Finds - Bear Brand Baby Book

The full title is Bear Brand Baby Book Infants to 4 Years, Vol. 339

This was published in 1950 by the Bernhard Ulmann Co., Inc. - a 55 page booklet that sold for 50 cents.

I love the introductory paragraph. "Here it is! An instruction book for baby hand-knits so easy to understand, even your baby could almost knit them! This wonderful new Bear Brand collection includes everything in baby knitting - from infants' to "4 year olds" - from summer to winter wear. Each instruction has been as carefully prepared as baby's formula. You'll find all the information you need - what to use, how to use it, and the correct knitting needles needed. Everything's all figured out for you, so all you have to do is tend to your knitting!"

And how's this for selling? "So for the best results and the best service from your hand-knits - choose the right Bear Brand or Bucilla Yarns...Always ask for the BEAR BRAND or BUCILLA WONDERIZED ANTI-SHRINK PERMANENT FIT YARNS for all your knitting."

This photo shows the "Pantie Soakers," "Fancy Pants," "Triangle Soakers," and "Baby Wrapper and Sacque." All the sweaters for infants are called sacques in this booklet.



This set is "For Snow Babies." The Hooded Jacket set includes the jacket, leggings, hood, mittens, and carriage cover. Then there's the "Bunting All-In-One With Hood." Notice the hoods? One pattern is specifically for a girl and the other for a boy.


Can you imagine making mittens for infants? I think I'd make them without the thumb.


The little cats on the upper "carriage cover or crib cover" are duplicate stitched on with a strand around the wrist of each mitten and trimmed with tiny pom-pons.


Ever want to dress your child just like Baby Dumpling Bumstead from the Dagwood and Blondie movies? Now you can.


Doesn't this look like something right out of A Christmas Story? The snowsuit on the right is all one piece, the one on the left includes leggings and a windbreaker.


Nothing says summer fun like water, sand, and wool. The one on the left is "Girls' Sun Suit No. 2170." The boy's suit on the left has knitted belt loops and is held up with a belt - bet that's comfortable.


I'm including these photos just for the Leave It To Beaver effect.




These are not all the photos or patterns in this book. Amazing value for the money. According to a website that calculates relative value, that 50 cents would be worth (in 2008) anywhere from $3.70 up to $24.59, depending on which indicator one is using.