For sale is a 1962 KNITTING FOR BARBIE TIN KIT & KNITTING NEEDLES from Mattel Miner Industries. The knitting canister depicts Barbie in several different 1960s fashion knitted wool outfits. The canister stands 10 1/2 inches tall and is inches in 4 1/4 inches diameter. The Barbie Knitting Kit concept was for the child to knit Barbie various winter clothes such as sweater, coat, or skirt. It would be much easier to knit Barbie clothing than a full size person. This canister is marked with a 1962 copyright date. A fun vintage Barbie collectible.
Barbie is a fashion doll manufactured by American toy company Mattel, Inc. and launched on March 9, 1959. Barbie has been an important part of the toy fashion doll market for over six decades and has been the subject of numerous controversies and lawsuits, often involving parodies of the doll and her lifestyle. The first Barbie doll wore a black-and-white zebra striped swimsuit and signature topknot ponytail, and was available as either a blonde or brunette. The doll was marketed as a “Teen-age Fashion Model”, with her clothes created by Mattel fashion designer Charlotte Johnson. The first Barbie dolls were manufactured in Japan, with their clothes hand-stitched by Japanese homeworkers. From 1959 until 1972, Barbies were made in Japan and have “Made in Japan” or “Japan” stamped on the bottom of their feet.
Barbie’s appearance has been changed many times, most notably in 1971 when the doll’s eyes were adjusted to look forwards rather than having the demure sideways glance of the original model.
