Treasury on ETSY-my latest

Happy Friday...freebie instructions

We made it to another Friday but it is going to be a hot one...triple digits. In the mean time, here is something you can make while you are in the air conditioning: pomander balls.

From Wiki:
Pomanders came from the Arab world to Europe and were first mentioned in literature in the mid-thirteenth century.  They were used in the late Middle Ages through the 17th century.

A pomander, from French pomme d'ambre, i.e. apple of amber, is a ball made of perfumes, such as ambergris (whence the name), musk, or civet. The pomander was worn or carried in a vase, also known by the same name, as a protection against infection in times of pestilence or merely as a useful article to modify bad smells. The globular cases which contained the pomanders were hung from a neck-chain or belt, or attached to the girdle, and were usually perforated and made of gold or silver. Sometimes they contained several partitions, in each of which was placed a different perfume.

The term “pomander” can be for the actual scented material itself or for the container that contains the scented material.The container could have been made of gold or silver. Pomander can be a bag containing fragrant herbs. Pomanders were an early form of aromatherapy.

Click on the pictures to download your copy of the instructions from 1959

Have a happy and safe weekend.

Free Tatting pattern-Butterfly motif and more

I ran across this lovely tatting pattern for a butterfly motif. Have a look and give it a try.

This is on the TAT CHAT site. They also feature some nice patterns submitted from their group's members

Treasury on ETSY

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Happy Friday...freebie pattern

Stay cool and try out this antique knitted lace pattern. In 1885 it was called a "rare old lace".

Click here or on image to download a PDF of this pattern.

Happy Knitting

Happy Friday...new vintage pattern

Happy Friday....and it is a hot one with more triple digit weather. I am so thankful for air conditioning!
I found this really cute crochet pattern for covering clothes hangers and have it now in my ETSY shop. Yeah, I know there are tons out there but this one is a bit different. There are little bumps on each end of the hanger to keep your garment from slipping off.

I need to make a few of these for some chronicly slipping dresses in my closet!

If you are inspired by this patttern, here are some more free ideas:

A lovely shell crochet hanger pattern from DOTTIEANGEL

and Flower trimmed crocheted hangers from FIONA on MARMALADEROSE

And Finally, I love these clothes pin bag patterns on TIPNUT.

Have a happy and safe weekend.

Back to school supplies

I don't know why after all these years, I still get excited when I see the back to school supplies show up in the stores. Today in Walmart, I had to stop and check out what they had. PENCIL BOXES....great little boxes for all my knitting, crocheting and tatting odds and ends. They are so inexpensive...under a $1 for different shapes, sizes and colors. Check them out and stock up now. They are the best organizers for the price!

Paid 57 cents for this one!

Sale Coupon for ETSY store

*** JULY SALE- Use code JULYSALE10 for 10% off your shopping cart ***

ETSY instructions on how to redeem a coupon code: http://www.etsy.com/help/article/350

New on ETSY-magazine tear outs

I came across some really nice patterns in some older Magic Crochet magazines from the 80s. I am selling them as magazine tear outs. Here is a sampling:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77675931/stunning-lace-collar-crochet-vintage

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77605775/multicolor-floral-mat-vintage-crochet

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77607856/filet-crochet-cottage-curtains-vintage

Have a great weekend.

Vintage sizes

People were much smaller in "vintage" times. I was smaller in "vintage" times!....
What I mean is, using vintage patterns to wear today can be difficult. Many patterns just don't give sizes or even gauges. So what do we do? Back to the good old swatch to help determine how to proceed.

Here is a great web page with some info on sizes and measurements and another with free patterns, etc.

Hope everyone is keeping cool and has a great weekend!

Heirloom Stitching threads-Sources

I was reading an article in an 1994 copy of McCall's Needlework titled Heirloom Stitching Threads. Seems there is a never ending search for materials that can be used in heirloom needlework projects. Here are some of the companies that were mentioned that are still in business and are on the Internet.

Kreinik Manufacturing. Silk and metallic thread

YLI Lovely quality threads and ribbons in cotton and silk

• Interesting looking shoelace yarn
• Gimpe for making tassels and embroidery
• PDF of all their products
  

The Caron Collection The CARON Collection's threads range from exquisite hand-dyed variegated threads in cotton, silk and wool-silk to exotic metallics and shimmering nylon. With a palette of colors that rival nature in depth and subtlety and a dazzling range of texture, the CARON Collection's threads have become a favorite of designers everywhere.

• Thread Equivalents Table The CARON Collections's threads can be used in all kinds of needlework and craft projects. Use the table below as a guide for substituting them for comparable traditional threads. Chart provides equivalents to No. 3, 5 and 8 pearl cotton.
• Free ONLINE Classes
• Free Patterns
• Free Kids Projects to get kids interested in crafts and stitching
  

Ginnie Thompson Flower Thread

• 20 count cream Irish Linen also offered
  

DMC

• Crochet Cottons
• Includes tatting cottons, Pearl cotton, Cordonnet sizes 10 thru 100, Cebelia Crochet cotton as well as others
• Pearl Cotton balls
• Free patterns

Anchor- now sold under Coats and Clark

• You can search the site by thread size.
• Here is Size 10 as an example of what is available
  

I am still looking for linen crochet threads. There was a product from Anchor called Artiste that was 100% linen but I only see it available in the UK. Please leave a comment if you have seen it available in other countries.

New on ETSY-Easy to knit shrug pattern

Here is a great summer project for beginning knitters. 

This is a simple shrug or shoulderette from the 1950s knit from cuff to cuff with 4 oz of worsted weight yarn and size 8 (US) needles.  

I have got to make one of these to go over a sundress!

 Enjoy!

Freebie Friday-Ear of Corn Potholder from 1891

I love vintage potholder patterns but this one is ANTIQUE. I have seen the ear of corn potholder in booklets from the 1940s and 50s but this one is in a magazine from 1891! Click the link or photo to download your free pattern.

Enjoy!

Ear of Corn Potholder pattern

Knitting for others: NICU

Have you had your share of knitting scarves and shawls for family and friends? How about knitting for others....like babies in NICU?

Here is a great article in Knitcircus with a free pattern to knit a hat and blanket. Preemies need little hats since such small babies lose body heat through their heads.

This article gives contact information for the NICU at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore for donations but you can also call your local hospital's volunteer services to see about a local need. Either way, consider knitting something for these little babies.

If you know of some other online resources for knitting or crocheting for NICU's or other charity crafting needs, please post in a comment. Thanks!

PS... Here is a link to LIONBRAND YARN'S Charity Connection

New on ETSY-Two Knitted Lace Bonnets from 1916

New on ETSY
Two Knitted Lace Bonnets from 1916 I do love lace baby bonnets. Try your hand at one of these for a christening, wedding or some special family occasion.

Sale on ETSY July 4th GET The Coupon Code Here

SALE!!! 

Use code JULY4SALE15 for 15% off starting now through July 4th.

Thank you,


Debby