PIECEWORK
PATTERNS
FOR AFGHANS
TO CROCHET
fom the 1918 Clébion> f
FLEISHER’S
KNITTING & CROCHET
MANUALelcome to 1918. World War I has been raging for three years,
America entered the conflict last year. It won't be over until
this November. Throughout the war, needleworkers have been
extremely busy making socks, sweaters, balaclavas, mittens, gloves,
and blankets to be sent to the troops.
But needleworkers also are carving out some time to make “comforts” for the
home, especially as the end of the war nears. They are seeking more and more
patterns, and the yam and thread companies, along with contemporary needlecraft
magazines, are supplying them. Among them is the 16th edition of Fleischer’s
Knitting & Crocheting Manual, published in 1918 by S. B. & B. W. Fleisher in
Philadelphia, Priced at 25 cents, the 208-page book includes more than 125
patterns for knitting and crochet, including one section devoted to knitting for the
troops. All ofthe patterns in the book call for Fleisher’s yams, which were produced
in the company's mill in Philadelphia.
In many ways, Fleisher was a company way ahead of its time. Samuel Stewart
Fleisher, the son of one of the company's founders, went to work for the company
in 1892, following graduation from the Wharton School of Business. In 1898, he
started what came to be known as the Graphic Sketch Club—an classes for lower-
income children who lived near the mill. Samuel died in 1944; he left his estate in
trust to provide for the perpetuation of the club. Now the Fleisher Art Memorial at
719 Catharine Street in Philadelphia, this nonprofit organization is a community
arts center, offering free and low-cost classes and workshops for adults and
children. What a legacy.
In this PieceWork eBook, we have compiled the patterns for 8 crocheted afghans,
including many for baby, using the instructions from our copy of the 1918
Fleischer’s Knitting & Crocheting Manual. We made no alterations to the patterns
other than substituting a stitch name for a figure number.
‘We hope you enjoy crocheting your 21st-century versions of these early 20th-century
pattems. And that you can snuggle up with one when you've finished!AFGHANS