Supra Mohair Yarn, Bear Brand, Fleishers, Bucilla

1960 -- It was a grand year in the yarn market; another mohair was introduced -- Supra Mohair.  -

Lovely Supra Mohair, an exquisite, soft brushed yarn imported from Italy in a beautiful range of colors.  For dress sweaters and jackets in 19 hues.   The imported yarn was branded by Bernard Ullman under all three of the associated brands - Bear Brand, Botany and Fleishers.

Photo from Ebay seller thesewingdoll

1-3/8 oz skeins (100% Goat Mohair in 80 yard balls)

Needle Sizes 8 to 10-1/2

Bulky, 12 ply

This is a great comparison photo, which I should be helpful in searching out replacement yarn.  

The yarn was introduced at $1.79 per ball.  As was typical however, it was available 'on sale' at most independent yarn shops.

In the typical fashion of Bernhard Ullman, free pattern promotions were splashed across the country.  This concept was, of course, a dual win for both the brand, as well as the local shops who supplied the materials to interested knitters.  Numerous ads appeared for each of the represented brands - Botany, Bear Brand and Fleishers.  Each with a separate pattern selections.

Here's another under the Fleishers name.   The hat, on the left, was also published in Bernhard Pattern Book 92 -- Hats, Hats, Hats.

In the Northwestern markets, Supra Mohair Yarn was also marketed under the Bucilla label.  (Bucilla being the alternate company name of Bernhard Ullman).

Although Bernhard Ullman did not issue a pattern book solely devoted to the Supra Mohair yarn, it did make an appearance in several of their issues.    Patterns were also featured in a couple of the Needlework magazines.  When I come across them again, I'll update this post.  (I always love the old magazine ads).

And on it continued ... sales announcements from individual shop owners coupled with newspaper pattern promotions .... until 1970, when the big slash sales took place to reduce the final inventory levels. 

A good yarn .. yep.  A supply of good vintage patterns out there ... yep.  There are, of course, a few in the shop, should you care to browse.    For a replacement yarn, with the above specs, try Google-ing something like 12-ply mohair yarn, and select one that meets the gauge of your pattern. 

Thanks for dropping by,

Casa-Laine Yarn, Fleishers and Bear Brand

The Casa-Laine Yarn takes us way back to 1943 .... it was from the Silent Generation, you might say.  The yarn was introduced in early 1943 to a fairly large market across the United States.

Casa-Laine was marketed under both the Bear Brand and Fleishers label.   Now one could ask why same yarn under two names?   I, of course, do not know, but would guess this would be to catch preference buyers ... some might have allegiance to Fleishers or Bear Brand?  Note:  Some patterns also indicate that the yarn was marketed under the Bucilla Brand name as well.

Photo from Ravelry member 'creativemind'

100% All-Virgin Wool Sports Yarn -- 250 yards in 2-oz skeins -- 4 ply

By 1950, Casa-Laine now 'proudly' bears the coveted Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.  As one would expect, the price is slowly inching up.

Photo from VintageYarnWiki

The yarn was also featured in full-page advertisements in a number of needlework magazines into the early 1960's. (I'm sure  I'll find more when I  start working my way through the magazine collection and will add them).  This yarn, no-doubt, was also featured in a number of pattern books by both Fleishers and Bear Brand.

And, sales and the newspaper promotions continued on into 1968.   And then, it was all over; for the next two years the only  references to  Casa-Laine are discounted and clearance sales to deplete the remaining shop inventories and completely disappeared by 1970.

The Casa-Laine brand had a good and long life ... 1949 to 1968.   It was a good solid product and I'm sure there are many interesting  patterns out there, there are deserving of a knit .... There are, of course, several in the shop, should you care to browse. 

For a substitute, a nice 4-ply Sports Yarn that meets the gauge of your pattern should do it ... you might  want to consider a fingering or sweater and sock yarn, as well. 

Ok, back to work.   Thanks for dropping by.

Vintage Big Spice Yarn for Big Needle Knitting

A New Yarn Sensation .. It's bigger, bulkier, and you can knit it faster on giant size No. 15 needles.   Big Spice is 100% Virgin Wool, soft, color radiant, and resilient. 

 So, says this 1964 magazine advertisement that was published in Modern Knitting Magazine.

This advertisement comes to us from the 12/26/1964 Wausau Herald Newspaper (Wausau, WI).   A couple points .... First,  I like the concept of this sale ... Pre-Inventory!   Just what is that supposed to mean?  (Before the inventory arrives, or?).    Secondly, this ad shows us that you'd want to purchase Botany Big Spice when the Botany Colossal just isn't bulky enough. 

The yarn makes perfect sense for this time period.   The early 1960's were popping with a number of 'Big Needle Patterns', mostly knit, but some crochet as well. 

And, here's what the Big Spice Yarn looks like.   (compliments of Ebay seller gretel3042)

Note that the label is Bear Brand, not Botany.  Well, as you probably know, Bernhard Ulmann was the manufacturer/marketer here of both brands (Fleishers as well), and frequently branded the same yarn under the different names.   One point of interest is, by doing so, they were competing with themselves.  But, on the reverse side, if a fiber artist had an allegiance to a particular brand, they got the sale.  

And here's a picture of the ad we started this article with ... The Big Hits in Bulky Knits (from Amazon seller) ... was issued in 1963.   Notice here, again, all three yarn brands are referenced.   

Apparently the book was not a big seller for the times as there are very references to it out there in Google-land.   I'm also assuming the yarn was not a big hit either, as it lasted in the market only three years before being discontinued.   

I do not have (yet), any patterns in the shop calling for this yarn, but there are a fair number of big needle designs that would be suitable should you have some of this in your stash.   

Okay, time to get back to work.    Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

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