Crocheted Tablecloths of Round Medallions

A neighbor, going through boxes that had belonged to her grandmother, came across a couple crochet patterns, which she was kind enough to pass on to me.   She said she found nothing else that was crochet pattern related and had no knowledge that her grandmother was creative in any form.   Yet, she had held on to these patterns for a Very Long time.   All three patterns are free leaflets and all are dated 1939.   Although folded, they are in Very Good condition.

Officially called Lucky Star No 7144.  It was issued as Fre Leaflet No 1555 and has an encircled star motif.      Variations of this pattern have circulated several times.  I know I've seen it in a late 50's American Thread book as a table runner.

This is Continental No 7159, issued in Free Leaflet 1466L.   A semi spider web type design and measuring 60 x 81 inches.  The large motifs are 4 inches and and small are 2 1/2.   With a little heavier thread, this would make a wonderful bedspread as well.

This is the Worlds Fair Cloth Pattern.   It is another that has recycled.   I browsed around and apparently the motif is the same as that of the World Fair and was reissued to commemorate the different events.   This particular pattern does not state a size.  Just keep creating the motifs until you reach your desired size.

So, I know several things about the original owner of the patterns.    Her name was Martha, she lived to be 92, she had a granddaughter named Linda and she collected three crochet patterns all with a circular motif.

I've reformatted the patterns to clear clean copy, maintaining the original cover art and have listed in my shop, through the above links, should you be interested.  If you are looking for a specific vintage tablecloth, I have a ton of them (well, not literally), in the shop.  You might also want to look in the Squares and Medallions section as well.

Thanks for dropping by,

Quick Knit Patterns Columbia Minerva 732, Jackets Slipovers Coats

It's been awhile since I've previewed one of the vintage pattern books, so I took a gander though my box and came out with an early 1960's selection from Columbia Minerva.   This is book number 732 and contains a variety of patterns for sweaters, jackets, cardigans and a three coats.    A couple of the patterns are standard fair, but most have something special going on; either in design or pattern stitch.   Most of the patterns are knitted, most with some crochet detail included, and just two of the patterns are all crochet.     There are 32 patterns in all - all a promotion for Columbia Minerva's Knitting Worsted, Calypso, Calibar and Calibrette yarns.

The front cover features two cardigans and a slipover (732-1, 2 and 3).   All three knitted, with crochet. 

732-4 Cardigan - A cabled cardigan reminiscent of Jackie O style .. just below waist.    Sized 12 to 18, knit with crochet

                                               

 732-5 (on left) and 732-6 (on right).   Both have great pattern stitches; both are knitted; 732-6 has a touch of crochet.  

732-7 Cardigan has an attractive mix of diamonds with a moss stitch carried across front, back and down the sleeves.  It is knitted, with crochet details. 

732-8 Cardigan has a sweet pattern stitch and quite a feminine collar.  It is on the short side (a definite 1960s style), just below waist length and three quarter sleeves.   

732-9 Jacket (on left) and 732-10 Cardigan (on right).   Both these pieces are knitted, with crochet detail.  Both are attractive fair, but 732-9, with those elbow length bell sleeves and big collar are just a notch above.  

732-11 Cardigan - I don't know the name of this pattern stitch, but what a delight it is.  I particularly like how the pattern is pulled onto the collar, versus a ribbed effect.   It is knitted and sized 12 to 18. 

732-12 - Fair Isle Cardigan is worked by directed yarn color changes, not a chart.  It is knitted with crochet detail with solid contrast for fold-over collar, sleeves and button band.  

732-13 Cardigan (on left) and 732-14 Cardigan Jacket (on right) - Two great wardrobe choices; both knitted, with crochet detail.  

732-15 Cardigan - Here we have a knitted double breasted beauty with a fold over, wrap across collar.   It is sized 14 to 20.  

732-16 Cardigan Jacket - How do you take a cardigan jacket even more delightful?  Well, here they 

have added a double breasted inset panel - fashion and flair.  It is knitted, with crochet edging and sized 12 to 18.  

732-17 Jacket - The collar on this jacket is so wonderful that CM nailed it by making the rest of the design straight forward and simple.  It is knitted and sized 12 to 18.  

732-18 - Jacket - This piece just builds on itself ... first the pattern design, then the big buttons, the 3/4 sleeves and then, that collar.  It is knitted, with crochet edging.  

732-19 Jacket - Short and sweet with the potential of making just the right statement.   It is knitted.  

732-20 Slipover - A high neck pullover with raglan 3/4 sleeves and waist length.  Oh, and that delightful diamond geometric edged design!

732-21 Poncho with Slipover - This is a two-fer pattern.  First is a standard ribbed turtleneck slipover sweater, and then a motif designed tabbard with side ties.  (CM are referring to it as a poncho).   Both are knitted, the poncho has crochet ties.

732-22 Slipover - A nice sweater with banded V-neckline, three quarter sleeves and patch pockets.  It has an outdoorsy flair.  

732-23 Slipover (on right) and 732-24 Slipover (on left)  - Two great slipovers; one with an incredible cowl neck and one with a panel inset.  Both are knitted; pattern on right with crochet edges. 

732-25 Slipover.  This out-of-the-ordinary has a raised diamond motif, edge ribbing and an attached tie scarf collar.   It is knitted and sized 10 to 16.

732-26 Slipover, Hood and Mittens - a three pattern set.  The sweater features a strong cable pattern, which is matched on the gloves and detachable hood.   It's knitted with crochet ties and edges.  Mix and match all the way.  

732-27 Slipover - The is a design of understated elegance, featuring a honeycomb stitch - dress it up, or dress it down.   It is knitted.  

732-28 Cardigan Jacket (on left) and 732-29 Jacket (on right).  Columbia Minerva offer up these two exclusively crochet patterns - both loose fitting and comfortable in appearance, with great collars and sleeve variations.   

 

732-30 Coat - This coat has that WOW factor.  Simple and elegant, with the strong cable highlights.  It is knitted, with crochet edges and sized 10 to 20.  

732-31 Hooded Coat - This design is bold and fun; hip length with the checked pattern, hood and contrast bands.   It is knitted, crochet detail.  

732-33 Coat - And, last but not least, another long knitted coat - simple like a long sweater.   it is knitted with crochet detail and sized 10 to 20.

As typical with the earlier pattern books, the back cover is the same as the front shown above.   Now, as I work through the book, I process the patterns that I put in my shop.  This takes several days.  Which means, I've been looking at these designs quite a bit.   I have to say, there isn't a single one that I don't like.   And, the photography ... well, soft, romantic and sweet.   The pictures are a delight to look at.   

Well done Columbia Minerva !     The titles with highlighted links are available in my shop, should you be interested.   

Thanks for dropping by,  

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