Small Crochet Beaded Bag, Free Purse Pattern

I found this public domain pattern in a 1949 issue of McCalls Needleworks.    It's a cute little bag (even with the picture missing a small chunk).

Note - the circle at the top is a detail blow-up showing the pattern with the beads.   Anyway, it's a cute little shoulder bag, where you can crochet the shoulder strap to be whatever length you might wish.  A great little bag to carry just a couple things.  

Now, one thing about this pattern ... it calls for a lining kit that I have no doubt is no longer available.  But, I'm sure that it would not be that difficult to pick up some fabric and create your own lining.     If your looking for a little bag, you might want to give this one a try - it is available in my shop as a Free Download.    It would be a shame just to let these vintage goodies go to waste over a little lining !


Thanks for dropping by,

Crocheted Piggy Bank, Free Pattern

Now, what could be more fun that a crocheted piggy bank?   Well, I could suggest that might be a crocheted piggy bank full of $100 dollar bills.  But, since that isn't realistic (in my life, anyway), I'd say a Free crochet piggy bank pattern!  

This public domain pattern is from a 1949 issue of McCalls Needlework.  Picture quality in this magazine were not great, but I think we get the general idea.   This  piece, 4 x 10 inches, has a crocheted body with a small cleanser can on the inside to hold the money.   Stuffing is added between the cannister and the inside of the pig to plump him up.   A fun piece to make, as well as hold your money, I'm sure.

Perhaps you'd like to give him a try ?   Just in case, the pattern is available for Free Download in my shop --- come on over.

Thanks for dropping by,

Afghan Patterns, Columbia Minerva 742

Columbia Minerva have graced us with at least 7 or 8 different afghan books over the years.   This one, simply called Afghans by Columbia Minerva, contains 17 patterns.    The majority of the patterns are crochet, although there are 4 that are knitted.    The book has not dating or copyright references, however, I place it (public domain) in the early 1960's based on picture styles (props) and use of color.   Any later and it would have copyright references, and any older, it would not be in all color pictures.    Plus, the ultimate reference - the $1.25 original purchase price.    Several of the patterns are heavy on the embroidery, placing them right into that Heirloom quality.  

I'm pleased to share the book with your.

Taking center stage on the front page is the Rose Afghan - a crocheted afghan measures 47 x 69, made up of a center and side panels with a marvelous rose motif embroidered.  I particularly like the sparse use of the lush tassels on this one.

Flower and Fruit Afghan is crocheted in blocks and then embroidery of applies, grapes, pear, cherry,  pansy and black-eyed susan's are added.

 Officially, this is the Feather and Fan Knitted Afghan.   It is one of the classics, measuring 45 x 67 inches when completed.

This tri-color design is a gentle Crocheted Ripple, measuring approx. 49 x 54 inches.

Four motifs made a block; 7 3/4 inch squares make up this 49 x 64 inch  Crocheted Patchwork Afghan. 

This is an ongoing delight.  The Rosebud Afghan features Cables and small embroidery rosebuds along with triple knot fringe.   I'm surprised they did not name it an heirloom.  

This easy-to-crochet piece - The Daisy Afghan, is made with 305 motif flowers and blocks and put

together a 44 x 60 inch piece.  

The Red and White Afghan, made up of 7 strips, ends with triple knot fringe and measures 46 x 68 inches

This piece, the Blue and White Afghan, has a strong cable in a two toned striped and a nice finishing touch of fringe at the end of each cable.  

The Two-Toned Afghan is put together with 5 1/4 inch blocks of complimentary colors.  It measures 46 x 68 inches. 

The Black Afghan with Rose Motif has that lacy and flowery feel.  When finished, it is 54 x 72 and bound to become a 'couch' favorite.

This piece, Leaf Pattern Afghan, is made up of three panels with a raised leaf pattern running through and tufts of fringe to finish it off.

A brightly colored, yet masculine, Garter Stitch Afghan.  Note the tassels are of varying colors. 

Here is yet another stripe.   This piece, The Knitted Stripped Afghan, has a subtle blending of 5 shades.  It is a large piece - measuring approx. 57 x 72 inches.

Made up of 4 1/2 inch flower (my interpretation) motifs, surrounded with a border, the Crochet Loop Stitch Afghan measures 50 x 67 inches.

And, last but not least, bold selections.  First, on the right, a Crocheted Striped Afghan,   And, on the left, a Knitted Plaid Afghan with triple knot fringe.

Whew !   Now, that is at lot of afghan choices; 17 in all.  I spent two days working through this book and found my favorites changed as I went along.  At first, I was stuck on the Blue and White for it's simple elegance, then the Knitted Plaid (after all, how could you not love plaid), but, in the end, it was the Daisy Afghan that attracted me most.   How about you?

I've listed these patterns separately in my shop, noted by the links under the pictures,  should you be interested.  There are, of course, dozens of other knitted and crocheted afghan in the shop as well.

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

Crochet Pocket Purse Belt, Fanny Packs of the Past

In current times, we call them Fanny Packs and they come in a variety of styles and colors.    They gained great popularity in the 1990s with the widespread use of nylon fabrics.    They were equally used by men and women ... a unisex fanny pack, you might say.

I still have one in my closet.   I pull it out each year for Jazz Fest ... so great to carry a few dollars, some gum, chapstick .... you know .... stuff.    I understand the concept of 'fanny', but really, it is typically worn on the side or front.

But, the concept certainly did not originate with the cute name, like Fanny Pack.  I know they go back, at least to the 1940's, as I came across crochet patterns for two variations in the 1947 issue of Crochet Annual.

 This is referred to as a Purse Belt and attached to the waist with a button.   This design is adorned with beads all the way around the purse section.  

Whereas this one is a Pocket Belt.    It also attaches to the waist with a button.  

Neither of the patterns call for lining, but I'd think that would be a good addition.   I'd also venture that these designs of the past were primarily worn by women.   (I know I'd never get one on my 'old school' husband!).   

Do they still have possibilities in current time .... although not quite Fanny Pack.    Made up in colorful yarns, I'd think perhaps.    If you'd like to experiment, I've listed the pattern (for both) in my shop.  

Thanks for dropping by.  

Lorrie  

Crocheted Collar Moderne Vintage 1930s

Back in my more artsy days, I created a wide range of mixed media arts/crafts.    I loved most of them, but, wasn't much at marketing them.   Just create and stick them in the attic so I had space to move on.   Then, fast forward a couple years and I started pulling some of those works down to decide what to do with them and quickly decided ... many of them were just not as great as I had thought.  

I found myself thinking about this as I turned the page in the very Vintage (1934) Paris Sponsors Crochet, Coats & Clarks Book 46, and came across this pattern ...

Coats & Clark's call this pattern Collar Moderne.   It distinctly reminded me of some of those things that I created, that seemed wonderful at the moment, and then later, Not So Much.    I wonder if the creator of this pattern felt that way.   Great idea at the moment --- and I'm sure this would have been quite modern for 1934 -- and then later, Maybe Not.   Or, perhaps, it was money to the bank and who cares.

Basically, there are short and long crocheted bands that are connected together and then stitched to the garment of your choice.    I suppose, in the rights circumstances, one might be able to pull it off .... Maybe Not !

(to print, click to enlarge and then copy/paste to a word document on your hard drive)

What do you think?

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

Princess Doily Pattern Mail Order 1043

Here is a beauty.   Officially named 'Princess Doily', she is pattern number 1043.

The description - Violets in bas-relief are the motifs found in the spiderweb border of this lovely doily in crochet.  And that, certainly simplifies all that is going on here.   

Although this has all the signs (oversized paper and inconsistent strike print) of the vintage mail order patterns, it is in a different format.  So, my guess is there is another mail order company out there that I've not learned about.  I did a few searches on Princess Doily, and found a variety of them ... just not this one.  Based on the paper and print, I'm dating it to the 1940s.   Also unique in the pattern is some of the language used.    My favorite example being equidistant.   As in the blocking directions ' equidistant  around, then shape the scallops between them.   Seriously, I had to jump over to a google search and look up the word (which means = at equal distances).   

So, I don't know where it came from (company wise), but I do know that it is lovely.    The oversized page was in quite poor shape, so I took a couple hours and transferred this to a bright clear digital PDF, which is in my shop, should you be interested.   There are, of course, dozens of other doilies there as well.  

Thanks for dropping by, 

Lorrie  

Eastern Star Tatted Motif Pattern

Here is a tatting pattern, named Eastern Star, that I pulled out of the Dcember 1953 issue of The Workbasket.

It's a sweet little star motif that the pattern suggests you place on handkerchiefs.   Now, I don't know if many  ladies still use handkerchiefs, but it's still a nice motif to place, perhaps on collars or .....   I'll just leave that up to you.

              To print, click to enlarge and then copy / paste to a word document on your computer.

Oh, you'll note that I forgot to remove the tip at the bottom of the pattern.   Unless you are wanting to get knocked on your behind ... I don't suggest it !

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie