So You Want To Make A Rug, Star Book 197

So You Want to Make A Rug, is Star Book No 197, put out by American Thread Company.   I don't know the actual issue year as there is no copyright stated on the book (making it public domain).   I'm going to guess late 1960's, perhaps early 1970s based on the print fonts and quality of color pictures.    All of the actual patterns in the book are crochet, or have some crochet component.

The first 12 pages of the book discuss how to make Punch Needle Rugs.   There are no direct patterns given, but references to kits to purchase over the counter.    There is also a nice two page instruction and diagram sheets for making PomPon rugs.

Crocheted Motif Rug is made up in bright colors.  It is sure to be a colorspot in the home.  The rug measures 25 x 38. 

Basic Round Crocheted Rug -  Crocheted in four colors to whatever size you want - Small, Medium or Large.  A light fringe is added for a finishing touch.  

Crochet in the Round Rug looks soft and comfy made up in 4 corresponding shades.   It is crocheted to 38 inches in diameter and then knot fringe is added.  

Crochet with Embroidery is a firm base of single crochet, measuring 26 x 36 inches to which a full fringe and a delightful floral cross stitch embroidery is added.  

Crochet and Knot - A Block Fringe Rug measuring 20 x 36 inches.  

Reverse Crochet Rug measures 24 x 36 inches and is .... just like you might expect .... Reversible.

 Braided Rug is made of yarn braids that are connected together with single crochet.  The rug measures 24 x 35 inches.    

Combine Crochet with Braid rub is just the opposite of the Braided Rug.   This one is made up of crochet panels which are combined together with a single row of crochet.  The finished rug measures 24 x 32 inches.

And last, but not least, a woven rug on firm mesh.

There's a fair variety in the book and they look like they are all in the beginner to intermediate range.  Yes, You can do these!  If I had to choose a favorite, I'd say the Crochet in the Round.   It's just so fluffy looking ... like I'd like to step out of bed onto it in the mornings.   You, do you have a favorite?

Hope you enjoyed the photo journal.    Thanks for dropping by,  

Knitted Gloves Mittens for the Family Bernhard Vol 19

It's been awhile since I've worked through a pattern book. This one was next in the stack, and it was just right for the amount of time that I had available.   This book was issued by Bernhard Ulmann, back in 1944. The patterns, mostly knitted, include something for the whole family, infant to adult.    It is a straight forward black and white book; just as one should expect for 1944.   I like their use of backgrounds.

 The front cover

Followed up with 8 functional, and attractive patterns for her and 3 for him. 

Along with one more for him. 

And patterns for infants to Toddler size 4. 

And, I have to say, my favorite page - the back cover - is actually an advertisement for the Fleishers Brand thread.   Adorable babies indeed with a touch of the subliminal going on.   The happy baby on the right is wearing a sweater made with Fleishers Yarn.  The unhappy baby on the left has a sweater of 'another' company yarns.   Poor baby!

Overall, some nice vintage patterns that are just as applicable for today as they were in 1944.  Truly, do glove or mitten designs every go out of style?     I've listed a few of the designs in my shop, should you be interested.

Thanks for dropping by.

Flower Doilies Pattern, Coats Clark's Book 258

Here is another great selection of vintage crochet doily patterns from Clarks O.N.T. and J&P Clarks.    It contains 11 patterns all with (as you might have guessed) flower designs.    A couple easy, a couple complex, but all delightful pieces of floral art.    The book, issued in 1949 has a couple photos which show the great social changes between then and now.   I'll have to say, though, I always enjoy the photos in these old books.    All of the patterns are crocheted.

From the official introduction : " Flowers so truly fragile in color, so realistic in form, that they seem to bloom right on your table ". For your viewing pleasure, here is the photo journal.

Floral Doilies, Books 258

D-214 Daffodil Doily measures 14 inches in diameter.  Individually, I'd think these daffodils would also be marvelous attached to purses, or as a pin (with a pinback).

D-206 White Daisy Doily couples up a mesh border with a spray of daises in opposing corners.   As with the above daffodils, these flowers have many other potentials.

D-208 Forget Me Not Doily is  11 x 16 inches of mesh with stands of delicate Forget Me Nots in corners and border edge.

D-210 Pink Clover Doily - You have to employ your imagination here to appreciate the true beauty.  To start, the colors are Shaded Rose, Hunters Green and White or Ecru for the background.   It measures 14 inches in diameter.   I've been eyeing the little dish in the foreground of the picture.  I can't figure out what it is supposed to be.

D-207 Black Eyed Susan Doily is elegant in form - all 12 inches.

D-209 Apple Blossom Place Mat features a branch of (you guessed it), Apple Blossoms crocheted and then attached to 12 x 18 inches piece of organdy to create elegant placemats.   Here again, these little flowers have potential for clothing and trim.

D-205 Pansy Doily Luncheon Set includes the placemat as well as a matching medium and small mat for bread and butter dish and water glass (crystal of course).    All, of course, have a marvelous pansy motif around the edges giving off the colorful promise of Spring.

D-215 Blue Aster Doily is on the medium side at 12 1/2 inches.   The are staggered with an acorn or pineapple (not sure which) design.

D-211 Daisy Luncheon Set is a simple daisy motif added as trim to linen placemats in three sizes.   This is available as a Free Download in my shop.

D-213 Wild Rose Doily in shaded pinks and greens is bound to become the highlight of the table.  It measures 13 inches.

D-212 Blue Bell Doily holds stage on the back cover.  I particularly love the fans over each individual blue bell.  The doily is on the large side at 15 inches.

So, what do you think?  Some classic beauties here?   I'd have to say the simple daisy motif is my favorite, simply as it is one of my favorite flowers.  The raised flowers, such as the daffodils and the Blue Bells as excellent in their texture and dimension.  I've listed these patterns in my shop, just follow the links below the pictures should you be interested.      There are, of course, more crochet doilies in my shop as well.  

Hope you enjoyed the photo journal.   Thanks for dropping by, 

Lorrie  

Girls Crochet Dress with Shirley Temple Style

The picture on this crochet pattern leaflet brings to me fond memories of watching Shirley Temple movies (in reruns of course).   Officially, it is Leaflet M-10-36 published by American Thread Company.   The pattern set includes a crochet dress for girls sizes 4 to 6, pattern No 367, paired up with a very cute Crocheted Dog, pattern No 368.

And, why does it remind me so much of Shirley Temple, well ... here's a picture of her, positing with her dog. 

 And, I'd say, no coincidence at all, since the pattern is 10/36 and the picture of Shirley is also 1936.   An advertising campaign at its' best !

But, in all fairness, even without the adoration we all have for the little girl Shirley Temple, it is a quite nice crochet dress and who doesn't love a crocheted dog.    I've listed both patterns in my shop, should you be interested.

Girls Crocheted Dress No 367
Crocheted Dog No 368

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

Quick Tricks to Crochet and Knit Coats Clark's Book 307

New Quick Tricks to Crochet and Knit was issued by Coats & Clark's back in 1954.  The 'New' in the title puts me on alert as it implies that there was previously a Quick Tricks by Coats & Clark's.   Gosh ... will this collection never be complete !

Anyway, it is a nice little pattern book mostly on the crafts side - home decor and accessories.   There's sure to be something in here for everyone .... assuming there are a few men that would really like the place mats, potholders or glass mitts.  (You just never know!).

Although I don't typically include the cover jacket in my reviews, just had to on this one.   The cover art is delightful.    

S-601 Watermelon Hot Plate Mats & Napkin Holder.   This crocheted set is meant to be slipped over wire hot plate racks of the specified size.   I'd think the true watermelon lover would be able to alter the edge to lay flat. 

S-607 to S-612 - 6 different styles of glass jackets, to crochet. 

S-604 Square Potholder - Free Crochet Pattern offered here.

S-603 Golf Club Mitts - This colorful set is knitted, with crochet numbers.

S-602 Coat Hanger Covers - Color Coordinate your closet with these crochet covers, just for fun. 

S-605 Sugar N Cream Pot Holder Set -- Fun to crochet, I'm sure - even more fun to own.

S-601 - Pink Cloche - A fast and easy crochet beanie.

S-606 - Waste Basket Cover - Crochet to fit any size wastebasket.  What a great way to update the bathroom or den look !

S-613 Baby Monkey :  This sweet crochet pattern is sure to be a big hit with all fans of sock monkeys.
S-615 Pink Slippers - These crocheted beauties will be perfect to pair up with a house dress for a day of comfort.
S-614 Happie Chappie Potholder - This is a crochet that 'almost' everyone is sure to love. This pattern is available for Free Download.
S-616 Flower Pot Cover / Use this crochet pattern to create either a doily or a plant cover, or make two and use as pictured.
S-618 Baby Bib is crocheted with ribbon entwined edge.
S-617 Danville the Dachshund - the crochet pet of your dreams.

S-620 & S-621 Jeweled Collars :  Romantic detachable collars to dress up your wardrobe. 

S-625 Checkerboard Set is featured on the back cover.   A fun set for everyday use includes

Now, I'll say that the title was misleading ... the patterns contain no actual 'Quick Tricks' to make the projects.   We'll just have to surmise the Quick Tricks was meant to mean fast and easy designs.

P.S.  Wonder if there was a "More New Quick Tricks" published in the 60's.

The majority of these patterns are available in my shop individually, just click on the link.   And, there are other patterns in the shop for ... well ... just about everything, should you feel like browsing.

Thanks for stopping by.
Lorrie

Knit Sweaters and Accessories, Coats Clark's Book 140

A couple days back I picked up Coats and Clark's Book 140 to start processing for my shop and thought it might be another great candidate to highlight here in the blog.  This great little book.   Now, every Coats & Clark's book I've  gone through has been a nice combination of knitting and crochet; always a bit heavier on the crochet.   This book breaks that entire mold.   This book is knitting patterns.  100% knitting patterns.

So, for all of you knitting fans, Coats and Clarks Book 140 !

The front cover, as usual, highlights patterns within the book.  

B351 - (On Left) Cable Shrug - A delightful  Knitted Cable Shrug sewn to form a smart looking Bolero.  

B352 (On Right) Quickie Stole is worked on big big knitting needles in an easy stitch.  This pattern is available as a Free Download in my shop.

B350 - Simple Shrug is knitted and sized to fit women between sizes 10 and 18 -- it is one size and super simple.  This is shown above in color; the center piece in blue.  

B353 Hug Me Tight  Knitted Shrug - Just right to slip over your shoulders to ward off drafts.

B354 Knitted Cowl Collar & Beret.  A collar that can be worn in several different ways to add a custom look and a jaunty beret to perk up your spirits.

B355 Cossack Cap Knitting Pattern with or without the giant Ponpom.

B356 Stretch bed socks are soft and cozy for all women sizes.  They have just a bit of elastic at the ankles to keep them warmly in place all night long.

B357 Casual Cable Overblouse is knitted to wear over a a turtleneck, or all by itself as a sleeveless top.  It is sized small, medium and large.

B358 Quick-Knit Twisted Cable Cardigan

B359 Knitted Beret with just the perfect amount of slump - will fit girls and misses.

B361 Honeycomb Border Jacket is knitted with the ever attractive border from and bottom.

B362 Mens Knitted Cable V-Neck Pullover - a classic selection.

B363 PomPon Pillow & Petal Pillow are two knitted accessories to adorn our couches, or wherever we might like to toss them.

B365 Pompon Topper & B366 Flower Topper - classic vintage coverups for our tissue!

B367 2 Needle Split Cable Mittens are just waiting for winter

B368 Smocked Border Hood and Mittens - Knitted and designed to fit child sizes (approx. 8 - 12) and womans size.    (A decade earlier and this cool hat would have been called a Helmet).

B369 Crazy Stole is knitted with a great pattern stitch that makes the most of 2 complimentary colors and finished with an extra long fringe.

And the back cover reviews a couple of the patterns -- this time in color.

Now, I'd think that there is something here for everyone.   For the most part, even the styles are still relatively applicable.    I particularly like the shrugs and the cowl collar.   If only I could knit.  I've listed a fair number of these individually in my shop, links under the pictures, should you be interested.

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