with your red hair 🙂 Yarn recoil is something I never thought about before (being a noob and all) but it makes total sense now that you mention the Shepherds Wool stretches out easily. I knit a hat with it and the brim stretched out super quickly, but I thought it was because I knit it too big. I guess I need to start searching for super-recoil-y yarns for future hats!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      February 3, 2015 at 8:21 am

      Thanks! Totally something to keep in the back of your head. 🙂

      Reply
  12. Harlee Cole says

    February 2, 2015 at 3:09 pm

    Man, you are one spectacular knitting lady! Very lovely sweater….great vintage style and colour!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      February 3, 2015 at 8:21 am

      Thanks! 🙂

      Reply
  13. Natalie from White Magpie Jewellery says

    February 2, 2015 at 3:48 pm

    Wow. The pullover is gorgeous and the brooch looks fab. So glad you like it 🙂

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      February 3, 2015 at 8:21 am

      Thanks Natalie, I do so love it. Thank you for finding such a little treasure!

      Reply
  14. Deborah Garretty says

    February 2, 2015 at 4:12 pm

    Love the sweater! I’ve just bought a vintage ski-jumper pattern off e bay and after seeing this post, can’t wait to start. The cable-car pin is adorable. We’ve had quite a bit of snow in my region of the UK so warm and cosy jumpers are the order of the day. Really enjoy reading your blog-posts, thank you.

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      February 3, 2015 at 8:22 am

      Thanks, Deborah! It’s definitely easier to envision wearing skil pullovers when you have a bit of snow, isn’t it? 🙂

      Reply
  15. Ginger says

    February 2, 2015 at 4:18 pm

    What a fun sweater! I really, really, really like it! OK, weird question, but regarding the baggy cuffs, would it be possible to weave some elastic thread into them to tighten them up? I tried that with a hat once and it worked pretty well, but not sure if that would feel funny in a cuff!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      February 3, 2015 at 8:24 am

      Thanks! I don’t see why that’s not possible, good thought. I know plenty of people do it for too baggy socks cuffs and hat brims. I’ll see if they stretch out worse over time and may consider it! Right now they’re just in the comfortably baggy zone, not the ludicrously stretched out zone. lol

      Reply
  16. Shannon P says

    February 2, 2015 at 4:49 pm

    Beautiful! I am so impressed by your knitting skills!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      February 3, 2015 at 8:24 am

      Thanks! 🙂

      Reply
  17. Debra says

    February 2, 2015 at 10:12 pm

    Love this!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      February 3, 2015 at 8:24 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  18. Anarii Hakala says

    February 3, 2015 at 1:41 am

    What an awesome outfit. Love the pants, I love plaids. And the color of your sweater is fantastic. You did a great job!

    Reply
    • Tasha says

      February 3, 2015 at 8:25 am

      Thank you! I love plaids too! It was a great chance to pull these pants out since it’s not spring yet, so I just used a little wardrobe deception wearing them with the boots. 😀

      Reply
  19. Carrie says

    February 3, 2015 at 11:40 am

    Hi Tasha,
    If you could send some of that snow down here to Memphis, that’d be great 🙂 I have that same magazine with that pattern! I just found it again in a box of my knitting books! Now, I will have to make it. Thanks so much for all of your awesome ideas!!!
    Cheers,
    Carrie

    Reply
  20. Charlotte says

    February 3, 2015 at 5:09 pm

    Oh this is perfect! I wish I had the patience (or the time) to learn to knit. Loving the little cable car brooch – a fab touch!

    captaincharghley.blogspot.com

    Reply
  21. Jessica Cangiano says

    February 4, 2015 at 5:06 am

    And a classic, delightful charmer it is! Great choice of colours. Green and white naturally suit Christmas well, but (lacking red in the mix) don’t scream December 25th only by any means. Your knits are always so pretty and timeless – and totally the kind that I love to sport, too.

    ♥ Jessica

    Reply
  22. Vanessa says

    February 4, 2015 at 2:19 pm

    Wow, I’ve been waiting to see this beauty finished and completed, I looks fabulous on you! I love the colourwork but I’d have to be silly and do the hood but maybe make it slightly looser in fit I’m not keen on being strangled by my own handknits 😀
    x

    Reply
  23. Silver Cat Tea Party says

    February 6, 2015 at 1:52 pm

    Wow! I can’t believe you knit this yourself! So amazing!! <3

    Reply
  24. Kate-Em says

    February 7, 2015 at 1:42 pm

    Your jumper is fabulous and just perfect for winter weather. Love the colour.

    Reply
  25. Randi says

    February 9, 2015 at 7:40 am

    Goodness, this is a fabulous outfit and the fact that you’ve knitted this pullover yourself— wow. Just wow. And I love that Innsbruck brooch, so cute and so perfect for this ensemble.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. A technical look at my Innsbruck pullover | By Gum, By Golly says:
    February 5, 2015 at 10:14 am

    […] everyone! I’m back with some details on my Innsbruck ski pullover. Like I said in my first post, I knew I was going to have a lot to say about the construction, so I […]

    Reply
  2. Different color palette and some tips for a Fayne beret | By Gum, By Golly says:
    December 15, 2016 at 1:58 pm

    […] (Pullover I knit from a vintage pattern, blogged here) […]

    Reply
  3. Swatching my next winter pullover | By Gum, By Golly says:
    December 20, 2016 at 10:01 am

    […] work best for me. Kind of vintage après–ski, if you will! It won’t be as large as my Innsbruck ski pullover (which I’m wearing right now, ha ha!), but hopefully more relaxed than the original […]

    Reply

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