There are treasures to be found at second hand book sales, you never know what out-of-print gems you might unearth. Take for example, this 1986 book of knitting patterns called “Wit Knits”…
The contents of the book has been scanned and given its own Tumblr site by George Hostler who “found this knitting pattern book in a second hand book sale – felt the need to share them with the world.”
If you’re English or have ever watched Absolutely Fabulous, you might recognise one or two of the models…
Yep, that’s Joanna Lumley. In fact all of the sweaters are rather bizarrely modelled by various British actors including Anne Diamond, Richard Briers and Bonnie Langford (if you’re not English, never mind who). Surely it was at least partly as a joke? I couldn’t find much of an explanation for why this book was made, but it does come complete with all the knitting patterns and you can buy a second-hand copy on Amazon for as little as £0.01. And it’ll arrive just in time for you to knit each family member their own ridiculous sweater for Christmas!
Aren’t they starting to grow on you? Since I’ll never actually take up knitting myself, I did a little vintage window shopping online. I think I found a few winners…
Bring back summer with the vintage Lemonade sweater
Drive them wild with an 80s safari cardie
Things they said in the seventies Crewneck
This “Saved by the Bell” Vintage Oversized Knit Sweater
Ooze sex appeal and squeeze into this child-sized 1960s French Mickie Mouse Jumper
Remind people of ice cream in this vintage pastel sweater
Channel Bridget Jones in the Mohair Vintage Penguin sweater
Pretty sure I saw the Fresh Prince of Bel Air in this short sleeved vintage nautical jumper
Lolita look, a vintage flower knit cardigan
Vintage Christmas Snow Vest from a shop dedicated entirely to ugly Christmas sweaters.
This 70s racing strip sweater is actually damn cool.
And if you’re a hipster you probably own a vintage turtleneck like this.
Discover the full Wit Knits book in all its glory over on Tumblr