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HJS Studio WW I Patterns

Scarf and Mitts

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Holly Shaltz, Fiberist
PO Box 136
Boyne City MI
49712 USA

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Introduction

During the First World War, the American Red Cross provided yarn and instructions to knitters all over the US, to encourage them to knit gloves, hats, vests, socks, etc, for the men in the military. These patterns are courtesy of Diane McHose who sent me a scanned copy of the centerfold of the July 1917 Modern Priscilla Needlework magazine. The first pattern, next to each picture, is as originally printed. Below that, I've updated the instructions to modern terminology and knitting in rounds where possible. I haven't had time to test all these patterns, so they are merely my interpretation.

Scarf

Two and one-half hanks knitting worsted, 2 amber needles No. 5.

Cast on 45 stitches. Knit in garter-stitch (always slipping the first stitch) until 1 1/2 yards long. (Width should be 10 inches.)

Modern Instructions for Scarf

Materials: About 250 grams knitting worsted weight yarn.

Equipment: One pair of size 5 (US) or 3.5 mm needles, or one circular size 5/3.5 mm needle, tapestry needle, scissors.

Gauge: The gauge is flexible on this project. Suggested about 5 stitches to one inch, or 20 stitches to 10 cm, measured over stockinette stitch or garter stitch.

Cast on 45 stitches. Knit in garter-stitch (always slipping the first stitch) until 1 1/2 yards long. (Width should be 10 inches.)

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Thumbless Mitten Wristers

Long Thumbless Wristers

One-half hank knitting yarn, 2 or 4 steel needles No. 12.

Cast on 20 stitches on each of three needles. Knit 2 and purl 2 for seven inches. To make hole for thumb reverse knitting, knit back and forth for inch and a quarter, then join, closing hole and knit an inch. Overcast edge of thumb or crochet single stitch to strengthen edge.

Two needles.--Cast on 60 stitches. Knit 2 and purl 2 for nine inches. When sewing up, leave one inch and one-quarter for thumb hole, top of hole being one inch below top of wrister.

Modern Instructions for Thumbless Mitten Wristers

Materials: About 50 grams sport weight yarn.

Equipment: One set of 4 or 5 double pointed size 3 (US) or 3 mm needles, tapestry needle, scissors.

Gauge: The gauge is flexible on this project. Suggested about 7 stitches to one inch, or 28 stitches to 10 cm, measured over stockinette stitch.

Pattern: Cast on 60 stitches, place 20 on each of 3 needles, join in a circle, and knit in k2 p2 ribbing for 7 inches/18 cm.

Thumb Opening: Next row: Work back and forth, flat, in pattern for 1.25 inches/3 cm. Next, continue in rounds of ribbing for one inch/2.5 cm, or a total of 9.25 inches/24 cm from beginning. Bind off and fasten ends.

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Short Wristers

The short wrister is also made in ribbing of knit 2, purl 2, on either 2 or 4 needles, and should be at least 3 inches long.

Modern Instructions for Short Wristers

Materials: Less than 50 grams sport weight yarn.

Equipment: One set of 4 or 5 double pointed size 3 (US) or 3 mm needles, tapestry needle, scissors.

Short Wristers

Gauge: The gauge is flexible on this project. Suggested about 7 stitches to one inch, or 28 stitches to 10 cm, measured over stockinette stitch.

Pattern:Cast on 60 stitches, place 20 on each of 3 needles, join in a circle, and knit in k2 p2 ribbing for 1 inch/2.5 cm. Divide and work flat for thumb as for long wristers. After rejoining, work to a total of 3 inches/8 cm from beginning. Bind off and fasten ends.

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