Knit Collection (#7)

WW1 cartoon - Family Knitting
Great-Grandmama (ferociously to the family circle). " When I think of all the trouble that that Kaiser has brought into Europe, I could box his ears

WW1 cartoon - The Super-Patriot - knitting
A biddable gentleman is disturbed from his armchair nap and used by two ladies of the house to wind wool. Knitting comforts for troops was a nationwide activity during the First World War

WW1 cartoon - woman knitting
Nephew: I m reading a very interesting book, Aunt, called, Germany and the Next War. Aunt, Well, my dear, I should have thought they had their hands full enough with the present one

The Vision Feminine
An ilustration showing a woman knitting during WW1 and using a specific technique with a ball of wool. Date: 1916

Liberty knitting bag, WW1
A boat shaped knitting bag in colour printed shantung silk lined with cotton, available from Libertys at a cost of 9s. 11d. Just the ticket for all the enthusiastic knitters of the First World War

Billeting soldiers, WW1 humour
Maid to mistress: If yer please, mem, theres a hofficer at the door, and e wants to know if you can FILLET two sojers. A maid rather misunderstands the request of a billeting officer at a house

Phyllis Dare knitting, WW1
Phyllis Dare (1890-1975), the English actress, who was born Phyllis Haddie Dones, c.1910. Together with her sister, Zena, she was one of the great

Loves Labour - Not Lost by Barribal, WW1 knitting
A pretty young woman engrossed in her knitting, a popular and patriotic pastime during the First World War, making comforts for troops. Date: 1915

Knitting postcard, WW1
Humorous postcard from the First World War drawing on the theme of knitting. A soldier on leave is used to help a young girl wind her wool (no doubt used to knit comforts for troops)

Knitting comforts for the troops, WW1
Three ladies, knee deep in khaki wool knit furiously and engage the help of a civilian male to wind their yarn. Date: 1914

Women knitting silhouette, WW1
Silhouette showing a long line of women, all knitting comforts for the troops from a huge ball of wool. 1915

Knitting cartoon, WW1
A cartoon from the First World War, turning the tables on the activity of knitting comforts for the troops. Instead, soldiers in the trenches are pictured busy knitting warm clothing for society

Knitting women, WW1
A pair of women wind some wool during the First World War. Date: 1915

Cockatoo knitting wools advertisement, 1917
Advertisement for Cockatoo knitting wools from the Cockatoo Company based in Burley-in-Wharfedale, Yorkshire, ideal for soldiers comforts

Knitting pattern 1949
Knitting pattern providing instructions on how to make a sweater with button front, short sleeve, high neck and small collar. 1949

French women knitting in wine cellar, Rheims, WW1
French women knitting comforts for soldiers in a gloomy wine cellar, dimly lit by candles in Rheims, a refuge from shell-fire in the frequently bombarded city. Date: 1914

Knitting pattern 1943
Warm wool lies... Vest and pants for the long winter evenings. A 1940s knitting pattern providing instructions on how to make a womans vest and pants

Knitting pattern 1945
A 1940s knitting pattern providing instructions on how to make a step in slip. With the onset of World War Two and the introduction of rationing

Knitting pattern 1944
A 1940s knitting pattern providing instructions on how to make a tuck in blouse and three-toned jacket. With the onset of World War Two and the introduction of rationing

Six people knitting scarves
Six people sitting in a row, knitting long scarves. Only one of them is female

Advert for Braemar Scotlands finest knitwear 1934
Braemar Scotlands finest knitwear, two women wearing high neck and v line cardigans. 1934

Man Knitting
Knit one, purl one.. a very smart man in a suit, with slicked-back hair and wearing spectacles, learning to knit in the comfort of his living room armchair. Date: early 1930s

HINE: KNITTING MILL. Young girl working on stockings at a knitting mill in America. Early 20th century photograph by Lewis Hine

TEXAS: HOME RADIO, 1939. A farm couple listening to the radio at home in Hidalgo County, Texas. Oil over a photograph, 1939, by Russell Lee

SOJOURNER TRUTH (c1797-1883). American evangelist. Colored souvenir carte-de-visite photograph, 1864, sold at her lectures

Charles Dickens, Dombey and Son. 1846, 1847, 1848, WHEN THE DOCTOR SMILED AUSPICIOUSLY
Charles Dickens, Dombey and Son. 1846, 1847, 1848, when the Doctor Smiled Auspiciously at his Author, or Knit his Brows, or Shook his Head and Made Wry Faces at Him, as Much as to Say, Don t Tell Me

Young man by the sea

Young man by the sea, portrait

PASSENGERS ON SHIP, 1912. English passengers on the deck of a ship returning from India, 1912

Woman in knitted dress gesturing in studio, (B&W), portrait

Senior woman knitting

AD: HOSIERY FOR MEN, 1919. American advertisement for Shaw Knit Hosiery for Men, 1919

German woman - crocheting for her brother at the front - WW1
A German woman (Gertrude Konigshain) works on a piece of crochet - possibly a favour to her brother (?) fighting at the front during WW1

Dutch Peasant Girls knitting Fathers socks
Dutch Peasant Girls knitting their Father a pair of socks. Classic Dutch scene (including obligatory windmill) visible in background Date: circa 1910s

German Girl knits socks for her man on the frontline
A German Girl sits alone in her home knitting socks for her man who is away fighting on the Western Front. The captions translates as: " Fate is in Gods Hand - though Courage

Active Service - WW1 knitting postcard by Harold Copping
Postcard from the First World War depicting a woman knitting comforts for soldiers (note the khaki coloured wool), and gazing wistfully into the distance

South America, Peru, famous Pisac market, Peruvian crafts, hand knit gloves with llamas

Canada, New Brunswick, Lakeburn. London-Wul Economusee. Typical wool producer using traditional methods. (Editorial Usage Only)

Handknitted twin set 1949

Minding baby. Wood engraving, American, 1873
BABY SCENE, 1873. Minding baby. Wood engraving, American, 1873

A doll made from waste material by a child in a knitting mill where mother works. Photograph by Lewis Wickes Hine, 1908
HINE: DOLL, 1908. A doll made from waste material by a child in a knitting mill where mother works. Photograph by Lewis Wickes Hine, 1908

Advert for Harrods gifts for the H. M forces 1939
Gifts fo H.M forces. Sevice cardigan and pullovers, khaki shirts, upper boots, tan cape leather gloves, suede leather cardigan, socks, balaclava helmet scarf, proofed poplin under jacket. Date: 1939

Traditional hat being knit (close-up), Taquile Island (also known as Isla Taquile), Lake Titicaca, Peru

Norway, Hordaland, Bergen. Norways second largest city. The historic Bryggen quarter, UNESCO. Traditional Norwegian wool sweaters

Europe, Scotland. Typical tartan skirts. THIS IMAGE RESTRICTED - Not available to U.S. land tour travel operators

Europe, Scotland. Classic Scottish tartan attire with sporran (pouch or bag). THIS IMAGE RESTRICTED - Not available to U.S. land tour travel operators

CANADA: DAILY LIFE, 1883. Interior of a home in rural Canada. Engraving, 1883

RAINY DAY AT RESORT, 1879. Bored vacationers in the parlor of a seaside hotel in Wales, Great Britain. Wood engraving, English, 1879

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"Unraveling the Threads of History: A Journey through Knitting" Step into a world where yarn becomes art, and needles weave tales of tradition and resilience. From pirate knitting patterns to Baldwin's knitting leaflet during WW1, the craft has left its mark on countless lives throughout history. In the book of patterns titled "Women & War - How to knit and crochet, " we discover how this humble skill played a vital role in supporting soldiers on the frontlines. As women back home diligently worked with their traditional Indian wool, they stitched warmth and hope into every garment destined for brave hearts far away. On a sunny beach, a mother sits surrounded by her four children, their laughter harmonizing with the rhythmic click-clack of her knitting needles, and is here that generations intertwine as Dutch colonists in early New Amsterdam brought their cherished craft across oceans, passing it down from one family member to another. During WW1, an advertisement for Cock o' th North wool urges citizens to contribute to war efforts by picking up their needles once more. Meanwhile, Robin's knitting pattern featuring an old chap with a pipe reminds us that creativity knows no age limits; it connects us all through shared passions. A timeless lithograph by Currier & Ives depicts a grandmother patiently teaching her granddaughter how to knit—a scene frozen in time but resonating with love and knowledge passed down through generations. In Millicent Sowerby's enchanting artwork "Sewing in the Garden, " we witness nature becoming part of the creative process itself—an inspiration for knitters worldwide. As we explore further into this rich tapestry of stories surrounding knitwear, we stumble upon "Knit a Bit, " an ode to European craftsmanship that celebrates Scotland's Gretna Green Tartan Shop—where tartans are transformed into wearable works of art.