Vintage Pattern Shopping

There is always a timing issue when I buy patterns from my vintage suppliers. One supplier has free shipping when you purchase more than $50 of items. The other gets new items in on a regular basis so I try to wait to see which items I want to buy most. The challenge of waiting is that others take the plunge while you are waiting.

It can take a while to get to $50 worth of used patterns. The savings on shipping is generally worth the loss of a few patterns. I was slightly frustrated that I waited too long and missed a set of doll patterns I wanted. I do hope one of the vendors will find them again and they will become available again.

Organizing Your Patterns

I subscribe to Crochet World and Crochet Today!. When I find patterns I want to make, I photocopy the patterns and put them in plastic three-hole punched sleeves. I have binders sorted by topic that I keep these patterns in that make it easy to find the patterns I want.

My binder collection currently consists of one for American Girl Patterns, one for Barbie, and others for Holidays, Home Items, and Toys. I have found copying frequently used patterns and storing them in a protective sleeve protects the magazines and books from future harm and makes the patterns easier to work with when I am crocheting. I can also add individual patterns I purchase through vintage sites, e-patterns I buy, and free patterns I download.

My binders are getting larger. They have expanded as my collection of vintage magazines and books have grown. For patterns, I have chosen not to copy, I am starting to make notes or put pictures in the binders to remind me where to find the patterns I make frequently holidays and as gifts for other occasions. Recently I realized I do forget about the patterns I own when I do not do this when I stumbled across patterns in a book I had purchased to make for a holiday and then forgotten about. I realize even if I do not make the copies, the notes or pictures are important to stay organized.

I know other people use electronic means to organize their patterns. I still like paper copies. Even when my computer is down, I still have access to my pattern stash.

If you arrived here looking for free toy patterns please see the following pages:

Hello Kitty

Crochet and Knit Puppets

Crochet Amigurumi Animals and Stuffed Animal Free Patterns

Knit Amigurumi and Stuffed Toys

Crochet and Knit Amigurumi and Other Dolls

Knit and Crochet Toys

Dinosaurs and Dragons

Teddy Bear Patterns and Clothes

Knit and Crochet Food Patterns Great for Play Food

Valentines

Easter

Graduation

Patriotic

Halloween Page

Thanksgiving

Christmas

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