National Needlecraft Crochet Afghan Pattern 116.5

I just thought I'd take a minute to share some National Needlecraft Bureau I just came across.    I was processing National Needlecraft Pattern No 116 for a Modern Block Crocheted Afghan .....

.... and found myself thinking .... I know this pattern.   A quick look at the shop showed that was absolutely correct ....

A quick double check, and yep ... Modern Block ... not just same picture, but same materials and directions as well.

But, what caught me by surprise was Pattern Number given by The National Needlecraft Bureau --- No 116.5.    A couple more looks and the answer because quite apparent.

 The pattern is from American Thread Book 116; the pattern appears on Page 5.

So, my thought here ... i.e., the trivia, is The National Needlecraft Bureau may not have assigned their own numbering system, but simple tied the pattern number to the originating publication.

Okay, so it's probably not trivia of great interest to most, but I'm becoming more and more fascinated by the relationships and systems among these vintage pattern publishers.  

Okay, back to work.
Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

The Pansy Doily Pattern

I was just getting ready to add a new (vintage) Pansy Crochet Pattern to the shop, when I thought I'd better check to make sure it was not already there.  Periodically, the same pattern may have been published in different books by the same brand, or sometimes even, different brands.  

This Pansy Doily design has a flower motif within the doily which, interestingly enough, is not pansy shaped.  

This crochet doily design is billed as a luncheon mat, but a doily it is.   A quite nice pinwheel center, surrounded by an abundance of mesh and then, that charmingly colorful border. 

This Pansy Doily is Mail Order Design 303 from Homecrafters and features the doily motif in the center and finishes with a shell scalloped border.  It is worked in one solid color. 

This is another Mail Order Design, Anne Cabot 5055, and, in addition to the Pansy Doily, there's a Carnation design as well.   As are all the Design patterns, the picture is in black and white, but the pansy border is brightly colored. 

The New Pansy Doily, vintage 1960's has a pretty floral center and a scattering of implied flowers in mesh.   And, of course, the grand border of Pansies. 

This Pansy Doily is designed to be a bowl.   Starch it quite nicely and place it in the front entry for your what-nots.  

This Pansy Doily has a elongated diamond center motif.   It's officially billed as a ruffled doily, of which I'm not sure --- but, a grand design it is.  

The Diamond Pansy Crochet design is quite like the doily right above, with the colorful border and elongated diamonds.   But, look closely, and you'll notice the border that connects the border to the center is different. 

And this Pansy Doily was the one I started with.   And yes, it has a number of similar elements .... like the Pansy (lol), but definitely not the same as the others. 

All the pansy doilies currently in my shop seem to be coming from the 1950's and 1960's.   I have no doubt, however, that this colorful beauty has been around for many generations prior; in books that I've just not gotten to yet.  

If this is not enough Pansy design for your, here's a bit larger sample.  

Well, that's enough for today ... back to work. 

Thanks for dropping by, 

Lorrie  

Hiawatha Corde Hats and Bags No 10

Since I seem to be spending a lot of time with 1944 designs lately, let's go for one more.   From the Heirloom Needlework Guild, let me present .....

Hiwatha Corde Hats and Bags - No 10, which sold for a five cents.   This is more a leaflet than a pattern book, featuring just 5 patterns all using (of course) the Hiawatha Corde and Rayon Cords.  

Victoria 303 - the picture hardly gives you an idea of this hat.  Crocheted in herringbone stitch, netting is pleated in a small border at the edges and then forms long neck ties.   The bag, a 'just right handbag - called Flower Basket - is lined. 

The Corde Handi-Bags, also featuring the herringbone stitch have top zipper closures and are sized 4 1/2 x 5 1/2 or 7 x 11 inches.  These bags are perfect for clutch or makeup bags.  

Classic Calot 315 is worked in four sections and joined.  Hair netting is added at the bottom for the look of drama -- inherent to many of these 1940's designs. 

All three of these pattern sets are lovely designs.   The only difficulty will be finding suitable materials to replace the obsolete Hiawatha Corde.  (( Particularly with no gauge being given on the designs )).  

My copy of this pattern set is in quite poor shape, however, am pleased that the restored patterns turned out so well !    My new motto you know .... Preserving history, one pattern at a time. 

Thanks for dropping by, 

Lorrie  

Star Book 34 - Bedspreads

Having just finished working my way through an entire magazine, decided to take a bit of a break and work on something a bit smaller.   Pulled open the 'pending' cabinet, and next up in the stack is this delightful book

Book No 34, Star Bedspreads from The American Thread Company.  This collection of 13 patterns was released in 1944 and is displayed over 27 pages.

 On the inside cover is the typical promotion.   This booklet was a promotion of their product - Puritan Cotton Thread.    Here, we also learn that the patterns in this book are all Cecilia Vanek designs.  There's an interesting note, that should you have a problem with a pattern, you can write to her directly.   Now, that's certainly an offer we don't see anymore.  

No 3401 - Hollywood - Cinematic glamour from just two pairs of dotted swiss curtains, with added filet crochet.

No 3402 - Capitol Hill - A delicate filet crochet to lent that touch of splendor to a formal bedroom.

No 3403 - Pennsylvania Dutch - Now you have found it .. a knitted bedspread with hex design.      The design here is not exactly the same, but quite similar to the Pennsylvania Dutch Afghan.

No 3404 - Manhattan - This solid crocheted spread with blocks and vertical stripes is tailored simplicity at its best ... perfect for a modern setting ... perfect for 'his' room.

No 3405 - Hot Springs - A lacy piece with dainty beading - delight your daughter and make this for her own special room.

No 3406 - Louisiana Bayou - The raised Water Lily design brings to mind the flora and fauna of the rich Southland.

No 3407 - 20TH Century Chicago - For a room with a new idea, solid crochet, applique and lacy border.

No 3408 - Peach Tree Street - A spread Scarlet would have chosen for her home with Rhett ... a popcorn pinwheel variation.

No 3409 - Texas Ranch - A knitted spread in herringbone pattern.  Make the stripes as narrow or as wide and in as many colors as your room can take. 

No 3410 - Connecticut Yankee - This popcorn stitch spread is a must to complete your old maple and pine bedroom .. great grandmother loved this simple beauty too. 

No 3411 - Ohio Farmhouse - Large filet block design, looks as if the spread were made all in one piece.  One of the simplest designs to do.

No 3412 - Land of Nod - Whimsical .. elfin .. and so simple to make; a block of filet crochet and then a block of fabric.  Little tots will adore it.

And that's it ... all 12 patterns.   There are a couple classics in here ... such as the Pennsylvania Dutch and the Louisiana Bayou and then, of course, the absolute charmer of Land of Nod.  The first time I came across the Pennsylvania Dutch bedspread it was in a magazine with incomplete instructions, so I was quite happy to find it in this booklet.  

Okay, now on to the next project .... 

Thanks for dropping by,  

The Crochet Basket or Planter Pattern, Mail Order Style

I've heard that baskets have been in use all the way back to prehistoric man.   So, I have no doubt that includes the crocheted basket; which should date back to (at least) the 1700's.  Which, is why it surprises me that I don't come across loads of crochet basket or planter patterns in the many books and leaflets from American Thread, Coats & Clark, etc.

I was thinking about this as I finished adding Alice Brooks 7018 to the shop.  I went back in and did a search for all planter or basket patterns in the shop and they only items are all Mail Order Patterns.

Design 530 - Use as either a tabletop or hanging basket in a Swan shape

Design 619 - Hanging Basket in pineapple stitch.

Laura Wheeler 624 - Another swan basket.   At first glance, it looks the same as Design 530 above, but a closer look will show the pineapples are different.

Design 653, Hanging Basket in parasol shape. 

Design 717, Hanging Planter in two sizes.

Design 865,  Two hanging planters on the small side in jar and bowl shapes. 

Design 7018 - This crochet basket is similar to the Design 619 above, but the scalloped pineapple edges are more prominent.  

Design 7132, Another Crochet Swan, similar to those above, but still, slight differences. 

I find it quite ironic that all the basket patterns are Mail Order Designs.   Or, perhaps there are hundreds of others out there and, with the some 4000 or so patterns I've processed, just not happened across them.   

Do you have vintage basket that are not mail order?   If so, do you mind sharing the designer name ... just for my curiosity?  

Thank for dropping by,