Daisy Crochet Afghan, Mail Order Pattern Design 711

As far as afghans go .... this one is fun.    It's fun to look at and I have no doubt that it is equally (perhaps even more so), fun crochet.     It measures 46 x 60 inches and is made up of 176 daisy medallions that are 4 1/2 inches from point to point.       It's one of the mail order patterns, Design 711.

The fun part has to be making these sweet daisies.  Make them on the couch or in the car.   You could even go overboard and take them out to dinner and work them between courses.   You know how addictive they would become.    In no time at all, you'd be making afghans for everyone ... even those you have already gifted with an afghan.     Okay, so maybe that is a stretch ... but, that is what I would be doing.

As a surprise, the previous owner of this pattern stapled the original mail order ad from the newspaper.   Given us that little bit of history was indeed very sweet and something I wish all of you readers do ... attach a little history to your patterns.  (hint, hint ... a picture would be nice!)

Just 50 cents, plus first class postage, back in December of 1968.    I bet they sold plenty of them.  

I've listed this pattern, Mail Order 711, in PDF format in my shop, should you be interested.   There are, of course, dozens and dozens of other Crochet Afghan Patterns,  

Thanks for dropping by, 

Lorrie 

Simple Crochet Jacket Pattern with Trim Options

You know how old magazines patterns are ... it starts on page 27, another bit on 32, then back to 87 and on to 114.   Well, this is one of those patterns.   It took a fair amount of time to reformat and put together, but I think it has enough fun potential to make it well worth the effort.

It starts with a simple crochet jacket, with below elbow sleeves, in an easy pattern stitch alternating between single and double crochets.

All by itself, it is a great cover-up, worn as a jacket or a cardigan.    A pattern that one might just want to crochet to become a wardrobe staple.   But, I've heard, there are those that like to add a bit of whimsy to their wardrobe.   And this pattern offers several suggestions ... 6 to be exact.

And, of course, pattern instructions to create each of the individual embellishments are included.   (Versus some patterns that show you some interesting ideas and then leave you unattended to figure it out !).    I particularly like the tassels around the neckline for an interesting collar effect.

I've listed this one in my shop.   There are of course, dozens and dozens of other crochet jacket patterns in my shop as well.

Thanks for dropping by,

Crochet Doll Dresses, Crinoline Sweetheart, No 65-D

In my collection of Doll Patterns is this Crochet pamphlet from Lily.   It is Lilly Doll Leaflet No 65-D to be exact.   It's a 4 page fold-cover leaflet and gives us two marvelous crochet dresses for the 7 1/2 inch doll ... a rather standard size for when this book was issued - 1951.   The leaflet contains just two patterns.

Crinoline Sweetheart 

Strolling Down The Avenue

Both the twirly southern belle style dresses have matching hats and instructions to make fabric panties and slips.  Two perfect ensembles for the girly girl to dress her dolls.  

Although this is officially Lily Doll Leaflet No 65-D, I don't think that means that Lily graced us with 64 earlier Doll books.   Just that this is the 65th leaflet that Lily issued and just happened to be Doll patterns.   

These old patterns are timeless; little girls today will love them just as they did back in 1951.   The only challenge (beyond the crochet skills, of course) is finding the 7 1/2 inch doll.      I've scanned this to PDF format and listed it in my shop - Lily Doll Leaflet No 65-D.    

So, which is your favorite ?    Thanks for dropping by, 

Baby Knit Crochet, Coats Clarks Book 200

Coats & Clarks pattern books, in comparison to, say, Columbia Minerva Baby Books, is on the small side.  But, we certainly can't hold that against them, at least in this little booklet - Knit and Crochet for Babies.   Although there are not a lot of patterns, there are some real charmers here.

 Coats & Clarks, Book No 200

 B-759 :  Crocheted sailor suit, complete with cap

B-760 : Crochet Cross Stitch Dress - sized 6 to 18 months.

B-761 - Crochet Sacque, Bonnet and Bootees for infants.  This is shown in color on the back page. 

B-762 - Crochet Soaker Pants on the left and knit on the left. 

B-764 - Crochet Surplice Jacket for those 6 to 18 months.

B-767 - Baby (6 to 18 months) Knit Ruffled Neck Dress

B-768 - Knit Two-Color Sacque and Cap, sized 12 to 18 months

B-769 Knit Bunting and Cap - One Size

B-770 - Knit Lace Shawl measures 58 inches square.   The only item not for baby, but so very nice.  

And, the back cover, detailing a couple of the items in color.  

I think that perhaps the smaller books have a lot going for them.   The biggest point being their are no so many patterns that it becomes overwhelming.   A couple of these .. well ... the soakers, no longer an essential to pair of with the cloth diaper (for most), but we should still consider them for their accessory value!   AND, as for that knit ruffled neck dress; I don't see how they could get much cuter than this.

I don't have this book available.  I'm not able to scan this book to PDF for my shop as the copyright is 1970, making it NOT IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.  But, if you see something here that is a must have for a favorite baby, a Google search should uncover a couple.     I do, of course, have alot of other baby crochet and knit patterns in my shop, should you care to browse.  

Thanks for dropping by, 

Lorrie  

Snowflake Doily, Free Tatting Pattern

This pretty little snowflake a tatting motif.   Take the pattern and make them up to your heart content.  Then, put them together to form doilies, chair sets .... whatever you desires (within reason, of course).   This delicacy is from the October 1953 issue of The Workbasket.

I hope someone will put it to use !

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

Crocheted Pinwheel Potholder, Free Pattern

Straight our of the October, 1953 issue of The Workbasket, page 14 to be exact, is a pattern for a this Pinwheel Panholder.

It's not really that large, just 7 inches in diameter, but big enough certain, to handle your pans.  Make it up with mercerized bedspread cotton and a size 8 crochet hook.  Well, here, instead of telling you about it, let me just give you the pattern.

(If you want to print, just click to enlarge and then copy/paste to a document on your hard drive).   

There are a number of other free crochet patterns in the shop, if you'd care to browse.   

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

Mens Sweater Knitting Pattern, Vintage 1930s

Some patterns are special because they are ... well special.   Others become even 'more special' because of their story.   Like this pattern - No 5005.  It is a mail order pattern, but not the typical Design Mail Order pattern.    Check out this story line .... 1937 style ....

(Hope you can read it!)   This sure beats the old Anne Adams and Laura Brooks advertisements.   The pattern itself is quite a bit different as well.    It writes out the materials, scale and pattern stitch as typical, however, the actual pattern details (sleeve, body, neck), are charted out on graph paper.  For example, it shows a drawing with the sleeve on a graph with the pattern within it.  

Notice how short it is .... a mens crop sweater !

The pattern was quite fragile, so I carefully scanned it into a word document, formatted to a larger, easier to read style (not changing any of the words) and then transferred to PDF (including a copy of the advertisement) .   These old patterns deserve restoring.    I've listed this one in my shop should you like to copy of your own.

Thanks for dropping by,

Crochet Dresses, Dolls of the Americas, Book 284

I've looked through this book at least a dozen times.   It reminds me of the hours that I spent playing with my dolls ... way back in the 1960s  (okay, it is a faint memory).   How I would have loved to have had dresses like the ones presented in the 1952 issue of Dolls of the Americas by Coats & Clarks.     Not only are the individual patterns deliciious, the presentation is guaranteed to bring a smile.  Here, let me show you.

 Our cover is Miss New Orleans.   Even with the apron, this outfit is a must have for all southern belle's.

 The swirl of Gypsy Girl's skirt is splendid.  And, don't miss the arm ruffles and hat on Miss Rio!

Here our girls have petticoats.   Don't miss the little shores on Miss Seventeen. 

Wonderfully full circle skirts !   Just envision the twirling about to happen.

 

Did you notice the little flowers on Panama Hattie dress, or the little ribbon details on both?

 This doll is smaller than the others, and her whirly girls party dress makes her a perfect little sister to the others.

 And here, Prairie Rose, visits the desert in her sundress and bonnet.  (Don't miss those tiny shoes and exaggerated bodice).  Do you suppose the horseman in the background is about to lasso her?

The patterns are designed for dolls in either the 8 or 11 inch size (one or the other; not both)     All the patterns are crochet and made using J&P Coats and Clarks O.N.T. Threads.

So, do you think that Mothers' crocheted these dresses for their girls' dolls?   Or, were these strictly show pieces in that time period?    I'm thinking that one of you might like to stitch these up for your girls (alter slightly for Barbie) dolls.   One or two of these dresses, and she'll create memories that will never go away.     I've listed this book in PDF format in my shop.   

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie