Mail Order Design Pattern 624, 5 different Choices

Okay, so those of us that love the mail order patterns have come to know that the major player is one lone company - Needlecraft Services - that distributed their patterns under a number of different marketing names; such as Alice Brooks, Laura Wheeler, The Star, Readers Mail, and many individual newspaper or magazine names.

As I've built the my mail order pattern collection, I've learned a variety of tidbits about these patterns. For example, the same pattern was seldom distributed under more than one major name or number. And, the individual pattern numbers may have been used multiple times. The case at hand (that I'm looking at today), is Design 624.

I have three individual Design 624 patterns in my current selection.

Design 624, Crocheted Accessories;  include dish cloths and bath mops

Mail Order Design 624, Crocheted Cape styled Shawl

Design 624, Crocheted Swan Chair Set, Marketed as Laura Wheeler in 1948 features the always popular pineapples. 

Mail Order Design 624, Crochet Swan Basket in a combination of shell and pineapple stitches.  

Now these patterns referenced are just in the Knit / Crochet categories.   I know there is at least one Mail Order Quilt Pattern, and I wouldn't be surprised to find a transfer selection as well.  Should I process any more 624's for the shop, I'll add them to this post.    

Thanks for dropping by,

The Homecrafters Crochet Patterns

I've again come across the name 'The Homecrafters" and will say that I'm just a bit perplexed.   I have three Homecrafters patterns in my mail order collection.  All are crochet patterns.

Homecrafters 303 - Pansy Doily 

Homecrafter 318 - Fern Crochet Doily 

Homecrafters 327 - Large Ruffled Pineapple Doily

Homecrafters 329 - Three Doilies

The new pattern I worked today is identified as Homecrafters 312 - a filet crochet half or bibbed apron, that includes only charts, not even a picture of the completed apron.  (It's not often I see a pattern that vague).  

So, why am I perplexed?  Well, it's the name -- The Homecrafters.   Now there are quite a variety of names that the mail order knit and crochet patterns were marketed under.   And, I've been able to find information, be it from Google News advertising clips, Copyright entries in Google Books, the web, or others that have mail order patterns and are blogging or selling them on Ebay.   But, the Homecrafters .... nope .... nothing. 

The patterns are on the full size sheets, as are all the other patterns, but the back of the sheet is printed with patterns for woodworking projects; such as chairs, tables, benches.   The address is listed as PO Box 45, Old Chelsea Station, New York 11, NY.   Now, Old Chelsea Station is right where the Needlecraft Services and other mail order patterns kept their PO boxes, so this falls right in line.  The patterns will be pre-1963 as they reference the 2 digit postal codes.  

And, that's all I know.   I've Bing'd, Google, even browsed Dogpile and, as I've already said ... nada.  

Mysteries always bother me.   So ... if you know anything about The Homecrafters, I'd love to hear from you !!!

Thanks for dropping by, 

Lorrie 

Columbia Minerva 756 Crochet Collection Pattern Book

Here's a marvelous book from Columbia Minerva  - Book 756, Crochet Collection.   Just like the title implies, there is not a single knitting pattern to be had.   The book, early 1960s, features tops, jackets, dresses, and a couple coats.   And don't let me forget the suits ... very Jackie O in styling.  Now, I've carefully worked through each pattern and have to save that most are all on easy side; with only a couple being more moderate.

There are 25 separate patterns in the book.  

756-1 Two Tone Suit is worked with two closely contrasted color tones, giving it that tone on tone look.

And, for Columbia-Minerva, a rather short introduction. 

756-2 Princess Suit - an attractive two piece set with straight skirt and jacket.

756-3 Double Breasted Suit - Similar in style, but is double breasted with the marvelous double notch collar. 

756-4 Long Shell in a pretty shell stitch, with scalloped edging.

756-5 Shell gives us a light and airy pattern stitch; so perfect for summer

756-6 Suit Pattern - Straight Skirt paired with nicely trimmed open front jacket.

756-7 Afghan Suit in afghan stitch, of course, includes a comfortable waist length jacket and skirt.

756-8 V-Neck Pullover with striped bands is rated E (for easy, of course)
756-9 Raglan Sleeve Sweater also has striped color bands at hemline and sleeves.

CM756-10 Crochet Sweater is a simple pullover with checkerboard trim.
CM756-11 Crochet Sweater with low V-Neck with contrast band at openings.

CM756-12 Walking Suit is made in a Shell Stitch Motif and includes both a long skirt and overcoat.
CM756-13 Crochet Sleeveless Dress with Matching Jacket and tie belt

A collection of easy to crochet, easy to wear dresses grace the center fold.   With a change of accessories, these all have potential of going from casual to dressy.
CM756-14 (far left) - Simple sleeveless dress in allover shell motif with scalloped edges.
CM756-15 - (2nd from left) - Star stitch straight dress with extended shoulders and boat neck.
CM756-16 (bottom center) - Lovely crocheted dress with square neckline and collar,
and raglan sleeve cap.
CM756-17 (right back row) - Easy straight dress with extended shoulders and a lovely round collar.
CM756-18 - (Far Right) - Columbia are referring to this beauty as an Ivory Macrame.

CM756-19 Shell Jacket with adorable faux pockets and scalloped edges.
CM756-20 Shell Pullover Sweater with allover motif and long sleeves.

CM756-21 Crocheted Coachman Coat has shoulder has the finishing touch of epaulettes and is
 lined in taffeta.
CM756-22 Long Coat, side buttoned with dolman sleeves and a roll collar.

CM756-23 Evening Skirt and Top, employing both a harlequin design and
lacy shell stitch top.

CM756-24 - Three piece suit with lined jacket and skirt is easy enough for beginners.
CM756-25 Three Piece Suit is a stop more to the intermediate to advanced artist.  The detachable collar and cuffs are delightful.

So there you go.   A fair number of upscale designs to update your wardrobe, as well as some classics that are both easy to make and easy to wear.    The styles of jackets and pullovers are a bit on the short side, just as you'd expect for the early 60's, but add a few rounds here and there if that's not your current style.   I am particularly fond of the double page spread of dresses.  But, that's to be expected, as I always love a dress.   You, what do you favor?  

Hope you enjoyed the photo journal, and 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