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Hello and welcome to Saturday Coffee! Elinor, Elizabeth and Emma - these were the names of my childhood friends. Together we took long walks, planned our next summer retreat in Bath and the wardrobe for the upcoming ball. We were alternately in love with Mr. Darcy, Mr. Knigthley or Colonel Brandon.
Doesn't that sound like a teenager in the Hallertau region of Lower Bavaria? It does - and yet it doesn't: In my imagination, I was traveling through the English counties with the heroines from Jane Austen's novels. The books of the unconventional, independent and (shocking!) unmarried author of that time still inspire millions of readers today. There have been and still are many film adaptations. Series like Bridgerton, which are based on Austen's era, regularly top the streaming service charts.
Historically correct is rarely the case, but roughly speaking, the so-called Regency Era is the fashion model in terms of costumes and manners at Bridgerton&Co. For today's blog post, we have been inspired by the Regency tailors and their noble customers, by puffed sleeves and romantic silhouettes.
Grab a coffee - or maybe an English Breakfast Tee today - and let's stroll.
It all depends on the right measure...
... this is true for many things in life - but especially for puff sleeves. For me personally, it can be voluminous, but not immediately pompous. The Rubus Blouse is just such a case: statement puff sleeves yes, but still suitable for everyday wear. The "square neckline" is particularly appealing - a classic in the Regency fashion world. The model comes from Danish knitwear designer Rikke, aka Refined Knitwear. On her website there are pattern in German translation.
Rubus is constructed with classic raglan slants and is worked top down. The sleeves, which - like the whole piece - are knitted in the round, get their fluff from increases and decreases. The pattern offer two alternatives for the sleeve length: short or to the elbow. Not only visually, but also in terms of yarn, the piece is very delicate: knitted with a double thread Soft Silk Mohair from KNITTING FOR OLIVE. The color, from which Rikke has conjured her model here, is called Dusty Rose. I'm generally a fan of all the muted dusty shades in the KfO palette. This wonderful old pink literally calls out: Please, take me to Hampshire (Austen's home county) to the parlor of a country house for tee and cucumber sandwiches, where Old English rose bushes bloom outside the window.
For the same yarn combination, i.e. Soft Silk Mohair double thread, I have another suggestion for a knitting kit, directly from KNITTING FOR OLIVE: the Puff Tee. Here, the focus is entirely on the puff sleeves thanks to the high-neck collar. Especially exciting is the shoulder construction, which for once is not worked with a simple raglan, but with saddle shoulders. The cuffs on the sleeves and body ensure that the voluminous shape flows into a body-hugging silhouette. The pattern are also available on Ravelry, but there only in English. The German translation can be found directly on the KNITTING FOR OLIVE website. If you don't want to use mohair or if you don't tolerate it well, you can also knit with Midnatssol from CAMAROSE as an alternative.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Or does it?
I admit, from the name we are more at the Poisoned Apple Top Snow White and her temporary death by fruit rather than the Dashwood sisters from "Sense and Sensibility" (My film tip: The 1995 adaptation by director Ang Lee - starring the "Who is Who" of English cinema: Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant and Alan Rickman. Marvellous, indeed!
)The style could nevertheless be Regency-inspired - after all, designer Lily Kate France
is a true Brit.
Puffed sleeves turn out quite short and rather inconspicuous in her model, but the rectangular chest area has a particularly interesting design. It is knitted with a thinner yarn than the rest. Thus, the lace neckline stands out from the rest of the shirt. How well the shirt suits women with a wide variety of body shapes can be seen in the many knitter pictures on Ravelry.
The color selection is also colorful. The only "rule": The two yarns should not be too different. In terms of material we have two variants for you: either from the house of ITO YARNS with a very noble combination of Sensai and So Koshoa merino cashmere blend, or a summery LAMANA combination of Premia for the neckline and Perla (cotton alpaca silk) for the rest of the body. Click here for the knitting kit.
Would you like more hats? Well protected in the drafty castle
Romantic reveries are one thing, hard-hitting realities are another: As beautiful as the stories of love and happy-ending weddings are, Jane Austen's socially critical novels never make any secret of the fact that marriages are often more about finances than love. This is precisely what the author rebelled against in her texts. Especially when a woman had married advantageously upwards, her task after the wedding was absolutely clear: to give birth to a male heir as soon as possible. How good that those times are over!
But we risk a fanciful look into the Regency nursery anyway: The bonnets or bonnets from PetiteKnit have a charming oldschool touch and are quickly knitted. For the very little ones, pure merino wool is best, like for example Sunday from SANDNES GARN.
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Anchor's hoodFrom: 8,75 €incl. VAT
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Karen's Bonnet - capFrom: 8,75 €
incl. VAT
plus shipping costs
Delivery time: approx. 3-5 working days
Would you like a little more? Ruffles
If we talk about romantic or playful silhouettes, then of course they can not be absent: Ruffles.
The British Laura Penrose (what a beautiful name and of course MUST be in a Saturday coffee Saturday-Tea more than one English designer) took culinary inspiration for her model, at least in name: Soufflé Is called her airy shirt with ruffle border. Knitted from the top down, the neck and shoulders are shaped over a round-fit construction that closes in the back with a keyhole neckline.
The area between the collar and the frilly wreath is more transparent than the rest of the knit - similar to the Poisoned Apple Top. However, the effect here is not created by using different yarns, but simply by switching from single yarn on top to double yarn on the bottom. As yarn we suggest our special favorite, which (once again) won hearts and needles at this year's Mother's day shawl Salma (once again) conquered the hearts and needles: Sensai From ITO YARNS. You can find the finished knitting kit fresh in the store. (When we put the kit on, we immediately got hungry for cheese soufflé, Salzburger Nockerl & Co. in our chat).
Cute frilly look gifts
Not convinced about ruffles yet? I can understand that - it really has to fit your own style, so that you feel comfortable. But if you still want to try ruffles as a knitting challenge, maybe you can make a little lady in your family or circle of friends happy:
Both the knitting kit for the baby body Alma from SANDNES' Alpaca Silke as well as the mini sweater Karen from Babyull Lanet (also SANDNES GARN) from PetiteKnit are allowed to ripple. Sandra has also added an extra portion of ruffles to her maschenfein pattern for the children's leggings Annika, which you can make in the kit from the cuddly-soft Milano and Premia from LAMANA.
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Karens Ruffle SweaterFrom: 30,00 €
incl. VAT
plus shipping costs
Delivery time: approx. 2-3 working days
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Alma's Ruffle SuitFrom: 27,00 €
incl. VAT
plus shipping costs
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Annika - leggings with rufflesFrom: 51,75 €
incl. VAT
plus shipping costs
Delivery time: approx. 2-3 working days
So much for dusty: modernity meets traditional designs
My absolute favorite Jane Austen novel is Pride and Prejudice. However, the love drama about Lizzy, who is neither on the nose nor on the brain, and her aloof Mr. Darcy might sound familiar even to those who have never read the book: The plot was adapted for "Bridget Jones - Chocolate for Breakfast.
A modern translation of Regency fashion is also our next model: the long-sleeved shirt Kahena is much plainer in terms of sleeves, unlike many of the styles featured today, but it picks up on the rectangular neckline and resembles dresses with lace-up bodice tops in the front. These weren't as present in everyday wardrobes during the Regency period, but they still somehow evoke danced-through ball nights and secretly slipped love letters. Written by hand with pen and ink, of course.
I haven't even mentioned the really special thing about Kahena yet - but maybe you've already noticed it when you look at the photo: There's crochet going on here! Jeanette Bøgelund Bentzen is on Ravelry and Instagram as aircrochet and shows that it doesn't always take two needles to create a great garment. The yarn she uses is Pure Silk from KNITTING FOR OLIVE. The pattern are only available in English in the bundle, but they are delightfully size-inclusive.
If you are not yet equipped in crochet or if you are missing the right needle size, you will also find what you are looking for in the Maschenfein store.
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Tulip - Crochet hook "Etimo Red12,45 € - 13,45 €
incl. VAT
plus shipping costs
Delivery time: approx. 2-3 working days
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Crochet hook Bamboo4,85 € - 5,40 €
incl. VAT
plus shipping costs
Delivery time: approx. 2-3 working days
The extra collar for the romantic touch
If you're a bit hooked now, but don't really want to dive into the Regency feeling yet, we have the time and yarn saving option for you: the extra collar - romantic details as an add-on, so to speak.
At Jovial Collar by Camilla, aka Wieseknit, I briefly had to think of bobbin lace or filet crochet, but actually the cute accessory is knitted. The pattern are available in several languages, including German. As yarn combination Jule recommends Premia and Modena from LAMANA. (By the way, I'm currently knitting the Girlfriend cardigan in the maschenfein spontaneous KAL: a butter-soft fluffy piece, I tell you).
PetiteKnit takes a somewhat more expansive and at the same time simpler approach to the subject of collars. The Sunday Collar is part of a whole series of designs by the Dane, all of which feature a round yoke of diverging ribs. It is knitted with the yarn of the same name, Sundayin combination with Tynn Silk Mohairboth from SANDNES GARN.
Last, but not least: the Spencer
Until the end I have saved this pretty piece, which should not be missing in this issue, if only because of the name: The Austen Spencer of Vicky Square, which belongs to a whole collection that bears the name of the writer.
Clearly, this is a very special piece and certainly not for every closet. But nothing embodies Regency women's fashion like this kind of short jacket worn over high-waisted dresses.
I wonder if this is still suitable for everyday wear. Maybe the Spencer isn't necessarily suitable for the office, but over a slim-fitting evening or cocktail dress, I can imagine the jacket, reminiscent of a shrug or bolero, really nice. If you want to stick with the lightly mottled style of the original, a good choice is Merino DK from COWGIRL BLUES is best. Alternatively you could also go with Double Sunday or Smart from SANDNES GARN.
Net whisper and maschenfein knitting round
While fast knitter Sandra is already finished with her girlfriend cardigan, many others are still lagging behind. But good things come to those who wait, as the old saying goes. At the moment there are also some other designs from Ankestrick in the fine knitting round. Birgit has the Simple V Neck Sweater in soft pink has jumped off the needles. Anja was able to make her Naima Cardigan with the colorful inside pockets for the first time.
What happens when the needles are free? Exactly, that's when it's stitch tryout time! Larissa has discovered her great love for the Cumulus-series from PetiteKnit and is currently testing Pure Silk of KNITTING FOR OLIVE. Jule had infected the Maschenfein team with her love for shirts. Bobbie infected. Her new favorite piece was also allowed to come to Lake Constance and provide the perfect picture backdrop for her four-legged friend. (Because of course it's about the dog! What else?!).
And what about English country life? I think I'm going to treat myself to a portion of it in cinematic form again very soon. By the way, the coming weekend in Great Britain will be a long and very special one: Jubilee Weekend - four holidays in honor of the Queen's 70th anniversary on the throne are to be celebrated with pomp and circumstance.
With this in mind, I bid you a very British farewell: Hipp hipp hooray! Have a nice weekend, folks!
About Judith
I'm Judith and I live in the Rhineland, but everyone recognizes me as a Lower Bavarian because of my dialect and Frida, my rough-haired dachshund. As a freelance author, I am allowed to support the maschenfein team with content from time to time and combine my two great passions: Writing and knitting.
Show all posts by Judith
6 comments
Especially the lace collar sweater looks really good.
Do you actually have a vacation planned this summer, Judith?
LG
Mara
Yes, he is really cute, ne? I'm with the vacation planning again "back on the go" just because my original plan to visit family in Sweden, but now does not arise as thought. But I will think of something. I hope you have a happier hand with your planning. Best wishes and have a nice knitting time! Judith
Hello Judith,
I was all excited for this when I read today's Saturday Coffee. I love ruffles, puffy sleeves and the English-inspired romantic pieces!
I'm currently finding knitwear to be much more beautiful than store-bought fashions. The beauty of it, though, is that you can pick out what suits you much more flexibly.
Thank you for Saturday Coffee, which always has a different focus and is diverse!
Love, Coco
How nice that there were a few inspirations for you. Have a relaxing Whitsun weekend! Love, Judith
Good morning,
did I miss the latest fashion trends?
What's going on now?
Today is probably not for me, because I am the minimalist, whose opulence is already exhausted in a bright or rich color, a small row of buttons - but blos not so flashy. Otherwise, the material and its processing must stand out. But please, no ruffles and folds.
But who likes it ...
Thank goodness you have such beautiful yarns, since everyone can knit with what he likes to wear or give away. And so from the same yarn can create a ruffled or but a simple part.
That's the beauty of knitting yourself - many buy the same yarn, but no knitted piece is the same.
A nice long weekend for all knitting fans
Katrin from Essen
Dear Katrin, I can only agree with you: Tastes are different, but that doesn't detract from the joy of knitting. The beauty of do-it-yourself is - just as you say - that everyone can change things according to their own needs and design them the way they like best. Unfortunately, that's not the case in many areas of life. That's why I also enjoy this special freedom in knitting. Have a great weekend, too!
Best regards, Judith