On the bookshelf
Alongside such treasured hardcover titles as Fabric and Dress, Today's Etiquette, and The Nancy Drew Cookbook, you'll find on my shelf two small standing files manufactured by National Geographic for the purpose of organizing one's collection of maps. These files happen to also be the perfect size for storing one's collection of small-format knitting booklets. How handy!
No doubt my fellow Canadians Who Thrift will be very familiar with the Patons Beehive series of pattern booklets, which measure 15.5 by 24 cm (6 by 9.5 inches). Here are some of the ones I have: 
None are dated, unfortunately, but they are numbered. The three in the bottom row are the oldest of the bunch, as well as the sock book in the middle of the top row -- these ones carry the numbers 105, 110, 113, and 117. The slightly psychedelic Family Headwear & Scarves and the bilingual-covered Family Sock Book/Bas pour la famille are newer. (You can see that the Family Headwear is numbered 98, but it's a revamped "second edition.") So far, I have only used one pattern from all of these books: my dad's Double Diamonds socks (which, unfortunately, turned out to be too big because the pattern called for old-school 3-ply Kroy and I used today's standard 4-ply). There are some pretty great sock patterns in these books, though -- I should try another pair.
One of my very favourite wee books is a version of the Learn How Book published by Coats & Clark. I actually have a big (older) one, too: 
The person who wants to knit, crochet, embroider, and tat need look no further. It's all here. These are great, actually -- how to do all the basics, plus a handful of patterns to which you can apply your new knowledge. For example, once you know how to turn a heel, you can go to the next page and start a pair of anklets! What else would you want to do once you know how to turn a heel?
Well, I'd better label this post "procrastination," since that's what I'm doing. Papers need to be written. Laundry needs to be done. I suppose I'll need to eat and bathe. By the way, Mooky wishes to express his sincere thanks to all of you who left comments on the last post -- especially those who praised his dashing good looks. And I'm pleased to report that late last night, when I got sucked into the vortex of What Not to Wear for an hour (OK, it may have been two hours), Mooky stayed put on his new blanket at one end of the couch while I worked on my blanket at the other end.
13 comments:
I have a copy of the Learn How Book, the 28th edition. It has the same artwork as your 1971 version, but it's green with orange accents. I 'borrowed' it from my Mom at some point in the past, and do refer to the knitting and crochet sections, and even the embroidery section as I can never remember how to do a French Knot. I haven't ever used the tatting section, though.
The cover price is 35 cents, but a price sticker on the front show Mom actually bought it for 21 cents. I think I've gotten her money's worth out of it!
Hey, I had that Nancy Drew cookbook, back in my youth! I even made things from it, for I am nerdy.
The recipes in the Little House on the Prairie cookbook are better though (albeit containing breathtaking amounts of eggs and butter).
I have some of the booklets from that series, although I don't think I have the same ones you do.
I remember my mother teaching herself to tat using one of those learn how books. I must have learned some stuff from it too, though I already knew how to knit and crochet because I remember reading though the book.
Fellow Canadian who Thrifts here: familiarity confirmed. ;)
Today was a day for procrastination, wasn't it? It raining/fogging here and the only response to that is to stay in, watch college basketball and knit. There was much more that I could have been doing. Now, thanks to you I have tomorrow's procrastination ready--organize my knitting books, mags and pamphlets!
I have all those Paton's booklets (6 of the 6) and have knitted from them over the years.
I knitted my first pair of socks from the book in the middle in the top row out of Knitpicks merino style last year. They are beautiful socks and really warm. My son wears them when he is working on the ski hill. They pill but I bought a stone from knitpicks and you just run over the pills after they're dry and they look like new.
what neat booklets - funny how crafts haven't changed much as far as technique goes!
glad the mini-blanket is working!!!!
I'm kinda in love with the title, "It's Fun to Know Why."
Love the Mookie blanket, too. Must do same for Scout. He keeps tabs, you know.
To please a cat... that must be the highest compliment a crafter can receive. :)
Love your vintage collection- makes me want to start up my own.
i have a copy of that learn how book as well. dont' know the date of printing, but it cost 25 cents or something.
neat.
Hey! I picked up the same paton's booklet with the kids in the cardis lst weekend! Love the little girl in the knitted leggings soooo much (p.19) so sassy LOL
Glad to know that I'm not the only one who digs these goofy books
That's a great collection. But I seriously want the Nancy Drew Cookbook!
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