Knitters role in World War 11 Original Knitting Patterns from the 1940’s.
Memorial Day is a time to remember and honor those who served our country. I also think about families at home while their family members were serving. I love to read about World War 11 and search for stories about women of the time. During a college course, I spent time in England and visited the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection of textiles. The museum had many exhibits about World War 11. Hand-knitting was popular in Britain then and, women at home were encouraged to contribute to the war effort by knitting for the troops. Advertising during the 1940s promoted knitting as a public duty: "England expects – knit your bit".
Knitting patterns were given away for free, and wool was given to schools encouraging children to knit gloves, scarves, and balaclava helmets for the troops. Because of the warmth and popularity of wool knits, wool was rationed, and knitters were encouraged to unravel old sweaters.
Patterns were written for items needed by the military and in response to the specific needs of the civilians. Glove patterns had long wristbands for extra warmth, and balaclava helmets had earflaps "to enable good hearing during telephone calls". Some patterns hinted at women’s roles like, “ When You're 'Off Duty' jumper”.
Women's organizations made over 22 million knitted garments for the Red Cross and sent their hand-knit items to the soldiers and prisoners of war.
The Victoria & Albert Museum has original patterns from the 1940s available to download free on the V & A website link here:
https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/1940s-knitting-patterns
We are lucky enough to be able to look at these patterns and knit them for pleasure and curiosity. I hope this blog inspires you to do some searching for patterns and learn about knitters from different times in history.
Do you have a knitting mentor?
Did you have someone who helped you become interested in knitting? A knitting mentor, someone who taught and inspired you to knit. The women from the 40’s are our knitting mentors and reading about them can help us with our knitting of today. I have many women who have inspired me. I am a sock knitter and got hooked years ago at a sock workshop. I sat next to Nancy, an avid sock knitter. She taught me how to use double-point needles to knit a sock Nancy taught me how to start a sock and how to turn the heel. It all began to look like a sock and seemed like magic to me…I was hooked. Turning the heel is when you finish knitting the leg and start to work on the foot of the sock. While she sat with me during the workshop, Nancy hand-wrote her sock pattern on a recipe card for me. Rena, my great aunt’s friend, was also a mentor to me.
She taught me the Kitchener stitch to finish the sock toes. I eventually rewrote Nancy’s pattern into my sock pattern and included Rena’s directions for finishing the toe. I still use the pattern and think of Nancy and Rena when I knit.
During your Memorial Day celebrations take time to remember our service men and women and the sacrifices they and their families make for our freedom.
Join me to practice yoga and knitting together here in my Keep Moving Membership.
Pam
Yoga for Knitters