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,

Botany Saxatones Yarn, Art. 251

For this post, let's go all the way back to 1944, nearing the end of World War II.   Wool was still in scarce supply, however, some brands were beginning to re-introduce wool based yarns to market for uses 'other than' military knitting. 

 The first newspaper advertisement, interestingly enough, appeared in in Des Moines, IA.   There were several other ads that appeared during 1944 / 1945, but overall a very sparse product introduction.    (no doubt, due to the wool shortage)

About the yarn .... 

Botany Saxatones - 100% Pure Virgin Wool 

Lightweight 3-ply yarn for sweaters and skirts.  

Introduced in 2-oz skeins, and later 1-oz skeins.  

In 1946, wool was again readily available for mainstream knitting and the re-introduction of Botany Saxatone commenced.   The yarn, in 2-oz skeins, sold for 70 cents (same the the 1944 price).    It is described as a Saxony type yarn (A fine grade of woolen yarn twisted somewhat harder and smoother than a Zephyr yarn).  

In 1947, Botany added kits to their line of products.   The kits were delivered to yarn shops for sell to the knitters.  The kit included "matching Botany flannel" for the skirt part of the kit.  

 

Sales continued strong into the 1950's.   This 1954 advertisement "Ideal for stoles, socks, sweaters and sportswear".   The color line has been extended to 'over' 40 colors. 

By the end of the 1950's, sales apparently began to decline.   Now, whether this was due to declining interest in the yarn, or Botany Brand emerging into the Fleishers/Bear Brand, I've not yet investigated.   But, in the early 1960's, the promotions stopped.   

Although there were no pattern books issued directly for Botany Saxatone Yarn, it was included in a fair number of other promotional books, as well as featured in several of the women' needlework magazines.   There are a few of these patterns in the shop, should you care to browse.   Finding a substitute yarn should not be difficult.  You are looking for a 3-ply lightweight saxony or fingering yarn that meets the pattern stitch for the pattern.  

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