1000 women wanted

Interesting way to get finished socks...putting down a deposit.

Cleveland mourning leader. (Cleveland OH) August 27, 1862 - Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. LOC

1000 WOMEN WANTED,--TO receive Yarn and knit into Soldiers Socks.

For each pound delivered, a pledge of 75 cents will be required, to be refunded when the Socks are returned, together with an additional amount of 75 cents for knitting the same.

CLEVELAND WORSTED CO.,

aug22:402

107 Bank-St.

Union Knitting Army.

I'm finding some interesting stories about knitting socks for the army/soldiers.

Cleveland mourning leader (Cleveland OH) October 19, 1861 - Chronicling Historic American Newspapers LOC

Union Knitting Army.

                The ladies of the O.S. Presbyterian Church, at Pleasant Ridge, Hamilton Co., have formed themselves into what we hope may be the advance guard of a grand Knitting Army. They have pledged themselves, each and every one, to knit four pairs of woolen yarn socks, or stockings, by the first of January, 1862—two pairs by the first of November, and the remaining two by the first of January, 1862.

                Appealing to their sisters elsewhere, they say: “Let each lady pledge herself to knit four pairs by the time specified, and thereby manifest the interest and sympathy we feel for the gallant defenders of our homes and firesides, by enlisting for the war in the Union Knitting Army.”

Socks For Soldiers-pieces of woolen cloth

Staunton Spectator (Staunton VA) 1864 [LOC]

Socks For Soldiers

We feel called upon again to appeal in behalf of our suffering soldiers to the patriotism and kindness of the good people of this County to furnish material to make socks for our brave and bare-footed soldiers. We do not even ask for yarn, [though that, of course, is preferred] but only for pieces of woolen cloth large enough to make a covering for their feet. Every family could contribute such pieces as are now needed, and we feel that it is only necessary to state that they are wanted to ensure a sufficient supply in a short time. The ladies of this place are ready to make the pieces up into socks—the people of the country will please furnish the materials needed. A large portion of the gallant 25^th Regiment is now without socks and the brave soldiers of that Regiment are, in great part, from the North-western portion of the State without the possibility of receiving relief from their friends at home. Such soldiers have a peculiar claim to the kindness of our people. Search your houses and send such pieces as mentioned above to the Book-store of Mr. R. Cowan, of Staunton, and they will soon be covering the feet of our suffering soldiers.

Hint to the Ladies...the socks...are too small

Thanks to the internet, data bases and search engines, finding primary sources today is quicker and efficient. I love finding and putting together information from the past.  

The Macon Daily Telegraph [Georgia] February, 17, 1864

Hint to the Ladies.—As a general thing a large proportion of the socks that have been sent to this office and forwarded to the soldiers, are too small. We published, some days ago, instructions from a lady on the art of knitting, and our lady friends would do well to observe them. A tight fitting sock affords not half the comfort of a loose one and will wear out in one third the time.

Macon Daily Telegraph [Georgia] January 26, 1864

DIRECTIONS FOR KNITTING SOCKS FOR THE ARMY.—The following directions, which have been furnished by a lady of much experience, may prove useful to those who will engage in knitting woolen socks for the army. The yarn should be bluish grey, No. twenty-two, and the needles No. fourteen to fifteen:

            Set twenty-seven stitches on each needle; knit the plain and two seam rows alternately until the ribbing is three inches long; then knit plain seven inches for the leg, remembering to seam one stitch at the end of one needle.

To form the heel, put twenty stitches on two of the needles, and forty on the other—the seam stitch being in the middle. Knit the first row plain, the next row seam, and so alternately until the heel is three inches long, then narrow on the plain row each side of the seam stitch for five plain rows, which will leave thirty-one stitches. To close the heel, knit the last seam row to the middle of the needle, knit the seam stitch plain, then fold the two needles together, and with another needle take off the seam stitch. Then knit a stitch from both needles at once and bind the seam stitch over it. Continue knitting in this manner until but one is left and the heel closed. Take up as many stitches as there are rows around the heel; knit one row plain; then widen every fifth stitch on the heel needles. Narrow once on every round at each side of the foot until there are twenty-seven stitches on each needle, knit plain six inches; narrow at the beginning and end of each needle on every third round till you have seventeen stitches on each side; then narrow every second till you have seven; then every round until the foot is closed. One pound of yarn, costing from seventy five cents to one dollar, will furnish

furnish four pair of socks.

Helen and Mary

I've been researching poetry and verse about knitting during the American Civil War. This is an early one from the North. I have not discovered as many poems from the South...but I know they are out there.

The Ladies’ Repository, Vol. 22, 1862

Pg. 368

Helen and Mary, by Josephine Pollard

“Nonsense, Helen: there’s no reason

         Why you should remain alone;

Nothing in the world to hinder—

         Every moment is your own:

You can lounge, or walk, or visit,

         Taking comfort as you go;

Come and see me often, Helen,

         I am seldom out, you know.

Household cares are so engrossing,

         And my children are so small,

I have very little freedom,

         Scarcely time to make a call;

But there’s nothing to prevent you,

         ‘Tis no task to grant this boon;

Come and see me often, Helen,

         Come and see me very soon.”

“True, no children cling around me,

         Claiming mother’s love and care;

Though no household cares distract me,

         Duties spring up every-where.

In such times as these, dear Mary,

         Want at many a threshold stands;

There is work to do in plenty—

         Could I sit with folded hands?

Those brave men who have gone forward

         For our country’s flag to fight,

Need warm garments to protect them

         Through the wintery day and night.

Women’s hands must labor for them;

         Women’s hearts must send good cheer

To the homes where widows languish:

         Soothing many an orphan’s tear.

Mary, I’ve no heart to visit;

         I’m not idle, though you say

I have plenty leisure moments,

         Duties spring up every day.

Here are soldiers’ socks to finish

Coverlets to baste and tack;

Slippers waiting for the binding;

            Shirts and blankets yet to pack.

While brave men have left their firesides

            To endure want, woe, and pain,

We should practice self-denial

            Till sweet Peace returns again.

When these troublous times are over,

            When with palms we deck the brow

I will come and see you, Mary,

            Every day; but, O, not now.”

While researching socks....

I found this little tit-bit...

Southern Watchman, Nov. 5, 1862
4th column
Lamp Wicks.--A correspondent gives the Columbia Guardian the following useful bit of information.
"It might interest some  of your readers to know at this time when it is so difficult to get lamp-wicks that the tops of old home-knit cotton socks cut into strips of the proper width, make as good ones as the best that ever came from Yankeedom."