Crocheted Owl Pattern, Mail Order Designs

I'd assume that Owl's have been popular forever.   I mean, seriously, who doesn't like an owl?  But, I think with the popularity of Macrame in the 1960's, the owl became a natural; the colors so perfect for the jute cords.  And, where macrame went, you can bet the crochet fiber artists were sure to follow.     #Among the most popular of craft patterns for the time period were the Mail Order Designs starting in the late 60's.   It was easy marketing, reaching the entire country through newspapers.    Here's a couple examples:  #

Design 481 - Crocheted Owl Wall Hanging 10 1/2 x 21 inches.   

Design 672 - Crocheted Pillow in two sizes.    A shell stitch beauty, the pillow and owl are worked separately and joined.    Do you see the resemblance between these two .... yep, same owl.   This is very frequent with mail order patterns; variations of the same design.

Design 496 - Crocheted Hot Plate Mat in two sizes - 9 x 11 and 7 x 8.  I've no doubt you could also attach a hook to the back and create colorful kitchen wall hangings with these as well.

Are there more?   Of course there are.   And, as I get them reworked for the shop, I'll come back and add them in.

Thanks for dropping by,

Bedspreads and Tablecloths Crochet Patterns Book No 301

For this review, let's take it all the way back to 1953.  (I don't know about you, but that's before even I was born!).  In this time, the flight to the suburbs continues, many women continue to be stay-at-home mothers, and fashions are on the sleek side, which were termed Modern.  (Relating to the present or recent times as opposed to the remote past).    The book is ....

J&P Coats & Clark's Book No 301 Bedspreads and Tablecloths

The inside cover promotion:  AMERICAN MODERN ... the prettiest, most practical style of home decoration that flows more and more popular every year.  To prove that creative crochet is always charming, we have chosen representative examples of contemporary American furniture and have designed harmonizing bedspreads and tablecloths.  And, as an outlet for your imagination, we give you a selection of motifs, to make whatever you desire in the thread of your choice - which, of course, will be the best -- Coats and Clark's O.N.T. Crochet Cottons.  

S-435 California Modern is made of 4" medallions.

S-436 Pennsylvania Modern - The two color display gives this design a bit of a geometric look.  Square are 3 1/2 inches.

S-437 Maryland Modern is the first 'fitted' spread I've seen in any of the pattern books.   It is accompanied by a 10 inch bolster.  The medallions are 3 inch.

S-483 Texas Modern is a 6 inch medallion in an octagon shape with a circle center.  A quite appealing design.

In the middle of the book, Coats & Clark's decided to take a bit of a shortcut and give us samples of the medallions only, with a small sketch next to it to further imply possible uses.  The theme .. let your imagination to wild; use these for cloths, chair sets, whatever.  Note that the bottom left square is actually a hairpin lace panel.  (P.S. -- I'd imagine most of these, crocheted in knitting worsted, would make great afghans).   These motifs are scattered among the crochet squares/medallions category.

And the back cover is graced by the stunning S-447 Oregon Modern.   This beauty, in wheat motif, measures 66 inches in diameter and will become the central focus in any room.

And, that's it.  At first I though it was light on tablecloths until my thinking cleared and realized the medallions in the center of the book were all multi-purpose.

There's some nice selections in here.   Those of you who may have inherited some of these designs ...
what a delight.  For the rest of you, perhaps you should get those hooks ready and create future heirlooms.

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

Hand Knit Fashions in Tweed, Bernhard UllmanVol 32

This pattern book, Volume 32, is just the 4th book that I've worked through in the Bernhard Ulmann collection, and I must say, it's quite delightful .... as well as a nice deviation from the doilies and bedspreads I've mostly been working through lately.

This book takes us back to 1957; designs have not yet taken on the mod colors of the 1960's, but are not entirely the form fittings styles of the earlier 1950's.  

Hand Knit Fashions in Tweed - Volume 32

Volume 32 was created as a promotion tool for Bernhard Ulmanns Tweed brand yarns, Bear Brand Tweedmoor and Fleishers Glen Tweed, as well as Bear Brand Sport Tweed and Fleishers Sport Tweed.  That goes to say, then, that all of the patterns in this book will feature these specific yarns (a quite attractive selection!). 

No 668 Windbreaker Suit - The skirt, as is typical, is a straight design and quite standard fair.  But, what a splendid jacket.  

No 667 - Box Coat is made an above standard design with the fabulous collar and fold-back cuffs.  This loose fitting design is one that would be so comfortable. 

No 679 Ribbed Sheath Dress is an elegant design that became quite remarkable with the all over rib pattern stitch, then taken over the top with the contrast collar.  

No 672 - Ribbed Stole is a quite easy design that is simple rib stitch with long fringe ... a warm and elegant choice.  

No 673 - Lace Stole is also an 'extra easy' design perfect for beginners.   This pattern is offered as a free download. 

No 681 - Cable Cardigan gives bold and broad cables that definitely pop out on the tweed background.  The back is cabled as well.

No 676 Girls Clock Socks .... remember this term?  (Clock socks have a narrow pattern (not usually clocks) that runs up the leg and along the foot. Looks like clock hands when viewed from the side).  

No 674 - Two-Tone Weskit.  This fitted vest has the marvelous checked pattern stitch on the front and a striped motif (created by the tweed yarn), on the back.  This design yells 'Fun'. 

No 675 - Jiffy Knit Jacket:  How cute it this?   Chunky and Bulky and, well, cute!  And it's an easy design that beginners could tackle.
No 678 - Fringed Shortie - Another cute design with the subtle patterning of the tweed.  The fringed collar adds that bit of 'fun' as well.

No 677 - Men's Classic Socks - a marvelous tweed for the professional man.

No 666 - Sleeveless Pullover for our men features the grand argyle design on the tweed background with extra wide ribbing at the bottom.

No 669 - Jumper is a simple, attractive design perfect for everyday wear.  The tweed yarns give the design just a bit of texture.

And, that's the complete book.   The book cover being the same as the front.   I found it interesting the socks pattern did not contain a size, but I'm not a knitter, so perhaps it's a knitting skill that one just knows when to add on or subtract (?).    

My favorites here are the Ribbed Dress and the Jiffy Knit Jacket; either of these would be a welcome addition in my closet.   You; what are your favorites?  

These patterns, complete with listed material requirements, are listed in the shop should you be interested.  

Thanks for dropping by, 

Lorrie  

Knitted Coats for Madame and her Dog

Although  not in the hundreds, I have come across a fair number of knitting or crochet patterns that are designed for mother/daughter, or father/son, or even brother/sister, but this is a first for me !

May I present two knitting designs that are woman/dog, or whatever combination in which you might like to think of it .... perhaps human/canine ?

These knitted designs came out of McCalls Needlecraft Magazine - Fall/Winter 1963.  I will say the pullovers are both great looking designs, as well as the dog coats.   I particularly like the dog coat on the right ... complete with pockets to carry those small things the 'walker' might need.    But, the set together, well, that's just 'too cute'.

I've listed these in the shop, should you be interested in creating the ladies pullovers, or dog coats.   But please, if you knit (and wear) the combos, please send me a picture !

Thanks for dropping by.
Lorrie

Womans Day Knitting Pattern Leaflet HH-46

Tucked away, in the September 1946 issue of Woman's Day Magazine  .....

....  is a three page spread across pages 39 - 44.   Here, the reader is shown a number of knitting patterns for the home.

 Starting with three afghans ... all of relative standard fair, however, perfect knitting projects for the beginners among us. 

 Standard fair ... as is the diagonal rug and the baby crib cover.   But there standard fair stops.   I've seen many knitting patterns, and as for the lap blanket and the four knitted doilies .... all quite unique design motifs.   I was thinking I'd never seen these before ... anywhere ... so I went out and did a few Google image searches and found nothing.  These two bedspreads. ... the same.  Now, the top bedspread is somewhat similar to a design called Evensong, but the same ... nope.  

 And then, on the third page is this lovely knitted design ... a pinwheel bedspread.   Now, the pinwheel itself is not that unique, but this particular one, I didn't find in any search.

Typically the patterns that appeared in the magazines were sponsored by one of the advertisers and just who was alway obvious by the brand of thread or yarn called for.   In these designs, the threads are generic - no brands listed.

These patterns were the mail-away variety and not included in the magazine.  If the reader wanted them, they had to send a Self Addressed 3 cent stamped envelope and they were mailed back.   A teaser, you might say.

Should you be interested, I've listed several of these designs in my shop.

For just a little more fun, on the back page of the pattern set, was this promotion ....

How about those prices !!

Thanks for dropping by, 

Lorrie 

Crocheted Doilies Pattern Leaflet 208

In my stack of loose pattern leaflets is American Thread Leaflet 208.

Tucked away in the back cover is the only identifier - American Thread Company - Leaflet No 208.

Now, my first thought is ... I've seen this before.   I'm sure this is already in the shop.  So, off I went to look.   But no ... not actually.  There are certainly similar Pansy Doilies, but not this exact one.  In looking through them, American Thread had  the common theme of the marvelous three color pansy border and the eight section center, but each of the centers have a slight variation to them.

Frequently Leaflet Numbers will tie to the pattern book thee designs came out of.  Off to American Thread Book 208.

Yes, Book 208 has that lovely Pansy Doily, but, it carries a different center motif and the second leaflet doily -- Rose Irish is not in this book at all.

I spent awhile in Google Images trying to identify where this pattern originates and came to a dead in. There are many doily designs, of course, named Irish Rose, not 'Rose Irish' -- No.    It is a beauty, 12 inches in diameter, with those delicate roses all around.     As curiosity is always my cat, I'll have to continue the watch.   I've no doubt it will pop up somewhere.

I've listed these two in the shop, should you be interested.
Pansy Doily 
Rose Irish Crocheted Doily

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

Tips on Tables, Vintage Crochet Book 167 from Spool Cotton

Okay, the title here gives us a great start.    In the evenings I like to rework these vintage (public domain) patterns while watching TV with my husband.   Well ... he's actually the one watching TV ... I'm just sitting on the couch with him !    This week, I've been working on my issue of ....

Spool Cotton Company Book No 167 - Tips on Tables.   This book was published in 1941 (yep, 76 years ago), in promotion of their current lines of threads.

No 7385 -  Dance of the Flowers - graces both the front and back cover.   This delightful large floral medallion with smaller fill-in work is worked in two colors.

The threads, well that would be "Clark's O.N.T. or J&P Coats Best Six Cord Mercerized Crochet Thread.   Remember, this is a time period before Coat's and Clark's were merged together into one brand.

No 7391 - Sorcery - Another medallions design (5 1/4 inches) with smaller fill-in motifs.  The finished cloth measures 53 x 73 inches. 

No 7363 - Richelieu - This (first) filet crochet selection carries a bold mosaic motif in the extra long size of 65 x 93 inches.

No 7444 - Peacock Tails - This four piece luncheon set was a quite popular design during the 1940's, appearing in five (that I know of) different Spool Cotton pattern books.

No 7414 - Snowfall - A delicate luncheon set with place mats and runners made up of small 2 1/8 motifs in a snowflake design.

No 7386 - Princess Charming - Dainty floral and leaf motif  in octagon motifs.  The finished cloth is the standard 60 x 80 inches.

No 7387 Forest Flowers - A larger motif at 5 inches, with fill-in, that resembles an opening flower bloom.

No 7416 - Family Affair - This Dogwood trimmed beauty, worked in Filet Crochet, measures 70 inches in diameter.

No 7185A - Spring Song - This exquisite lace mat is perfectly sized for trays.   The pattern includes the 'A", which means there is a corresponding piece out there.   I've not yet found it, but rest assured, I'll be on the watch.

No 7433 - Rusticana - A round Mat set densely crocheted using Knit-Cro-Sheen in three colors.
This pattern is offered as a free download in the shop.

No 7389 - Summer Sun - Another round medallion cloth; quite different but equally as lovely as the others.

No 7388 - A Square-A-Day - This third filet crochet selection is made of large 17 inch square blocks in a somewhat geometric flower motif.

No 7415 - True Love - Small Posy Flower motifs (a lot of them!) create this marvelous cloth - also 60 x 80 inches.

No 7408 - Rosy Posy - Our last filet crochet selection gives us a delightful luncheon set in rounded shape.

No 7328 - Brighter Star - The 5 1/2 inch round star motifs, with openwork joinings create a lovely cloth that is 65 x 90 inches.   A smaller version of this would almost make a lovely runner.

No 7392 - Gingerbread House - A tri-color mat set that has great potential; not only in browns but the colors of your dining room.

No 7390 - Flower Girl - This cloth is created in 4-1/2 inch medallions that are a 6-petal flower with small fill-in.   A grand design for your dining table.

No 7413 - Frolic - This sweet motif cloth starts with a linen center surrounded by a wide and whimsical squirrel and floral border.  Termed a tea cloth, is measures 44 inches square.

The book closes with a promotional advertisement for the other Spool Cotton pattern books of similar release dates.

And, there we go.  True to the title - Tips on Tables - all seventeen cloths or mats pattern are geared to the dining table.  I like that they put in five filet crocheted motifs; certainly more than the average vintage pattern book.

It took me almost a week to get through this one, but it's now listed in the shop for vintage historical value.  Time to move on to the next set ... perhaps a magazine this time.

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie