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Thursday, January 31, 2013

Crocheted Utility Bag Patterns

It seems that I've updated a couple different patterns lately that are Crocheted Knitting Bags.   Each time I find myself thinking - isn't that an oxy-moron.  You know, a crocheted knitting bag.   Okay, I know that is a stretch, but one can't help what they think.      They are, trully, great bags, perfect for hauling around a whole variety of smaller stuff.

Crocheted Knitting Bag Pattern
This striped bag has a bit of a zig zag pattern going on.   I particularly like the knitting pins - how the ends making that clacking sound. 

Vintage 1950's Crocheted Utility Bag Pattern

This crocheted bag looks on the smaller side.  I'd think a younger girl would love this for hauling Barbies. 

Crochet Pattern, checked utility bag

Going back into the 1940s, they called this a Utility Bag.  And, you guessed it, 
there are knitting needles in the picture.  Nice pattern stitch here. 

Vintage Striped Utility Bag Pattern

Here's another striped bag with the wood handles. 

Crocheted Utility bag pattern with round handles

And, to be just a bit different, this one is diamond shaped with round handles.
This pattern is available as a Free Download.

The bags with the knitting pin handles are my favorite.  And, when I learn how to crochet, I'm just might make one to hold some of my sewing supplies.

Why do you think they don't have Knitted Crochet Bags ?

Thanks for dropping by.   

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Aran Knitting Patterns

One of the most viewed items in my shop is an Aran Knitting Pattern.   Interestingly enough, it is also a pattern that does not often sell.  I can absolutely understand why on both counts.

American Thread Knitted Aran Afghan Pattern

This is indeed a fabulous design,  Patterns containing the 'Aran' name will contain any number of different stitches - cables, moss, honeycomb, braid, diamonds, etc.   It is made in panels that are stitched together.  They do not bear fringe or pompoms as they would just be too much.   But, what does this mean ... well ... it's a fair amount of detail work with an over changing pattern stitch.    I have heard some say that it is a good beginner to intermediate pattern though, in that is gives one practice on may different stitches.  

Vintage Aran Knitted Sweater Pattern

This lovely Aran is on the 'simpler' side - featuring diamonds and seed stitch.  The entire design concept is reported to date back to the early 1900s in Ireland with the knitting of sweaters.

And this Mother / Daughter Dress is a beauty.  

Womens Ara Knitted Socks Pattern, Vintage 1950s

And hundreds of variations of socks, I'm sure.  

The complexity of design, texture, dimension will continue to be a draw for knitters forever, I'm sure.  There are a number of other Aran designs in the shop, should you care to browse further.    I'm sure there will be many more in the three dresser drawers of patterns I've yet to complete.

Thanks for dropping by. 

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Butterflies in Crochet, Coats Clarks Book 272

There probably has never been a time that butterflies were not a favored motif for crochet.  They are bright and colorful and just the sight, be it the real thing, or portrayed in art, gives us that feel of long summer days and pretty flowers.    No wonder that butterflies have also remained a popular motif in crochet.

Way back in 1951 - 62 years ago - Coats & Clark put out a book celebrating Butterflies in Crochet.    Now, there were certainly no groundbreaking design ideas, but each of their butterflies are attractive motifs' with plenty uses.  Let me show you.

Book 272 - Butterflies in Crochet 
The front cover gives real life examples of some of the butterflies portrayed in the pattern book 

Vintage Butterfly Gloves Crochet Pattern

Hat and Gloves S-36 :  Here we have big butterflies stitched to a fabric cloche and the matching 
motif built into a pair of crochet mesh gloves.   This set is pure fun.  


Butterfly Handkercheifs S-44 :  Three pretty butterflies and edgings to stitch to handkerchiefs,
 or items of your choice. 

Vintage Crochet Butterfly Applique Patterns

Butterfly Blouse S-34 :  Just a bit misleading, this pattern includes instructions for one butterfly that can be made to a variety of items and stitched to a blouse, as they suggest, or to anything you might like. 
This pattern is available in my shop as a Free Download. 


S-37 Butterfly Runner.  The pattern includes both a large and a small butterfly motif 
for stitching to runners (or items of your choice). 

Vintage Butterfly Appliques for Luncheon Cloth

S-65 Butterfly Luncheon Cloth:  Another attractive motif for stitch to cloths - in this case a 
pretty pink luncheon cloth. 
Butterfly Trimmed Mats Pattern
S-43 Butterfly Luncheon Set :  A loose butterfly design is attached as edging to place, 
bread and butter and glass mats.  

Butterfly Crocheted Doily Pattern

Night Table Doily S-55 :  This 15 inch square Night Table Doily is mesh with 
a raised butterfly motif. 

Bedspread Ensemble S-66 :  This is an inspiration pattern picture.  Make up the different butterfly motifs in the book and attach bedspreads, curtains, lamp shades in a colorful array. 

Crochet Butterfly Luncheon Set in Pink and Green

Luncheon Set S-61 :  In three sizes, using this mesh mats with butterfly edge
as luncheon mats or doilies.  

And, there you go.  These 9 patterns constitute the book.   I think there is a nice assortment in here.  Although I'm not sure about putting these on blouses, I would image there would be many a person, especially young girls, that would love the butterfly gloves and hat, and I certainly wouldn't mind the runner cloth myself.   You - do you have a favorite ?  

I reworked this book into sharp clean individual patterns, which I have listed in my shop, should you be interested.  The links are below the pictures.     I hope you enjoyed the book review. 

Thanks for dropping by,  

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Knit Sweater Patterns, Mens Book, Columbia Minerva 734

This particular pattern book, Columbia Minerva - Volume 734, is one of those rare pieces that was issued with patterns for men only.   It contains solely knitted sweaters being modeled by an assortment of men that range from quite cute to downright handsome.    In case you are interested in seeing a range of mens' sweater patterns, or viewing handsome men, let me show you both.

Mens Knitting Pattern Book 734 from Columbia Minerva
Mens Book - Columbia Minerva - Volume 734
features three of the patterns in the book.   I was unable to rescue the patterns for two of the sweaters (the same person who drew on their facial hair scribbled all over those pages), but the third pattern - 

734-1:  A nicely ribbed sweater featuring three color bands across the chest and raglan sleeves.  

mans knitted sleeveless pullovers pattern
These two, apparently distracted, dapper young men have chosen for todays' wardrobe: 
734-3 (on right) a round neck vest with cables.
734-4 (on left) a v-neck with light ribbing at openings has that soft, you know you want to touch it, look. 

knitting pattern, mens sleeveless pullovers
Two more pullover vests and two more handsome young men. 
734-5 (on left) with v-neck and cables down the front sides. 
734-6 (on right) with wide ribbing and a winter motif on the chest. 

Vintage Mans Buttoned Vest Pattern CM 734-7

This dignified gentlemen is modeling 734-7 - a buttoned down sweater vest with a rather unique half 
diamond band along the bottom. 

Vintage Cardigan Knitting Patterns for Men

Here we have a smiling pair of gents, obviously in the throws of celebration. 
Our trophy holder, is wearing 734-8 - a sleeveless buttoned vest with short v-neck and one patch pocket, whereas our friend on the left has a buttoned cardigan sweater with dual pockets and waffled pattern stitch.  

Columbia Minerva Knitted Mans Cardigan Pattern
Hello Handsome.  You are looking great in the Minerva 734-10 Allover Ribbed Cardigan, with front banding and pockets. 

Mans Jacket Knitting Pattern in Rib Stitch

And, equally as great, is Mr. Handsome's possible brother, sporting a deeply zipper cardigan sweater  (734-11) with a front zipper versus the usual buttons.  

Mens Tennis Sweater knitting pattern, cabled

The only pattern in the book that features a woman, who not only is in the accompany of a charming young man, but sporting matching (734-12&13) His and Her Pullover Sweaters

Knitted Mans Striped Polo Shirt Pattern
No 734-14, a sporty long sleeved sweater is sporty and light spirited.  

vintage short sleeve knitted shirt pattern for men
I turned the page to this smiling young man, and was immediately charmed.   How Tom Hanks in Big!  The shirt (734-15) is also nice - elbow length sleeves, front button closure and small diagonal pattern stitch. 
Mens Knitted Pullover Pattern, V-Neck, long sleeves

No 734-16 is an aristocratic choice with it's ribbing, long sleeves and color bands.  Perfect for the young, and no-so-young.  

Knitted Cable Sweater Pattern for Men

Here is the adorable Smiling Man from above, this time wearing a straight forward cable sweater (No 734-17)  with just a bit of color contrast at the neck and cuffs. 


This sharp and intriguing young man is wearing an equally so sweater, (734-18) a knit raglan with a two tone half diamond motif at the hemline and sleeve ends. 


Here we have a studious clean-cut chap in 734-20, a mans raglan sweater with a checked tweed on the front and contrast solids on the back and sleeves.  

This sweetheart is wearing 734-21, a sweater design a bit different that has crossed bands that run across the shoulders and down the sides and arms.  


These rugged sportsman each have sweater No 734-22.  A solid, loose fitting design with bands down the front and contrast ribbing.  It also gives the wearer the choice of collar in or out.  

And, as usual, the front page is the same as the back page. 

Again, these designs are vintage 1960s.   Most would make perfect choices for todays wear.  The only issue, that the 50 years has going is the length.  Most styles of the 2010's, at least currently, are longer in design.  Which means, the talented knit artist would need to add rows of length. 

So, what do you think.   Charming men -- yes ???   Interesting patterns -- some, I'd say.   These patterns are listed separately in my shop, just following the respective links below the pictures, should you be interested.

Thanks for dropping by for my picture show, 
Lorrie  

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Crochet a Pineapple Jacket

I recently purchased a whole lot of Design Mail Order patterns and had a great time going through them.  They came from an estate and although I did not know the owner, I quickly learned one thing about her -- she loved to crochet, and in particular, items with the Pineapple motif.    There are doilies and cloths, of course, but there are also some more unusual finds.   Like these two - pineapple jackets.


Mail Order Design 538 - Here we have hip length, gently scalloped edges, single button/loop closure at the neck and then .... lovely pineapples sloping all the way across the raglan shoulders, down the sleeves to the wrists.  


Mail Order Design 974 - This one gives us a stand-up collar, the button/loop neck closure, the gentle scallops at the sleeve ends and bottom, again raglan sleeves, and then .... dual panels of pineapples down the front, across the shoulders and around the bottom of the sleeves. 

Crocheted Pineapple Jacket Pattern Design 982

Mail Order Design 892 - This is a three quarter sleeve delight with an implied pineapple yoke and band down the front - quite elegant.

These are design patterns, which were mail ordered through newspapers (Laura Wheeler and Alice Brooks) fom the 1930s into the 1970s.   One of the selling features of the design patterns were their range of sizes.   Both of these patterns are misses / womens sized from a bust of 32 to 46.  

These patterns are intermediate; but, if you have the skills, and the love of pineapples, they are designs that you'd wear for years.   

I'm hoping to get one of two of these Design patterns done each day, and will be sharing more with you soon. 

Thanks for dropping by.
Lorrie