Feltella Yarn, Vintage 1943 to 1946

So, I'm processing this pattern for the shop this afternoon .... an attractive 1944 design with a jaunty flair ...

named "Hat with Shell Stitch Brim".    The official description:   The hat with the shell-stritch brim that can be turned this way and that because it's made of soft Feltella and makes a smart suit-your-face style.  Goes anywhere.   

 What was that material?   Feltella?  Never heard of it!   So, off to Google -- Nothing; Off to Ebay -- nothing.  Seriously; nothing.  So, off to the island of last resort .... Newspapers.com.

Now, remember that this was 1944; War Time.  The majority of 'usual' knit crochet materials were being used exclusively for the soldiers.  This meant, to stay in business, the yarn manufacturers had to get creative, and the general population had to 'make do'.   

I found a number of advertisements for the Feltella, however, not a single one identified a manufacturer.  

So, we now know that Feltella was a wool and cotton yarn, but I still didn't feel I'd arrived at an answer.   So digging a little further ....

And, wa-lah .... Feltella was 60% wool and 40% cotton in strips of felt cut at 1/8 inch strips.   was primarily used in hats and bags.  (Although, I've not seen a single 'other' pattern that called for it). 

So, to recap, it appears that Feltella made it's appearance in late 1943.   WWII ended in mid 1945 and, over the next few months, the previous yarn selections again became available.   Feltella disappeared from the market in mid 1946.  

It's a fun hat pattern.   Should you decide to create one for yourself, I'd suggest a heavy rug yarn, or perhaps splurge and go with a heavy felted yarn ... whatever will meet the 3 sc - 1 Inch requirement.  

Okay, on to the next pattern.    Thanks for dropping by.  

P.s. ... mystery was solved a few days later.  

Lily's Album of Crocheted Designs, Book 1200

The year was 1944, WWII was in full force and women continued knitting and crocheting their home decor.  During this time period, chair sets gained popularity to extend the life of upholstery, and scarves and doilies, in addition to their individual beauty, covered scarred tables and added a 'new look' to the distressed home.    Wool Yarns because scarce and the majority of the pattern books were featuring Crochet Cottons, Strings or nylon materials. 

In this time period, Lily Mills published the Lily Album of Crocheted of Designs; a collection of home and personal accessories.  Again, with the scarcity of materials, hats, collars, etc., updated the woman's 'tired-out' wardrobe.

As was typical, Lily Mills also advertised the release of their Book 1200 with magazine advertisements.

This ad appeared in the 1944-45 issue of McCall Needlework.  "A variety of items that will be a pleasure to make.  And these finer Lily Yarns bring far greater pride in more beautiful results".   The advertisement directs the reader to send 10 cents to the Shelby address of Lily Mills.   And, to sweeten the pot, an additional five pattern leaflets were tossed in! 

I do not have this pattern book in my collection (yet).   But, who knows .... one day it just might 'show-up'. 

Thanks for dropping by. 

Ederlin Pure Linen Yarn

I came across this advertisement in a 1952 issue of McCalls Needlecraft.   The product is Ederlin Pure Linen Yarn.    

Now, I've not heard of this product before, but the 'I wonder' light went on and the Googling began.  And, what did I find?   Well, not a whole lot.  

Ederer, Inc was a division of the Linen Thread Co., Inc. and apparently marketed to weavers.  They also had a number of other products, twines, etc.

Here's another advertisement I came across from an early 1950's trade journal.  

And, that's as far as I went.   I know this isn't a knit or crochet thread, but in case someone out there is searching ... here's a track.  

Thanks for dropping by,  

Lux Detergent Flakes, Vintage Promotions

Lux Detergent Flakes first appeared in the market in 1925 -- a product of Unilever. Actually, the product goes back to 1899, when it was called Sunlight Flakes. The mild detergent became quite popular worldwide. It had a great consumer recognition from the Lux Brand Bathing Soap, that, with time, gained a worldwide market.

Lux was a frequent advertiser in newspapers and magazines. At times, they branched into the needlework arts arena and placed 'promotional' material in pattern booklets as well.  

Here, Lux gives directions not only on the use of their product in hand washing of knit or crocheted items, but continued on to include starching and stretching as well.   This ad appeared in .....

Bernhard Ulman Volume 119 - Hand Crochet Decorations.  (This pattern book is reviewed in a blog post at Todays Treasure Pattern Shop, should you be interested).

Lux advertised in many of the women's interest magazines and newspapers as well.

In this 1940 delight, we are reminded that Lux will take care of our odor issues. 

And here in this 1951 advertisement, Barbara Stanwyck alerts us that Lux is an excellent choice for lingerie.   With the popularity of movies, stars became popular in the advertising medium.

And here, in this 1957 gem, we are shown that Lux keeps our garments looking great wash after wash.  

I know I've seen other Lux promotion in a couple of the other pattern booklets.   One of these days I'll have to take another glance through and see what other goodies I might find.  

Okay ... back to work.   Thanks for dropping by.  

Woolfoam Detergent for Your Handknits

In addition to Lux, there was another player in the 1940's detergent field ... The Woolfoam Corp.  (Associated with The Wool Novely Co., and Oakhurst Medicine).     I first noticed them in the Winter 1944-45 issue of Modern Knitting.   

WOOLFOAM  -  The perfect Wool Cleaner for washing for Infants Wear, Sweaters, Socks, Blankets and all fine Wools and Woolens.  

A short visit through Newspapers.com showed they started advertising in newspapers mid 1944. 

This ad appeared in about a dozen markets across the United States in 1944 as well.  

And was updated with several other ads through the end of the 1940's.   This advertisement was in the market mid 1945.   

The ads started fading out in 1947, but remained sporadic all the way into 1957.   And then ... Gone.  Now, it appears the company, which was a division of Wool Novelty Co., is still out there, but it doesn't appear soap is in their line-up.    

I'm sure I'll find more tid-bits as I work through my magazine inventory and will update this post should anything interesting appear.  

 

Thanks for dropping by,   

Bernat Handicrafter XIV, Vintage 1944

Tucked away in the Winter 1944-1945 issue of McCalls Needlework is this charming Bernat advertisement.   This followed, as is typical, a section of 6 Bernat patterns.

This advertisement is a wide promotion.   First, it promotes two recent yarn introductions - Morona Floss and Laurelspun and as well as Sweater and Stocking Yarn.   Second, it promotes the release of their pattern book Handicrafter VIX (14), Vol 1. 

The Vol. 1 surprised me.   I've been quite used to (of course) pattern books have assigned book numbers, just never thought about some also have volumes within a book number.

Once a question arises, I get totally sidetracked and I'm off on mission looking for an answer.   How many volumes are in Handicrafter VIX?     The answer .... drumroll please ....

Volume 1 is the a completed view (with titles) of the advertisement pictured above.  

Volume 3 carries the Book Number XIV, however, shows us the the complete volume series is not all under the Handicrafter title. 

Volume 4 takes us back to the Handicrafter name 

I wasn't able to locate a picture of Volume 2, but found a reference over at Library Thing that indicates it's titled Handknit Classics, as is Volume 3.   

I don't (currently) have any of these books in my collection so I've not identified if they are all promotions of the same yarns.    I'll be on the lookout and update this post should I come across anything interesting.  

Thanks for dropping by.  

Model of the Month Club, Botany Mills

Tucked on the first page of the 1944-45 issue of McCall Needlework is this delightful Botany Mills, Model of the Month Club advertisement.

 This full page display is an advertisement for a 'new' Botany Mills promotion -- Model of the Month Club.  To join, you would send in your clipped coupon and payment for either a one or two year subscription.  With a one year subscription, you would receive a monthly pattern; the two year gave the added benefit of one of the recent Botany pattern books.   

This 1948 advertisement shows that the membership also includes a free binder (Of course, the member would need an organized way to store there patterns) and that advertising had expanded to newspapers.  

The last magazine reference in my collection goes to 1956.   Here the cost has gone to $1.00/year -- still very reasonable -- and includes another bonus; a pair of Hero Brand knitting needles.  

As I come across more info, I'll update this -- placeholder -- page.  Oh ... and if you have any information or pattern pictures to share, I'd love to hear from you.  

Thanks for dropping by,

P.s - 4/2018 - I found a binder of the Botany Model of the Month club pattern on Etsy.   It arrived awhile back and I hope to get to it before the end of the year.   Will post more pictures at that time. 

Bucilla Hand Crocheted Cotton Kits and the NRA

Periodically I will come across a stack of loose pattern leaflets on Ebay and I almost always react along the lines of .... I WANT THEM ....   

These stacks can be a true treasure; you just never know what you are going to find.   Like this one ... 

 This is a promotional advertisement - Bucilla Hand Crocheted Cotton Kits - dated 1934 from Bernhard Ullman.   This is a three page folded over pamphlet.

"In this circular, you'll find a selection of 24 new and smart things you'll just delight in making"

Page Two  

Page Three

The back page gives us a list of Bernhard's current release of pattern books.  

One of the things I find interesting in this circular is there is no reference on how to obtain the kits.  Now, my assumption would be that you'd have to go to your local retailer, where this advertisement would have been available.  But still, no mail-order options.

Did you notice the little logo on the bottom right of page 4 ?. 

I found it quite interesting.  Not particularly that Bernhard Ullman were supporters of the NRA, but such a political statement for the time period ... it not being war-time.

The document is in fair condition only.  I've stuck it in a sleeve and stored away in the 'B' File.   Some day, when I die, I hope all this 'stuff' goes off to someone who will enjoy going through it as much as I do !

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

American Thread, Star Puritan Book 132

During the 1950's American Thread was one of the larger advertisers in Needlecraft related magazines.     Within an individual magazine, there would be advertisements for the latest pattern book release, as well as a number of American Thread Patterns.   Interestingly enough, the patterns in the magazine were not the same patterns are in the booklets.

This Puritan Star Book No 132 was released as a promotion to their then 'new' line of Famous Puritan Crochet Cotton.  

The lovely tablecloth gracing the ad was one of the highlights of this particular pattern book -- called The Big Round Puritan Tablecloth (available in the shop).  

If I come across additional advertisements for this pattern booklet, I'll be sure to update this post.  

Thanks for dropping by,