The Knitter and the Television, Somewhere, USA 1963
Pebbly-patterned wallpaper. A milk glass-trimmed floor lamp shaded with red-trimmed white ruffles. Above that, hanging on the wall, a hand carved mask fresh from the exotic import shop. And proudly placed on the corner bookshelf, flanked by portable radios, is a talking picture machine. The olive-grey, gold-framed tube says look at me. The giant knobs say turn me.
This is the 1963 version of Whistler’s Mother knitting. Her hair is as ruffled as the lamp shade and harmoniously color coordinated with the shelves, TV cabinet and butterscotch boucle-covered recliner. Her blue cheese print dress goes with the wallpaper. Does she realize she can knit and watch TV at the same time? Or eat and watch TV at the same time?
In 1954 the fine folks at Swanson introduced the TV Dinner. How convenient. What a concept. Just heat and serve – in front of the TV while watching your favorite dinner time shows which, by the way, are really just filler between commercials.
Here’s to knitting, Televisions, TV dinners and YOU!
Have you noticed that people dressed better in the old days? Here she is, relaxing at home yet dressed in a stylish frock with a velvet collar. No T-shirt and stretch pants for her!
I wonder what the 2006 version of this picture would be. Giant-screen TV, maybe ? I think the hair color would be the same.
What would Mr. Drysdale think if he knew what Ms. Hathaway was *really* doing when she called in “sick”?
Oh, I just love the lamp! My Mother had lampshades just like that – I always wanted to wear one as a skirt!
Thanks ever so much for brightening my weeks with these wonderful old slides! I love them all!
Those lamp shades are SHOCKING ! Didn’t everyone have those. We had the table top version. The white round dealies are known as milk glass. Supposedly very collectable now, because they don’t make it anymore. I should know because I broke one of my Moms.
Hey Charles can you imagine watching “I love Lucy” on that little gem of an RCA ! Don’t get me started on TV dinners. As a kid I would completely loose myself in the Salsbury Steak ! And the little apple puff desert corner block was amazing ! That stuff was kid crack !
nylasor, LOLOL… I think she’s trying to send Grandpa a message with that sexy pose of hers. I mean, look at that knee, her poise, that nonchalant attitude just knitting away. Naughty Granny, just plain ol’ naughty.
(k, am I in trouble now Charles?)
Speaking of TV dinners, I fondly remember the corn or some type of veggie spilling over on to the baked “dessert”…and those tater-tots…!
Strangely enough, this reminds me of a trailer park
filled only with mini Airstreams. Sparanettes? The use of space was like a haiku in mobile living. And yes, one always did look presentable, in case someone dropped by for coffee or a G&T!
I think it’s hysterical that the photographer didn’t even ask Mrs. Knitty to smile! I guess he didn’t want to break her concentration!
Did anyone notice the books in the top shelf of the
bookcase: look like Nancy Drew: yellow bindings?
As a 10th grader back then we all wore skirts
to school, capris and pants were for strictly casual
wear. Moms wore “housedresses” if they weren’t dressed
in a “going out of the house” dress.
Safety first, Mr. Charles!
What a curious opener, right? Isn’t that what you’re thinking? But you will soon see how I can be so inspired to urge us all toward better living through safety.
Our stalwart lady in her festive wrapper made me think, “Dear me, lovely lady! Look at all those menaces that surround you: TV, lamp, books, knitting needles! I’m practically petrified just looking at you spending your leisure time in a death trap!” I mean, really — that TV alone could topple a family of five! With these concerns in mind I turn once again to a helpful volume in _The Amy Vanderbilt Success Program For Women”_written by Joan O’Sullivan (1964). The particular volume is titled, _How to be Safe in Your Home_ and as such, we will begin at the beginning: words of wisdom about safety from Joan.
“There’s no place like home, no place at all. It’s probably just as well for statistics show home couldn’t be more hazardous had a commando band booby-trapped it. From attic to basement (if you live in a house) or from wall to wall (if you’re an apartment dweller), the average household presents more perils than Pauline faced in fifty cliff-hanging episodes.”
Yipes! I’m frightened already. But wait … there is more scaredy cat feelings lurking right around the corner … Let’s look at the chapter lovingly called “Stay Alive in the Living Room” and see what perils lurk for our lady. I think you might be surprised! A short list:
Fireplaces: “It would seem that children, young and old, like playing with fire. This is how people get burned.”
Where’s There’s Smoking: “If you smoke, watch you for fire. The wonderful weed may not be loaded but it’s potentially lethal. Unlit, it’s poisonous eaten. Lit, it can start a fire.”
The TV Set: “Sooner or later, a TV set blacks out, loses the picture, or lapses into total silence and black nothingness. When this moment comes, hands off unless you’re an expert. A TV is nothing to tinker with unless you really know your way around the tubes.”
The Can Floor You: Wall-to-wall carpeting has much to commend it [...] If it’s getting into a worn-to-worn state, though, you may be heading floorward. A spike heel caught in a carpet hole or tear is dangerous. Scatter rugs are something else again. They’re aptly named because nothing can scatter you — arms and legs going in all directions — so surely or swiftly.”
Table Talk: “The average table doesn’t pose much of a hazard to life and limb unless it’s weak-kneed or rickety and likely to collapse the instant you set a tray of refreshments, including a pot of hot coffee, atop it.”
Gosh even tables can be dangerous! Oh Knitter of the Mystery Item please be careful! That lamp is practically ready to jump in your lap. I’m so scared now I think I’ll just stay here on the couch (away from the rug and tables and the TV) and let my Mister bring me my necessities. Perhaps Fancy Knitter would like to join me!
xoxo!
Miss Sharon
Idle hands are the Devil’s workshop!
Looks almost like the set for a movie or TV show. I wonder if she watched Route 66 or The Andy Griffith show on her TV. It would be another year before The Man From UNCLE hit the airwaves.
Being an avid knitter and crocheter myself, I totally understand this lady’s concentration! I L*O*V*E this slide! I wish I lived there. Hey! Wait a minute! I DO live there!!!!
ok…I took a closer look at this slide. The red-head is knitting something in the round, possibly socks? Also, she has some sort of knitted cowl just inside the collar of her dress, probably to ward off the cold of winter. Like I previously said, I L*O*V*E this slide!