Small portable needlework projects to work on in the summer are essential for crafting survival. Who wants to drag an afghan to the beach or the park, let alone drape it over yourself in summer heat while you add to it? We found a couple of perfect vintage summer crochet projects compact enough to fit in a small bag. You could even work on them commuting on the subway.
Both projects come from Lily Design Book No. 211, Knit & Crocket with Lily Rug Yarn (1975), and are featured on the cover. Some historical context: the Lily Mills Company was founded in 1903 as a cotton spinning factory. At peak production, it was second only Coats & Clark in US sales. The factory closed for good in 1983.
What could be a more perfect vintage summer crochet project than these two projects: cozy summer coasters, pictured below the Weintraub’s price tag, and golf club head covers below them. Both are easy to whip up and stinkin’ adorable.
As the title states, both projects are worked in Lily Rug Yarn, which was a heavy weight 100% cotton yarn. It was introduced in 1937, and continued production through the 1970s. Each skein was 80 yards. Every citation I can find says it was a #4 medium worsted weight yarn, which is not what you expect for something called a “rug yarn.”
The pattern calls for a K hook. Other patterns in the book call for a range of hooks including G, H, and I. Knitting patterns call for a gauge of 5 stitches to an inch. So it seems like it’s possible it really is a medium worsted weight yarn, despite the name.
As you might expect for a yarn that was produced for over 30 years, there are many vintage skeins available for sale online. Although we usually frown on using a vintage yarn, since this is all cotton, it’s not unthinkable to actually make it with the yarn specified.
The Daisy coasters are a perfect summer crochet project. You could make them for Christmas by switching up the daisies for poinsettias. Pair them up with some vintage cooler glasses for an awesome gift.
The golf club covers pattern is from the day when woods heads were smaller. They probably won’t fit modern woods, but they should fit the irons. Someone on Reddit described club covers for irons as the “fanny pack of golf,” to which we say “What’s wrong with fanny packs?” We think they’re adorable and a perfect summer crochet project.
There are bunch of other cute projects in this booklet and many copies of the booklet available for sale online. Perhaps these two projects will whet your appetite for some of the other fast and fabulous projects, including a jump rope, booties, a matching purse and hat and more.
Or you can check out some of the other vintage crochet projects here on Vintage Unscripted, including granny square letters and a 1970s shoulder tote bag.
