Knitting for Victory in the Early 1940s

As the 1940s dawned, my “adopted ancestors“, Minnie and Olive, were still interested in neckwear fashions —

“Saucy Susie”, from the 1940 pattern book Neckwear News! in Crochet.

— but just two weeks after the attack at Pearl Harbor, they had picked up patterns from the Red Cross, to knit gloves and socks for service men.

Red Cross sock pattern.

Red Cross sock pattern, page 2.

Bundles for Bluejackets glove pattern.

Bundles for Bluejackets glove pattern, page 2. Note the date typed at the bottom.

Seeing these patterns reminded me of some articles in our own family archive.  My father-in-law was in high school (in Canton, Ohio) when WWII broke out, and his high school newspaper often reported on knitting circles that sprang up in the school.

In May of 1941, high school girls were knitting for relief organizations overseas.

High school knitting for the Red Cross.

Two weeks after the previous report, 75 sweaters had been knitted. Clipping from Jan. 30, 1942.

A related item in the Minnie and Olive collection was this book of 22 patterns from 1943, with a ruler for knitting gauge right on the cover.  In the back, Minnie had kept a record of their knit items.  Apparently they had received skeins of yarn, and then returned the knitted items.  By October of 1942, Minnie had knit 27 pairs of gloves and 5 pairs of socks!  The ladies continued to knit for service men and for child refugees into 1945.

Knitting for the American Fighting Forces, 1943.

The importance of hand knit items to the soldier.

Minnie and Olive’s knitting record.

Looking for more information on knitting for the Red Cross and for Bundles for America, I found these very interesting articles:

That first article clued me in to a great poster:

https://americanhistory.si.edu/victory/903535a.gif

Purl Harder, from the Smithsonian Institution

Speaking of propaganda (or shall we call it patriotism promotion?), the yarn companies quickly jumped onto the bandwagon, with red-white-and-blue covers for their books, patriotic pattern names, and vaguely home-defense backdrops.

This book of men’s sweaters looks to me like a few quick changes were made to appeal to patriotic fervor. This cover image with the civilian defense sign is the only obvious reference to the war.

America at Work and Play, Men’s Sweaters, 1942, The American Spool Cotton Company.

Here we have the “Victory Vest,” which I would lay odds was renamed from “Ivy League Vest” right before publication.

“”Victory Vest”, from America at Work and Play, Men’s Sweaters, 1942, The American Spool Cotton Company.

And here is “Defense Worker,” possibly originally named “The Architect.”

“Defense Worker” from America at Work and Play, Men’s Sweaters, 1942, The American Spool Cotton Company.

The entire book is available online at the Antique Pattern Library, if you are interested in seeing more: Men’s Sweaters at Work and Play.

This related book of women’s patterns has many more allusions to the war in the photo backdrops.

“Victory Girl” from America at Work and Play, Women’s Sweaters, 1942, The American Spool Cotton Company.

Again, I would not be surprised to find out that “Victory Girl” was renamed from something like “Philadelphia Story” (because she looks like Katharine Hepburn) shortly before publication!

This one, “Best Pal,”  is my favorite, with its Rosie-the-Riveter-type feel.  I love those work pants she is wearing!

“Best Pal” from America at Work and Play, Women’s Sweaters, 1942, The American Spool Cotton Company.

“Reliable” from America at Work and Play, Women’s Sweaters, 1942, The American Spool Cotton Company. I am guessing she is supposedly spotting and reporting on enemy aircraft going over.

“Best Beloved” from America at Work and Play, Women’s Sweaters, 1942, The American Spool Cotton Company.

“Sweet Twosome” from America at Work and Play, Women’s Sweaters, 1942, The American Spool Cotton Company. You are supposed to wear these as you do your victory gardening!

This book of homemade gifts included a section for people in the service.

1942 Gifts You Can Sew, The Spool Cotton Company

1942 suggestions for service men’s gifts.

So that is a quick look at knitting for service men and support people in the World War II era.  Next, we will look at the post-war era and baby boom!

Category : Knitting, Vintage Clothing
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