Rowan's bringing sexy back

Sexy as in 1940s sexy, when women dressed impeccably, IMO. My favorite era. Rowan has finally dropped the "Where's Waldo?", over-styled photo shoots for classy and timeless 1940s and Renaissance-inspired designs for Rowan Magazine #44, which arrived on my doorstep today, much to my surprise. I LOVE the 1940s section. Each knit pays homage to a phenomenal actress of the era.....and just so you know, I was able to name the full-name of each lovely lady without batting an eyelash because this is the era where my passion lies as much as I ooze over the 80s on this blog. I was a woman of the 40s in my past life, I know it. I love the fashion, the music, the movies, classic Hollywood, WWII.
We have knits such as (Judy) Garland, my favorite actress ever, Greta Garbo, Lauren Bacall, Rita Hayworth, Dorothy Lamarr, Ingrid Bergman, Marlene Dietrich, and Barbara Stanwick to name a few. The purple, bat-winged, cropped sweater above is "Garland" The one below here is "Lamarr".
This one here is "Bacall" which is another that caught my eye. I love the simplicity and classy styling.
This one below is "Raphael" from the Renaissance section. I don't know that I would do the embroidery, but I like the idea of the empire waist shaping.
Another notable feature? Gone are the days of the emaciated, saggy-boobed (and bra-less) twig models. Some models are a little more average-sized which I am more compatible with as far as an idea for fit of a finished garment. I have nothing against thin models....my nickname was "beaner" or "stringbean" when I was 20. I haven't heard anyone say that to me in years, for valid reason...it no longer applies. My favorite Facebook flair button is "I don't skinny dip, I chunky dunk", but I digress. In other news, I finished 1 sleeve for the Hippy Chic Tunic. 1 more to go and we have that one off the books! I also let a little swatch of Takhi Cotton Classic in stash get a bit out of hand a few weeks ago and it became part of the Lace and Cables sweater from Summer Vogue 2008. Like I need another WIP. *hangs head in shame*.
The other reason for my guilt? I joined the Ravelympics 2008. It coincides with the Bejing Summer Olympic Games. This is not the Yarn Harlot's Knitting Olympics--that one is only associated with the Winter Olympics so that one will come in 2010. I did successfully complete a sweater for the 2006 games and won me a gold metal.

This is my gold medal sweater from 2006. It was a simple, stockinette seamless pullover with a front placket. Being I was only knitting for since Nov 2004, completing a wearable sweater in 16 days was a challenge. I won't lie and say my wrists didn't kill me when it was over, but knitting injury or not, I got my medal. I am extremely competitive with myself and my unrealistic goals.

Here is where I become certifiably insane. My "challenge" for this year is "Silver Belle" by Debbie Bliss from the cover of Vogues 25th Anniversary edition. I wanted to knit this the very second I saw it, but I also envisioned my version with 3 buttons and longer. I would also change the collar. I am not alone in my thoughts because most of the mods I've seen are Ravelry are just that. I purchased some Filatura 501 last year for the sweater so it has been in stash waiting for it's time in the limelight and, hopefully, on the medal stand. Have a lost my mind? I wanted to do something cabled and definitely a sweater, but man I bit off a lot here. The Olympics begin in just 9 short days. You can watch the festivities on Ravelry as well under the Ravelympics group. Wish me luck. I'll give you as many updates as I can but I will need all the knitting time I can get to finish this sucker in 17 days.

I am going to go breathe into a paper sack now.