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Wartime Knitting aka Knitting for Sammie

February 10, 2025Collage of wartime knitting posters and pictures

 

Remember a couple of weeks ago, when we talked about overcoming obstacles? One historic obstacle to crafting is a shortage of yarn; this is especially true during war when many things were rationed, including yarn. Reasons for yarn shortages include war interfering with wool production & making it difficult to ship any wool that was produced.

 

For centuries, knitting has been a way for those at home to contribute to war efforts by making hats, scarves, socks & sweaters. Soldiers were known as Sammies (aka Uncle Sam); the Red Cross asked knitters to “knit for Sammie!” (See articles on the Civil WarWorld War I, & World War II for more war-related knitting info.) But yarn shortages got in the way of this production, so what was a knitter to do? One option was to get yarn from the Red Cross. During WWI, all American yarn retailers were ordered to give their existing yarn inventory to the Red Cross, which would distribute the yarn to people knitting for the war effort.

 

More broadly, knitters were advised to reuse the yarn in existing garments so knitters would undo a sweater & reuse the yarn. Knitters were encouraged to use every scrap of yarn. As with most obstacles, shortages inspired creativity, such as using scrap yarn for colorwork, specifically Fair Isle (stranded knitting) or striping.

 

If you’re wondering why we haven’t mentioned other fiber arts in wartime, it’s because there’s less information available. While we can find occasional discussion of crochet, it’s mostly on blogs & we can’t see the supporting documentation. If you know of documentation on crochet or other stitch crafts used in wartime, let us know!
Stitch on!
 Caryn & the Yarnivore Crew

 Coming Attractions!

Friday Night Cravings: Friday, February 14 5p-7p
Spinner Saturday: Saturday, February 15 12p-4p
Twenty 8 North Trunk Show: Saturday, NOW April 12, 11a-4p

Correction: this week's newsletter listed Fixing Mistakes as being one session. We've expanded this class to two sessions; the correct dates are March 6 & 13. 

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