Crochet a Vintage Sailor Hat

Between the wide 30 year time period of the 1930s through the 1950s, pattern publishers had a tendency to partially name their patterns after current events.    Many times the design style may have something in common with the subject, and sometimes, no real commonality at all.

A good example of this is the Crochet Sailor Hat, which started cropping up in the early 1930s in pattern books and magazines and albeit disappearing in title mid 1950's.   The correlation here?   Well, World War II of course.    Times were frugal, the populations were supportive and pattern companies, wanting to sell patterns, certainly played on the symbolism.  After all, who wouldn't want to crochet a hat so named in honor of a loved father, brother, son, etc.   Here are a few examples from my current pattern listings. 

Palm Beach Sailor - This design from 1934 and ties in both the sailor design (which it obviously is), and Palm Beach.   I'm not sure what, but apparently Palm Beach was either in the news, or perhaps, just the place to be. 

Wide Brim Cartwheel - Resemblance to a Sailor high is, well, NONE.   But, it was 1939 when Spool Cotton Company released this, and they had to a reference in.  And, how did they do that you might ask.  Well, in their official description.  " Look like a picture of fragile femininity in this luscious lace creation - a wafer thin sailor which you can wash just the way you do a lamp-shade"

Classic Sailor Hat - brought to us from the Spool Cotton Company in 1943. 

Sailor Beware - A design hat from Jeanette Styles, released in 1942.   The pattern has several variations, which could have led to a variety of names. 

Nylon Sailor Hat  - American Thread also get in the name game with this entry in nylon cord, in the early 1950s.  

Sailor Boy - Just a bit late for the Sailor Name Game, didn't stop Dritz from putting the name on this Beret in 1956. 

Now, that's not to say each of these designs don't have some merit.   They are all crocheted and they all have some commonality ... even if it's in name (or description) alone.  I have several thousand more patterns standing by to be processed and I've no doubt there will be more.    If you want to check to see if I have more, try a search of "Sailor" in my shop  (this will bring up other sailor-ish items as well).

Thanks for dropping by. 

Lorrie  

Crocheted Doilies, Lily Design Book 79

​In 1956, Lily Mills issued their pattern Design Book 79, which they simply titled Doilies.    The selling price was a whole 10 cents.  Only somewhat true to the theme of doilies, the booklet, also include a couple nice place mats as well as a chair set.   If you'd like to see more, just get yourself into a comfortable spot and settle in for the photo journal that is about to follow. 

As typical in these pattern booklets, the front page shows a number of the patterns included in the booklet.  In this particular case, all nine designs

Swirls Doily - Round upon round of intricate lace all in 12-1/2 inches. 

Pointed Harmony Doily -  I see here a hint of floral, a hint of hearts and wonderful lacy effects. 

Embossed Daisy Place Mat - This lovely piece, worked in filet crochet, has a scroll daisy motif. 

Grape Mat - a round variation of the Place Mat, this one features a nice grape spay in each quarter. 

Peacock Fillet Buffet Scarf - Two peacocks surrounded by a leaf scroll motif; a filet crochet beauty measuring 16-1/2 x 26 inches. 

Pineapple Centerpiece - Pineapples in a contrast color add pop and 
appeal to this 17 inch centerpiece. 

Coin Dots - Polka Dots add a fun appeal to this basic mat. 

Chair Set - The back cover gives us a simple chair set made of square motifs that could easily be extended to becomes scarves or cloths size of your choice. 

And that's it; all eight patterns featured in the booklet.  I do have to say it is a nice collection of different design and stitch techniques.   Several pieces are of framing quality, and I could easily see the chair set becoming a quite attractive bedspread.  And, the Grape Mats should certainly be used in entertaining with a Wine bottle right in the middle.  

Should you be interested, these patterns are in my shop individually; there are links below the pictures.   Either way, I hope you enjoyed the photo journal.  

Thanks for dropping by, 

Lorrie  

Lily Doilies Patterns, Design Book 67

The year was 1952 when Lily Mills released their Design Book No 67.   It's not a large book, or leaflet; just 15 pages, and not really jam packed with patterns; just 8, but 8 quite nice patterns they are.   The official name is Lily Doilies.   And, as indicated, there are a couple doilies, but there are far more place mats.  There are also a couple attractive filet crochet designs here, as you might expect with it being a 1950s issue.   Here, let me know you in this photo journal.

 Lily Doilies Design Book No 67

Starting right off on the front page :

Forget Me Not Doily set includes a large mat, a bread and butter doily, as well as a glass mat.   Use them, or not, as a luncheon set. 

Zinnia Centerpiece No 2 :  A combination of filet and regular crochet results in this lovely 

ruffled zinnia doily.

Ruffled Hexagon Centerpiece No 3 - Small motifs create a large hexagon doily with a most

interesting ruffled edge.

Rose Filet Centerpiece No. 4 :  Filet Crochet in a lovely rose motif can be 

created at 17, 19 or 20 inches. 

Filet Centerpiece No 5 :  Floral filet crochet border surrounds a linen center to measure 

14-1/2 x 19-1/2 inches.  

Evening Stars Place Mat No 6 is made up of 2-1/2 inch floral motifs to 

form a mat of 12 x 18 inches. 

Cherry Roll and Garden Party Place Mats give two summery options for Summer display and use. 

And, on the back page is :

Buffet Set No 1 in Crocheted Cluny:   Make this round mat at either 16 or 18 inches, along with 

smaller pieces (size of your choice), to complete a set. 

So what do you think?    In particular, I think the Zinnia doily is spectacular and the Cherry Roll Place Mat would be so fun on a picnic.   And, that Hexagon doily has one of the most intriguing borders I've seen.   

These patterns are in my shop; just click the link below the pictures, should you be interested.   Either way, hope you enjoyed the photo journal.  

Thanks for dropping by,  

This Crocheted Shawl is a Fascinator

I came across another occurrence of a crochet pattern being specifically called a Fascinator.     The first time, was a few months back in a pattern leaflet from the Spool Cotton Company, and then today, a mail order pattern.

This one, SPC 1440, is a frilly delight, approx. 40 inches long.   It is early 1940's.  

Laura Wheeler 709, a shawl that is 46 x 38 x 29 inches.   This one has a nice tulip motif that is attached here and there to adorn.

This Fascinator, from Woolco, is crocheted in yarn, giving it a more substantial look.  

Both pieces are lovely, but, of course, sent me off to a typical distracted and off-topic research project.    And, what did I learn.    Well, the term Fascinator started out as a bit of a Victorian label for lace or crocheted head shawl that was secured to the head and drapes down the back, at varying scarf or shawl lengths.  These garments were deemed to make a woman mysterious.   By the 1930s, the term (according to Britticana Blogs) the term move applied to lacy hoods an then slowly disappeared from use. 

The term Fascinator began making a reappearance for the small adorned hats typically worn by the British in the 2000's.   

Like this example from Wikipedia.

Now, two hours, a shower and dinner later, I'll be able to let the subject go and move on to the next pattern in my stack to process.  

Thanks for dropping by, 

Lorrie  

Floral Doily Patterns for Crochet Book 268

The year was 1950, and the Spool Cotton Company issued a bright and colorful pattern booklet, making the grand step from the slightly earlier times where only the front and back covers were in color.  Of course, there was a definite reason for this.  It was the introduction of a line line of bright and colorful, as well as varigated threads under the Coats and Clarks Brand Name.  

The book contains just 11 patterns .... and very nice patterns they are. 

The Newest in Floral Doilies 
Book 268

Gracing the front cover is the incredible lovely ...

FD-437 Tulip Varieties with 16 variegated tulips bordering spiderweb mesh at either 

15 or 17 inches.

FD-440 Wild Rose Scallops, brightly colored with pink roses and border on a green lace background.   It measures either 10-1/2 or 12 inches. 

FD-448 Rose Bouquet, worked in Filet Crochet with full page chart, measuring 

11 x 17-1/2 or 12 x 19-1/2 inches.

FD-441 Flower Cartwheel designs radiates from the wheel to brightly colored flowers at the ends of the spokes.   Make it up at either 10 or 11 inches. 

FD-446 Floral Temptation has a bit of it all; pretty flowers, scalloped border that forms a ruffle at the points, a wheel type center... and more !

FD-443 Daisy Web gives a spiderweb ad large tiered center daisy, with a border of repeating

 daisies and leaves.   Make it at either 14 or 16 inches. 

FD-447 Viola Cornuta is the crocheted motif around a linen center creating 

a runner up to 14-1/2 by 40 inches, 

FD-439 Sweet William is made up of 1-1/2 inch doilies, in bright colors, with a deeply 

ruffled green border

FD-442 Petunias has a nice compact pinwheel central motif that is surrounded by

16 individual petunias.  

FD-445 Coreopsis has bright yellow and while flowers nestled at the ends

of the long narrow leaves. 

And, the back cover .. the last three doilies, of course. 

I personally think it is a delightful collection of doilies.  Now, I know that white and beige are the norm, but I'm fond of colorful.  My particular favorite being the Petunia Pinwheel design.   You?  Have you a favorite? 

Thanks for dropping by for my pattern book review, 

Lorrie 

Crochet Hot Mit Potholder Pattern, Meet Handy Andy

We all know that the old issues of The Workbasket are historical for their lousy pictures.   They were lousy way back then and they, of course, have not approved with age.   But, some of them are just so fun that we must look beneath the grain to see the prize.     Like this one from 1956.

Meet Handy Andy.   He's has an extra long face and a really thick neck, which are nicely matched in size by those big ears.   

And then, using an included chart (or branching out on your own) and some felt, you create his facial features.  

This would be a fun project to work with your grade school sized kids.  You crochet, they help decorate !  

If you'd like to make a Handy Andy of your own, he is available as a Free Download in the shop.   There are also a fair number of other potholders in the shop as well  (some free, some not).

Thanks for dropping by, 

Lorrie  

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.

 See - 'Featuring 14 New Pineapple Designs' right there on the cover. 

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