CONSERVING SKILLS FOR HARD TIMES

Needle Patterns prints old, 1855-1977, patterns from sources no longer in business or from those who consent to having their work printed. Since my formal retirement, my vocation is archiving what is precious and useful. My reasons for doing this work are spiritual and not material. This line of skills is set to become the curriculum for a more humane sort of life after the New World Order collapses. Ask me about this, sometime. I'm only putting up the really "good stuff"--French intimate apparel, heirloom bedspreads & tableware, filet crochet church lace, edgings and table doilies; wedding dresses, snugly afghans and decorative stitches--Aran, Tunesian crochet, knitted tweeds, Shetland stitches, Fair Isle patterns. ... If we don't archive and use these skills, we'll lose them forever. Self-sufficiency is the "NEXT" thought we must confront. Historical literature is full of written-down skills and ways for surviving without fiat money. This site, formerly just about needlework, is expanding to embrace other skills and ways of self-reliant thinking in an indifferent world.

Needle Patterns comes out of my inheritance -- stacks of knitting and needlework patterns I acquired when Aunt Alice passed away. Some of these date back to the 30s. They're just too precious to throw away; so thanks to modern scannint technology, each pattern has a file made and its legibility is improved where possible; the typeface is enlarged; the photos are repaired, so future generations of knitters and needleworkers can still access what was wonderful in the past.

For those of you who are concerned about reproductions of long-ago copyrighted materials, here is my reasoning: Copyright covers a period 75 years so long as there is a "holder." When there is no longer a holder, material is part of the public domain. "Golden Hands" is no longer in business, so their patterns are in the public domain. Their patterns form the backbone of this archive, out of my respect and admiration for their work--four decades ago. Likewise, the crochet MOTIFS archived here are skills that cannot be claimed as someone's PROPERTY under copyright law, seventy or fifty years after the fact, when the publisher of such skills is no longer publishing.

Woolcraft gives me permission to reproduce their 1927 Knitting Manual, which I have re-composed, photoshopped and reproduced in part and as a whole. Berocco Yarn company allows me to make a single-copy-at-a-time for a single- customer-at-a-time of their free and outdated designs (for which they no longer sell specific yarns). I can make ONE copy of a file for YOU, as a copy service even while the file remains in my private archive.

Costs for reproducing these patterns as single-project enclosures in a standard-sized binder are constant: server space, bandwidth charges, file sharing, photoshopping, printing ink and non-acid paper, plus plastic protectors. If you want one of these patterns printed, you will have to cover the costs by donation. I only donate my time.

No one can take a download file to make one copy at Kinko's and get a copy of it as reasonably as you can get one done by me because I have completely re-composed each of these patterns to fit tightly onto single pages. Each 2-page/cover is well worth it's $3.50 cost. At a copy center the cost will run over $5.00 for prep work, color printing and plastic covers. Thus, anything I reproduce here is non-profit and as a copy service only.

Any file included may also contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized to be used on this website by the copyright owner. Where a pattern is not covered by all the above, I cite the following "Free Use" policy, because this site is an archive of skills; and skills cannot be copyrighted nor captured as a profit-making market for a single entity. To wit: I am making such materials available in my effort to advance understanding of environmental, economic, and social justice issues, etc. I believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for practical and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml.

Finally, I keep drawing your attention to the fact that "more is cheaper" in terms of postage, $3-5 for airmailing one page or 60 cents per 2-page cover when you get 4 or more patterns at once. I'm keeping account of your pocketbook as well as my own. In any case, it is my pleasure and privilege to compose and bring these patterns, priceless skills and precious heirlooms to you, wherever you are. Faithfully, always the archivist, Emily Cragg

A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING FOR EVERYBODY

Lists of materials needed, instructions, pictures and size changes are color-printed and slipped into a washable cover. A color copy normally costs a dollar. Some of these patterns have two or three. Thus, my costs are somewhat fixed; and I'm not really figuring in the time I spend repairing (even translating) and archiving files. So, my base prices are very reasonable; in fact, they just cover raw materials.Download patterns cost $1.50 a page (file server and bandwidth expenses); and printed patterns are $3.50 for a two-page "cover" plus postage. Decide whether you want an email pattern for $1.50 per page each or a color-printed pattern for $3.50 per cover (two pages) mailed to you, postage extra. Click on Paypal OR address a Postal Money Order for the address (below) to HolyConservancy.

~*~ HOW TO ORDER ~*~ Once you reach the pattern pages below, click on the thumbnail to the left of a pattern description to see a larger picture of any item. Look over the size range you need and the supplies necessary. And once you've decided what patterns you need, click on the Donation button and figure your donation with pencil and paper. All donations go to the same place.

Needle Patterns orders are paid to the Holy Conservancy non-profit account. When you click on the Paypal square and enter an amount, what comes up is a form to get the rest of your address information also. When I receive a Paypal notice or Postal Money Order arrives here, I email or post your patterns within 24 hours. If you plan on printing out a lengthy textbook, please return a small donation whenever you enter my directory to do so. Home-printing a book ought to be no hardship, and can be done over time. What keeps me going is that people donate as they download, just a little.

All patterns come complete with pictures, directions and list of materials mailed to you. These are reproductions; price includes cost of scanning, photoshopping, enlarging, filing, color-printing, enclosed in waterproof covers. When printed, two (8.5 by 11) non-acid pages are slipped (for durability) into each cover and mailed in a photographic mailer, up to 4 covers for $3 postage; up to 8 plates for $4 postage. Thus three two-page covers (3 patterns) with packaging and postage cost $13.50 mailed or $9 downloaded. Six two-page patterns cost $22 with six plastic protective covers and a free 1/2" binder to keep them in, including Priority Mail postage. These are my supplies' costs.

How to download a file ~*~
  • PREPAID Download files are EMAILED and should first be saved to a data directory that is out of the way of your program files; then, uploaded into printer software as a jpg graphic file so its size can be set correctly.
  • With the pulldown menu, size the file at 1178 horizontal by 1600 pixels vertical before you attempt to print it. Save the file to disk in the new size.
  • Then, go to printer settings and choose your preferences, whether to print in gray-scale, sepia or full-color. Sepia utilizes the least amount of inks. Finally, make sure that the file is set for Portrait and High Quality. I think in my whole inventory I only have two or three patterns that ought to be run as Landscape.

INDIVIDUAL PATTERNS FOR YOU

LINKS. Click on photo in each category.

SAFE TOYS
BABIES
KEEP BABIES WARM : Carrying Shawls, Covers, Christening Robes, Bonnets, Layettes & Outfits 		*NOT*
READY		 KIDS DRESSUP
DURABLE & STRETCHY : Slippers, Dress Up, School Days, Snow Days & Summer Days 		*NOT*
READY		 KIDS PLAY *NOT*
READY		 MENS' WEAR UNISEX AND MENS' SWEATERS, vests & jock straps

LADIES' ATTIRE
: DRESSES & ENSEMBLES Suits, Skirts, Kilts, Jackets & Coats; Formal Wear
 *NOT*
READY		 LADIES' ATTIRE
OUTER WEAR : COATS, JACKETS & BULKIES 		*NOT*
READY		 LADIES' ATTIRE :
SPORTS & PLAYWEAR; PONCHOS & SHAWLS 		*NOT*
READY		 LADIES' ATTIRE :
LINGERIE & UNDER GARMENTS Bathrobes & Dressing Gowns; underwear 		*NOT*
READY		 LADIES' ATTIRE :
TOPS & LIGHT SWEATERS; TUNICS & VESTS

FAMILY HOME & HEARTH: Kitchenware, Rugs & Ornaments
AFGHANS, LAP ROBES, FAMILY Sweaters, Gloves, Hats, Stockings & Socks, Slippers 		27 HEIRLOOM BEDSPREADS
(DATED FROM 1934-1961) and 19 HEIRLOOM TABLECLOTHS for you or your daughter daughter's Hope Chest 		DOILIES & FILET CROCHET PATTERNS
(1920-on) ALTAR LACE; Chair/sofa sets; Doilies; Curtains & Lace Edgings, 		ANTIQUE CROCHET & KNIT PATTERNS
(1855-1920) Shawls for Civil War Re-enactments & Dramas; Bodices; girl's picot dress (French); advanced 19th cent. motifs 		ACCESSORIES & ADORNMENTS: BAGS & CASES SLIPPERS, SOCKS, HATS, GLOVES, DUFFEL BAGS, SHOULDER BAGS, KNITTING CASES & BAGS. Coming! Embroidery patterns, needlecraft from the past.

BOOKS FOR "HAVING SKILLS AT HAND"

Printed color copies are available, bound in a binder, with protective covers for each page-duo. Each is an on-line manual you may download from the Holyconservancy directory when you subscribe for $10 up front that you may copy off from these jpeg files in my directories, run through your printer program for optimum size and color options. Pay only for initial access and print what you need, little-by-little.


CRASH COURSE IN CROCHET

SIMPLE-TO-COMPLEX CROCHET SKILLS 		Out of decades-old texts, here are THE six basic CROCHET steps plus forty illustrated skills. Wonderful if you have nobody to teach you, hands-on.

FULL-COLOR ILLUSTRATIONS, STEP-BY-STEP, in basic stitches (doubles & trebles plus variations and rounds) also includeS three basic patterns every family's women want to have on hand : for gifts, bazaars, fund- raising projects : 1. Dishrags .... Potholders (pretty ones) ... and 3. Shopping Bags. These are printed and wrapped in six protective binder sheet covers.

STEP-BY-STEP COLOR PHOTOS completely illustrate HOW TO CROCHET : TWENTY skill packs : 2-pages each color-printed in its own plastic protector. Soon these skill packs will be itemized.
  • button- and button-hole making;
  • designing with motifs;
  • filet crochet introduction, shaping --patterns of which are in Trims and Lingerie Directories.
  • hairpin crochet, with patterns for a 14" pillow and evening stole;
  • heavy fabrics, textured;
  • increasing and decreasing stitches for shaping;
  • traditional Irish lace;
  • joining motifs seamlessly;
  • multiple-color patterns into solid backgrounds (a form of needlework one might relate to picture-painting with colored twine);
  • open airy stitchwork Agroup and Bgroup;
  • plaid patterns in crochet Agroup and Bgroup;
  • rounds, tubes and rings;
  • trimmings and borders for linens and collars;
  • Tunesian crochet.


All these available in the Crochet Directory for subscribers to download, print and use at any time. $10 directory access; Or Printed copies at $3.50 per (2-page) printed plate, plus postage for mailing.

KNITTING MADE PLAIN -- Each KNITTING technique beautifully-illustrated:
Starting UP--
"Golden Hands" in the United Kingdom published needlework patterns during the 60s and 70s; and then they left the scene. Available in MY Knitting Directory for subscribers to download, print and use at any time. $10 for directory access; Printing, $3.50 per (2-page) printed plate, plus postage for mailing. My aunt left me five annual volumes of the Golden Hands (out of copyright) work. I have culled these to identify TWENTY-NINE illustrated skill packs (approx 100 total pages) of detailed instructions in three broad areas of knitting; each separate section : Getting Started, Finishing and Advanced Stitches.

"Getting Started" is illustrated in gorgeous detailed color, the following techniques:

  • Knowing Gauge, Yarn and Ply; Basic Stitches;
  • Casting-on and Casting-off;
  • Slipped Stitches and how to deal with them;
  • Increasing and Decreasing Step-by-Step;
  • Picking-up Stitches and Grafting.

Finishing the Garment includes:

  • Tension, Measuring & Size; Adjusting for Bust Darts;
  • The Hang of Hems; calculating for pleats;
  • The Hole Truth (buttonholes);
  • Squaring Corners and Making V-Lines;
  • Neat Edges & Borders;
  • Sewing-up, Blocking & Pressing;
  • Mending and Reinforcing.

Advanced Skills include:

  • Be your own designer; (in paren, number of patterns)
  • Lace stitchesA (3 types); and groupB (7 types); groupC
  • Chunky fabric stitches (5); crochet-like (4)
  • Cable stitches (4 different); bobbles (3); eyelets (5)
  • Woven-look stitches (5); tweeds (6); purl (8);
  • Fisherman's patterns (5); Shetland patterns (11);
  • Pockets;

TWICE-KNIT KNITTING Knitters who take the time to knit, often find their work worn and tattered, too soon. Lee Gilchrist has provided this text, manual and COLLECTION of projects that take Knitting to a new level : twice-knit fabrics for resilience and extra wear. Forty projects and photos.
Projects include: Double knit procedure : back, front, purl, both simultaneous; Binding off; Alternative stitches; procedures; Baby blanket; toddler's slipper; Scarves; Headband, skicaps; Pot holders, coasters, hot pads, placemats, table runner; Bedspreads (stained glass and checkered) and pillow covers; Vests, ponchos; Bikini; Skirts and basic shells; Belts. $10 ready access to my directories, or $24 printed, bound, each page-duet enclosed in protective plastic (one project at a time).

WOOLCRAFT


This pattern and procedure book is for people who want to protect the knowledge of knitting. There are no size corrections or changes shown; this is why I say--up front--the book is for an advanced knitter who knows how to correct for size. If you want to have access to basic and fundamental skill information, you may want a copy of this volume.

This manual printed in the 1920s has an interesting story. It is a REPRODUCTION. This was a pamphlet in such delicate condition when I got it, the cover immediately disintegrated. There are watermarks, pencil marks and the print was so small, you had to use a magnifying glass to see it. That's not a useful form.		 I contacted WOOLCRAFT that originally published this pattern book about seventy-five years ago; but they were not interested in whatever I wanted to do with it; and it is long since out of copyright. Therefore this book--thanks to computer photo-technology--is now available to the SURVIVALIST MARKETPLACE, and it includes just about every piece and kind of knitted garment that any family might find necessary, to keep warm.
The contents include : baby coats & breechettes; baby cardigans and dresses; bonnets and caps. Rompers, vests, knickers, underpants, petticoats and body belt (?). Blankets, shawls and Bed Wrap (?) Adult Cardigans, waistcoasts, pullovers and jerseys. Underwear sets and spencers (?). Mittens, gloves, bootees, slippers, bed socks and knee caps (?); socks and stockings.

Each and every page has been scanned, photoshopped for legibility, lightened, straightened, repaired, and the illustrations placed in front of the instructions (and not behind). There is an index so finding a single item is simple. Page numbers have been left intact. The illustrations are strikingly lovely. I have enlarged everything to fit on an 8.5 by 11 sheet, so it can be seen and utilized. Printed in sepia; the absolute cost of printing it is $75. $10 ready access to my directory. Printed/bound copy $75 plus shipping.

If I can be of any service to you, if you have questions or you need more information, please don't hesitate to call me at 408 259 9575. Address your money order to Holy Conservancy, 2600 Nuestra Castillo Court, #238, San Jose, California 95127. Thank you for stopping by. Emily Cragg