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Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Star Doily Book 124 Patterns American Thread

From American Thread Company, all the way back to 1955, is the Star Doily Book, No 124.    I particularly like they way the cover shows them framed.   I'm probably a lot of steps behind the rest of the crochet world, but I'd never thought of framing a doily.   Having a mixed media background, there's unforeseen potential here.   But, let me not get too sidetracked as I'm sure you stopped by to see the pictures of all this book contains.

Star Doily Book, No 124
Star Doily Book 124, Vintage American Thread
As usual, the front and back cover are the same.  

Pineapple Shell Crochet Oval Pineapple Doily Pattern
Oval Pineapple Doily   This beauty can be made as a centerpiece measuring 14 x 21 inches, or as a smaller version at 8 x 12 inches.

Pink Flower Doily Crochet Pattern
Flowers - This doily is row upon row of changing patterns and finished off
with a border of pretty pink flowers. 

Vintage Flower Crochet Medallion Pattern
More Flowers - Whether referred to as a luncheon set, as was the case in the 1950s, or the more common term now of placemat, this pattern gives instructions to crochet a pretty flower motif piece measuring 11" x 16.5".

Oval Crocheted Lace Doily pattern with flower motif
Motif Center - An elegant doily that can be crocheted in three different sizes -- small,
medium and large. 

Pinwheel Doily Knitting Pattern
Knitted Doily (with some crochet) - can be worked at either 16 or 22 inches and has a pinwheel or whirlwind motif.  This is the only knit choice in the booklet; which, I must say is one more than usual!

Pretty in Pink Crocheted Doily Pattern
Green and Pink Doily - A pretty piece that measures 13" in diameter

Vintage Crocheted Doilies Pattern
Spider Web Doily - Crochet at 10" or 13" in diameter
Picot Doily - Crochet 12 12 or 30" in diameter

Large Flower Doily Crochet Pattern in Cluster Stitch

Cluster Stitch Doily - And here is the Grand Finale.  We have a daisy center, several rows of quite attractive leaves, a tulip edge and a row of tiny flowers as the finishing touch.  Beautiful.  You can stitch it at either 16 or 22 inches in diameter.

All the patterns are crochet, except the knitted doily (of course); although it does contain some crochet.  All the patterns are calling for Puritan or GEM Mercerized Crochet Cotton, which was the promotion point for the leaflet.  I'm sure you'll have no trouble finding substitutes.

I'm a bit hung up on the doily on the couch.   We had complete dinner conversation about how the doily was affixed to the couch.  We talked about how sewing it on would be impractical (it would certainly need cleaned regularly), and pinning would be hazardous, and I don't think they had the spray-on glue back in 1955.  We also discussed static electricity, but that's a real stretch.   Perhaps you know ?

 I've restored and reformatted these patterns and they are available individually in my shop, should you be interested. Just follow the links below the pictures.  

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

2 comments:

  1. My Nana in England always had crochet pieces over her couch and chairs. They were never positioned like the one on Star 124. She had one on each arm to protect them from wearing or dirty hands. Then she would have one on the back of the couch, one for each sitting space. They we probably a third on top of cushion with remainder hanging. There purpose was to protect the couch from hair products. The crochet pieces did have to be 'tidied' regularly. But, I think my mother and Grandmothers generation did not seem to lounge as much on the couch...they sat there...beds were forsleeping. I know when my kids were growing up, any doily would be doomed and probably used as a napkin at some point.it would have spent most of its life down between the cushions

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  2. Responding to this old post. Yes, was the same with my Grandparents. For decorating but purposeful to keep hair products from soiling the couch, and greasy hands for side arms. Don't know how they managed keeping them on the furniture, they had 11 children and my Grandfather worked for the Railroad. I'm sure his hands were quite messy back in the day. My Grandmother had a drawer full of handmade exquisite tablecloths she made. Where she ever found the time with 11 children escapes me. Nice to read another post about the beauty and function of these time consuming projects. Guess some will never appreciate the beauty, labor and kindness attached to these handmade dollies.

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