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

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, 

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

Pointers for Crocheting and Knitting

This book, magazine style, came to me in a lot of goodies I purchased off of Ebay some time back.   I logged it in and placed it in the ever growing stack of my collection.   Over the last couple months, I find I keep moving it back towards the top of the stack; believe it's something about the bright red cover that kept grabbing my attention.

This is a bit of a mystery book it's not really branded, nor a specific magazine.  You know, like American Thread or Bernat ... long time yarn manufacturers that put out pattern books to support their yarn sales, or Smart Knitting Magazine.

This pattern booklet says its published by successors to Home Arts and Needlecraft Magazines and the publisher is Newbold Ely.  Published by successors?   There's also reference to this being a companion pattern book to the Knitting Knowledge book series, also published by Newbold Ely.

This pattern booklet was issued in 1947.   Although there are some good patterns here, as well as some delightful photos, it was not a high quality publication.   The pictures are a bit grainy and overall dark, and I'm sure the 50 some years have not been that kind as well.

There are around 45 patterns in the book.   I put 30 some in the shop; the rest were not up to muster.  Most the patterns are for sale, however, a small handful are listed as free downloads.  It's a usual selection for a magazine style offering of this time period ... doilies, children's wear, pullovers, afghans, etc.  Here, let me show you a few.

 Toddler knitted checked jacket - Sized 2 to 5

Knitted sleeveless slip-over for our little girls with twin cable stripes down the front.  Toddler size 4 and girls size 8.  

Floral Medallions for bedspreads and scarves - 5-1/2 inches each, with small fill piece.

Colorful and easy striped afghan

Family set of knitted cable sweaters

 

And, tucked onto one of the pages, is this marvelous clip of a woman knitting for her (probably away) military husband.  ((Remember, the year here is 1947 )). 

Another feature in the back of the book was a small section of the knitted and crochet pattern stitches used in the book.   I've added an album to my facebook pages to start capturing the pattern stitches.   If you'd like to see, here is the Crochet Pattern Stitch Link, and this is the Knitted Pattern Stitch Link. 

If you'd like to some of the patterns that I listed, follow this link .... Pointers for Crochet and Knitting.   I went out and Google'd the companion books, and Geez ... would I like to have them as well.   But, maybe one day, there are still a good 200 other books in my collection waiting for me to do something with them !

Hope you enjoyed the brief review.   Thanks for dropping by.

Lorrie  

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

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!

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.  

It's Granny Afghan, measuring 44 x 58 inches, a vintage 1959 from Spinnerin.  

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

Lorrie 

Afghan Patterns, Columbia Minerva 742

Columbia Minerva have graced us with at least 7 or 8 different afghan books over the years.   This one, simply called Afghans by Columbia Minerva, contains 17 patterns.    The majority of the patterns are crochet, although there are 4 that are knitted.    The book has not dating or copyright references, however, I place it (public domain) in the early 1960's based on picture styles (props) and use of color.   Any later and it would have copyright references, and any older, it would not be in all color pictures.    Plus, the ultimate reference - the $1.25 original purchase price.    Several of the patterns are heavy on the embroidery, placing them right into that Heirloom quality.  

I'm pleased to share the book with your.

Taking center stage on the front page is the Rose Afghan - a crocheted afghan measures 47 x 69, made up of a center and side panels with a marvelous rose motif embroidered.  I particularly like the sparse use of the lush tassels on this one.

Flower and Fruit Afghan is crocheted in blocks and then embroidery of applies, grapes, pear, cherry,  pansy and black-eyed susan's are added.

 Officially, this is the Feather and Fan Knitted Afghan.   It is one of the classics, measuring 45 x 67 inches when completed.

This tri-color design is a gentle Crocheted Ripple, measuring approx. 49 x 54 inches.

Four motifs made a block; 7 3/4 inch squares make up this 49 x 64 inch  Crocheted Patchwork Afghan. 

This is an ongoing delight.  The Rosebud Afghan features Cables and small embroidery rosebuds along with triple knot fringe.   I'm surprised they did not name it an heirloom.  

This easy-to-crochet piece - The Daisy Afghan, is made with 305 motif flowers and blocks and put

together a 44 x 60 inch piece.  

The Red and White Afghan, made up of 7 strips, ends with triple knot fringe and measures 46 x 68 inches

This piece, the Blue and White Afghan, has a strong cable in a two toned striped and a nice finishing touch of fringe at the end of each cable.  

The Two-Toned Afghan is put together with 5 1/4 inch blocks of complimentary colors.  It measures 46 x 68 inches. 

The Black Afghan with Rose Motif has that lacy and flowery feel.  When finished, it is 54 x 72 and bound to become a 'couch' favorite.

This piece, Leaf Pattern Afghan, is made up of three panels with a raised leaf pattern running through and tufts of fringe to finish it off.

A brightly colored, yet masculine, Garter Stitch Afghan.  Note the tassels are of varying colors. 

Here is yet another stripe.   This piece, The Knitted Stripped Afghan, has a subtle blending of 5 shades.  It is a large piece - measuring approx. 57 x 72 inches.

Made up of 4 1/2 inch flower (my interpretation) motifs, surrounded with a border, the Crochet Loop Stitch Afghan measures 50 x 67 inches.

And, last but not least, bold selections.  First, on the right, a Crocheted Striped Afghan,   And, on the left, a Knitted Plaid Afghan with triple knot fringe.

Whew !   Now, that is at lot of afghan choices; 17 in all.  I spent two days working through this book and found my favorites changed as I went along.  At first, I was stuck on the Blue and White for it's simple elegance, then the Knitted Plaid (after all, how could you not love plaid), but, in the end, it was the Daisy Afghan that attracted me most.   How about you?

I've listed these patterns separately in my shop, noted by the links under the pictures,  should you be interested.  There are, of course, dozens of other knitted and crocheted afghan in the shop as well.

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

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 

Striped Crochet Afghan, Free Pattern

Here is a wonderful, all purpose kind of afghan.   It calls for three colors, and when you think of all the colors yarn available, that is a whole lot of choices.   I think I'd make one up in Purple, Gold and White for my (huge LSU fan) husband.    Or, perhaps in shades on one color for a subtle understatement, or jazz it up in shades of pink for the girly girl.   Yep, endless choices.  

It looks simple enough, as well.

So, don't hesitate.  Click to enlarge and copy/paste to a word document so you can print out a copy.   Then, TOMORROW, stop by where you buy your yarn and pick out those colors !

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie