Crocheted Cap with Long Tassel Free Pattern

This pattern jumped right out and made me chuckle.  At first site, I thought ... a Green Leprechaun Cap!   But, of course, it doesn't resemble a leprechaun hat at all.   Guess it was just the green.    This piece does yell fun though.   Can't you just imagine putting it on, bending over a bit and twirling that tassel.   Or, should you be able to run fast enough, have it streaming behind you ... like a gust of wind.    Yep, it yells fun.

This is a vintage pattern ... right out of the January, 1953 issue of The Workbasket.     If you want to print it, click to enlarge the picture, then copy/paste it to whatever word document you use on your computer.     If you make it up, do stop back by and let us know if it is as fun as it looks. 

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

Spring Mail Order Dress Patterns Vintage 1950s

Vintage 1950s ... but actually, this advertising page is from the January 1953 issue of The Workbasket.   The fashions of this time period are fitted bits of timeless elegance. 

Workbasket 4559 (top left):  Semi-fitted dress with gored skirt and marvelous collar, cuffs, flaps and belt as contrast.   This dress is Wow factor .... just like Mom would have worn. 

Workbasket 4522 (Middle):  A lovely frills or no-frills one-piece apron.   This was a popular pattern, also put out under the Anne Adams name.   

Workbasket 4572 (Right):  Sleek semi-fitted panel dress with a great front wrap bodice closure.  (I think I'd leave the flaps off, though).

It's a nice selection.  Notice how the sizes go larger.  I find that interesting in that, overall, we women of the 2010's  are larger than those of 1950's, however, pattern sizes seldom run an higher than 22 ... and typically not higher than 18.  

Other than references over at Wikia to the apron pattern, I didn't find anything on them out there in Google Land.   Suppose if they still exist, they are part 'till death do us part' collection.

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

Doreen Crocheted Knitted Mittens Gloves Socks, Vol 96

I've now added a 5th Doreen (by Nell Armstrong) book to my collection.    This one, Doreen Two Needle Argyles - Easy to Make Crocheted Mittens and Gloves.   So, five down; about 100 to go --- unless the series did not start at 001.   I've performed quite a few Google searches looking for information and have found very little. 

The book cover says 'Crocheted Mittens and Gloves'.   But, there is a whole lot more going on here.   As many of the patterns are knitting as crochet, and there are sock and a scarf as well.       The pictures in the book are quite explanatory, so I'm giving here just a photo-journal .....     Enjoy the book.

Along with a variety of old-style, albeit fun and funky mittens are some very elegant socks and gloves.   Something here for everyone.   Of Nell's books, that I've seen so far, this one is straight-forward, not many cute drawings and, well ... strictly business.   But, what nice business. 

I've scanned this public domain book and listed it in my shop, if you are interested.      Hope you enjoyed the photo-journal.

Thanks fro dropping by,
Lorrie

Misses Winter Coat Pattern, McCalls 4217 Again

Do you ever wonder if there is any logic to the way the major pattern companies assign the numbers ... or is it entirely arbitrary.    I sometimes wonder about this.   I frequently find individual pattern numbers reused a decade later for the same category.    

Case at hand ....  McCalls 4217

 Copyright 1974 - Misses Lined Front Wrap Jacket or Coat along with a Skirt

 

Copyright 2003 - Misses Lined Jacket or Coat with Hook Eye Closure, along with a skirt and pants. 

I find this type of thing frequently.   It always makes me wonder ....

Coincidence ... Not a Coincidence ... Coincidence  ... Not a Coincidence   (Repeat over and over ... as in He Loves Me, He Loves Me not).  

Okay, so maybe I need to get a life, or at least something else to wonder about !

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

Fluffy Ruffles Crochet Patterns, Coats Book 275

If you love crocheted ruffles, you are going to love this one!   How do I know?  Well, I just do.   This pattern book is from JP Coats Clarks and is Ruffles Book 275.   It contains a delightful assortment of ruffles for your clothing and home decor ... ruffles at their best.   I have to say that this book contains one of the most unique (ruffled, of course) window treatments I've seen.   And, as typical with these 1950 era books, the photography is lovely.    

So, get another cup of tea and enjoy the photo-log.

 Coats Clarks Ruffles Book 275

 The cover features the crocheted window ruffle, along with plant jacket ruffles. 

S- 97 Roses and Ruffles - a detachable Collar that will make a stage with any dress,
 be it high or v-neck.

 S-105 Pinafore Frills - Crocheted neck and hemline ruffles, shown here on a girls dress, but adaptable for any size.   This pattern is available as a free download in my shop. 

S-104 Crocheted Peter Pan collar, a delightful addition for a young girls dress or top. 

 S-106 Buffet Frills : Ruffled Doilies in sizes to meet all of your hostess needs for the buffet. 

S-103  Place mats with a ruffled edge for a soft feminine touch.

S-93 Window Ruffle - A soft and frilly touch as a window treatment.

S-94 Ruffled Kitchen Set includes place mat, pot holders, seat back
cushion set as well as towel edgings. 

S-95 Floral Ruffles :  This is a multi-ruffle opportunity in doily making for the dining table. The water glass doily has a single ruffle; the saucer a double ruffle; the plate a triple ruffle and the centerpiece goes to quadruple!  The flower motif is also quite nice. 

S-101 Ruffled Doily with Rose Applique  -  This design is an applique center of your choice surrounded with three rows of ruffles.  No applique, a linen center would equally as lovely. 

 S-99 Frilly Aprons for Mother Daughter and Doll grace the back cover.  

The directions list 8 different threads, Mercerized Crochet, Tatting Crochet, Knit-Cro-Sheen, etc. with a variety of hooks.    Each pattern will specific a hook, you can vary the threads to arrive at different sizes and textures.   Experiment just for the fun of the ruffles.

I have restored and reformatted these patterns to PDF format and they are available (just follow the links) in my shop.  I particularly think the window, kitchen and pinafore patterns have other great potential uses for the edgings all by themselves.    

I hope you enjoyed the photo journal.  Thanks for dropping by.
Lorrie

Halloween Costumes, Most Popular Week of Sept 18

Just like one would expect 6 weeks from the big event - Halloween, costume patterns filled the top stop in my shop this week. 

Number 1 (of course), the fish pattern.   Really Simplicity --- REISSUE THIS PATTERN !

Number 2 - McCalls M5498 - Misses Mermaid or Princess

McCalls 4461 - Boys Cowboy, Boxer Sheik

All the way down to 6th place are filled with costumes.    I'd expect this to keep by for at least another three weeks.   Out of curiosity, I might go back and chart that for last year, or ... maybe not.   

Although I do not carry a HUGE number of costumes, there are still a fair number left ... just follow these links if you are still searching .... 

Children Costumes

Adult Costumes

Thanks for dropping by, 

Lorrie

Point Taken, Fiber Art Practice

I started this practice piece by cutting a 9 inch square of the plaid.   (Interesting how it is difficult to get plaid to focus).   I have a big three drawer container with fabrics and the plaid jumped out at me.  I was thinking about different ways to minimize it and that became the point of the practice. I  selected the purple and peach to accompany it, as colors in the same spectrum.    I cut the peach into a partial heart shaped, and that's where the practice started getting out of hand.  

I couldn't stop myself from forming the purple into disjointed errors.   I did try; just not hard enough.   The though of minimizing the plaid evaporated and I was into design planning .... without a decent plan.  

Next came some paint, some threads, the alphabet stamp set, a bit of colored pencil (that just faded away) and, after about an hours worth of time .....

Too busy .... too pointless and it is already in the round receptacle.  Tomorrow I'll set aside an hour or two to play some more ....   I'm thinking circles would be a much better platform. 

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

Crochet for Christmas, Star Book 94

This book, Star Christmas Book No 94, from American Thread doesn't contain that many patterns.   The ones it does have, however,  are fun an whimsical.     This book goes back to 1952.    The patterns are all crochet (just like the title suggests), and worked using crochet cotton.

Crochet for Christmas

Santa and small cornucopia ornaments to aide your holiday decorating.  

The front and back cover are the same 

Mr Snowman

and the Christmas Angel

Christmas Ornaments, 3 variety of Snowflakes, a Wreath, Bells, Santa and Lapel Pins.   Hang the Ornaments on your tree, use them as a brooch, adorn packages ... whatever you might desire.  

A festive Bun Warmer, a Glass Jacket and a fun Pot Holder / Hot Mat.

 Santa and Mary Christmas - Holiday Dolls

Both dolls are approx. 11 inches

And, last but not least, A Fairy Princess - Doll

Mary Christmas and Santa dolls are the only patterns that actually state the approximate size.  We can assume the rest are ... well ... small ornament sized.       Use these patterns to create some holiday memories; whether they be stitching, displaying or giving.   Oh, don't let me forget to add the playing part .... we all know even big girls play with the dolls!

I've listed this book in PDF format in my shop, if you are interested.    

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

Perhaps a Return to Creativity?

I discovered a mistake in my shop yesterday.    A Somerset Studio book sold, and when I went to pull it out for shipping, I could not find it.   Last time this happened, well over a year ago, I went through everything, fixed the mis-files and became very exact in my filing and storage process.  Then, panic ... how could this happen ... where's the magazine, etc. etc. etc.   I looked everywhere; I know it is here; how could I misplace it.    I even looked in those places it should never be.  In the end, I did the only thing possible.   I sent a message apologizing and refunded the payment. 

So, why is this a possible return to creativity.   Well, while going through the cabinet that contains my personal books, I came across a couple of my personal magazines and got to thinking about all that stuff out there in my studio.   By 2pm, I could procrastinate no longer, and to the studio I went.   (Of course, I had to move the patterns being processed out of the way).  

 For some time my interest (previously concrete sculpture and mosaics) have been moving toward fiber art.  I've been collecting (yard sale Saturdays) a wide variety of items to experiment.   I think I just might have everything possible ... except, perhaps Paint Sticks (and I'd like to have some).   So, I'm going to start with small projects; nothing overwhelming.    I selected two pieces of fabric, some cord, a rubber stamp and some paints.

Using the green paint, I stamped on some leaves.   Then, cut some basic flower shapes from the red gingham and ironed them into place.

I next dusted off the sewing machine and selected a few thread colors .. two shades of green and some yellow.   And then, the stitching began.    I stopped at this point; with the other two paint colors and braids unused.  

It was a nice exercise, getting familiar with the sewing machine as well as experiment with shading and creating detail with the thread.         I stopped here.   The piece has no future plans ... just an exercise.    I picked out three new scraps of fabric to play with tomorrow.  

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

Figure Flattering Fashion, Mail Order Patterns 1978

In the 1950s and 1960s, Mail Order Patterns frequently came in larger sizes, sometimes to size 50/52.    That seems to have stopped (for the most part with the pattern industry as a whole) in the mid to late 1970s.   This advertising page would imply it was geared to the larger woman - Figure Flattering Fashions, however, largest size is 20.5.  

This Mail Order advertising page is from the May, 1978 issue of The Workbasket.

Workbasket 9007:   Misses dress with shoulders extended to sleeve.   Bodice gathered to neck band collar, ending in knee length flared skirt.   Optional Belt

Workbasket 4606:  A set of coordinates, including pull on pants, a square neck, sleeveless top and jacket with an Asian flair.

Workbasket 9446:  Misses evening length dress with front princess seams and squared front neckline and back low squared neckline, with a back drape.    (Found one available over at Etsy).

Workbasket 4771:  Misses Blouses.  Eight variations within this pattern; something for everyone.   A couple suppliers of this pattern are available at Vintage Patterns Wiki under the name of Anne Adams.

I'm not much on the first dress (just too 70s looking ... lol), but the long evening length dress is certainly something special!    I don't mind the coordinates set either.      Did you catch what's different about this Workbasket Mail Order page?   No crafts pattern. 

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

Afghan with Stripes Fringe Pattern

Here is a wonderful, all purpose kind of afghan.   It calls for three colors, and when you think of all the colors yarn available, that is a whole lot of choices.   I think I'd make one up in Purple, Gold and White for my (huge LSU fan) husband.    Or, perhaps in shades on one color for a subtle understatement, or jazz it up in shades of pink for the girly girl.   Yep, endless choices.  

It looks simple enough, as well. 

So, don't hesitate.  Click to enlarge and copy/paste to a word document so you can print out a copy.   Then, TOMORROW, stop by where you buy your yarn and pick out those colors !

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

Small Toy Bear Crochet Pattern

Okay, all I really know is this is a small toy bear crochet pattern.    In their earlier years, The Workbasket were not known for their high quality photos, and this is yet another example.   But, if you look real close, you'll notice he does have a cute little face.   The pattern does not state size, but I'd guess we be in the 8 to 10 inches category based on the picture.     But, if you are looking for a little toy bear to make up, why not try this one? 

 

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

Lets Crochet Beginner Star Book from American Thread

This book, Let's Crochet, is American Thread 175.   It's a simple 'Learn-How' type of book that covers the basic steps and then follows them up with some easy to follow patterns for items that you might actually want to wear or use.   I couldn't find any dates in the book, but based on the cover art, it has 1960s written all over it ... perhaps late 60's with the cute little flip hairdo on the front.

American Thread Company, Star Book 175

The book was issued as promotion  to their Dawn Series of Yarns, and all of the patterns, will call for this brand.  To use now, substitute based on yarn weight and gauge.    Pages 5 to 14 cover the basic stitches with both written instructions and useful pictures. 

 Afghan and Pillows are made up using 9 inch squares.    Here you'll work towards perfecting the square and incorporating the Popcorn Stitch.   They are worked with Knitting Worsted and a Size J Crochet Hook. 

This Pattern is available separately. 

The Slipover (on left) is sized 9, 11, 13 and 15.   Work with with Knitting Worsted and a Size J Plastic Hook and a Wooden Crochet Hook No 13. 

The Popover (on right) is sized 12, 14 and 16.  Crochet this comfy top with Fingering Yarn and a Plastic Crochet Hook Size J.  You'll also need Mercerized Crochet cotton for the fringe. 

Bangle Crochet Sweater or Vest is sized Small, Medium and Large.   The pattern does not state what these sizes are, but typically that would be 8/10, 12/14 and 16/18.   Look close, just like the pattern name, bangles are attached.  Pattern calls for Knitting Worsted and a Wooden Crochet Hook No 10.

This pattern is available separately.

Shift, Striped Dress, Tunic is sized Small, Medium and Large.   This one has - make it your way - type options ... a shift, a dress, a tunic; with fringe, without fringe.  Well, you get the idea.    Crochet this easy pattern with Knitting Worsted and a Wooden Crochet Hook Size 13.  

Crocheted Poncho sports a drawstring neck with pom-pom ties.   It is sized small and medium and is worked with a Wooden Crochet Hook No 15 and Knitting Worsted.

This pattern is available separately.

Stole with end Tassels is an ample 60 inches long by 20 wide.    Work this easy pattern with a Wooden Crochet Hook No 13 and Knitting Worsted. 

This pattern is available separately.

Crocheted Muff uses Knitting Worsted and a Wooden Crochet Hook Size 13. 

Slippers are sized Small, Medium and Large and are created with a Plastic Crochet Hook Size J

And, last, but not least, Potholders.  All 5 designs are worked in Heavy Rug Yarn using an Aluminum Crochet Hook Size H. 

The back cover features a whimsical sketch of the striped dress.   This is slightly unusual, usually on books in this time period, the front and back covers were the same.  

Overall, this is a good beginners book.    Good instructions and a few good patterns.    I don't want one, but I think the muff pattern is quite fun.   It's not cold enough here in Southeast Louisiana to ever need such a piece, however, it looks like it might be equally marvelous as a dusting mitt.

I've scanned this book, and a few of the patterns, to PDF format and they are available in my shop, if noted under the individual pictures.   

Hope you enjoyed the photo journal.    Thanks for dropping by.

Lorrie