Collector's note: "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from. Physician - years-of-bliss blankets -(mother and child)Physician - years-of-bliss blankets - just feel the difference!/Wonderfully warm, without weight…soft and fluffy after countless washings…made from the most luxurious wool in the world….and guaranteed for 20 years/Physician/Luxurious Woollen Blanketsblanket, blanket fever, wool, collins bros, physician, geelong, advertisement, australian women's weekly

Collector's note: "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from. Physician - years-of-bliss blankets - (woman on telephone in bed under red blanket)Physician - years-of-bliss blankets - just feel the difference!/Wonderfully warm, without weight…soft and fluffy after countless washings…made from the most luxurious wool in the world….and guaranteed for 20 years/Physician/Luxurious Woollen Blanketsblanket, blanket fever, wool, physician, collins bros, geelong, advertisement, australian women's weekly

Collector's note: "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from. Physician - the most beautiful blankets (double page)Vibrant colours or muted tones are yours in/Physician/pure lambswool, chillproof, mothproof, odourlessblanket, blanket fever, wool, collins bros mills, physician, geelong, advertisement, australian women's weekly

This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains knitting patterns for womens garments in fair isle knitting.Patons / KNITTING BOOK / NO. 262 / "DUNKELD" - See page 5 / P&B / WOOLS / FAIR ISLES / 1'-handicrafts - history knitting - fair isle, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting - fair isle

This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains knitting patterns for mens, womens and childrens garments.Patons / KNITTING BOOK / NO. 285 / "PAULINE" / See page 12 / 6d.handicrafts - history knitting, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains knitting patterns for womens garments.No. / 400 / Patons / KNITTING BOOK / No. / 400 / "MAGNOLIA" / See page 10 / P&B / WOOLS / 1'6d.knitting handicrafts - history, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history

One of a collection of 56 knitting pattern books donated by Mrs Hilma Carruthers. These books had been used by Mrs Carruthers, her mother and her two daughters. Book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains knitting patterns for women's and childrens garments.Featuring PATONS NYLETTE CREPE YARN NO. 538 / Patons / KNITTING BOOK / No. 538 / 2'-handicrafts - history knitting, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains patterns of knitted garments for women. It was owned by Billie Rech, the aunt of the donor, who was a great knitter.Patons / KNITTING BOOK / No. 258 / "JANINE" / See page 11 / 7dhandicrafts - history knitting, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains patterns of knitted garments for women. It was owned by Billie Rech, the aunt of the donor, who was a great knitter.Patons Knitting Book No. 276 / 'GLOUCESTER' - See page 12 / P&B WOOLS / 1'-handicrafts - history knitting, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains patterns of knitted garments for women. It was owned by Billie Rech, the aunt of the donor, who was a great knitter.Patons / KNITTING BOOK / no. 203 / "THAMAR" / See page 4 / 6d.handicrafts - history knitting, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains patterns of knitted garments for women. It was owned by Billie Rech, the aunt of the donor, who was a great knitter.No. / 434 / Patons / KNITTING / BOOK / No. 434 / PATONS / AZALEA / DOUBLE QUICK / BEEHIVE 3-PLY / BEEHIVE 4-PLY / BEEHIVE CREPE / PATONYLE / CATKIN / P&B / WOOLS / 1'3handicrafts - history knitting, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains patterns of knitted garments for women. It was owned by Billie Rech, the aunt of the donor, who was a great knitter.Patons KNITTING BOOK no. 350 / 8 DESIGNS / 1'4d. / P&B / WOOLShandicrafts - history knitting, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains patterns of knitted garments for women. It was owned by Billie Rech, the aunt of the donor, who was a great knitter.Patons Knitting Book / no. 171 / "JENNY" / See page 16 / 7d. / A PATONS & BALDWINS' PUBLICATIONhandicrafts - history knitting, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains patterns of knitted garments for women. It was owned by Billie Rech, the aunt of the donor, who was a great knitter.Patons / KNITTING BOOK / No. 222 / "QUICK STEP" / With or / Without Stripes / See page 9 / 6d.handicrafts - history knitting, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains patterns of knitted garments for women. It was owned by Billie Rech, the aunt of the donor, who was a great knitter.Patons / KNITTING BOOK / No. 264 / "FELICITY" / See page 8 / 7d.handicrafts - history knitting, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains patterns of knitted garments for women. It was owned by Billie Rech, the aunt of the donor, who was a great knitter.Patons KNITTING BOOK no. 352 / P&B / WOOLS / 1'6d.handicrafts - history knitting, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains patterns of knitted garments for women. It was owned by Billie Rech, the aunt of the donor, who was a great knitter.Patons KNITTING BOOK no. 319 / "NOLEEN" - See page 8. / P&B / WOOLS / 1'-handicrafts - history knitting, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

This book and a number of others like it were owned by the mother and aunts of the donor, Mrs Dorothy Boyle. They were prolific producers of hand knitted and hand made items of clothing and also knitted and sewed for the armed forces during the Second World War. This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains patterns for women's clothes made in angora wool.Patons / KNITTING BOOK NO. R7 / Specially Requested Designs in / PATONS FUZZY WUZZY and / BERYL ANGORAS / P&B / WOOLS / 1'4d.knitting handicrafts - history, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history

This book and a number of others like it were owned by the mother and aunts of the donor, Mrs Dorothy Boyle. They were prolific producers of hand knitted and hand made items of clothing and also knitted and sewed for the armed forces during the Second World War. This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains patterns in larger sizes for women.Patons / KNITTING BOOK / NO. 443 / LARGE FITTINGS / No. 443 / P&B / WOOLS / PATONS / TOTEM / BEEHIVE 4-PLY / AZALEA / 1'6knitting handicrafts - history, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history

One of a collection of 56 knitting pattern books donated by Mrs Hilma Carruthers. These books had been used by Mrs Carruthers, her mother and her two daughters. This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains knitting patterns for womens bedjackets, nightclothes and undergarments.Patons Knitting Book / no. 174 / "LANA" / See page 2 / 7d. / A PATONS & BALDWINS' PUBLICATIONhandicrafts - history knitting, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

One of a collection of 56 knitting pattern books donated by Mrs Hilma Carruthers. These books had been used by Mrs Carruthers, her mother and her two daughters. This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains knitting patterns for womens garments.Patons / KNITTING BOOK / NO. 190 / "LISBETH" / See page 8 / "MARIE" / See page 10 / 6d.handicrafts - history knitting, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

One of a collection of 56 knitting pattern books donated by Mrs Hilma Carruthers. These books had been used by Mrs Carruthers, her mother and her two daughters. This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains patterns of knitted garments for women.Patons / KNITTING BOOK / NO. 254 / 7d. / "CYNTHIA" / See page 8handicrafts - history knitting, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

One of a collection of 56 knitting pattern books donated by Mrs Hilma Carruthers. These books had been used by Mrs Carruthers, her mother and her two daughters. This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains knitting patterns for womens garments.Patons / KNITTING BOOK / NO. 263 / "THERESA" / See page 8 / 7d.handicrafts - history knitting, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

One of a collection of 56 knitting pattern books donated by Mrs Hilma Carruthers. These books had been used by Mrs Carruthers, her mother and her two daughters. This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains knitting patterns for women's garments.Patons KNITTING BOOK NO. 287 / "REA" - See page 12 / P&B / WOOLS / 9d.handicrafts - history knitting, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

One of a collection of 56 knitting pattern books donated by Mrs Hilma Carruthers. These books had been used by Mrs Carruthers, her mother and her two daughters. Book produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains knitting patterns for women's garments.Patons KNITTING BOOK NO. 308 / "Auriol" - See page 8 / P&B / WOOLS / 1'-handicrafts - history knitting, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

One of a collection of 56 knitting pattern books donated by Mrs Hilma Carruthers. These books had been used by Mrs Carruthers, her mother and her two daughters. Book produced by Patons and Baldwins and containing knitting patterns for women's garments. It was sold by Buckley and Nunn Ltd, a Melbourne department store.Patons KNITTING BOOK NO. 341 / "LORRAINE" - See page 12 / P&B / WOOLS / 1'4d. BUCKLEY & NUNN LIMITEDhandicrafts - history knitting, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd buckley and nunn limited, handicrafts - history, knitting

One of a collection of 56 knitting pattern books donated by Mrs Hilma Carruthers. These books had been used by Mrs Carruthers, her mother and her two daughters. This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains patterns for women's garments knitted in Patons 'Fuzzy Wuzzy Angora' knitting wool (a wool-angora mix).No. 426 / Patons / KNITTING / BOOK / No. 426 / PATONS / FUZZY WUZZY / ANGORA / P&B / WOOLS / 1'6handicrafts - history knitting, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

One of a collection of 56 knitting pattern books donated by Mrs Hilma Carruthers. These books had been used by Mrs Carruthers, her mother and her two daughters. Book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains knitting patterns for women's and girls garments.No. 546 Featuring PATONS TOTEM KNITTING WOOL / Patons / KNITTING BOOK / No. 546 / 2'-handicrafts - history knitting, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

One of a collection of 56 knitting pattern books donated by Mrs Hilma Carruthers. These books had been used by Mrs Carruthers, her mother and her two daughters. This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains knitting patterns for women's garments.No. 576 PATONS MOHAIR BRUSHED KNITTING YARN / Patons / KNITTING BOOK 576 / WITH T.V. DESIGNS / 2'-handicrafts - history knitting, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting

One of a collection of 56 knitting pattern books donated by Mrs Hilma Carruthers. These books had been used by Mrs Carruthers, her mother and her two daughters. This book was produced by the Lincoln Mills and contains knitting patterns for six womens garments.LINCOLN / SIX / DESIGNS / 1'- / Knitting Book Number 719handicrafts - history knitting, lincoln mills (australia) limited, handicrafts - history, knitting