Book 1300, Crochet

I picked up this pattern book some time back on Ebay.   I'll admit, that what first caught my attention was the 'Illustrated Explicit Instructions' as part of the title.   Just a bit risque in todays time (for a pattern book), but for 1945, the implication of the word was still 'leaving no room for confusion or doubt".      

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Lily Mills Book 1300  - Crochet - 42 Items of Beauty and Lasting Quality . . . Illustrated ... Explicit Instructions 

This book takes us back to 1945.   It's a bit of a 'no-frills' muted black and white edition, as would be typical for the middle of WWII.  Surprisingly enough, there are no WWII war bond advertisements.    It offers us a bit of this and that ... something for everyone, and then a little more.   I'm not going to add all 42; in fact I processed just 20, but even that's just too much of a blog post, put I'll put in a few and supply a link to see the rest.    Ready?   Here we go.

Hit Parade - Baby Set No 1:   This easy knitted baby set includes a jacket, bonnet and sweet little socks.  I like the addition of the socks, versus the typical booties.

Baby Talk :   This little set includes a baby bonnet and matching mitts.  Both are ribbon laced and sized for baby at 3 - 6 months

This Crochet Flower Picture is an unusual piece.   The flowers and separately crocheted and then tacked in place to fabric covered cardboard and framed.   Perhaps an extension of crewel work that was so popular in this time period.    I've not processed this pattern, but if you just 'must' have it, let me know.  
 
Doily Set - Place Mat and Glass Doily - This graceful mat set is certainly out of the ordinary.  Flower petals and leaves surround a linen center.  
Darned Filet Centerpiece, 14 x 24 inches, in the marvelous rose scroll motif and be worked in Filet Crochet as well.  
 
 
Handbags and Coin Purses are billed as a Mother Daughter set ... perfectly sized for each, and a quite easy pattern.  
 
 
Fascinator Head Scarf ... as 1940's as it gets!  The flowers on this design are crocheted separately and sewn in place.  
 
 
Gay Espardilles - Crocheted House Slippers and attached to cork bases.   They are sized to fit and do indeed look comfortable, as well as fashionable (with those ankle ties). 
 
Crocheted Toys ... a ball and a bean bag. 
 
 
This cute piece is a hat shaped pincushion with lattice edge and ribbon ties.  In the 1940's, pincushions were for hat pins as well.   
 


This pattern book was issued as a promotion for Lily Sil-tone Mercerized Crochet Cotton and Lily Pearl Cotton.   All of the patterns call for these threads.  
 
There are a few other beauties in this book, if you'd care to take a look.  The patterns I did not process were primarily edgings and insignificant bits (like the hat pin heads pictured above) .... that's how they go all the way to 42!.  
 
Hope you enjoyed the review, Lorrie