happy new year!

When I was studying near Geneva as a callow youth, one of my favorite things to do was visit thrift stores*, especially a Catholic one in a huge old building. Unfortunately I didn't have the wherewithal to haul home any of the beautiful old wood wardrobes, but I did buy my share of more portable items, including some wonderful old photos.

Front (very New-Year's-Revelry-appropriate):


And back:{Loose translation: "24 May '33/ Burial of the boy's life** [illegible, at least to me]/ at [illegible's] place"}


*Things haven't changed much....
**[I interpret this to be some sort of farewell to a carefree student life?]

"shoulderette"

An easy pattern from one of the wonderful stash of vintage knitting books my sister has given me:

(Click to enlarge to readable size.)

This would be a good project for someone knitting lace for the first time but not wanting to do a scarf. The lace pattern is simple and easy to remember, but just complicated enough to not be boring. I couldn't see any reference to gauge, but I think that as long as you use the needles specified (or even one size up or down) and come up with a reasonable-looking gauge, the end product should turn out fine. A shrug is, after all, a rather forgiving garment when it comes to fit.

Here is the cover of the book it came from--look at those nice saturated mid-century colors!