A Vintage Walk Through the Parc: Adorables for Baby 1942

 As I was looking for a pattern book I found some VERY VERY old knitting and crochet books.  Old as in from the 1930's.  I was given these fantastic gems by a friend who knew how much I love history.  As you know Fiber Arts has a rich history!   Today we'll take a look at Adorables for Baby* So Easy to Make, crochet designs.  Some great designs which can be paired with great designs from modern designers.  Ready to step into my time machine? 

Fiber arts has a history, a meaningful history, especially to those of us who grew up watching our family members knit, crochet, sew, tat, embroider, ect.  Historically many gifts were made, many clothes repaired, kept many soldiers warm, and kept many hands busy during some very dark days.  Not surprisingly this carries on as I write this blog. Our art is an expression of love and support. Today's pamphlet "Adorables for Baby, So Easy to Make, of Dainty Glossilla Crochelle from the Bernhard Ulmann co., takes us to 1942.  A pivotal year in history.  Here are a few significant points: 

• President Franklin Delano Roosevelt became the first and longest serving president with a significant physical disability.  He contracted Polio or possibly Guillain-Barre syndrome in 1921.  This left him paralyzed from the waist down. 
• Favorite musicians were Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Glenn Miller, The Andrews Sisters, Spike Jones, Woody Herman, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald with her friend Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, and the great Count Basie.  (google them LOL) 
• Swing and Jive style dancing had everyone 'hopping'
• The United States was on an all out war footing having officially joined WWII and the Allied Powers, December 8, 1941. 

When I look at the books and magazines I have from years gone by I imagine what my relatives would have been doing.  Would they have been sitting by the wireless knitting their bit or would they have been sitting in front of the television watching "I Love Lucy"?  With those marvelous commercial ditties that you cannot get out of your head!  haha!  In 1942 everyone was likely gathered around their radio set.  Just judging from the shape my copy of "Adorables for baby", I'm guessing it was used a lot!  The yarn featured in the book is a 3 ply 100 % rayon named Glossilla Crochelle (they may have been trying too hard to make that sound exotic methinks).   I have seen this type of yarn, or what we might consider cord, today in various places and it does look like it might have been a challenge to work with because it is very slippery.  Not to take away from the beauty of the projects in this pamphlet at all.  They are timeless and many have modern counterparts as we shall see.  
​

The first "set" of patterns is entitled  "'Mother's Pet' Carriage Set.  Bearing in mind that "fur babies" weren't a thing back then, the word "pet" simply was intended to convey: "denoting a thing that one devotes special attention to or feels particularly strongly about." This According to my google search and is obviously a rather antiquated word. The carriage set or layette is intended to go in the old fashioned pram/baby carriage.  You know those things that you could either stroll through the park conveying your baby in OR alternatively use as a boat.  They were huge and heavy.  I.E. this  pram.  The pram set pictured below fits infants to 6 months size.  These pretty little pieces gave a picture of a time when babies went out with a sense of style.  The blanket is 27x31 inches.  The beautiful part about this book is that it gives the gauge!  So all things being equal I can use these patterns using modern yarns. However, there are plenty of modern pattern designers that have created similar designs with updated terms and yarns.  Fast forward to 2018: 

The modern day pram/carriage set might be made from these patterns!  

• The genius of The Jewell's Handmades produced this very similar looking "carseat" blanket for infants 
• And we tidy the rest of the sweater, bonnet and bootie patterns with  the "Lemon drops" crochet patterns  from Crochet! Magazine

There are some fantastic pullover and cardigan sweater designs in this magazine.   I especially like them because none seem to be too heavy for an infant to wear.  So we will follow suit in our attempt to bring you right up to the present!  First there are 5 baby sweater designs from 1942 I'd like to share in pictures.  These sweaters are, for the most part, unisex or could easily be unisex.  As a rule those living during World War II didn't really have the luxury to make clothes for infants based on gender.  (My own parents were born in the 1930's) I love the titles of these patterns! 
Photo 1: left to right, The "Button Up Cardigan" (of course), "Smoothy Slip-on", "Cuddly Saque".   Center photo:  Left to right, "Lacy Saque"  and the "Adorabelle Saque".  Of course remove the ribbons and use toggles then you have a completely unisex designs.  Really priceless.  Moving back into the present we have several great designers who have created adorable sweater/cardi/pullover patterns for children.  

Sweaters do make a great alternative to heavy coats, especially since the best practice for children is never to place an infant in a carseat in a bulky coat.  (I do like toggles!) Nothing heavier than a sweater due to the fact that the carseat straps cannot be tightened down sufficiently to keep the baby in place.  This is where your friendly neighborhood, professional, crocheter can come in very handy.  Some modern day alternatives:

• One of my favorite crochet artists Zelna Olivier created this "Quick and Easy cardi" for babies 3-6 month size.  I'm sure that it could be made gender neutral with no problems.  (And congratulations on the birth of Madison!) 
• This little "Baby Pullover" by Crochetkim has great texture (no button holes LOL) and is sized starting at 6 months.  If Crochet Kim Guzman has designed it then there's no problem with the pattern! 
• The Springtime Set from Lion Brand.com is just adorable.  Not only does it have a cardigan but the set includes a hat, booties, and blanket. 
• Just Crochet has designed a beautiful, lacy, "Pretty Coat" and it is a FREE pattern.  Just Crochet is another one of my favorite designers.  
• While this is entitled "Christening Set" I think it's a good every day sweater set.  Made in the right colors, with a hat instead of a bonnet, this set could go anywhere.  Thanks to Lionbrand.com

The Adorables For Baby has one last super cute pattern for me to share with you.  Little girls always look so cute dressed up in their little play dresses.  The little dress pictured below is a dress sized 2 years (though I think this model looks a little tall for 2 years)  

I wanted to showcase a few dresses in this section because Spring is here in the US and Canada.  For School, holidays, church, family pictures and other occasions, it's always nice to have a handmade dress available. 

• Katy Clary has absolutely taken the cake with her Dandelion Tunic.  So adorable.  The pattern sized 4T.  Based on the pattern specifications I think it could be adjusted easily.  Best yet you can buy the pattern for only a dollar on Ravelry! 
• I also wanted to give a little nod to one of my favorite children's clothes. Elena Nodel put up a tremendous fight against cancer.  She was a great designer, mom, wife and friend.  She is missed.   Her legacy carries on through her designs and her yarn shop!   One of the first designs by Elena Nodel that caught my eye was the "Maxi Top/Dress" here is the link to the Newborn to 24 months size.  Another sweet dress pattern is the "Shades of Summer dress"  Last but not least is the Ruffled Summer Top.  Perfect for warmer days or to wear with a long sleeve tee underneath. 

I hope you've enjoyed today's blog I always enjoy sharing these little gems with you.  Please thank the modern designers who so graciously share their work with us!

​