Ungers Les Bouquets Yarn

In 1962, another William Unger and Sons yarn (an import from France), was introduced to the U.S. market.

It all started with this newspaper advertisement ...  with a list price of $1.39/skein.  

Followed by a series of Magazine advertisements.

1962 -- "Designed for the American Woman's flair for the Chic".  This ad also promotes Unger's Fashion Book (Vol 15, I believe), which contained a number of patterns calling for Les Bouquets, along with other selections.   The dress in the middle and suit on left feature the promoted yarn.

"Les Bouquets flower of the fabulous French Welcomme Moro Collection; a delight to knit with, a joy to wear ... deservedly the most popular quality imported yarn in American".  This add also promotes two of "Unger's Fashion" pattern books.

This 1965 magazine add tells us that Les Bouquets comes in "harmonizing shades of solid and tri-color tweeded yarns'.  And, of course, a book promotion.

About the yarn itself ....

                                                      (Photo courtesy of Gretl3042 ebay seller)

Ungers Les Bouquets  -  Imported from France

80% wool / 10% Mohair / 10% Vinyon

1 3/4 oz / 110 yards per skein   

Deluxe Worsted Weight -- Beautiful French Yarn in 4 ply weight

It remained in the market until 1972.   Interestingly enough, it didn't increase much in price.  

I've a number of patterns calling for Ungers Les Bouquets yarn in the shop, should you be interested in seeing what this marvelous yarn created, or perhaps substituting with a current 'chunky' wool and mohair blend.  

I've many magazines in my collection awaiting processing.   As I come across more ads or information, I'll add it to this post.  

Thanks for dropping by.  

Lorrie

Footnote -- 3/21/2019

Came across this advertisement in the 1959 issue of McCalls Needlecraft Magazine.  This disproves my original statement.   Les Bouquets was not introduced in 1962, by 1959, or perhaps earlier!

Feltella Yarn, by Unger, Part Two

So, a couple days ago I spent a couple hours researching Feltella Yarn for a blog post.   That post arrived at the conclusion that Feltella Yarn was a 60/40% wool and cotton blend; narrow stips of felt.   It left unanswered, who made this particular yarn. 

Well, I searched all around the web, but didn't go to the back of the magazine, where this advertisement contained the answer.

In case, you can't read the small print in this photo ....  "  FELTELLA is the easy-to-crochet felt stripping that comes in 18 lovely shades and works up quick as a flash! You'll love its rich, velvety texture, its expensive look. The stripping is 1/8-inch wide and is 60% virgin wool and 40% cotton. Tens of thousands of crochet fans have approved it since its introduction in McCall Needlework; now it's a favorite for every kind of smart "make-it-yourself" accessory. ".

Mystery solved. 

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

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.