Hats and Bags in Crochet, Spool Cotton Book 126

The year was 1939. Pope Pius XII was crowned in Vatican ceremonies,  WWII Begins, Federal Spending is 9.14 Million and the top song is,  In The Mood, by Glen Miller.   This same year, Spool Cotton Company released their Book No 126.

This is a delightful book, the pictures have that romantic feel.  And the styles; although the times were quite serious,  were quite gay.

The official introduction page on the inside cover.   You might have to double click to enlarge for reading.

No 2331 Hour Glass:  Wide on the bottom and top, narrowing in the middle to form a perfect hour
No 2330:  Classic Bag:  A perfect little clutch, with button closure,  to go with many an outfit.

 No 2358 Angel Face :  It's smart to look like an angel these days, and this innocent halo beret with grosgrain band will give you an appealing young look.  Tailored enough for street wear -- dressy enough for afternoon.

No 2327 Good News :  Off the head it looks like an envelope with its contrasting ribbon lacing, -- on it accents fair brows.  Wear it for coll feather weight comfort.

No 2335 Pieces of Eight:  A smart treasure, indeed, made of eight separate pieces that make one stunning whole.

No 2340 Runabout :  Wear this casual hat with its flattering brim and high crown on the back of your head.  With color contrast in feather and band, it's ideal for all-around wear.

No 2337 Loop-the-Loop : Referring to the handles of this zipper top knitted bag - of course!  The smart shirred effect and trim lines are easily achieved - and it's wonderfully capacious, to.
This pattern is available as a Free Download.

No 2336 Pillbox Hat and Bag: England's fashion leader, the Duchess of Kent, took the tiny pill box to her heart.  We offer it here in waffle stitch crochet with a smart bag to match.
No 2333 The Edwardians :  Pitch this rolled toque forward on your curls to give the Edwardian touch of elegance to your costume, and carry the round bag that makes a perfect alliance.  This set also graces the front cover.
No 2325 Tam O Shanter : A dashing highlander tam - a whirling disk that will give you that young look and a flat as a pancake bag to match -- a duet of real smartness.

No 2332 Algiers:  Grand for travelling - packed, this fez with its feather accent collapses into no space at all, or rises on the head to heights of smartness.

No 2328 Sky Top : This young open-topped hat has a ribbon crossband to keep your hair trim and neat.  Wear with the bow at the front or wear at the back for vanity. 

No 2338 Tisket-a-Tasket:  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

No 2339 Cock o'the Walk:  Fling this slightly made, but gay young topper, with a saucer like up turned brim, slightly forward on your head.  Trim it with a colorful flowing scarf.  

And, the back cover is the same.

So, what do you think?     If you ever spent a moment thinking the women of the 30's were not fun, these fashions just might help change your mind.  I'll readily admit, that, given the right event, I'd give a try to any one of the hats ... saving the hour glass for New Years Eve, of course.   

I've restored and formatted the patterns into PDF files, which are listed in my shop - just follow the links under the pictures, should you be interested.    Either way, I hope you enjoyed the photo journal. 

Thanks for dropping by,  

Beehive Baby Book, Patterns To Knit & Crochet

I have been working on Columbia Minerva Beehive Baby Book for a couple days know.   I think I've finally got it to a stage where I can share it with you.     Like almost all baby knit and crochet books, this one - Beehive Baby Book Volume 723 - has the most adorable babies and toddlers.  

723-29 - Star Shell Baby Blanket graces the front cover.  A perfect gift to baby, or in a different 

set of colors, a great addition to the couch ... perfectly lap size at 36 x 50 inches.

723-1 & 2 :  Crocheted Bear Rug and Crocheted Animals - How cute is this !  The rug is 30 inches long and the stuffed dog, cat and rabbit are 9 inches tall.  

723-3 Infants Knitted Set indicates the little hat, booties and a buttoned jacket.  

Notice the little bands and pompoms. 

 

723-5 Infants Knitted Set, consisting of a hooded jacket, mittens, booties and blanket has a nice waffled type pattern stitch.  This set is also sized for 6 month old baby. 

723-6 Infants Crocheted Set is certainly designed for a girl with crocheted in ribbon bow ties 

and a little round collar.  This set is size 6 months.

723-7 Infants Knitted Legging Set - The jacket, bonnet and mittens here are real sweet,
but the one piece legging is absolutely delightful. 

723-8 Knitted Legging Set with ribbed footie and buttoned shoulder straps have
matching jacket and bonnet. 

723-9 Knitted Shawl or blanket measures 40 x 40 inches and is nicely fringed.

723-10 Crocheted Blanket has 4 different puppy motifs embroidered and tri color fringe all the way around the 28 x 32 piece. 

723-11 Boys Cardigan with Matching Cap is sized 2, 3, and 4.  Bound to be a set that he won't object to wearing.
723-12 Girls Coat with flared skirt, front buttons and back belt band also sized 2, 3 and 4

 723-13, 14, 15 - Three knitted slipovers toddler sized 2, 3 and 4

732-16 Knitted Cardigan with different embroidery and lace motifs.

723-17 Ribbed Cardigan is adorable with button down collar and patch pockets at the side edges.
 This one is also toddler sized at 2, 3 and 4.

723-18 Girls Dress and Bolero.  Empire dress with definition stripes, three quarter sleeves,
 and a cute bolero.
723-18 Boys Suit with long sleeve cardigan sweater and shorts.
Both outfits are great dress-up wear for the little ones sized toddler 2, 3 and 4.

723-20 Childs Cardigan worked in stockinette stitch.  Rough and ready for your toddlers.

723-21 Raglan Sleeves Cardigan for a complete fashion statement.

723-22 Crocheted Headband for little girls is lacy in the front with popcorns in the middle and held secure with neck ties.   This pattern is available as a Free Download.

723-25 Childs Hood and Mittens keeps him all covered up and warm.

723-26, 27 & 28 - Argyle, Plain and Cable Socks for boys and girls size 4 1/2 to 7 1/2

And the back page is the same as the front.

And, that's it -- the highlights of all 42 pages.  It's a well rounded book with equal offering for the babies and the toddlers (who, of course, we still consider our babies).   Typically I process as many patterns as possible for the shop, but in this case there were a numbers of sts references that I was not sure how to handle, and as such, I didn't.     The patterns that I did process have links under them, should you be interested.   The two girls headband patterns are offered as free downloads.   

My favorites here are the two sets of knitted leggings for the babies and the little girls coat is just too cute.   Your favorites ?  

Hope you enjoyed the review.   Thanks for dropping by,  

Dawn Mohspun to Knit and Crochet

Tonight, I'm reviewing Book 196 from American Thread Company.    This book, not dated but somewhere 1960s, was apparently issued as a promotion to the then new DAWN MOHSPUN yarn.   For those of you familiar with the American Thread books .... how they are seried Star, Dawn or Aunt Lydia books ... this one has an interesting twist.   This is Star Book 196, and is a Dawn promotion.

It's a nice leaflet, the patterns are quite simply and I'd think easily accomplished by the beginner to intermediate fiber artist.

 Flower Blouse is made up with bi-color 4 or 4 1/2 inch motifs.  

Mens Cable Sweater, with a casual amount of cables. 

Crochet Shell or Dress ... one pattern at whatever length you might like to take it.  Made up with cluster and shell stitches.

This cute Long Sleeves with Ruffles sweater has just a touch of the girly girl going on.

Knitted Bubbles is a soft and feminine feature to wear either with a blouse or warmth, 

or as a blouse on its own. 

Loop Trimmed Shell or Sweater for a touch of fun. 

This puff stitch pullover sweater, look close, has scalloped edges. 

The 'Band' New Cardigan, easy-to-wear, is trimmed in braid or ribbon of your choice.

Crochet pattern to stitch a bauble necklace, bracelet and earrings.  This pattern is offered as 

a free download. 

And, gracing the back cover is a  lovely Straight Dress with a cowl - perfect for summer events or evenings out.  

So, to recap our photo journal, mostly casual designs in the easy to make realm.   A little something for everyone.  Perhaps the most remenescent of the 1960s is the Angel Dress.  My favorite is the puff stitch pullover.  It wouldn't do much to disguise my hips, but I like it anyway!

These patterns are listed in my shop, follow the links under each picture, should you be interested. 

Hope you enjoyed the review.   Thanks for looking. 

Lorrie 

Smart Little Toppers - Crocheted Hats

Up next in my collection came a leaflet from Lily Mills, called Smart Little Toppers For Wear All Around the Clock that was issued as a promotion to their brand of Rug Yarn.   This is one of those fold out pamphlets that give us 6 patterns to choose from.  There are no markings to signify dates, however, my best guess is going to place these pattern into the late 1930s.   That is based on the language and some of the references.   Let me show you this delightful lot.

First, the leaflet is Lily L241, which I learned is associated with the release of the Lily Art 241 brand of yarn.

Hi-Flier Pillbox style hat, flat top and a cute ornament on the front.

Celebration Beanie Hat.  Did you notice the little folds on both sides of the pompoms ....kinda like ears. 

Red Wing is made in sections and folds up to a small bow tie at the top of the head. 

Springtime Hat : This little hat sits on the back of the head.  It has a spattering of  popcorns and a cute little tie on the top. 

Crocheted Cap and Bag Set has Round Sides that converge around a flat top with decorative ties in the back. There is a matching clutch bag.  Both have a nice zig-zag type stripe design.

Polka Dots - has a 'just right' spattering of the dots and a sweet flower type ruffle 

across the top.  

I think this little leaflet is designs out of the ordinary.   It's sad that these came from a time when the women (assuming most patterns were designed by women), were not given the acknowledgement of their original designs.  

I like every single one of these hats, but if I should have to choose just one, it would definitely the the popcorn.    You?   

I restored the leaflet into individual which are listed in the shop ... just follow the links below the pictures, should you be interested in making one for yourself.  

Hope you enjoyed the pictures.   Thanks for dropping by. 

Lorrie  

Six Crocheted Beau Catchers

Historically the words Beau Catchers mean "A small flat curl worn on the temple by women".   But, back in the early 1940s, this word morphed into a garment or accessory meant to catch the eye of a potential Beau ... i.e., boyfriend.    This is the exact timing, 1943, of the Lily Mills Leaflet 112-B.

The leaflet has patterns to create 6 really nice Beau Catchers. 

A gaggle of "Dangles" hang off a hair comb

Three crocheted flowers on a ribbon backdrop.

A small bouquet of flowers

Look close - Ostrich feather tips !

A lovely Filagree comb

And, last but not least, a lovely bandeau to hold back your locks. 

With the exception of hair clips and barrettes being more common in today' fashion accessory, these designs themselves are apparently timeless.   

I've converted the pattern into a PDF file and listed it in my shop should you be interested in making one or all.  

one note :   Now, I don't know if these would necessarily catch the attention of  a Beau, but highlight an outfit and add a touch of fun and fashion - definitely.     My DH is named Beau, and I caught him with my incredible personality and cooking ability.  

Thanks for dropping by, 

Lorrie  

Knit Geometric Afghan Pattern, Alice Brooks 6542

This one is special - it is a mail order delight - Alice Brooks 6542, Vintage 1939.

When I obtained possession of this pattern, it had this advertising page clipped to it.   I love that.  

The knitted afghans are made of 5 inch squares that are overcast together.  The changing directions gives it that greater degree of contrast. 

  The squares can then be arranged to form four different afghans.  

The first two are in two color combinations and the second two are four color designs.  That's the shame of black and white photos; but what do I want from 1939.  

The paper was fragile and yellowed, but I was able to restore it to a clean crisp PDF document.   If you'd like to give it a try, it is available in my shop.      

Thanks for dropping by,