During the war both sides printed in newspapers the same or very similar directions on knitting socks for the soldiers/army. It is interesting the slight variations between the previous post from 1864 Georgia and these earlier directions from Ohio.
The Daily Cleveland
Herald, [Cleveland, Ohio]
Tuesday, October 22, 1861
WOOLEN SOCKS FOR THE ARMY.
The army of
sock knitters of course embarrass some new recruits in the ranks, as the girls
of this age have not been brought up to “knit and visit” quite as industriously
as their grandmothers. The following directions in regard to knitting woolen
socks for the soldiers have been furnished the press by a lady of much
experience, and may prove useful to many beside new recruits. The directions
have passed muster with other veterans in the knitting service, and are worth
preserving and giving heed to:
The yarn
should be bluish gray, No. 22, and the needles No. 14 or 15. Set twenty seven stitches
on each needle; knit two plain and two seam rows alternately until the ribbing
is three inches long; then knit plain seven inches for the leg, remembering to
seam or stitch at the end of one needle. To form the heel, put twenty stitches
on two of the needles, and forty-one 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;
then narrow every second round 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 four pairs of socks.
The proper
quality and price of the woolen yarn, individual knitters and societies that
purchase should look to. The Cleveland Worsted Company are engaged in
manufacturing yarns on Bank street
in this city. This company have very kindly offered to sell woolen yarn to
those wishing to knit for soldiers at wholesale prices and are furnishing for
that purpose good and durable yarn at 75 cents a pound. They keep the number of
woolen yarn mentioned in the above directions, and which the Soldiers’ Aid
Society in this city purchase for socks and give out to knit to such women as
are anxious to do something for the good cause, but are not able to furnish the
yarn. In this way many willing fingers are employed, and rich payment is
received in the thankful soldier’s blessings. That the quality of the yarn is
good and the price reasonable, is evidenced by the frequent purchases made by
Cleveland Aid Society, which studies economy and utility in all its benevolent
labor. Would not auxiliary Societies in the vicinity do well to get their
supplies of yarn directly from the manufactory on Bank
street, and but a few doors South of the Aid
Society’s depot in this city?
We are
assured by the Cleveland Worsted Company, that no cotton or rags have ever been
made into stocking yarn at their manufactory. Rags are worked up for carpet
filling when ordered. We think the Company are deserving public patronage from the
fact that their goods may be relied on and are sold at fair prices, and that
they are the pioneers in Woolen Manufacturing in this city, a branch of
business we hope to see liberally encouraged.
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