Ruffled Doilies Pattern Book No 306

I needed something light to work on for a couple days and selected a small doily leaflet from the awaiting stack.  The pattern book takes us back to 1954, post war-era, when life and economy were booming.    The leaflet, just 16 pages, is called Ruffled Doilies and is Coats & Clark's Book No 306.  The book was issued as a marketing promotion for their Mercerized Crochet Cottons - Best Six and Big Ball.

Gracing the front cover ....
S-582 Sunburst (top) - What a unique way the designed the rays for this Sunburst.  Small pineapples turn into ruffles, which lead to larger pineapple rays.
S-583 Whirlpool - This, unusually enough, is a knitted doily with not only a lovely whirlpool, but a
floral display and the final scalloped border of ruffles.

And, on the inside cover is this bit of prose.  I particularly like the 'in your hearts of lavender".

S-584 Bride's Doily (Top) is a lovely 20 inch crocheted design that has a center of small flower medallions that is bordered by wide ruffles --- yes; just like a brides bouquet!
S-585 Wedding Ring (Bottom) is a nice combination of crochet and hairpin lace in contrast colors.

S-588 Grape Doily (upper left), is a grand and colorful piece in 5 colors.  Don't let the picture fool you; this doily is 17-1/2 inches in diameter.
S-589 - Fruit Mats are a trio of choices.  Square, oblong or round.   Strawberry, lemon or cherry.

S-592 Rock Pool is an exquisite affair with a center wheel and celtic knot, all made whole with the lace ruffle.

S-586 Poinsettia is a larger design at 18 inches with the marvelous Poinsettia leaves and flowers followed by mesh and a smaller ruffled border.
S-587 Mosaic is a pretty filet crochet square doily that measures out to 16 inches

And, there you have it ... 11 patterns, which included one that is filet crochet.   Although the book is called "Ruffled Doilies", not all of these designs are ruffled.   The all do, however, have the commonality of a well defined border.   Rock Pool is by far my favorite of the group.

Well, this book is now finished; guess I'll have to open up the cabinet and decide what to work on next.

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

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  

Filet Crochet Apron Pattern No 9666

Some time back I purchased a big lot of loose pattern leaflets on an Ebay auction.   I remember them coming in and oohing and awwing over them as a sorted through the prize and then putting them in the drawer with all the others waiting their turn.   Well, now it the time ... I'm going to concentrate on these loose leaflets and the mail order patterns for the next month or two.

Third down in the stack is this prize.

It is identified only as 9666 Crocheted Apron and written across the top -- This is your Free Gift.  This is a clear sign that it would have been a handout gift, which frequently happened as part of a thread promotion.  But, a quick view of the materials list turned out to be entirely generic.   (Use a No. 4 steel hook and mercerized, fast-color, string weight thread.  You will need about 580 yards of cream thread (the basic color), 100 yards of pink, 22 yards of green, 25 yards of yellow, and 23 yards of blue).   Well, that rules out the thread maker as well as the hook brand.    So, I have no current idea who presented this pattern.    I do know, based on the paper and print, that is will date to the mid/late 1940s.

It's a delightful piece, certainly not written for the beginner as it contains no charts.   It does give a decent basic description of gauge, spaces and blocks that would get one through ... and definitely feel the accomplishment when it comes time to wear.   It is a half apron, with crochet ties, bottom flower band and 4 vertical floral panels.

This pattern is available in the shop.   There are more in the filet crochet category.

If you know more about the No 9666 Crocheted Apron .... please do share.

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

Lily Crocheted Bedspreads, Book 8-B

True to the title, this pattern book is all bedspreads.   It is Lily Book 8-B; Crocheted Bedspreads.   The publication, as is typical with many of the vintage pattern books, has no indication as to release date.   I started the investigation and the first entry I found said 1915.  Well, I don't think so ... the color and paper quality alone would quickly rule that out.   So, I continued the hunt; the closest I got was Lily Book 7b, which was issued in 1937.  So, let's call this 1937 / 1938 time frame.   In this beauty are 10 patterns. 

No 809 Star and Wreath graces the front cover.  A floral delight with a star in the middle of each block.

No 800 Pattern Blocks and Bands is 78 x 104 inches.   Pretty pinwheel flowers, chevron bands, 

lush fringe; a lovely piece indeed. 

No 801 - Stripes Imperial Bedspread is 81 x 102 inches.  This motif comes off clean and simple; romantic in its appeal. 

No 802 Tumbling Blocks is made of 16 x 20 inch blocks to form a spread 

that is 84 x 105 inches.  The design has a touch of 'fun' going on. 

No 803 Winding Path or Bared Window, marvelous design right down to the fringed ends.   I don't know the history, but this design is know by two different name.  Such interesting staggered fringe. 

No 804 Triangle Bedspread; three triangle motifs joined to form the 77 x 98 inch spread. 

No 805 Fans Bedspread with delightful flower clusters is 81 x 102 inches. Victorian perhaps, but so interesting and dainty.

No 806 Spearhead is an interesting block motif at 86 x 106 inches - what an interesting mix of elements.

No 807 Filet Medallion Bedspread.  Make to your desired size to add a touch of feminine to your bedroom.

No 808 Flower Design Bedspread; perfect beginners project for your first bedspread that will give you pleasing satisfaction for years to come. 

And the back page gives us an advertisement for the threads called for in the spreads.  

Start to finish, the 10 selections here are excellent.   All intriguing and 'just have to take another look' designs.   Most of the patterns would easily be converted to tablecloths, runners and scarves.  One of the Wreath and Star Blocks, all alone, would be an attractive piece of framed wall art.    

Again .... lovely .... absolutely lovely. 

Thanks for dropping by, 

Lorrie  

Vintage Crochet Tablecloth Patterns, Book 185 from Spool Cotton

Crocheted tablecloths were apparently quite popular in the early 1940s.    In my limited collection I have around 10 books which were all 1940 through 1944.   One of which is the Spool Cotton Co. Book No 185.   This was an ambitious book with 18 outstanding patterns.  I have no doubt that many of these beauties did become the heirlooms they proclaimed; not to mention the following generations that continue to work the designs  

For your viewing pleasure, here's a photo journal of all the patterns and their descriptions.

Book No 185; New Table Topics

No 7530 Summer Snowflake - Airily enmeshed in filmy festoons, the snowflake motif asserts its crisp beauty.

No 7584 Iris Arrangement:  Each pattern square captures the fabled beauty of a stylized quartet or iris, in the perfection of shadow filet.   

No 7526 Page Polka Dots - Myriads of solid white circles polka dot this cloth ... each petelled in colour .. a two-colour idea to please smart moderns.

No 7533 Sunburst Splendour:  Win applause by making this beauty .. the sunburst splendour of its design filmy against a solid background.

No 7558 Spinning Wheel : Delicate strands spin their gossamer way around the spokes .. the clustered edging is enchanting. 

No 7588 Spring Fantasy, a floral lace luncheon set with runner, placemats and lace corners for linen napkins.

No 7587 Country Cousins:  Gay and carefree .. for informal meals ... this Luncheon Set will be a joy to own in your two favorite colours. 

No 7554 Good Companions:  Crisp little doilies set the pace for fastidious service .. a hostess Must.

No 7486 Memory Lane - The glory that is Irish crochet ... displayed in all its elegance in this lovely design.  A cloth for very special occasions.

No 7592(M) Salute to the Pineapple :  Salute to the Pineapple - The traditional symbol of good fortune .. the lordly pineapple lavishly used in a round cloth and Presto - Two cloths from one set of directions ... merely be a change of thread

No 7591 Flower Fable - Wreathing 'round its centre motif .. a garland of variegated color. 

No 7531 Todays Heritage - For distinguished service this superlative filet cloth is unrivaled ... a new design in giant mesh that works up quickly. 

No 7525 Four Leaf Clover :  Here's a smart study of textures! The raised edges of clover petals silhouetted against a simple mesh background.

No 7485 Early American : Each medallion boasts of a circle of tiny pineapple motifs ... elaborate heirloom to be your daughter's pride and joy. 

No 7586 At Your Service! : An appetizing tray cloth ... snowy linen edged and cornered in 

celery crisp crochet.   This pattern is offered as a Free Download. 

No 7529 Trailing Vine :  Filet Crochet Edging

No 7585 Lady Bountiful - A bountiful cloth that sings of warm hospitality ... it's handsome openwork motifs gracefully interlaced and arranged!

No 7583 - Martha Washington:  A bountiful cloth that sings of warm hospitality ... its handsome openwork motifs gracefully interlaced and arranged. 

Now, for those of you that actually made it to the end, if you think this was a lot to view, I'll just admit that between the scanning, reformatting, listing, etc. this book took me over a week !   There's a couple of the simpler patterns here that I've listed in the shop as Free Downloads.    All the patterns are available by following the links. 

Although not a table cloth, my personal favorite is the Spinning Wheel Mats.   Something with this design just pops out and grabs me.   You?  What is your favorite?

Thanks for dropping by, 

Lorrie  

Crocheted Tablecloths, Book 179 from Spool Cotton

There are a whole array for crochet pattern books that were issued by The Spool Cotton Company during the 1940s.    Times were (financially) tight with World War II in progress and many a woman spent a fair number of the evening hours creating beautiful laces to adorn their homes.     This particular book, No 179, Crocheted Tablecloths and Luncheon Sets, was issued in 1942.  Here, let me share it with you, page by page.

The official write-up :  "Friendship and the warmth of hospitality, which have become of great importance to us all, find their perfect expression in home entertaining.  You;ll want to open your house, dress up your table and share its loveliness with your guests.  A crocheted lace cloth will add a very personal charm to your luncheon or dinner and make of it a glamorous and memorable occasion".
No 7468 Maywood : Pretty flowers awash in a sea of lace graces the front cover 

No 7464 - Raleigh : All the world loves the sparkle of stars .. so capture their beauty for your table with this exquisite cloth.

No 7463 Monterey :  With the Stylized Charm of Old Tiles.

No 7407 El Dorado : Filet roses in the modern manner.

No 7467 Winthrop - For a flowery lacy look.

No 7462 Hampshire - Plumes make a pageant of filet.

No 7466 - Ardmore :  If your dinner's keyed to a more formal note this radiant motif cloth will bring your table charm and distinction.

No 7484 Worcester - A luncheon set with a crispy air.

No 7469 Fairfax - A nosegay of flowers.

No 7471 Aurora - Another Star from our Galaxy

No 7465 Arlington - A very special beauty.

No 7470 Cambridge - Yours for everyday loveliness

And the back cover is a repeating image of Crochet Cottons

And that's it.   Cover to cover.    There are certainly some lovely designs here, all of heirloom quality.   Yes, a cloth can be a large project, but consider that most of these motifs are quick to turn out.   The patterns are listed individually in my shop should you be interested.   

Hope you enjoyed the photo journal. 

Lorrie