'Knitting for Sammie!'

Every one was knitting everywhere now, knitting at home and in social groups. Knitting was being produced in churches, woman’s group, schools neighborhoods and workplaces from 1917-1918 for the Red Cross war relief effort. Knitting was now being accepted at work, schools, home, public transport, social events, theaters and churches.

However there were some members of public that were non-knitters. These particular people were being urged to purchase yarn for those who were knitting. The Knitting Fund was first established because there were many people who were very anxious to knit for the Red Cross.

During the war a phrase came into war called ‘Knit for Sammie!’ This phrase became a sort of rallying cry for the American Red Cross knitters. The phrase ‘Sammie’ was being used for American soldiers, which is short for Uncle Sam or doughboys. This term would have been used during the Civil War and refers to the large brass buttons that were being used on the coats of Union infantrymen. Those particular buttons would resemble boiled dumplings, hence the name doughboys.

These men would of needed wool helmets, vests, chest covers and fingerless mitts, as these would allow the soldiers easy trigger access. Knitters also created a stump sock, which was designed for the purpose to cover amputated limbs. The Red Cross issued patterns, yarns and collected finished goods to send over to the soldiers in Europe.

Fingerless Mitts

Wool Helmet