Wednesday, 5 October 2011

Golden Hands

I was delighted when I came across these magazines in my local charity shop recently.

I found three of them at first and on further digging found all 75 issues. 



Mrs Rowley, whose name is delicately scrawled in pencil on the back of each one, must have taken very good care of these.


look at the face on her!

Golden Hands was published by Marshall Cavendish in the 1970's (75 parts) and ran for about 2 years with many part and re issues.

knitted wedding coat anyone?
The magazine featured a wide range of handicrafts including knitting, sewing, embroidery, crochet, macrame, tatting, beading, patchwork, fashion and home crafts.  Each edition contained a series of patterns for clothes, soft furnishings and novelty items.

I just love these!  I spent hours pouring through these I have flagged up lots of things I want to make, it's odd that even though this magazine is as old as me (37 years old) there are lots of makes and items that are just as relevant today.


I want to make all of these!




Yay hexies!

Mrs Rowley must have made someone this little spooky towelling rabbit as she left her pattern in here.

 
Many of the items are VERY 70's and I love them loads, check these out:


quilt your sexy man a waistcoat?


holy cow!
Right, I'm off to knit myself a 1970's purple pantygirdle!


~ ♥ Back Soon ♥ ~ 
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26 comments:

  1. Bethany5 October 2011 at 17:36

    Wow!!! What a good buy! Don't you love finding such things? Things that still have little a little reminder of the person who once owned them before you? My aunt used to give me flea market books when I was young, and I used to be upset if someone had already written their name in it. Now I'd be intrigued, and wonder who they were and what they thought of it.... Plus I love the smell of old books. I know, I'm weird :) Can't wait to see what you whip up from these!

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  2. Tillyflops5 October 2011 at 17:53

    I remember these from my childhood, my mother used to buy them.Actually come to think of it she may still have some, tucked away.......of now to call her lol.xxx

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  3. Lalabibaby @ Dreaming of The Simple Life5 October 2011 at 17:54

    I found a set like that at the car boot this year and was so pleased because I bought them the first time round but got rid of them years ago! Was looking at Vintage Vix's blog last night and she could be a cover girl for them couldn't she. Enjoy x

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  4. Cordelia Earle5 October 2011 at 18:32

    I remember my Mum having this magazine when I was growing up, I would give anything to have them back now.

    Lucky find on your part.

    Cxx

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  5. vintage girl5 October 2011 at 18:33

    What a fantasic find! Some of the patterns look brilliant. My mother is always picking up old patterns for me a car boot sales. Lisa xx

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  6. Helga5 October 2011 at 18:58

    And you scored 75 issues?!Fantasmo!! I have a few,plus a couple of hardcovers,one has house decorative goodies to make!Absolutely classic! I collect lots of old craft books,most of it is still relevant,just a little colour or fabric updates and you're away!Can't WAIT to see what you make first!!
    XXX

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  7. cheri5 October 2011 at 19:16

    what a great find. I think my Mum must have had that because we had some wonderful knitted and crocheted outfits including a suit with bell bottom trousers and matching dress. I loved it. I really like the knitted wedding coat. How fab would that be to get married in on a cold snowy December day.

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  8. MyBrotherAddictionAndMe5 October 2011 at 19:31

    love the apple pillow! what a good find, I had never thought to look in charity shops for old magazines! Ab xx

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  9. carrad5 October 2011 at 20:06

    Yay! I also have a set of Golden Hands from a charity shop! There's a lovely little crocheted dress I'm determined to make for Grandbaby 2. Have fun! xxx

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  10. Elise5 October 2011 at 20:19

    Ah I came across one of these in my mums high school sewing kit, going by the date I think she bought it when she was 12! Excellent luck finding so many! :)

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  11. Anonymous5 October 2011 at 20:41

    Oh my goodness I can't believe you found 75 issues of these :-)

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  12. Unknown5 October 2011 at 20:51

    What a fab find! I'm sure there'll be a knitted swimsuit in there somewhere ;-)

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  13. Nicky Stevenson5 October 2011 at 21:02

    I got a couple of the book versions of this magazine, even though as you know, I don't do things with needles. I love some of the pictures, the makes and the model's expressions, they are 70's gold! x

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  14. Amanda Makes5 October 2011 at 21:23

    Oh there's a vision to conjure with! Only slightly overtaken by Mr Kandi Pandi in his quilted waistcoat! I bet he's dead excited about that, isn't he? What a find! xxxx

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  15. Annaboo's House5 October 2011 at 21:51

    Oh, what a lovely find- like you said, it looks contemporary.
    Well, except for that waistcoat- although I think my Mister might look very dapper in it!
    Xx

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  16. somewhere on the avenue5 October 2011 at 22:16

    I actually collected Golden Hands and now I wish i'd kept them all - they ended up in the skip (yes I know - unforgivable). From what I remember they were excellent tutorial mags with some fantastic makes. x

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  17. jane p6 October 2011 at 00:07

    Those were the days when it's okay to be photographed on the cover with a cigarette/cigar!

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  18. Elderberry-Rob6 October 2011 at 06:27

    My mum used to buy Gold Hands. I had forgotten all about it but everything in there must be very in style again now! what a lucky find for you. Betty

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  19. Nelly6 October 2011 at 09:48

    Arent they great?I used to have a heap and they have gone awol but still have a few.A couple you have got I have too.

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  20. Vix6 October 2011 at 12:16

    I've got the same ones! That man's quilted waistcoat is fabulous and some of the women's fashions are gorgeous, I remember Mum making them when I was little. x

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  21. Country Rabbit6 October 2011 at 12:27

    i did giggle cos my mums friend in the early eighties and early 90's would knit and quilt her whole family outfits- even her husband...my dad used to say to my mum dont get any ideas hehe ;0)
    lovely that feeling of something bought with history, history of who had had it before...lovely images.

    x kazzy x

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  22. moleymakes6 October 2011 at 17:43

    Excellent find, well done. I never seem to find any great bargains round my way. All the charity shops seem to be filled with tasteless tat.
    I live in hope though that one day I'll actually find something nice :)

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  23. Barri-Jayne6 October 2011 at 22:18

    Wow, what a fabulous find!!! I'm sure you'll enjoy finding lots of new (or should I say old) things to make.

    Barri xx

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  24. sister outlaws7 October 2011 at 00:13

    I have just inherited folders of golden hands from my mum - but I don't recognise any of these ones! Means there are more out there for me!http://sisteroutlaws.blogspot.com/search/label/golden%20hands%20encyclopedia%20of%20crafts

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  25. Anonymous7 October 2011 at 14:18

    What a great find! :) x

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  26. Unknown8 October 2011 at 21:53

    Wow how fab are they,there's a few things I wouldn't mind making too.well done finding these,happy making XX Manda XX

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