The Knitting Brigades of World War 1

Post date: Aug 27, 2019 12:37:40 PM

Join us at the New Vineyard Public Library on Saturday, October 5 to hear Holly Korda share details on this fascinating history of knitting.

The Knitting Brigades of World War I: Volunteers for Victory in America and Abroad

Overview: In the summer of 1917, following the U.S. entry into World War I in April, the American Red Cross put out an urgent call for volunteers in every state who came to knit more than 15 million pounds of wool into socks, sweaters, hats, and bandages for our soldiers and allies overseas. In less than two years, membership swelled from 200,000 to over 30 million nationwide. Women, men, and the nation's school children knit and purled more than 24 million articles for the war effort in the most successful mobilization of community resources in the United States. Join Holly Korda as she shares vintage photos and stories of the Knitting Brigades in Maine and around the nation--and be prepared to share any stories you may have!

Holly Korda became fascinated with WW1 volunteer knitting when she learned of these home front heroics from a relative. A researcher by training, she reached out to a Red Cross Historian in the 1980s to learn more, and expanded these efforts in the Internet Era. She has shared photos and the inspiring stories of the Knitting Brigades, and how they gave purpose to and unified the nation, with volunteer knitting groups, veterans, and history buffs at libraries and with associations across Maine.