What do World War I and the early 2000s have in common? At both times, knitting groups became hugely popular across the country.
By the time the US entered the war in 1917, knitting for soldiers overseas was a very common pastime. Once we joined the fight, the Red Cross and the Women's Council of National Defense organized hundreds of thousands of women's clubs around the country to knit socks, vests, helmets, and sweaters for the army. Together, they contributed more than 23 million garments.
Fast forward one hundred years, and knitting groups blew up again. Debbie Stoller, co-founder of Bust, organized the first modern Stitch 'n Bitch in NYC in 1999, and a few years later, thousands upon thousands of women were knitting together. These knitters used knitting groups to connect with their peers and share experiences of third-wave feminism. Listen in to learn more!
Find thorough show notes with sources here: https://tinyurl.com/4mf7bap4.
Do you have an idea for a show, a comment, a question, or a knitting group of your own? We would love to hear from you! Email us at handmadehistoryhosts@gmail.com. You can also visit our website at handmadehistorypodcast.com.
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