Bringing History Alive with Knit Your Bit
During World War II, volunteer knitters were crucial to the war effort. Now they're back at it.
Knit Your Bit may be one of the youngest knitting charities out there, but it has a sterling pedigree: its founders patterned it after a program championed by the Red Cross back in World War II. Today's incarnation provides simple but cozy scarves for veterans all across the country, many of whom benefited from the original program more than 50 years ago.
A PAGE RIGHT OUT OF HISTORY
Knit Your Bit is a program founded and supported by the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, which itself was a project of the late, great historian Stephen Ambrose. It all began in August 2006, less than a year after the horrors of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, which left the Crescent City a shambles.
The program drew its inspiration from the original WWII-era Knitting For Victory program, which provided American soldiers and sailors with much-needed sweaters, socks, mufflers, gloves, mittens, toe covers, and stump covers in khaki, olive drab, and navy blue.
Back then, the Red Cross spearheaded the effort by urging folks to "Knit Your Bit" because "Our Boys Need Sox!" Even Eleanor Roosevelt got involved. After the War, most knitters were so sick and tired of the required colors that they never used them again!
HELPING OUR VETERANS
The Knit Your Bit program started out small, with a few flyers and a webpage on the main National WWII Museum's website. They offered a World War II inspired scarf pattern that was distributed free of charge to any knitter who wanted it. The response was so overwhelming that they soon created a crocheting pattern, too.
What a difference a year makes! As of August 27, 2007, Knit Your Bit volunteers had created 1,600 scarves for our veterans. They're already working on creating a new pattern for this year's crop.
HOW TO DO YOUR BIT
If this sounds like the kind of knitting charity you want to get involved with, check out the Knit Your Bit website.
You can also keep track of what's going on through the Knit Your Bit blog.
While the Knit Your Bit organization prefers that you use their pattern, they'll accept any scarves that you want to donate. Just about any yarn of any color is welcome, although you should remember that the vast majority of items will go to men. You're welcome to include a personalized note, too. And don't fret -- there's no set deadline for sending in your scarves.