Sunday, May 15, 2011

Hand Knit Scarves For My Civil War Soldier

A few years ago, I took a knitting class and learned just enough to realize that knitting needles are definitely not my needles of choice. I did manage to master the lowly garter stitch and now every so often find myself knitting scarves whenever I need something to keep myself mindlessly occupied.


Luckily, my son can use these scarves in his Civil War reenacting so at least my efforts are not in vain! Here in California we don't have much use for wool scarves but once or twice a year I wear one myself when the weather is exceptionally cold.

During the American Civil War, women and children on the home front knit many different kinds of items for the soldiers, including mittens, gloves, stockings, caps and scarves. I am amazed that little children of six or so years of age could knit stockings that would put me to shame. I can only imagine how many thousands of scarves were lovingly knit at home for all of the husbands, sons, fathers, and brothers away fighting in that terrible war. It's heartwarming to think just how grateful those soldiers must have felt when they happily received those precious items from home.

Sandy

3 comments:

HomeSpunPrims said...

Sandy,
Your civil war soldier makes a very fetching model for your scarves I must say! I used to knit and crochet years ago and still do a little knitting now and then but cotton and wool fabrics are what make my heart got all aflutter these days.

The Humble Stitcher said...

I totally agree, Lori! I love cotton and wool fabrics best too but when I'm in the yarn shop with my daughter (the real knitter in the family!) I somehow can't resist those wool yarns. Guess I am hopeless!!!

Bob said...

Where did you get the pattern for the scarf you knitted? I've been told that a garter stitch is the most common, and I've found lengths, widths, information on wool and needle size, but I can't find simple directions like how many stitches to cast on. I'm learning to knit, and the first project I want to work on, after I get some practice, is a scarf like the ones you show. If you could point me in a direction, I'd really appreciate it.

Bob