Poster by L.N. Britton, 1918. Copyright 2010 the American National Red Cross

Craftivism, or making for a cause, has a uniquely significant place in the patchwork quilt of America’s cultural history. In some ways, it shouldn’t be a surprise — in the age before the mass production of everything that can now be found at Walmart, people relied on one another and the creation of handmade products when resources were short and people were in need.

Knit Your Bit is an example of one such philanthropic handmade movement. Launched by the American Red Cross during World War 1, and then again during World War 2, it was created to encourage Americans to knit warm weather ware for ill-equipped troops fighting in the trenches during long European winters. It promoted mass knitting through poster ads, magazine editorials, and informational materials, urging those crafters at home to help a brother out and  “Knit your Bit!”

The movement was quick to be noticed by the American public, and launched a full-on nationwide knitting frenzy. Those looking to get involved went to their local Red Cross chapter and purchased 10 cent pamphlet tutorials — complete with knitting patterns, and instructions on how to obtain yarn and package knitware for shipment abroad.

Patterns were available for a slew of winter necessities — gloves, sweaters, head socks, scarves, mufflers, and even suits — and had to be stitched in navy blue or olive green wool. Volunteers also made sure the injured would be cozy by making items such as “Walking Cast Toe Socks” and “Caps for Bandaged Heads.”

Poster by Wladyslaw Teodor Benda, 1918. Copyright 2010 American National Red Cross

Interestingly, the rallying cry inspired many more than early and mid-century housewives sitting around stoves while their loved ones were at war. Knit-ins and “Knitting Teas” became the trendy social past time for fashionable social butterflies. These crafty gatherings were hardcore. Guests dressed in red, white and blue, with matching decorations and decor. They would practice complex patterns and skills ahead of time to show-off to their friends.

Often, the events would involve competitions, where women would scramble to knit patterns in a half hour or less. The races involved several sweaty-handed rounds before winners were declared, and garnered major respect in communities.

Even high-society Americans, such as the Rockefeller’s, showed their support of war-time craftivism by opening their New York mansion to knitting workers. Their massive and luxurious residence offered space for yarn distribution and packaging centers, workrooms, a kitchen to feed volunteers, and gathering places for knit-ins and classes. This and other philanthropic gestures towards  knitters were touted in the society pages of publications like The New York Times and Vogue magazine.

Men also partook in some good, old-fashioned knitting revelry. During World War 1, for example, a Hawaiian fire station held a competition where prizes were granted to the best fireman/knitter. The #1 fireman knit his first sweater in under 27 hours! No small feat.

But, ultimately,  the knitting rage was about more than entertaining competitions and rowdy, themed craft parties. The knitting enthusiasm really helped the soldiers the campaign was launched for, and by the final days of World War 1, 24 million military garments had been knit and sent to the boys abroad.

"Doing His Bit" Photograph by James P. Adams, Montclair, NJ, 1942. Copyright 2010 The American National Red Cross

Knit Your Bit died down for a while, but today the National World War 2 Museum, located in New Orleans, has relaunched the campaign as a grassroots effort to encourage knitting for veterans on Veteran’s Day. For more info, click here!

And for some examples of American Red Cross Knit Your Bit knitting patterns, check here! They’re a fascinating peek at the knitting practices of yore.

Have any knitting or craftivism stories you’d like to contribute? Please write below!