Introducing Unsung History

Between America’s entry into World War I and the end of the war less than two years later, Americans knit 23 million articles of clothing and bandages for soldiers overseas, directed by the American Red Cross. How was this knitting organized? Who did the knitting? And why don’t more people know about this impressive feat? Kelly digs into the story of World War I knitting efforts and interviews Holly Korda, author of The Knitting Brigades of World War I: Volunteers for Victory in America and Abroad to find out more.

Our theme song is Frogs Legs Rag, composed by James Scott and performed by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under Creative Commons. Episode Image: Women knit at the Red Cross Knitting Booth while waiting for their trains at New York’s Grand Central Station, 1918. NATIONAL ARCHIVES/ 20802094.

Sources:

• The Knitting Brigades of World War I by Holly Korda.
• "The Wool Brigades of World War I, When Knitting was a Patriotic Duty," Atlas Obscura.
• "Knitting for Victory — World War I," History Link.
• "Showing support for the Great War with knitting needles," Smithsonian.
• "'Knit Your Bit': The American Red Cross Knitting Program," Center for Knit and Crochet.
• "Wilson's Sheep," The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum.
• "Knitted Articles for the American Red Cross," The Delineator, V.91 1917. [Knitting Patterns]