I hope everybody had a terrific Halloween. It was raining here 😦 but we still received some trick or treaters and decorated the house with spooky style.
Muffy, my socks are itchy!
This year, Kitty dressed up as a dashing 80s preppy boy and wore a hand-knit sweater vest that his Gramma knit for him (thanks Mum!!) His argyle sweater vest was completed with a prep school sew-on crest (from 1987, of course).
You can get the free knitting pattern here from knottygnome crafts. Now, if you look carefully at the sweater, you can see something special about the Argyle pattern.
It looks slightly askew compared to the regular diamond pattern of argyle, yes? No! Look closely. They are fish!! And, because they are knit in gold yarn, they are goldfish! I KNOW! I died. Then I came back to life and died again. 😉
Where is my polo shirt?? Maybe I’ll rough it this weekend in my khakis and madras.
Anybody have The Official Preppy Handbook from 1980 and did you follow any of the ‘rules’, however satirical they may have been? Come on, you can tell us! For those of you still preppy, the author has a newer book out: True Prep: It’s a Whole New Old World, 2010.
-New Feature on the Blog-
I have recently added three new sections to the blog! At the top menu, there is a drop down menu labelled FREE PATTERNS/BOOKS/RESOURCES. 
The first section, Websites with Free Sewing Patterns, has a number of websites that contain a variety of free sewing patterns.
The second section, Free Sewing Patterns, is a compilation of free patterns of varying styles and difficulties that range from couture to casual.
And the third section, Free Sewing Resources (Classes, Tutorials, Books -vintage & new), contains downloadable books, both vintage and new, resources, classes, pdfs, videos, etc. that cover everything from needle selection to couture sewing techniques.
I will be updating these sections on an ongoing basis, so check back periodically to see what’s new!
If you have a free sewing pattern or resource that you would like added to the site, please feel free to leave a link in the comments section.
photo credits: Brighterman, The Official Preppy Handbook
Gjeometry 
Oh my god, kitty looks so dashing in his sweater vest!! I love it. And the fact that there are goldfish on it makes it 1000 times more amazing.
Doesn’t he?? He has a fairly extensive wardrobe, true, but this particular item really shines on him! Must be the goldfish.
Kitty’s little sweater is amazing! Sounds like you had a fun Halloween 🙂
My mum did such a great job on the sweater. Halloween was fun, it’s one of my favourite holidays. Do wish it hadn’t rained though….
It’s one of my favourites too – and it’s always a bit disappointing when it rains that night, but at least it can add dramatic effect if you’re staying in with some scary films! 🙂
Kitty is adorable! Lovethe sweater! Preppy Handbook – I remember all the different phrases for throwing up(technicolor yawn) as well as the numerous ways to say fart (trouser cough being one of them) . Why remember this ? Who knows
Why remember this? Ummm, because it’s AWESOME!!! LOL. Thanks for sharing these. Life can’t all be politics and religion. A smile goes a long way some days.
Wow! Thanks for pulling all those resources together!! That’s a huge project! I
Kitty does preppy with style…Sloane Rangers never looked so good!
You are most welcome my dear! I hope you enjoy and get some good use out of them. It was a big project, but as you probably know by now, I do enjoy immersing myself in some research and compilation work. It’s like therapy. 🙂 Oooh, Sloanie should have also adopted a hat for the photo-shoot.
WOW you and Kitty have been a busy little bees! The sweater is adorable on Kitty and I think the final shot says it all – being the world’s top Cat model really takes its toll on you. Or is he trying to nibble some of those tasty goldfish?
The new sections of your website must have taken ages to organise but look like very useful resources for the sewing enthusiast at all levels – thanks!
i’m glad you had a fun Halloween – it was weirdly very warm in the UK this year which made things extra fun for trick or treaters.
I’m happy you are finding the resources useful, I tried to put something for everyone, in terms of style and skill level. We have been busy, although my mum knit the sweater as I don’t knit. “World’s Top Cat Model”. Uh oh. Now, you’ve given him more fuel to his ego fire….
Thanks for the resources page. And it is so funny to see animals dressed up but I cannot help thinking he is not very happy. I used to humiliate my kids when they were small with funny outfits (how we laughed) but when they could talk they told me off.
You are welcome for the resources! I hope to be updating frequently as new patterns / websites are released. The goal is so not to humiliate Kitty. He’s in a sweater, after all, not a 3 headed cobra costume. He has several of them that my mum has knit. It gets really cold here, down to -40 degrees C some nights and the power goes off periodically. The sweaters definitely come in handy. Last year, it was down to 5 degrees C in the house during a power outage and he had to layer up 2 sweaters. He was definitely happier.
Aw poor little guy!
Kitty is really stylin’! Love the little mini logo too! Have to check out all the new features on your blog too…quite interesting!
Kitty KNOWS how to work it, without even trying. I couldn’t believe that sew on crest was not only the right shape and size (!!) but also from 1987, right era. Sometimes, it just works! I hope you get a chance to browse the new resources pages. Let me know if there is something you would like added.
I was just wondering earlier if Kitty dressed up for Halloween this year – he certainly did not disappoint! That sweater is awesome, and Kitty must be the most awesome cat out there to be willing to play dress up 🙂 I am having serious yearnings for a cat at the moment…
Kitty would NEVER disappoint on Halloween! He doesn’t mind sweaters and jackets at all. In fact, he wore the sweater all day, sleeping on the bed / couch, etc. as soon as I took it off, he marched over and slept on the heat vent. Not as comfy, but warmer since I had removed his outer-layer. Oh, and you know, no peer pressure, but GET A CAT….GET A CAT!!!! 🙂
I had the preppy handbook- I so wanted to be litle everyone else! I layered and layered.
Uh huh! I totally pegged you for a prep handbook girl. Please tell me you layered up a sweater tied jauntily around your neck. And that it was pistachio and pink. Please! And, then post pics.
Lol – definitely think its time to start the trending “sweaters tied jauntily around the neck”!
Oooh, now I really want to get Kitty a sweater with little sleeves so I can tie it around his neck.
what a great halloween costume. Kitty looks so cute & preppy!! Poor boy really worked the runway fashion photo shot & no wonder he was sooo tired. Love the halloween decorations.
Kitty makes a dashing prep school boy. I can’t believe we found that crest, so perfect! He napped there for quite some time before gracing us with his presence.
Gah!! I love Kitty’s costume!!
I shall let my mum know! Funny thing is, I selected the colours for it, figuring gold and blue are pretty standard prep school boy colours. And had NO idea the argyle pattern was actually triangular shaped fish (gold fish in our case!) till after it was sewn. Happy surprise.
Your resources links are awesome! I will be checking those out.
I believe Vito is jealous of Kitty’s new duds. He’s requested one in blue with porkchops in place of the fish.
Oh, thanks Shannon, I hope you find a lot of useful info in the resources! Don’t forget you can bookmark and return as I hope to update when new items are released. I shall pu in the request now to my mum: “blue sweater vest with brown porkchop argyle pattern”. Check!
Haha! I love the kitty sweater! Also looking forward to looking at the links you’ve accumulated
It’s hard not love an argyle sweater with goldfish on it, amirite? Feel free to browse the link at your leisure and hope you find something that you can use!
I’ve missed your posts! Glad to see you’re still out and about (way more than I am, that’s for sure!) 🙂 That is a VERY dapper Kitty. So squee-tastic!
Also, definitely going to fall down the rabbit hole of those free patterns/resources. See you next year, ha!
D’awww. I’ve missed posting them. At least only a month and a half went by this time between posts and not a few months. Funny thing is, lately, I have been reading more and more that people are losing their sewing mojo and / or just not blogging as often or at all. Not sure what this is all about. Some sort of cosmic, anti-sewing/blogging cloud passing over? Oh, and tumble away down the rabbit hole of resources. I tried to select ones that not only would appeal to a wide audience but that had a bit more to them and gave some sort of originality and challenge.
Kitty is too, too cute! Does he need a feline American girlfriend with whom to share his preppie vest?
Aw, thanks! I think he’s pretty cute, but then I’m likely a tad biased. Hey, Trip can always use a Muffy from every country. Kitty’s gramma can knit her a pistachio and pink argyle sweater vest, with matching madras ribbon. Of course.
Hi Cathia how are you It’s Natallie your Teacher just touching base with you, glad to see that you are doing your Craft still , I am very Proud of you and Kitty’s works lol keep it up my girl!👍❤️
Hi Natallie, so nice to hear from you!! I am going to be calling the Community Centre tomorrow to see when sewing is scheduled. I hope it is on an evening that I can attend. Thanks so much for dropping by and I’m so humbled that I have made you proud. (Kitty, less humble…. 🙂 )
Kitty is really beyond adorable. That last photo makes me all melty.
I know, imagine the last photo live and direct! I just wanted to scoop him up like ice cream.
I’ve never seen a cat so dapper as kitty in his sweater. You all are the best!
Thanks Rach! Kitty wears the preppy look well. He really should have been born in the 80s.
Your mom did a wonderful job on Kitty’s preppy sweater! I love the goldfish pattern. Now I’m gonna check out your new fab features 😀
Didn’t she? I selected the colours, but the knitting was all her doing. Please do check out the new resources features. If you have any suggestions, etc. don’t hesitate to let me know, as well!
A while back I made a pin board with free online sewing books, it’s over here http://www.pinterest.com/snowylion/books-on-sewing/ I haven’t checked if they are still available though.
Oh, thanks Elise! I will check it out and add the working ones to my blog page.
Kitty looks a little dazed in some of those photos — a lot like some of the preppy frat boys I knew in college!
Hahahahaha! That’s funny! Well, that’s Kitty’s “really Muffy? Madras with a blazer??” look.
I love Kitty’s new sweater!! The fish are the perfect touch! Ha, I’ve never heard of the Preppy Handbook until moving to NYC and the crowd I was hanging with when I first moved here had it and love it and I’m sure at least one of the ladies took it rather seriously.
LOL. When I was doing some research to get some photos, quotes, etc. I stumbled across preppy forums (seriously) where folks were saying that they used The Handbook as their Bible and lived strictly by every rule and recommendation. Hey, if it makes you happy…..
BAHAHAHAHA! I love it! Goldfish argyle. That’s the cat’s meow. 😀
“Cat’s meow” HA, love it! Kitty exudes a certain gentlemanly charm as a preppy, doesn’t he?
Kisses and cuddles to Kitty. He looks smashing in the new sweater and bow – my fur kids would have a hissy fit if I tried to dress them. But then it doesn’t get too cold here in NZ; after reading your comments I now understand why Kitty is so accommodating.
I think it’s also cat personality whether they will wear a sweater or not, my old cat was not a fan. Interestingly, she also did not shiver the way Kitty does, in the cold. And, keep in mind, he’s also a swimmer, so a sweater is child’s play to him! https://gjeometry.com/2013/07/13/the-elusive-sun-shines-to-the-beach-posthaste/ I think both Kitty and I would love NZ, not only due to the great weather but because of the terrific friends I’ve met online!
Oh my goodness your kitty is one tolerant feline! Love the little sweater with the argyle goldfish pattern. Clever!!!
And on the subject of sweaters, I have the same tiny orange and black sweater too. I dressed up one of my pumpkins in it last week. What a fun coincidence to see that here.
You’ve really branched out from beginning seamstress to a resource for free patterns. You’re amazing.
Thanks for the smiles.
He is pretty awesome, that cat of mine. He also hates the cold, shivers rather violently, so sweater-wearing in the winter, is old hat to him. He should probably over-winter in California with you and your kitties! I actually bought that tiny jack-o-lantern sweater for Kitty, one Halloween, but it was really too small for him. If you know anybody that sews regularly, do direct them to the free resources section of the site! Share and share alike. 🙂
Oh that poor kitty. I guess nature was not prepared for kitties life in the cold, Canadian weather. I’m glad he’ll wear a sweater. Does he have a heated bed as well?
I will be happy to share your sewing site with others.
awww Kitty is so adorable in his sweater! I love it! I want a preppie goldfish sweater just like it in my size!
Actually, I think a person-sized sweater in this pattern would be cool. The goldfish would make the argyle pattern more funky than preppy. Ooooh, you could also knit one for Wensley and have matching outfits!
Too bad I can’t knit! Otherwise, I probably would make one in my size.
Well, holy snap Catja. I always seem to be loads behind the 8 ball and catching up very late again. Halloween seems ions ago but I still admired your decor and outfit. The barrel of eyeballs is a riot and I was loving your socks. They look like those yummy candies.
I’ve Pinned preppy Kitty too. Your mom has outdone herself with the awesome goldfish! You make me laugh, “died, came back to life, died again”, HA! Crack me up 😀 That made me think of that show, ‘Pushing Daisies’ (which I think I’ve mentioned a million times and I’m still very upset they cancelled). Of course I’m fancying the aqua-liciousness (I can’t believe spell check is ignoring that one) of the whole frock. Certainly the cute crest makes it all very official ❤ ❤ Kitty, you are a wonder and delight. Currently running out (into the rain) but will comeback to check out all the new links. What a great idea to share your on-line fabric haunts and connections with us, thanks so much.
I've really been missing you my dear, ta ta for now xoxo K
Helllooo Boomdee!! So nice to hear from you. Kitty is honoured to be pinned, once again, although not surprised, so he tells me. 🙂 I really didn’t notice that the argyle pattern was goldfish until I looked carefully. So brilliant! Kitty and I knew you’d love the colour. I remember that show Pushing Daisies!! It was a while ago, but I did see quite a few episodes. I hope you find some useful resources in the Free Links section. Ciao! xoxo