Winter Sock knitting pattern

[kat1121]

I found a knitting pattern for a Winter Sock in the January 1860 Godey's. It supposes a certain amount of knitting knowledge, which is typical of patterns of the time.

Note the needle size; it looks like No. 18. This does not work for either U.S. or British size needles. Most likely, it is a Size 13 British, which would be a Size 0 in U.S.




Also, from an 1861 issue of Scientific American:

THE WAR.
The government calls upon the loyal women of
America to knit stockings for our brave soldiers. The
following rules are laid down for the direction of
ladies wishing to knit socks for the soldiers:—Get
large needles and a coarse yarn; cast on seventy-eight
stitches, and knit the leg ten inches before setting the
heel. The heel should be three and a half inches
long, and knit of double yarn, one fine and one
coarse, for extra strength. The foot should be eleven
or twelve inches long.

1861 Issue: 10/26 Page Range: 0258ad-0259a
Scientific American, 10/26/1861


Kat in NJ

[blue_zouave]

Dear Kat, thanks for the pattern!

Things don't change much... I'm a member of a group which knits slippers, hats, and other items to send to our troops throughout the world. Anyone who's interested can check out The Ships Project at

http://www.theshipsproject.com/Home.htm

Zou

[kat1121]

Zou, many thanks for sharing the link! Yes, it seems like every war has its share of sock knitting. I have been recently researching handknitted socks and stockings in various time periods, and found the following poem from 1863. Thought you would appreciate it, given your current knitting endeavors!

From: Southern Punch, 11/14/1863

EPISTLE TO THE LADIES.

From camp, “W. E. M.” of Gen. Lee's
army, writes the following.

Ye Southern maids and ladies fair.
Of whatsoe'r degree,
A moment stop—a moment spare,
And listen unto me.

The summer's gone, the frosts have come,
The winter draweth near,
And still they march, to [text is unclear] and drum,—
Our armies!—do you hear?

Give heed then to the yarn I spin,
Who says that it is coarse?
At your fair feet I lay the sin,
The thread of my discourse.

To speak of shoes, it boots not here,
Our Q. M's., wise and good,
Give cotton calf-skins twice a year.
With soles of cottonwood.

Shoeless we meet the well-shod foe,
And bootless him despise;
Sockless we watch, with bleeding toe,
And him sockdologize!

Perchance our powder giveth out?
We fight them, then with rocks,
With hungry craws we craw-fish not,—
But, Miss, we miss the socks.

Few are the miseries that we lack
And comforts seldom come;
What have I in my haversack?
And what have you at home?

Fair ladies then, if nothing loth,
Bring forth your spinning-wheels;
Knit not your brow,—but knit to clothe
In bliss our blistered heels.

Do not you take amiss, dear miss,
The burden of my yarn;
Alas! I know there's many a loss!
That doesn't care a darn.

But you can aid us, if you will,
And heaven will surely bless,
And Foote will vote to foot a bill
For succoring our distress.

For all the socks the maids have made.
My thanks, for all the brave,
And honored be your pious trade,
The soldiers sole to save.

[samgrant]

Please send me 2 pair ASAP, I figure a Cold Winter coming on.

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