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Sunday, April 28, 2013

Pineapple Doily Crochet Patterns, Spool Cotton Book 230

The year was 1946 and the Spool Cotton Company, in the form of their book No 230, announced they had 14 New Pineapple Designs.

Vintage Pineapple Doilies Tablecloths Bedspread Patterns
 See - 'Featuring 14 New Pineapple Designs' right there on the cover. 

Vintage Pineapple Doily Pattern Book
Their claim is 'the Pineapple Motif is the most popular' design of all.   They might be right in this, however, I'm not sure.   I sell more 'non-pineapple designs' as pineapple, but suppose that is not an apples to apples comparison.    But, I do have to admit ... there are marvelous pineapples in this book.   

No 7770 A/B Runner and Vanity Set :  This pattern features a runner at 12 x 30 inches, with variations of this pattern to crochet a 12 x 17 inch doily, as well as a round doily at 12 inches in diameter.  


No 7768 Doily - Centerpiece - Tablecloth :  This pattern starts with an 8-1/2 inch Doily and builds to a 23 inch Centerpiece.  A layout chart is included if you'd like to keep going to make an entire tablecloth. 


No 7767 Doily - Luncheon Set - Tablecloth - Bedspread :  Like other patterns in the book, this set starts with a double pineapple motif that is made into a 12 x 14 night stand doily, a 12 x 35 inch runner, 14 x 15 inch luncheon mats, or perhaps a tablecloth or bedspread at 75 x 105 inches. 

Pineapple Doily :  This pretty piece at 15-1/2 inches has a 5-1/2 inch linen center. 




No 7772 Bread Basket Doily: Sized 6 x 13 inches and bound to make a pleasing performance in a basket near you. 


No 7776 Square Centerpiece; Square Tablecloth.   Both with ample pineapples, the doily measures 23 inches square and the cloth is 54 inches.


No 7650 Pineapple Set :  This pattern is a threesome; almost a pineapple overload.  The instructions include a 65 x 84 inch Cloth, a 90 x 108 bedspread and an 18 x 38 inch runner (not pictured).    These are heirlooms in the making.


No 7769 Six Pointed Doily.  Just medium in size at 14", but bold in design.


No 7777 Square Luncheon Set includes the center piece and place mat doilies and a round bread and butter doily.  All, of course, with a nice pineapple border.


No 7778 Doily has a small star surrounded by 8 pineapples and a just right amount of lace
with scalloped edges.


No 7775 Tablecloth :  This lovely cloth, made up of 180 4-1/2 inch motifs measures
54 x 68 inches when completed.


No 7779 Luncheon Set - This set includes doilies at 16, 12, 9 and 6 inches.  It will make a stunning luncheon set, or a variety of individual doilies to scatter through your home.


No 7774 Luncheon and Chair Set :  This is a pattern set to crochet both the (single) place mat and the chair set pictured.   Simple, yet quite attractive.



No 7771 Centerpiece - You just might recognize this beauty from the front cover.
 It measures 20 inches in diameter.

And, as usual, the back cover is the same as the front.   Now, remember the cover said 14 'New' Designs?   Well, there are over 14 base patterns here, not to mention the variations within the patterns.   I wonder which ones aren't new?  

It's a delightful book of pineapples.   For those true pineapple lovers, this one has the potential to keep them up at night trying to decide where to start.  The patterns are listed individually in my shop, just follow the links, should you be interested. 

Hope you enjoyed the photo journal.   Thanks for dropping by, 
Lorrie 












Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Knit Mittens Earmuff Pattern - What were they thinking?

This is going to be my last Modern Knitting Rant ... at least as related to the Spring 1949 issue.   This is the pattern in question - a knitted set - mittens and earmuffs.

Free Vintage Childs Mittens Crochet Pattern

The first issue - There is no stated size in the pattern; not even a hint in the pattern name (you know, mens, misses, childs).   Now, I assume they are intended for a child based on the pattern design and visual size.   Okay, so these companies will add 'fillers' here and there in their magazines, but would it be too much to expect a size range?

As for the mittens - the design is a braid that is stitched into place.   Ya right !   Gives these to almost any child and they are going to pull at those braided threads until they exist no more.

And, moving right along to my largest grievance - the earmuffs.  To make these, we are going to cut 48 strands that are two yards each and braid them together, folding over and securing the ends.  Then, we will roll up the ends to form the circular muff part and stitch together.  Done.   DONE???  How are these supposed to stay in place on the head ???  Usable as earmuffs - definitely not !!!

Modern Knitting -- what were you thinking?

Thanks for dropping by.
Lorrie

P.S.   I've listed this pattern in my shop as a FREE DOWNLOAD, in case you'd like to give them a try anyway.


Friday, April 12, 2013

Linen Doilies Crochet Patterns

Of the many different doilies, I think the linen doily is the most functional.    I have very little table or shelf space in my home for display, so everything has to have a plan.   Say, I'm going a flower vase one the sofa table, how could I do that on a doily like this.
Pineapple Doily Pattern, Mail Order Design 898
See, even the photographer of this Pineapple beauty knew that you couldn't cover up this beauty, and staged that tiny little vase over in the corner.   (What is it ... like 3 inches wide?).

But, a linen doily ... well yes.  A linen doily would work wonderfully under a large flower vase.

Mesh Edging Crochet Pattern for Linen Doily
Put the large base on the linen and no guilt complex about covering up the design.
Linen Doily with Ruffled Mesh Crochet Edging
Or put your flower pot on this one and if it drips and leave a little stain, no problem.   Just wash and put the same old plant right on it.

Well, you've probably got the point.  And, just in case you'd like to follow through on it, I have several listed in my shop as free downloads and a whole bunch more at the usual $3.00 charge, should you care to look. 

Thanks for dropping by,

Lorrie

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Knitted Crocheted Pattern Book WF1, New York World's Fair

This booklet, Knitted and Crocheted designs, as featured at the Better Living Center at the New York World's Fair was a special edition pattern booklet by American Threads (WF1) to commemorate ... yep, you guessed it .. the New York World's Fair.  This booklet, Original Dawn Yarn Designs was a promotion for that specific brand of their yarn. 

 This pattern book came out in the 1964/1965 time frame.  These are quite subdued to other American Thread books around this same time line.   There is truly not a pattern here that would not be desirable.

Let me show you. 


Irish Crochet Dress : "I went to the World's Fair and I saw - Cover Girl in White Evening Sheath.  The skirt is divided, the attention is not !"  The shell is sized S-M-L; the skirt is one size.   Iridescent sequins and small crystal beads further highlight the Irish crochet.  


Knitting Pattern Striped Pullovers with Boat Neck


  Gold and White :  "I went to the World's Fair and I saw - Striking pair with Midas Touch ... bold gold stripes mated with white call attention ... to his ... to hers".  Knitting pattern sized for were at 32, 34, 36 and for him at 40, 42, 44.

Knitted Chevron Striped Dress Pattern
"I went to the World's Fair and I saw -- Forecast of Things to Come .. a Chevron Knit Dress that scoops fashion with an impish neckline, hemline ... a debonair striped shell, with basic skirt, to whip up in the briefest of time capsules"  Both patterns are knitting and are sized S-M-L.

Crocheted Green Cardigan Pattern
Motif Sweater : "I went to the World's Fair and I saw - The Box .. crochet the motifs as you go.  Perfect for flights of fancy"  This Box Motif Sweater pattern is crochet and sized S-M-L.  

"I went to the World's Fair and I saw ... The pullover Authority .. newest pullovers made good travellers ... on helicopters or World's Fair Express".  The Opal and Antique Gold Sweater is knitted and sized 32, 34, 36.  The Coral and White Sweater is also knitted, but sized 34. 36, 38.

Coachmen Jacket Knitting Pattern, Small Shawl Collar

"I went to the World's Fair and I saw  -- Drop-Shouldered Coachman .. this perfect spectator gets the play of attention too for its classic beauty of line and color".   This Coachman Sweater calls for both knitting needles and a crochet hook.   It is sized S-M-L.    

Vintage Shell Crochet Patterns from Columbia Minerva

"I went to the World's Fair and I saw -- A Shell and Popovers .. pomponed, looped, and squared away to steal the show and make your day".   The Buff Shell, Looped Topper and the Square Topper are crochet, The Pom-Pon Popover requires both knitting and crochet.
Shell Patterns

"I went to the World's Fair and I saw -- Traveling Companions .. Big, bold stripes in her comfortable shift dress and cables in his casual pullover".  The Bold Stripe Sheath is knitted and sized 10, 12, 14 and 16.  The Man's Cable Raglan is also knitted and sized 40, 42 and 44.

Vintage Knit Striped Sheath Pattern Sleeveless

"I went to the World's Fair and I saw -- Two Fashion Noteworthies .. button-free and easy shaped cardigan ... smashingly striped drop-shouldered pullover".  The Cocoa and Tangerine Trimmed Cardigan is crochet.  The Striped Sweater is knitted.   Both are sized S-M-L.

Large Hook Crochet Jacket Vest Pattern

"I went to the World's Fair and I saw -- Capricious Cardigan .. turn the sleeves on or off -- it's a fashion coup either way you crochet it.  Why not have both?"  This bulky cardigan is crochet and sized S-M-L.

Short Knitted Evening Dress Pattern

"I went to the World's Fair and I Saw -- Turn About .. knit-easy, wear easy shift with decollete worn front or back, unbuttoned as low as you dare".  This dress is knitted and sized S, M, L.  Note:  If desired, dress may be worn with opening at back.

Knitted Striped Sweater in Three Colors
"I went to the World's Fair and I saw -- A Pink Lady ... with deepening interest, from the palest to the most forthright declaration of Star-bright color".   This Tri-Tone Cable Sweater is knitted and sized S-M-L.

This is the back cover and a replay of the marvelous Red "Stop-Light' Sheath.


This book was issued as a promotion to American Thread Brand Yarns.  This delightful lead-in was included on the first pages. 



One of the back pages gave us a handy reference to the different Dawn Yarns that are used in this book.

Hope you enjoyed this Fashion Show of the 1964 -  Latest in Knit and Crochet Wear.     In this particular time period, American Thread put out a number of pattern books that were, well, on the funky side.   This book, however, makes up for that with several quite elegant pieces.    

I have restored and reformatted these patterns to crisp, easy to follow, documents which are available in my shop - just follow the links below the pictures - should you be interested.

 Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Crocheted Flower Block Afghan, Mail Order Design 988

I received an email this morning from a  woman in Australia that has been looking for a specific mail order crochet pattern.   She'd been searching for some time as part of her pattern was destroyed and she really wanted to finish the in-progress piece..   

This is a quite nice, and VERY LARGE afghan.   Made up of 11 inch floral blocks, that are joined to make an afghan that measures 69 x 95 inches.   This is more than a afghan, is is a blanket.


It's a large block, measuring in at 13 inches, crocheted in four colors.

Here's one of the newspaper advertisements.  There are a couple variations, but each of the are basically the same, and consistently marketed by Laura Wheeler.

Anyway, I pulled it out the pending drawer and completed the scans, converted to word doc, reformatted, put into a PDF (whew!) and listed it in my store.   It needed done, and now it is !

Perhaps she'll send me a photo when she's done ... these design pictures are never that great. 

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Knit Stoles Pattern, Botanette Vol 1 from Botany Mills

This little pattern book from Botany is titled Botanette, Vol 1 - Hand Knit Stoles.   Why Botanette?  Well, this book is about 4 x 6 inches in size.  There concept was a booklet for women on the go.   Compact enough to tuck into your bag.     The booklet contains just 5, quite great, patterns; four knit and one crochet.

Their official write-up:   "Why not bring new glamour to your everyday and party dresses by teaming them with stoles -- elegant accessories, so popular with today's fashions ... so wonderful for heightening the effect of the figure .. so marvelous for accenting your face".

Let me show you.
Vintage Pattern Book for Knitted Stoles
BBM-100 Botany Lassie :  This pretty shawl is knit and then color strands are woven through, giving it an almost plaid affect.   


BBM-101 Commuter :  This knit piece is both functional and decorative.  Extra wide width keeps you warm down to your elbows, and those marvelous pockets are buttoned. 


BBM-102 Splendor is more than a suitable name for this lovely crocheted stole.   A lacy striped pattern stich with rounded, slightly scalloped edges. 


BBM-103 Charm :  This garment is vest like, with open sides and held with a belt.   It features patch pockets made extra fun with button adornment. 


BBM-104 Carmen :  This triangular shawl has a lovely pattern stitch and just the right amount of fringe all the way around.  

Woman Knitting Clip Art Picture
And, for just a bit of added Whimsy, we have this little sketch that went along with the booklet introduction.   And, to go along with the theme of traveling with a small, easy to carry booklet, our fiber artist is obviously knitting on a train or bus.

And, that is it.   Five patterns, all quite wonderful, in one little mini book.  I've reworked these patterns into PDF files, which are available in my shop should you be interested in giving one a travel.

Thanks for dropping by,

Monday, April 1, 2013

Big Bang Theory Afghan Pattern

Do you watch the Big Bang Theory?   It is one of Beau's favorite and he never misses a show, and has probably viewed the reruns several dozens times each.   I like the show as well, but my TV style is more of a listener, versus an actual watcher.  (Why ... well, because I spend so much time working on these patterns !).    But, let me get back into focus here!

Crocheted Granny Afghan from Big Bang Theory

The other night, Beau was watching one of the reruns when I happened to look up.  The scene was one where Amy Farrah Fowler and Sheldon are sitting on the couch in her apartment.   It was the afghan, really, that caught my eye.   "Stop", I said to Beau, "Back up and Pause".   I climbed up, got the camera, and he patiently moved forward and backward, pausing, upon request, until we had this picture.

It was the afghan that had caught my attention.   (I know, blurry picture -- pixels only expand so far).


I was sure I knew afghan ... um, well the pattern anyway.  So, I headed over to the shop and started browsing until I found it.  



Mystery solved; now I'll go back to work.  Thanks for dropping by.

Lorrie