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Post by Transport on Mar 1, 2009 18:36:58 GMT -8
Ahoy!
Well summer time is the time to get things made for cooler weather events. I lucked up and found a nice lady who can knit, I have patterns for wrist-lets, scarfs, and balaclava's, etc. Now, here is my question- Did the Military issue these items, were they private purchase or perhaps store bought? Also what color(s) were used? OD? Black? Brown? Gray?
Thanks as always for any assistance.
Chuck
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Post by oskar2ndchev on Mar 1, 2009 22:38:05 GMT -8
From what little I know, there was a big volunteer movement to knit scarves, mittens, socks and sweaters that was coordinated by the Red Cross. I've even seen on "official" pattern book that the Red Cross distributed to civilian groups so there would be some standardization. From what few examples I've seen, various shades of OD green seemed to be the color of choice, although what people interpreted as "OD green" is open for debate- I've seen colors ranging from browns to forest green.
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Post by elsa on Mar 2, 2009 8:44:43 GMT -8
I happen to have a period knit book with patterns and color suggestions. Unfortunately, it is not in color, so color suggestions may need interpretation. It is at home, but I will take a look and let you know regarding their color suggestions if you like. Mind you this is also 1917 American, but it has patterns for various hats, sweaters, and a lovely red cross blanket (that is my next project). It is my understanding (I have not done extensive research in this area), that most Red Cross items were privately made, but distributed by the Red Cross. So this could account for the disparity in color, and then again there are the dye lot issues, too.
Hope this will be helpful, I try to look it up tonight. Cheers!
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Post by CRMichaelis on Mar 2, 2009 22:06:08 GMT -8
I have a few of the US pattern books for knitted items. The colors listed are as follows:
Sleeveless sweaters, wristlets, knitted helmets, mittens - gray, khaki or blue (presumablly for the Navy?).
Muffler or scarf - gray, khaki, blue or natural.
Sleeping cap (watch cap) - white, gray, khaki, blue or natural.
I also have a few assorted original knitted items that range from "regulation" khaki to mustard-yellow/tan to OD. Since these were home-made from all over the place I don't think they'd turn anything down for being the wrong shade of khaki or gray. Now if was pink... they might make a sandbag out of it!
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