Sock Knitting in the Civil War

re: Sock Knitting in the Civil War

margolott — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 12:46:51 GMT

I read "Yankee Stranger" by Elswyth Thane and was intrigued by the image of the women in this book always having a sock on needles in their apron pocket. The main character said that only her grandmother was capable of making socks for her father, her socks went to her brothers. Right then and there, I started knitting socks.

re: Sock Knitting in the Civil War

whizkim101 — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 02:17:51 GMT

Schoolmarm: I would love to use a knitting pattern from the Civil War! What is the website???

re: Sock Knitting in the Civil War

Schoolmarm — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 02:19:27 GMT

My brother is an avid Civil War re-enactor. There are era-authentic patterns for socks on several websites if anyone is interested in trying their hand it it!

re: Sock Knitting in the Civil War

ncengprf — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 21:50:56 GMT

Remember the first chapter of _Little Women_?

"'I can't get over my disappointment in not being a boy. And it's worse than ever now, for I'm dying to go and fight with Papa. And I can only stay home and knit, like a poky old woman!'

And Jo shook the blue army sock till the needles rattled like castanets, and her ball bounded across the room."

re: Sock Knitting in the Civil War

MB@FabricUiPhoneApp — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 18:22:37 GMT

I look forward to this story of sock knitting in the Civil War. I would love to see a history of knitted millinery sometime. Annie Modesitt along with yours truly would be a great resource on this topic (I've knit Annie's millinery patterns plus I've taken numerous millinery classes).

re: Sock Knitting in the Civil War

never a dull needle — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:49:29 GMT

This reminded me of an article I found in a Zanesville, Ohio newspaper about my gr-gr-grandmother. I don't know if she was knitting socks or other items that the soldiers could use but it is interesting that she was criticized for her efforts.

While great praise is justly given to the ladies of Zanesville and other places, for their benevolent efforts in behalf of the sick and wounded soldiers of our gallant army, I desire to name Mrs. Noah Swank, of Washington Township, as deserving the greatest commendation for her efforts in their behalf. She has, by her own efforts, secured subscriptions to a large amount in Washington and Perry Townships, and with other patriotic ladies, is engaged in making many useful articles for the comfort of the unfortunate braves of our army. Her labors are all the more to be appreciated, from the fact, that in quite a number of instances, she has met with rebuffs and opposition from those who sympathize with the rebellion, and who would aid it with their money, if they dared. Some of these soulless traitors deserve, and will receive, that public expostiton of their declarations which befits them.

Zanesville Daily Courier (Zanesville, Muskingum, Ohio) 1 May 1862

re: Sock Knitting in the Civil War

obscuripes — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:11:09 GMT

I enjoyed this article. It has me wondering when pre-spun yarn became available for sale. Were all of these knitters also spinning their own wool? Thanks