Knit Your Bit

02 Jan 2010 2 Comments

by madsilence in Craft, Culture, Life, Thoughts Tags: charity knitting, knit for charity

Men's V-Neck Sweater from World War II via the American Red Cross

During World War I and again during World War II, the American Red Cross launched nationwide, volunteer-driven knitting campaigns to supply soldiers and war refugees with warm clothing.  These volunteer knitters belonged to a Red Cross unit called the Production Corps that also produced bandages and sewn garments (such as pajamas) for veterans and civilian hospitals.

Military knitting patterns were designed to be compatible with soldiers’ and sailors’ uniforms and were required to be knitted in olive drab or navy blue. Production Corps volunteers would also knit from patterns designed for convalescing soldiers, such as the “Walking Cast Toe Sock,” the “Cap for the Bandaged Head” and the “Man’s Coat Sweater.”

Check out the selection of World War II-era knitting patterns from the archives of the American Red Cross and “knit your bit.”

Of course, the practice of “charity knitting” is still very much alive.  Betty Christiansen, in her book, Knitting for peace: make the world a better place one stitch at a time, discussed the history of knitting for charity.  The book was recently profiled on the WordPress blog, Blogging for a Good Book:

This book is a great blend of knitting writing, patterns, and personal narrative. Christiansen begins by exploring the historical nature of charity knitting, and highlights the Red Cross’s “Knit your Bit” program. After introducing the various modern charity projects, usually with some words from the organizers themselves, Christiansen provides fifteen patterns; most are specially designed to the donation specifications of the charities featured. These include a vest pattern for Afghans for Afghans (a program that provides hand-knitted wool items for warmth to Afghani orphanages, clinics, and children’s centers); a blanket pattern for Project Linus (which provides comfort blankets to critically ill and traumatized children); and a teddy bear pattern for the Mother Bear Project (which provides hand-knitted teddy bears to children orphaned by or infected with HIV/AIDS).

The Spartanburg Knitting Guild recently send over 100 hats, socks, neck gators and scarves to the soldiers in Iraq.

What a wonderful project and very much a labor of love.  Think of the creative energy these knitters pour into their creations, such energy and beauty to be shared with the recipients.  I’ve donated money and purchased phone cards to send to American troops in Iraq, but never had the courage nor the skill to offer such an intimate gift.