Aran Knitting Patterns

One of the most viewed items in my shop is an Aran Knitting Pattern.   Interestingly enough, it is also a pattern that does not often sell.  I can absolutely understand why on both counts.

Knitted Aran Afghan & Pillows

This is indeed a fabulous design,  Patterns containing the 'Aran' name will contain any number of different stitches - cables, moss, honeycomb, braid, diamonds, etc.   It is made in panels that are stitched together.  They do not bear fringe or pompoms as they would just be too much.   But, what does this mean ... well ... it's a fair amount of detail work with an over changing pattern stitch.    I have heard some say that it is a good beginner to intermediate pattern though, in that is gives one practice on may different stitches.  

Aran Pullover 

This lovely Aran is on the 'simpler' side - featuring diamonds and seed stitch.  The entire design concept is reported to date back to the early 1900s in Ireland with the knitting of sweaters.

Aran Mini Dress

And this Mother / Daughter Dress is a beauty.  

Socks

And hundreds of variations of socks, I'm sure.  

The complexity of design, texture, dimension will continue to be a draw for knitters forever, I'm sure.  There are a number of other Aran designs in the shop, should you care to browse further.    I'm sure there will be many more in the three dresser drawers of patterns I've yet to complete.

Thanks for dropping by. 

Butterflies in Crochet, Coats Clarks Book 272

There probably has never been a time that butterflies were not a favored motif for crochet.  They are bright and colorful and just the sight, be it the real thing, or portrayed in art, gives us that feel of long summer days and pretty flowers.    No wonder that butterflies have also remained a popular motif in crochet.

Way back in 1951 - 62 years ago - Coats & Clark put out a book celebrating Butterflies in Crochet.    Now, there were certainly no groundbreaking design ideas, but each of their butterflies are attractive motifs' with plenty uses.  Let me show you.

Book 272 - Butterflies in Crochet 

The front cover gives real life examples of some of the butterflies portrayed in the pattern book 

Hat and Gloves S-36 :  Here we have big butterflies stitched to a fabric cloche and the matching 

motif built into a pair of crochet mesh gloves.   This set is pure fun.  

Butterfly Handkercheifs S-44 :  Three pretty butterflies and edgings to stitch to handkerchiefs,

 or items of your choice. 

Butterfly Blouse S-34 :  Just a bit misleading, this pattern includes instructions for one butterfly that can be made to a variety of items and stitched to a blouse, as they suggest, or to anything you might like. 

This pattern is available in my shop as a Free Download. 

S-37 Butterfly Runner.  The pattern includes both a large and a small butterfly motif 

for stitching to runners (or items of your choice). 

S-65 Butterfly Luncheon Cloth:  Another attractive motif for stitch to cloths - in this case a 

pretty pink luncheon cloth. 

S-43 Butterfly Luncheon Set :  A loose butterfly design is attached as edging to place, 

bread and butter and glass mats.  

Night Table Doily S-55 :  This 15 inch square Night Table Doily is mesh with 

a raised butterfly motif. 

Bedspread Ensemble S-66 :  This is an inspiration pattern picture.  Make up the different butterfly motifs in the book and attach bedspreads, curtains, lamp shades in a colorful array. 

Luncheon Set S-61 :  In three sizes, using this mesh mats with butterfly edge

as luncheon mats or doilies.  

And, there you go.  These 9 patterns constitute the book.   I think there is a nice assortment in here.  Although I'm not sure about putting these on blouses, I would image there would be many a person, especially young girls, that would love the butterfly gloves and hat, and I certainly wouldn't mind the runner cloth myself.   You - do you have a favorite ?  

I reworked this book into sharp clean individual patterns, which I have listed in my shop, should you be interested.  The links are below the pictures.     I hope you enjoyed the book review. 

Thanks for dropping by,  

Knit Sweater Patterns, Mens Book, Columbia Minerva 734

This particular pattern book, Columbia Minerva - Volume 734, is one of those rare pieces that was issued with patterns for men only.   It contains solely knitted sweaters being modeled by an assortment of men that range from quite cute to downright handsome.    In case you are interested in seeing a range of mens' sweater patterns, or viewing handsome men, let me show you both.

Mens Book - Columbia Minerva - Volume 734

features three of the patterns in the book.   I was unable to rescue the patterns for two of the sweaters (the same person who drew on their facial hair scribbled all over those pages), but the third pattern - 

734-1:  A nicely ribbed sweater featuring three color bands across the chest and raglan sleeves.  

These two, apparently distracted, dapper young men have chosen for todays' wardrobe: 

734-3 (on right) a round neck vest with cables.

734-4 (on left) a v-neck with light ribbing at openings has that soft, you know you want to touch it, look. 

Two more pullover vests and two more handsome young men. 

734-5 (on left) with v-neck and cables down the front sides. 

734-6 (on right) with wide ribbing and a winter motif on the chest. 

This dignified gentlemen is modeling 734-7 - a buttoned down sweater vest with a rather unique half 

diamond band along the bottom. 

Here we have a smiling pair of gents, obviously in the throws of celebration. 

Our trophy holder, is wearing 734-8 - a sleeveless buttoned vest with short v-neck and one patch pocket, whereas our friend on the left has a buttoned cardigan sweater with dual pockets and waffled pattern stitch.  

Hello Handsome.  You are looking great in the Minerva 734-10 Allover Ribbed Cardigan, with front banding and pockets. 

And, equally as great, is Mr. Handsome's possible brother, sporting a deeply zipper cardigan sweater  (734-11) with a front zipper versus the usual buttons.  

The only pattern in the book that features a woman, who not only is in the accompany of a charming young man, but sporting matching (734-12&13) His and Her Pullover Sweaters. 

No 734-14, a sporty long sleeved sweater is sporty and light spirited.  

I turned the page to this smiling young man, and was immediately charmed.   How Tom Hanks in Big!  The shirt (734-15) is also nice - elbow length sleeves, front button closure and small diagonal pattern stitch. 

No 734-16 is an aristocratic choice with it's ribbing, long sleeves and color bands.  Perfect for the young, and no-so-young.  

Here is the adorable Smiling Man from above, this time wearing a straight forward cable sweater (No 734-17)  with just a bit of color contrast at the neck and cuffs. 

This sharp and intriguing young man is wearing an equally so sweater, (734-18) a knit raglan with a two tone half diamond motif at the hemline and sleeve ends. 

Here we have a studious clean-cut chap in 734-20, a mans raglan sweater with a checked tweed on the front and contrast solids on the back and sleeves.  

This sweetheart is wearing 734-21, a sweater design a bit different that has crossed bands that run across the shoulders and down the sides and arms.  

These rugged sportsman each have sweater No 734-22.  A solid, loose fitting design with bands down the front and contrast ribbing.  It also gives the wearer the choice of collar in or out.  

And, as usual, the front page is the same as the back page. 

Again, these designs are vintage 1960s.   Most would make perfect choices for todays wear.  The only issue, that the 50 years has going is the length.  Most styles of the 2010's, at least currently, are longer in design.  Which means, the talented knit artist would need to add rows of length. 

So, what do you think.   Charming men -- yes ???   Interesting patterns -- some, I'd say.   These patterns are listed separately in my shop, just following the respective links below the pictures, should you be interested.

Thanks for dropping by for my picture show, 

Lorrie  

Crochet a Pineapple Jacket

I recently purchased a whole lot of Design Mail Order patterns and had a great time going through them.  They came from an estate and although I did not know the owner, I quickly learned one thing about her -- she loved to crochet, and in particular, items with the Pineapple motif.    There are doilies and cloths, of course, but there are also some more unusual finds.   Like these two - pineapple jackets.

Mail Order Design 538 - Here we have hip length, gently scalloped edges, single button/loop closure at the neck and then .... lovely pineapples sloping all the way across the raglan shoulders, down the sleeves to the wrists.  

Mail Order Design 974 - This one gives us a stand-up collar, the button/loop neck closure, the gentle scallops at the sleeve ends and bottom, again raglan sleeves, and then .... dual panels of pineapples down the front, across the shoulders and around the bottom of the sleeves. 

Mail Order Design 892 - This is a three quarter sleeve delight with an implied pineapple yoke and band down the front - quite elegant.

These are design patterns, which were mail ordered through newspapers (Laura Wheeler and Alice Brooks) fom the 1930s into the 1970s.   One of the selling features of the design patterns were their range of sizes.   Both of these patterns are misses / womens sized from a bust of 32 to 46.  

These patterns are intermediate; but, if you have the skills, and the love of pineapples, they are designs that you'd wear for years.   

I'm hoping to get one of two of these Design patterns done each day, and will be sharing more with you soon. 

Thanks for dropping by.

Lorrie