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.

Fleishers 1923 National Knitting Contest

Now, for a moment (or two) of fun, let's take a look back on Fleishers 1923 National Knitting Contest. Yes .. 1923 ... 95 years ago.

The contest, which closes June 9, 1923, offers $11,000 in cash and prices, with the grand prize being $2000, and 149 others will receive cash prizes between $25. and $500.   The first, second and third prizes are national; the remaining prizes are awarded three per state.  Remember, this time span is in the middle of the great depression, when the potential of cash would be of great interest to 'knitters', as well as increased yarn sales to Fleishers.

The completed entries are sent to Fleishers office in Philadelphia. All of the garments that do not win prizes are returned to the knitter.

The official announcement(s) began appearing in newspapers across the country on April 07, 1923.   The ads were placed by the individual local yarn shops, where you could also purchase the yarn, pickup the entry form, and even purchase Fleishers new Knitting Manual.

AND ... American knitters got started - participating in a variety of .......

Obviously this promotions (by the hotel perhaps), featured 23 knitters, knitting non-stop at the Ambassador Hotel in Atlantic City.  They were closely monitored to make sure they did not stop. From another newspaper is a notation that the youngest of the 23 knitters was 3 year old Nancy McGurk, who fell asleep after 1 hour, knitting needles still in hand.

In New Jersey (notice the dog between) Fire fighters knit between calls.

And here, the stewardesses of liner President Harding are knitting away.   There's an addition premise, and promotion going on here (and I'm sure many other instances).   The more times you enter, the higher your chances to win.   Passengers joined in on the contest and a 'week out' a special fashion show will take place to model the entries.

And the New York Governor's wife and daughter Emily join in.   (Note the times here .... the Governor's wife doesn't seem to have a name of her own!).

"Never before has a nation wide contest had such a dramatic appeal.  Prominent women, wives of governors, club women, the flapper who is now foresaking her flapperism, firemen and train conductors, wives of laborers, and women of wealth are all excited contestants".

And then ... June 9th arrives and at midnight, the contest closes.  And ... everything went quiet until early August.

"For the two weeks before the date of closing, and for days after, four huge trucks laden with knitted garments arrived each morning as the first delivery, and smaller lots continued throughout the day.  The entries disclose garments of rare beauty both in color and design, as well as others which are humorous and even grotesque".

"Ten's of Thousands" of entries were received, which each had to be logged in, classified, stored, judged, etc. etc. etc.   Even Mrs. Calvin Coolidge entered the contest.  "Over 100 square feet of warehouse space was piled high with entries"  It took the staff weeks of work.

And, on August 24th, the process of announcing the winners began. Mrs Wyman of Rhode Island wins $2000, Mrs. Elizabeth Potts of California wins second place and Mr. G.F. Greenwood of Philadelphia wins place.   The remaining winners were announced in their respective states.

This particular contest was not repeated in subsequent years.

I hope you enjoyed this 'Bit of History'.    Thanks for dropping by.

National Knitting Contest of 1936

The year is 1936, Franklin Roosevelt is President, the Great Depression is nearing the end (1939), employment is up 16% and the country appreciated those 'little diversions' to get their minds off the troubles.   It was a great time for a 'National Contest"

The advertisements began in newspapers in January 1936.  The sponsor of the event is the Warner Brothers - Motion Picture Movie Classic Magazine.  In the smaller print, you'll see the co-sponsor is Bucilla Yarn.   In later ads, this was expanded to include the co-brands of Fleisher's and Bear Brand.  The ads appeared in major metro areas across the United states, as well as the magazines. 

Contest details were slowly released ... building excitement and momentum.  This early February ad let's the potential participants know they had to buy a copy of Motion Picture - Move Classic Knitting Book for 25 cents.   (Unfortunately, I've not been able to locate a photo of the book)

(From other newspapers articles):

• The National Knitting Contest may be entered by anyone who will choose a pattern from the Motion Picture - Movie Classic Knitting Book, which sold for 25 cents on newsstands.  
• Yarns of the Fleishers Trademark must be used. 
• There will be 6 judges, which include Mrs. James Roosevelt - the President' mother.  
• First Prize, an all expense paid trip to Hollywood ... and lots of other things.  

The excitement continues to mount in the various newspaper ads.  Realize the dream of a lifetime!  Knit (and wear) the smart fashions of Hollywood actresses.  The newspapers ads are published by the yarn shops selling the yarn, of course. 

Various columns were published showing the possible outfits.   In this case, the knitter could obtain the pattern for free by mailing to publisher .... however, that was not entry to the contest.

This late March advertisement reminded "Don't wait another minute".  Through the month of April, small ads continued reminding knitters .... only 2 weeks left, one 3 days left, etc.   The contest ended on April 30th.

Now, I've not seen much information on how the participants submitted their items for judging (perhaps one day), just they had to enter in advance and supply labels for the materials used.  The contest ended on April 30th, and the judging took place on May 1st in New York City.
Now, interestingly enough, I've not located a single newspaper that printed out the winners as a whole.  Perhaps this is because the individual shops paid for the advertisements, and they had no need to spend the money.   I did, however, find a couple articles in regional patterns about a couple winners.

First Prize:  Mrs. C.R. Goudie of Great Falls, MT.  All all expense trip for a week in Hollywood.

Mrs. Elizabeth Taylor wins third place and receives a Mendoza Fur Coat  

And that was that.   Bucilla/Fleishers no doubt experienced a large surge in shop orders, as well as an opportunity to introduce new yarns to the market.  The individual shops sold more than the norm in yarn.  The Movie Magazines experienced a large increase, albeit temporary, in sales, and who knows, perhaps gained a few new subscribers.

The contest promotion was not repeated in 1937.   I've placed a couple Google alerts and hope, one day, to be able to come back and post the pattern booklet.

Thanks for dropping by.