Researching the therapeutic value of knitting, I came across this from 1918. More later, but too cool not to share now.
As for anyone who thinks that knitting is just for wusses, please note that this picture was taken at Walter Reed. Yes, Walter Reed Army Medical Center.*
ca. 1918-1919, Walter Reed Hospital, Washington, DC, USA — Bed-ridden wounded knit to help pass the time. Walter Reed Hospital, Washington, DC, ca. 1918-1919. — Image by © CORBIS
*Restraining with all my power to not type “Take that, hardasses” here. Yes, I know a lot of really nice military guys, but knitting, let’s just say is not on their radar.
I met a really nice man once who had taken to embroidery when he was hospitalised during WWII, he used the woolen blanket on his bed and any threads he could convince people to donate to him and embroidered the blanket whilst stuck in bed. I would give anything to see that blanket!
Men used to knit while waiting in the trenches as well. I’ve always liked the vision of that.