1978 DIY Home Remodeling Book

"This is an important book for all those reexamining the space in which they live."

From 1978, Andy Lang's Remodeling Handbook instructs novice remodelers on how to make the best of their living space. Chapters cover building materials, building walls and rooms, kitchen and bathroom remodeling, outdoor living spaces, and creating closet space.

There are also interesting chapters on solar houses and energy efficiency utilizing 1970's technology. ("An old idea whose time has come.")

Lots of black-and-white photos of 1970's decor along with diagrams and charts. Paperback, 94pages.











For retro crafting books, thread crochet, midcentury housewares, and more, please check my Etsy shop at www.acadiancrochet.etsy.com

1986 English Smocking Pattern Book

From 1986, English Smocking by Ellen McCarn has patterns for smocking designs, including monograms and figures for children's clothing.

Featured patterns are Script Monogram, Strawberries and Flowers, Playful Puppies, and Raccoons.

Book also features smocking basics, pleating and stacking, garment construction, stitch diagrams, and use of smocking tools. Published by McCarn Enterprises, 32 pages, color and black-and-white photos.

Very minor wear at one corner, otherwise book is in very good condition.







For retro crafting books, traditional thread crochet, and other fun stuff, please check out my Etsy shop at www.acadiancrochet.etsy.com

Vintage Workbasket Magazine from 1975

The January 1975 edition of Workbasket magazine features instructions for the classic ski sweater on the cover, along with a hooded sweater and a crocheted baby sacque and blanket. Lots of recipes and gardening articles, along with bunches of little ads for things you could send off for in the mail. Nice illustrations for funky house dresses and pantsuits!






For retro crafting books, vintage housewares, thread crochet, and more, please check out my Etsy shop at www.acadiancrochet.etsy.com

Traditional Knits

This Bear Brands book from the 1950's features Eisenhower-era pre-teens having good wholesome fun. Lots of patterns for pullovers, cardigans, vests, and winterwear for boys and girls. Artwork shows kids going to school, jumping rope, having birthday parties, skating, and enjoying picnics.



Quick Knits from Columbia-Minerva has fashions from the mid-1960's, including sweaters, jackets, and a coat.




For fun retro crafting books, please check my Etsy shop at www.acadiancrochet.etsy.com

Embroidery from 1962

From 1962, Coats and Clark's Embroidery features patterns for crewel and Swedish weaving along with cross-stitch on gingham, also known as chicken scratch or Depression lace.

Also included is Assisi embroidery, a technique with roots back to the 13th century. The background is filled in with cross-stitch while the design is left plain, outlined with a double running stitch known as the Holbein stitch. Assisi is featured in the Liberty Bell picture on the cover.

Patterns call for gingham, linen, or huck toweling along with embroidery and tapestry needles, and cotton six-strand floss. Book also features unused iron-on transfers for designs.











For retro crafting books, traditional thread crochet, and fun vintage merchandise, please check my Etsy shop at www.acadiancrochet.etsy.com

1950 Quick Tips in Crochet

The Coats and Clark's Quick Tips in Crochet series features patterns for household items and accessories, many with flower motifs. This 1950 book has patterns for potholders and hot pads, along with covered hangers, handbags, nut cup, a corsage, an apron, and a tiny doll curtain pull. There are crocheted jewelry items that would look great today, along with a pair of flowered slippers which are crafted by sewing the crocheted pieces onto a wedge shoe sole.








For retro crafting books, traditional thread crochet, and fun vintage finds, please check my Etsy shop at www.acadiancrochet.etsy.com

Old-Fashioned Crochet Threads

Seems it's getting more and more difficult to find crochet thread in stores. Even the craft outlets that carry it often don't have a wide variety. Fortunately you can still find wonderful threads by shopping on the internet, and a trip to a thrift store, garage sale, or estate sale can yield some great finds.



Pictured above are vintage spools of Coats and Clark's #5 pearl cotton thread, found in a bag of notions at a local thrift store. This high-quality thread is mentioned in many old pattern books. One spool still has a 70-cent price tag from the old Ben Franklin five-and-dime chain.







Another old favorite is Star Puritan bedspread cotton, pictured here in a lovely green. The inside of the label has a pattern for a thread crochet motif.




Other thrift store finds are these variegated shades in light blue and green. I was very excited to find these, since they're practically impossible to find new!




A recent purchase in the crafting department is this pastel variegated pattern, another thread you'll see in vintage books.





You'll see the yellow and lavender variegated thread in old photos of pansy doilies. You can still find it online.


For traditional thread crochet and vintage goodness, please check my Etsy shop at www.acadiancrochet.etsy.com

Rose Crochet Potholder, In Progress

I am using two squares from a bedspread pattern to make this rose potholder in white, shaded yellows, and green. The two sides are stitched together with a border using double crochet, chains, and picots. Potholder is crafted with #10 bedspread cotton and a #7 steel hook.

This pattern is from the 1959 Coats and Clark's book "Crochet Favorites Old and New" which also features instructions for doilies, motifs, a hankerchief edging, and a tablecloth.

If you wanted to make the Rose Bower bedspread you would need 77 flower motifs as well as 76 plain motifs for a single bed, and 94 flower motifs and 93 plain motifs for a double bed. Spread has a fringed edging.









For traditional thread crochet and vintage goodness, please visit my Etsy shop at www.acadiancrochet.etsy.com