Once monthly on Meta-Talon, we celebrate Throwback Thursday by highlighting the classic and the kitsch in nostalgiac bursts of bibliophilia.

In 1975, Talonbooks published The Evelyn Roth Recycling Book, featuring Vancouver personality Evelyn Roth and her recycled, knitted artwork. In a recent installment of Throwback Thursday on Meta-Talon, we saw Roth on the cover of the 1975 Talonbooks catalogue wearing an outfit made of videotape, standing next to her station wagon, which is covered in a car cosy also made from videotape.

Given the resurgence of crafting and the DIY mentality in recent years, we felt it was time this book saw the light of day again. Below are select pages from the book, showcasing Roth’s incredible and delightfully kooky work.

Front cover of The Evelyn Roth Recycling Book.
Right-click on any image to see a larger version.

“Take to the woods” and make your own crocheting and knitting needles from sticks!

One sweater for the whole family!

Just what every elegant lady needs: an evening cape made from feather dusters

A “recycling bee”

The Evelyn Roth roller derby looks like it was fun times

The Evelyn Roth Recycling Book is now out of print but can still be purchased from the author’s website and is available in some used book stores.

But wait, there’s more!

Below are two CBC clips, “Arts ’74,” in which Roth discusses her recycling and crafting philosophies, collects materials for her artwork, and drives her cosy station wagon around town.

The full contents of The Evelyn Roth Recycling Book are shown in this profile video:

Roth is currently based in Australia and continues to make large and eye-catching recycled artwork. For more on Evelyn Roth and her work, see the Knitorious blog or visit Evelyn Roth’s website.