“there were all nations o’ stockins turned out i’ Cohen-eead, enough for a whole army o’ sodgers”
Thus recanted Timothy Barraclough in the tale of Keziah Throp, written by Frederic Moorman, possibly during the First World War (the book was published in 1919 after his tragic death).
Perhaps Moorman was inspired in this story by the massive effort of English knitters to provide socks for soldiers during the First World War? These were important for guarding against trenchfoot, and were therefore the most needed of the “knitted comforts” for soldiers that were encouraged by British magazines and yarn companies at the time. There are many examples of these publications recorded in the frequent blog posts of my friend, Barbara Smith, who has a whole blog devoted to her research findings about the First World War; One Hundred Years Ago. It includes the transcript of a letter written by Queen Mary in 1916 appealing for more “comforts” for soldiers. At that time Queen Mary’s Needlework Guild had already sent out 371, 802 pairs of socks.
The wartime knitting effort was even supported by the commercial production of knitting aids, including this fascinating “MIK” (Men In Khaki) Sock Knitters Help that I recently acquired. Patented in 1914, it was designed to help knitters knit socks for soldiers of the correct length. It includes a clip for attaching over the cuff (welt) edge to measure the leg length from, as well as markings for different foot sizes.
I have one of these. Did it originally come with instructions on how to use? Are they rare?
I’m afraid I haven’t found any information about them other than the indications on the rule itself.