Beautiful Afghans Pattern Book 82, American Thread

I've been working quite steadily on mail order patterns and leaflets lately and felt like I needed a break ... something with pretty color pictures.   So, off to the stack of waiting pattern books, and out I came with Star Book No 82 - Beautiful, Beautiful Afghans.   It fits the bill perfectly ... pretty color pictures to look at.

This booklet is from American Thread, 15 pages in all, and takes us all the way back to 1951.  Do you remember 1951?   Top song of the year being Too Young by Nat King Cole and the top movie was Alice in Wonderland.   That year was before my time, but I certainly know the trivia and can admire the beauty of these vintage afghan patterns. 

The front cover features the Flower Afghan Pattern.  This afghan calls for 21 different colors for the 2-1/4" motifs .. what a wonderful way to use up your scraps. 

American Thread called the design on the left a Chevron Afghan.  My first thought would have been a Ripple, but either way, it's a nice three color piece that is easy enough for a beginner to take on. 

The Indian Stripe Afghan is crocheted in strips with the motif worked into the ends and finished with a lush fringe.

They are calling this piece Square Dance Afghan and Shawl.   At 62 x 62 inches, I think this afghan would be a most perfect picnic blanket.  Create just half the afghan and you'll have a bright and colorful shawl to drape across your shoulders.

This beauty, called Victorian Afghan,  has either a rose or a pansy motif cross-stitched onto each of the 14-1/2 inch square blocks.  A fair amount of work in the embroidery, but what a grand piece.

The Fan Afghan is made up of 5-1/2 inch blocks with a fan motif in three shades of blue in raised popcorn stitch, giving it great dimension and appeal.

This Two Tone Reversible Afghan is so easy to make that you probably shouldn't need a pattern.   But, just in case you do .....   This one has a nice fringe all the way around.   I think I'd copy off the Granny pattern above and make the fringe in two colors as well.

Charleston Garden, another floral display in 7-1/2 inch block motif graces the back cover.  

And that is it.   Nine afghan patterns, along with one shawl, in all.   They are all crocheted, and with the exception of the two that require additional embroidery, or cross stitch work, they are quite easy.

I've added these patterns to my shop, should anything interest you; the links are under the respective picture.    There are, of course, dozens and dozens of other crochet afghan patterns as well.

Thanks for dropping by, 

Mink Stoles Knitted in Mohair, Mail Order Designs

This afternoon I was working on Design Pattern 828, when I had another one of those 'I know that pattern' moment.   (Now, I've processed close to 2800 patterns for the shop, so, believe me, these moments are starting to happen more and more frequently).    The case at hand today is a knitted stole or capelet pattern.
A quick browse through the shop quickly identified the similiarities.

Now, each of these stole are the same knit / purl pattern stitch, knit in either knitting worsted or mohair, with the emphasis being on the mohair.  When knit in mohair, you are instructed to brush briskly to duplicate a mink look.   All are knit on big needles with two strands.

Mail Order Design 584 - A simple stole wrap.

Mail Order Design 828 - This capelet has the appearance of a loop closure - it's actually a hook and eye.

Mail Order Design 7112 - This design has a lovely fold over shawl collar. 

Now, this is quite a typical thing for designers to do.  Start with a base pattern and then make a change to the closure or the collar, or the length and there you go ... a new pattern.   

Okay, my "I know that pattern" moment is over ... back to work.  

Thanks for dropping by, 

Rose Filet Crochet Patterns

I believe the most popular of flower motifs for the Filet Crochet motifs is the Rose.   What do I base this on?  Well, the number of Rose Filet Crochet patterns I've processed so far for the shop.   Now, I'll say that pansies may be a distant second, followed by a number of generic flowers.   But, the Rose ... well, it is definitely number.

It was this particular pattern that got me thinking about this.   I picked up this pattern this morning for processing and said 'oh, another Rose design.  

Alice Brooks 7098, Filet Crochet Square joins together to form a most appealing cloth.  The Design pattern is vintage 1950. 

This larger than typical Rose motif chair set was released by National Needlecraft Bureau in the 1940s.   

Another Design pattern, Alice Brooks 7364 gives another version of the Rose.   This one a lovely center motif with columns of pineapple leaves down the edges.  

This Round Rose Cloth is vintage 1950s from Lily Mills.   Whether worked in 17, 19, or 22 inches, it remains absolutely lovely. 

The Rose Bouquet Place Mat comes to us, vintage 1950s, from the Spool Cotton Company.  Simple in it's design, but devine. 

Another Alice Brooks Design 7347, with a central rose motif and pineapples all the way around.   (Don't even get me started on the pineapples!) 

Do you suppose the heavy use of the rose is it's simplicity of design, or the way we associate the rose with romance and love, or the way the image can bring the bouquet of smell to our memory?    Or, perhaps it's just the Rose is the most favored flower.    What do you think? 

Now, there are more filet crochet rose selections, as well as many others, should you like to look further ... MORE FILET CROCHET.  

Thanks for dropping by, 

Lorrie  

Ripple Crochet Afghan Patterns

I had a note from a customer this morning asking for help locating a specific ripple afghan crochet pattern.   After searching a bit, I had to, unfortunately, respond that I didn't have (at least listed) the pattern she was searching,   But, in that search, my concept of ripple was broadened a bit.

Now, by definition, ripple means - "to form or have small undulations, ruffles, or folds.  Well, yep, that's a pretty broad definition, but I always think of the ripple looking something like this.

Crocheted Ripple in three colors, measuring 42 x 60 inches. 

Another typical sign of the ripple includes the rippled ends on the long sides.   By definition of the ripple, however, comes a whole variety of related designs, frequently titled under different names.    Like ....

This design is called Wavecrest, I added the ripple to the title, because that's just what it is.  The edges are not quite as pointed and the pompoms are quite cute. 

This mail order design, Alice Brooks 7505 is half ripple.  Three rows of ripples and two plain panels.   No pointed edges, of course, but a light fringe all the way around.  

Technically a ripple because the design starts with a three color ripple, right down to the pointed edges.  But, this one has what they are calling an 'overleaf' design added ... and thus the name of Rippled Overleaf Afghan. 

This is a Loop Stitch Ripple, with multiple difference.   Of course there is the loop stitch giving it that fuzzy 'other look', but also just bi-color and in rows or stripes, if you will.  The pointed edges are there.   

This Rippled Afghan is so bright and colorful.   At first glance, the ripple design might no jump out at you.   But, look again ... it's there.  

This design is called Rick Rack Afghan.   Rickrack like ... again yes, but you can see those lapping waves .... making it yet another ripple variation at heart.   

So, the point is (should there need to be a point), there are many different ripple designs out there.   And, when you are looking for a ripple, remember to look just a bit farther than the standard as you might just miss out on the ripple of your dreams!

These designs are in my shop, along with a variety of others, both crocheted and knitted.

Thanks for dropping by.
Lorrie