There has not been a lot of quilting going on recently at Q is for Quilter, because I have been obsessed with learning how to knit socks. Even though there is still lots more to learn, I think I have mastered the basic sock pattern, and want to attempt some more elaborate designs. I’m having a lot of fun with it.
I bought this October, 1941 Ladies Home Journal magazine on Etsy, and spent several happy hours using Photoshop to clean and repair the adorable cover image. Here is a quote from an article on the National WWII Museum web site:
The Red Cross supplied patterns for sweaters, socks, mufflers, fingerless mitts (which allowed soldiers to keep their hands warm while shooting), toe covers (for use with a cast), stump covers and other garments. Cold, wet, sore feet were the enemy as surely as German or Japanese troops. Socks wore out much faster than sweaters, and needed changing many times more frequently. These were to be knitted in olive drab or navy blue wool yarn. Surviving patterns show that these knitting patterns were typed and retyped with carbon-paper copies and shared among the knitters. Many knitters chose to knit the same item in the same size again and again so that they could memorize the pattern and produce pieces more quickly.
Ravelry has a free pattern for the Red Cross men’s sock, first published in Modern Priscilla magazine in 1917 (original instructions plus a modern translation). Although the pattern is WWI era, it is the same basic design used for the WWII sock. Do you think the Red Cross also supplied those cute knitting bags? I want one!
How interesting! Martha, you’re making me want to learn knitting more and more. LOVE that cover of the magazine!
I’m knitting a pair of socks also. I first learned to knit them from the cuff down but now I knit my socks from the toe up. I knit two socks at the same time on 1 circular needle. I use the heel pattern from the Crystal sock pattern on Knitty.com. It is a heel which fits me the best.
I love the cover shot. It wouldn’t be that difficult to make a knitting bag like the one of the cover.
I always appreciate you sharing all the embroidery patterns also.
Have a great crafty week.
That’s a great pattern. I should make my dad another pair of socks using this pattern – see if it looks familiar to him. I’ve been thinking about it. I’ve learned a lot since that first pair. They might actually fit comfortably!
I have done knitting in years. I might have to take it up again this winter (too hot now)! You sure know how to inspire us! Love LOVE that cover 😀 Great job and great inspiration Martha!
Hugs, Mickie
I love how invested folks back home were in their soldiers by knitting socks. How very personal. Fantastic ad!
Thankyou for sharing so much of information, patterns and inspiring me to do more needle work 🙂
Thank you for the info on the WWII knitting effort. I downloaded the sock patterns from the website. I have the very old set of steel double-pointed needles that my great aunt used to knit socks and other items to send to the soldiers in Europe. She worked as a civilian for the Army during the war and knitted for our men overseas. I will add these old patterns to the things of hers that are so precious to me. I’ve always wanted to knit something using her needles, but never had the right pattern with the incentive to do so. Thanks to you, I have it now. Wish me luck as I am really only a novice knitter and have never attempted socks. Perhaps a few scarves will be the result if not socks. I so appreciate your blog and follow it regularly.
Hi Martha,
Just stumbled upon this beautiful cover image that you restored. Love it!
I went to a knitting event at the World War I memorial in Kansas City last year and they did a presentation about the knitting efforts at home to support troops abroad. I learned that the kitchener stitch was developed at this time to help prevent blisters on the soldiers’ feet. One of the knitters discovered the technique. Fascinating!
The cover image is so lovely. Thanks for sharing!