Reynolds Danskyarn

Reynolds Danskyarn, a Danish import, was brought to the market in early 1964.   It was an additional 'bulky' yarn for the Reynolds collection.

As is apparent in this promotion, the yarn was aimed towards the sweater and hat market and came in a wide variety of colors.  (Unfortunately, when I scanned this, I did not capture the bottom of the page, however did find over on an Ebay Page).   When I have this magazine out again, I'll update my photo).

Yarn photo courtesy of Ebay Seller Gretl3042.  

(Photo from Ebay seller teamster6horse)

Sporty Designs for the entire family are in Reynolds Volume 42, only $1.00 at needlework counters and yarn shops.  The pattern was issued as the primary promotion for Danskyarn.   The yarn did make an appearance in a number of other Reynolds pattern books as well. 

The yarn had a moment of fame when a sweater knit in the yarn was awarded first place in the 1965 National Wool Needlework Contest.   The true fame, of course, went to Shirley Braxton.

The product remained active in the market until 1974 and then was discontinued.    Now, I have no doubt I'll find more about Danskyarn (there are quite a few magazines awaiting review), and when I do, I'll come back and update this post.   And, there are a couple patterns in the shop, should you want to look. 

Thanks for dropping by.

Reynolds No 1 Mohair Yarn

This beauty of a yarn was a French import by Reynolds Yarn Inc.   It was introduced to the U.S. market in March, 1962 with two full page ads in Needlecraft magazines.  (that I know of).

"Softer than the petals of a snapdragon, and even more beautiful ... Extremely simple to knit using #5 or # 9 needles ... 35 fashion right colors.

Soft as a south wind ... bright as the noon-day summer sun.  How suburb, how fashion right in sixteen exciting colors.  (It's interesting there is a different number of colors available between the ads).

Reynolds Yarn also released their pattern book - Designer Sweaters by Reynolds - Continental Collection, Vol 28 with patterns featuring the new Mohair No 1 yarn.

Picture courtesy of Ebay seller Gretl3042

As you might expect, you'll find some additional details over a Ravelry.   According to a 1963 ad:  "Reynolds Mohair No 1 is the lightest weight mohair, not as fuzzy as many, it has a slight amount of synthetic for buoyancy".

The product remained active in the market until 1973 (a good 11 year run), with all references after that being inventory liquidation type sales.

Should I come across more ads or relevant information, I'll come back and update this post.
Thanks for dropping by, 

Reynolds Place Concorde Yarn

In 1963, Reynolds released their Place Concorde Yarn, a French import presumably from Paris. 

This super bulky yarn, no doubt was in response to the many 'Big Needle' patterns that became popular in the 1960's.   This particular 1963 magazine ad, using Place Concorde Yarn, was actually for a kit -- another big Reynolds seller.  

Yarn picture from Ebay seller Gretel3042

Yep, super bulky yarn, perfect for those winter coats, sweaters and dresses.    The yarn achieves it's tweed effect by having a mohair strand of contrast color running through.  

I didn't find a price reference at introduction, but in 1968, the price ran an approx. $1.29 a skein.  

And then .... it simply disappeared from the market as is referenced in this 'searching for' questions from 1971. 

All In One Knitted Dress

At this time, I have just one pattern calling for this yarn, but I'm sure more will follow as I work my way through the pending books.  

 Should I learn more about Place Concorde Yarn, I'll update this post.    

Thanks for dropping by, 

Reynolds Jumbo Jets Knitting Needles

I've come across a number of patterns of the last few months that call for Reynolds Jumbo Jet Knitting Needles or Reynolds Junior Jumbo Jet Needles  These are apparently H U G E (as in extremely large) needles that produce a stitch so large that you can literally knit an entire dress or sweater in the matter of a couple hours.   Since I knew that sooner or later someone was going to ask me "WHAT SIZE ARE JUMBO JET NEEDLES?, I thought I'd be proactive and have an answer ready. 

I started the search in the newspapers ...

The concept for these needles were the brainchild of designer Jeanne Damon, who, as they story goes, experimented with whittled down broomsticks.  Ultimately, Reynolds Yarn Co. manufactured a lightweight aluminum version and Jumbo Jets became a 1960's rage.

Jeanne Damon went forward and designed a number of patterns for the Jumbo Jet's, which were published in "The official Knit-A-Dress-A-Day Knitting Book.  In addition to dresses, the book also contained a number of designs for children and men as well.   A number of these patterns are listed in the shop.

The advertising for the product, as well as the patterns were a bit out of the norm.  The advertisements were written as newspaper articles, typically including a promotion for an individual pattern within the book and a retelling of the Jumbo Jets story.  This continued between late 1966 and 1968.  Then, the scene went quite.

I've not (yet) researched Reynolds Yarn Co. (as to whether they actually had a mill, or were a rebrander), but they went out of business and  their copyrights expired in the late 1970's, which brought on a whole 'other' line of Big Needles from other suppliers.

Oh ... to go back to where I started:  The needles came in two sizes, and there was a jumbo crochet hook as well -- for finishing the edges of your garments.

Junior Jumbo Jet Equivalent is a size 35 knitting needle

Jumbo Jets Equivalent is a size 50 knitting needle.   

(Photo from 2OldCats Etsy Shop)

Reynolds billed them as:  "The worlds widest needle have a 1 inch span and are fueled by up to six skeins of yarn".    Both Susan Bates and Lion make needles in this size.  I'd imagine there are a number of others as well.   

Here's a fun read with tidbits of history, should you have a few minutes to read. 

Hope you enjoyed the snapshot of history.
Thanks for dropping by.
Lorrie