Spinnerin Yarn Company

While researching Spinnerin Nylaine Yarns, I saw on a couple sites that indicated Spinnerin was in business from 1952 to the end of the 1970's.   This raised my curiosity as I have a couple Spinnerin pattern books in my (pending) collection that date back to the 1940's.   So, in bits and pieces, the investigation began. 

Werner R. Leimgruber, was born in 1916 in Zurich, Switzerland.   In 1939, at the age of 23, he was sent to the United States by Swiss Company. Wollgarn to start the Spinnerin Yarn Co.  Mr. Leimgruber set up the business in New York (which is now part of the renowned Garment District).

First address on record - 230 Fifth Avenue, New York.   This address served as office space.

They had a second address at 1407 Broadway, New York, which served their receiving, repacking  and shipping space needs.    

Spinnerin initially imports their yarns from Schoeller Textiles and for a time period shared a label.  In 1945, Spinnerin were granted a approval for their Spinnerin logo (shown above).

The business is a niche, and they market it very well.   Their products include not only yarn, but Ready Kits & Paks and a number of pattern books.   In addition, Spinnerin was involved with knitting classes and fashion shows

 In 1948, they finish building their South Hackensack plant.  At this time, Spinnerin are still importing their yarn from various sources and dying within their plant.   This would have been quite a large scale operation.  Imagine here, receiving the yarns, dyeing, packaging, storing, distributing to needlework stores, etc. etc. etc. 

Their operation grew to over 300 employees.  By the late 1970's, Spinnerin began a business transition.  Hook rug yarns and kits were introduced, as well as crewel patterns and materials.  They also entered commercial supply of threads and yarns to garment manufacturers.

By the mid 1980's the company all yarn and thread advertisements end, signaling the end of Spinnerin Yarn as a niche market supplying needlecrafts.

The company evolves into Spinnerin Dye, LLC, where it appears to operate until 2016.

And then .... well, I don't know.  There are a large number of holes to this story that I'd love to update, but have been unable to find any contact.  The website for Spinnerin Dye is non-functional, the telephone number is disconnected and the plant property is up for sale. 

And there, this piece ends.   Now, I've added a Google alert and will update this post should new information arise.   AND, as always, if you have information to share, I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for dropping by
Lorrie

Crochet Angora Cape Pattern Story, Alice Brooks 6135

Here's a fun story (or at least, I think so).   There is no way that I can tell the story better than the March 29, 1964 Shreveport Times newspaper article, so I'm going to share it excerpts.   (If you have the time, I do recommend reading the whole article). 

Mrs Gleason came across a newspaper clipping for mail order pattern Alice Brooks 6135, Crocheted Angora Cape, in her late Mother-in-Law' belongings.   The pattern was just what she was looking for to make for her grand daughter, so she mailed away for the pattern. 

The Shreveport Times researched and identified the pattern back to their February 14, 1939 issue.   Ultimately, the request was sent to New York for fulfillment.   The pattern had been stored on microfilm, which has deteriorated. Several experts carefully restored the pattern and sent it to the requester.

A very happy Mrs. Gleason crocheted a cape for each of her two grand daughters.   

P.s.   There's also some very interesting Mail Order Pattern history in here. 

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

Spinnerin Yarn Ready Paks and Knit Kits

I assume we all know about Yarn Kits.   You know, an offering where you receive the pattern and materials for a complete project.  In the needlecraft yarn industry, it appears this business practice began in 1946 by Emile Bernat and Sons.  Coming in second was Spinnerin Yarn Co in 1949. 

The official 1949 description for the 12-Style Sock Pak (pulled from another ad) :  Knit any one of the 12 handsome styles for men in any one of 12 rich color combinations.  Pak includes 3-oz of non-shrink virgin wool, sufficient for one pair of mens socks" 

The concept here was your local yarn and needlework shops obtained the kits (unknown if purchased outright and resold, or handled on a consignment basis).  The individual shops then ran the advertisements themselves with the newspapers to bring in their customers.    There's a second win (an excellent marketing ploy) on Spinnerin' part.   The kit gave you 12 patterns with materials for just one pair of socks.   Thus, if you want to knit the other designs as well, you'll go back to the shop and buy additional Spinnerin Yarn.

By the mid 1950's the concept had branched out and taken off.   Interestingly enough, however, Bernat and Spinnerin remained the primary Pak (or Kit) marketers. 

This 1957 advertisement expands to show a variety of kits available.   It is, of course, presumed a store would have multiple design selections.  In these cases, only one pattern is being offered.

 In the early 1950's, Spinnerin advanced to an additional service for their 'Ready Paks'.   In this 1956 magazine advertisement, Spinnerin will 'hand-loom' the skirt for you, while you make the matching top from the 'Ready-Knit Pak".

This 1956 'shop' advertisement shows the same offer.   Apparently it did not meet with large scale
response, as the offering does not continue in the following years.

The majority of the Ready Paks were geared to womens' fashion.  Once in awhile a mans selection would show up and just as seldom was home decor ... the every famous afghan.

I'm fond of this one ... marketing to the niche -- "Club" Women.  Again, this is a store ad, not Spinnerin specifically.

Here, in this 1965 ad, is a return to the 'additional patterns'.   Although only one dress is shown, the script indicates there are three patterns to choose from.

This full page 1963 add is the only one (so far) that I've found that shows Spinnerin selling ready-paks directly to the customer. 

The newspaper ads for the Ready Paks began to decline in the early 1970's and almost disappear by 1978.   I do not know if this was due to the Spinnerin transition to their business changes, or if the 'kit' market underwent a change.   (Perhaps I'll learn the answer to that when I study Bernat). 

Should I learn more about Spinnerin Yarn Kits, I'll be sure to come back and update this post.

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

Spinnerin Nylaine Yarns

It's 1956 and Spinnerin Yarn Co. starts introducing to the U.S. market a line of yarns branded as Nylaine.   I believe these yarns were imported from Schoeller Mills.  (I'm still researching this subject).  And I'm thinking that Nylaine is their designed name for the crimset nylon.

"Spinnerin Nylaine Yarn is lavishly fashionable, yet wonderfully practical, thanks to its soft-strength blend of 50% virgin wool and 50 crimset nylon".

I've found five yarns in the 'Nylaine' line from newspaper advertisements.  These yarns were introduced between 1958 and 1962 and stayed semi-active into the early 1970's.   Interestingly enough, I've (so far), not come across any magazine advertisements for any of the Nylaine yarns.

(Pic courtesy of Ebay seller gretl3042)

Nylaine Germantown Sports Yarn  for sweaters and lightweight afghans

50% Virgin Wool / 50% Crimpset Nylon

2-oz skeins / 215 yards

(photo courtesy of Ebay seller Montina723)

Nylaine Fingering Yarn

50% Virgin Wool / 50% Crimpset Nylon

1 oz skeins, 3 ply

(photo courtesy of Ebay seller Issybella248)

Nylaine Quick Knit

50% Virgin Wool / 50% Crimpset Nylon

Nylaine Knitting Worsted - Newspaper Advertisement 

I found no online photos or history as to Nylaine Baby Yarn or the Sparkle.   I've also found a reference to another product Spinnerin Midget Nylaine, which also has no other tracks.

Spinnerin issued a couple pattern books that featured these yarns .... a 1956 Spinnerin Nylaine Bulkies Vol 134 and Afghans Traditional and Contemporary Vol 148.    I have a number of patterns in my shop, should you care to browse, that call for the various Nylaine yarns.

 I have set up Google alerts so I'll know when new information emerges and will update this blog post at that time.   If you know more about this brand, I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

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!

Dawn Nylon Yarn, American Thread

American Thread Company did not heavily advertise their products, with the exception of the Womens Needlecraft related magazines. 

This 1957 advertisement was a promotion of Dawn Nylon Yarn, as well as their newly released Star Sweater Book No 127 - 4 to 14 Fashions.

Photos from ebay shop casavantclassics

Dawn Nylon Yarn was introduced to the market in 1951.  It's a 3 ply permanent 'Crimp-set".  Anti Shrink, Moth-proof.   You'll find a few more details over at Ravelry.    I do not have the pattern book 127 in my collection, but do have a number of patterns that use Dawn Nylon in the shop from magazines and 'other' pattern books.

 The first reference to a sales price is October 1951 at 39 cents.  I found a variety of newspapers ads that were all sales promotions from individual stores.

Dawn Nylon remained active in the market until 1969, this being one of the last advertisements I found.   Really, an 18 year life on the yarn was a pretty good run.

I'm sure I'll come across more magazine ads for Dawn Nylon; there's still quite a number of magazines awaiting review and processing.   Should I come across anything, I'll add it to this post.

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

Update - 3/17/2019.   Here's another fun ad from McCalls Needlecraft Magazine - 1959.

Bernat BlarneySpun Yarn

Tucked inside a 1965 issue of McCall's Needlecraft magazine is this sweet advertisement for Bernat
Blarneyspun.

Bernat introduced the Blarneyspun yarn in the U.S. market in November 1964.   It is an import directly from Ireland.  It remained an active Bernat yarn until the mid-1980's.

(picture from Ebay seller gatherlj)

It is an Aran weight yarn, 100% wool, which is detailed quite well over at Ravelry.  As the name (Blarney) might suggest, it was designed for those marvelous Irish Knit Sweaters often called Fisherman.   The yarn was also used in many big needle knitted designs.   See reference chart below for possible yarn substitutions.

Here's a fun 1965 write up ...

My favorite part .... "Blarneyspun it is, to make a knitters heart happy for the sheer clicking of the needles"

This January 1965 newspaper article gives just a bit more history to 'Irish Knits'.   I always enjoy this type of article.  Written up to look like a regular newspaper feature, but oh-so-clearly a Bernat sponsored (and probably paid for) Bernat paid promotion.

Bernat issued their pattern book No 145, Blarneyspun Collection to promote the yarn.  It has a delightful selection of  ... you guessed it ... Irish Knit sweaters.   A number of patterns from this book, as well as a few others, are available in the shop.    

Bernat placed this yarn comparison (substitution) guide on the back page of the No 145 Collections book.  

Should I come across more 'Bernat Blarneyspun' magazine advertisements, I'll come back and post them in this post.  

Thanks for dropping by.