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Friday, April 6, 2018

Leeward Mills, Crocheted Nylon Accessories Leaflet

In my stack of loose pattern leaflets (wish I could come across these more often!), is a two page pattern pamphlet from Leeward Mills.

Nylon Accessories to wear ... to give.    Nylon ... yes, the patterns for these designs are crocheted in nylon threads.   This leaflet originated in the 1940's; wool was scarce and nylon became a regular commodity in the crochet community. And, after WWII ended, a huge surplus from parachute production remained.     (Note:   It is still available today in the same sizes!).

The pattern on the front page gives three insertion, with matching edgings.  These insertions were designed for hankerchief ... dense and  luxurious.


The Classic Bag and Beanie grace and inside page.   Worked in Nylon size 5, I'd think these accessories would be on the stiffer side.

This narrow tie, in Size 5 Nylon thread might make an interesting addition as a scarf to your favorite button-down.   The pattern is available as a Free Download in the shop.


And then .... the pamphlet closes with the Leeward Mills Quality Guarantee, which was typically printed on the label of their products.

Hope you enjoyed the touch of 1940's accessory fashions.    Thanks for dropping by.

Saturday, March 31, 2018

A Quite Popular Crochet Pineapple Doily

Some of the Mail Order Design patterns were more popular than others.   But how can you tell which ones were the 'most popular'?   That one is easy ....  by how many times it was duplicated.



Lets take this marvelous Mail Order Pineapple Doily as an example.  The doily, depending upon materials used, can be  made in six different sizes ranging from a small of 11 all the way to 25 inches in diameter. 

And, apparently the readers loved it ....


Design 869 (Laura Wheeler) was released in April of 1951.  "Crocheting this doily is time well spent.  Stunning in two colors; start the second color on the second pineapple round".   It was ran again in 1954. 

Design 7223 (Alice Brooks) was published in 1957.   "Crochet with an heirloom future - as centerpiece, placemat set - prize winning doilies.  Lovely in two colors, starting second color in second pineapple round".  It was ran again in 1959.  

And it was released in a separate syndicate column as American Weekly 3136.  (I don't know the dates or description), but would assume it was in the same time span ... or, based on the paper quality, no later than 1961.  I'm just beginning to understand that American Weekly was apparently associated with Readers Mail.  

And that's how the it went for the popular designs.   They are released, and if sales are more than typical, they are the sister name -- Laura Wheeler or Alice Brooks and even more sales were made.

I'd wonder how frequently the fiber artists buying these patterns discovered they bought the same Design twice !

Okay, I'll get back to work now.    Thanks for dropping by.

Friday, January 5, 2018

The Crocheted Pineapple Cape

The pineapple stitch in doilies have been a favorite design for .... well, a very long time.   But clothing, that appears to be a different story.  I've processed over 5000 patterns for the shop, and of those, find that pineapple stitch in clothing became prevalent in the late 1950's, with the Mail Order patterns (Laura Wheeler and Alice Brooks) leading the charge. 

As was typical, the Mail Order patterns built on each design ... i.e., create a pattern and if it proves popular, start making slight deviations in another pattern .. repeat, repeat, repeat. 


Crocheted Pineapple Cape Pattern with small collar
Design 833 - "If you want a lovely cover for chilly weather, why don't you crochet one yourself.   This little cape in the lacy pineapple pattern is easy to crochet"  1955

Short Pineapple Cape, Capelet Pattern, Design 7249
Design 7429 - This crocheted pineapple cape is a close match with the variation being a different collar. 
Long Crochet Cape Pattern in Pineapple Stitch
Pattern 7329 - Multiple variations in this pretty design.  

Crochet Pineapple Cape in easy shell stitch
Design 617 - "Graceful cape to star atop fashions -- in pineapple design combined with easy shell stitch".  

Crochet Pineapple Cape Pattern with open yoke
Design 716 - "Rows and rows of pineapples topped by open crochet yoke and band collar - a pretty capelet for any season wear".  

I still have several hundred Mail Order Design patterns to process and, I have no doubt, there will be  more pineapple capes.  

Thanks for dropping by, 
Lorrie 

Sunday, December 31, 2017

Serviceman's Knitting Patterns, 1951

It was post World War II, and into the second year of the Korean Conflict and Smart Knitting decided to run a feature on desired military fashion.


Now, who knows if they really 'surveyed the boys themselves" .. I'd think not, but still it's a fun retro look at 1951 Military fashions.

Square Neck Pullover; an easy knit in a combination of stockinette and garter stitches.   This pattern is available as a Free Download.

Sleeveless Pullover, waist length with V-neckline is knit in Beehive Scotch Fingering Yarn.

Spiral Knit Socks, sized 10-1/2 to 12-1/2, for those Officer dress-up needs.  This pair is surprisingly easy.


Turtleneck Pullover, sized 36 to 44, modeled with that (perhaps weather) blimp in the background.  Notice the Navy pants with the button flaps and slight bells.   I wonder when the style changed?

Long Sleeve Pullover, with the standard V-neck and ribbed edges.

Now, I don't figure that many (if any) of these patterns will sell, but the photo themselves were worthy well work the day spent processing and listing.   Did you notice that the model in each photo is slightly characterized, versus standard snapshot? 

I hope you enjoyed the '1951 Military Fashion Show' as much as I did. 
Thanks for dropping by,






Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Hand Knits for Men, Spinnerin Volume 141

I was scanning a few booklets, when I came to this Spinnerin Men's Book.  To the head of the stack it immediately went.   Men's patterns, in comparison to women's is so minor that they deserve to be handled first.    So, for my 'next up' book review ....

Spinnerin 141 - Hand Knits for Men was issued in 1957.  Frequently pattern books are issued for a specific brand of yarn as a promotion.   In the case of this pattern book, however, it appears Spinnerin featured a number of their different yarns.   Perhaps their 'most popular' yarns for the time period.

Style No 4046 - V-Neck Cardigan graces the front cover.

Style No 4033 - Sleeveless Cardigan Pattern, V-Neck and slightly below waist length 
Style No 4035 - Sleeveless pullover (on right) features narrow stripes in two colors with contrast bands and trim.
Style No 4031 - Mans Sleeveless Pullover in two tones of Nylane Fingering Yarn, with contrast trim.
Style No 4045 - Mans Cabled Pullover pattern has a defining touch of 'just a bit' of contrast color trim on the V-neck.
Style No 4063 Mans Pullover with patterned yoke features cable and pebble stitches.

No 4036 - Mans Raglan Sleeved Pullover with ribbed edges.   A casual design perfect for every (winter day) wear.

No 4030 - Mans Sleeveless Pullover Pattern is hip length, v-neck and contrast color bands.

Style 4041 (on left), mans sleeveless pullover with tri-cable bands.
Style 4048 (on right), a different variation of the sleeveless pullover, in an easy basketweave type stitch.

Style No 4042 - Mans Pullover Vest Pattern, below hip length in easy pattern stitch.

Style No 4043 - Mans knitted vest with slot pockets, lowered v-neck, below waist length.

Style No 4044 - Mans two tone checked sweater with contrast sleeves and ribbed bands.

Style No 4028 - Pullover features extended shoulders and a grand buttoned yoke collar.

Basic Mens Sweater include sleeveless, crew neck and raglan sleeve options with or without turtleneck.

Two pairs of mans basic knitted socks.

Style No 4013 (on left)  and 4047 (on right) - mens patterned pullovers.  (Not processed as the charts had been scribbled all over).  

And, gracing the back cover, Style No 4029, Mans Pullover (with an interesting wavy ribbed pattern stitch).  

All of the patterns are written for size small (36-38), with changes for medium (40-42) and large (44-46).   There are nice designs in this book, albeit some a little short for todays' fashions.   Perhaps you have the skills to lengthen.     The materials referenced in the book, of course are outdated (Spinnerin no longer in business), however finding substitutes should not be too difficult.

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








Saturday, November 4, 2017

Lily Mills Book 1300, 42 Crochet Patterns

I've been so busy transferring the shop from Todays Treasure to Vintage Knit Crochet that I haven't taken much time to process patterns since June.    But the transfer is close to complete, and I'm going to relax a bit and resume processing a couple patterns each day.    I went to the 'pending cabinet' and out came ....

Lily Mills Book 1300  - Crochet - 42 Items of Beauty and Lasting Quality. 
Illustrated ... Explicit Instructions 

I've had this book in my collection for several years.  I recall when I first received it receiving a good chuckle from the "Illustrated Explicit Instructions'.

This pattern book takes us back to 1945.   It's a bit of a 'no-frills' muted black and white book, as would be typical for being in the middle of WWII.  Surprisingly enough, there are no WWII war bond advertisements.    The book offers us a bit of this and that ... something for everyone, and then a little more.   I'm not going to add all 42; in fact I processed just 20, but even that's just too much of a blog post, put I'll put in a few and supply a link to see the rest.    Ready?   Here we go.

Hit Parade - Baby Set No 1:   This easy knitted baby set includes a jacket, bonnet and sweet little socks.  I like the addition of the socks, versus the typical booties.

Baby Talk :   This little set includes a baby bonnet and matching mitts.  Both are ribbon laced and sized for baby at 3 - 6 months
This Crochet Flower Picture is an unusual piece.   The flowers and separately crocheted and then tacked in place to fabric covered cardboard and framed.   Perhaps an extension of crewel work that was so popular in this time period.    I've not processed this pattern, but if you just 'must' have it, let me know.  

Doily Set - Place Mat and Glass Doily - This graceful mat set is certainly out of the ordinary.  Flower petals and leaves surround a linen center.  
Darned Filet Centerpiece, 14 x 24 inches, in the marvelous rose scroll motif and be worked in Filet Crochet as well.  


Handbags and Coin Purses are billed as a Mother Daughter set ... perfectly sized for each, and a quite easy pattern.  


Fascinator Head Scarf ... as 1940's as it gets!  The flowers on this design are crocheted separately and sewn in place.  


Gay Espardilles - Crocheted House Slippers and attached to cork bases.   They are sized to fit and do indeed look comfortable, as well as fashionable (with those ankle ties). 



This cute piece is a hat shaped pincushion with lattice edge and ribbon ties.  In the 1940's, pincushions were for hat pins as well.   



This pattern book was issued as a promotion for Lily Sil-tone Mercerized Crochet Cotton and Lily Pearl Cotton.   All of the patterns call for these threads.  

There are a few other beauties in this book, if you'd care to take a look.  The patterns I did not process were primarily edgings and insignificant bits (like the hat pin heads pictured above) .... that's how they go all the way to 42!.  

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





Friday, October 6, 2017

Smart Stoles to Knit and Crochet

I'm taking a short break from fine-tuning the shop to work a few leaflets.

Coats Clarks Leaflet W-547 Smart Stoles

Here we have three pretty stoles, The middle in knitted, the beauty of the left is a combination of knit/crochet and the one on the right is crocheted.   It was when I turned the leaflet to the backside and saw the pattern titles  -- Judy C-154, Deborah C-155 and Donna C-156 that I realized I'd seen this line-up before.

A quick browse around quickly identified it  ... the models and the naming conventions line up with Coats and Clark's Book 296  -  Festive Stoles and Blouses.     In this booklet, the pattern numbers start up with No C-157.

This leaflet / book combination is just a bit out of the norm.  Most often, pattern leaflets carry the same number designation as the corresponding book.  And .. the leaflet pattern is typically a design from the book itself. 

I wonder, if perhaps, this Leaflet W-547 was positioned near the Pattern Book 296 as a promotion. 
A question I'll never know the answer too (this is vintage 1952 ... older than me).   Perhaps one of you know.

Thanks for dropping by.
Lorrie