<![CDATA[HANDMADE HISTORICAL KNITS

<![CDATA[HANDMADE HISTORICAL KNITS - Blog]]>Mon, 01 Jun 2026 18:37:57 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Historical Knitting and Supplies and Resources]]>Wed, 30 Aug 2023 22:22:40 GMThttps://www.worldwarknits.com/blog/supporting-small-businessesAs a small business owner myself, I also try to support other small businesses whenever possible. Below you will find other small companies and individuals who are also working hard to provide quality products, service, and make a living. These are all companies and people that I personally do business with.

Some of the links you’ll find below are affiliate links, which means that if you click on them, I may earn a commission on qualifying sales through these links (at no extra cost to you). They take you to the official sites; I just get credit for bringing the traffic from my website. I have been a customer of these companies since before I started doing affiliate work. This is just a way I can earn a little extra for recommending products I already use. So, if any of these companies interest you, I do appreciate you using my links. Being a small business owner gets to be very expensive, so the income I generate through extra means like this helps immensely. Thank you!

Yarn and Knit/Crochet/Sew Supplies

Being a professional knitter and crocheter, I get asked what yarn and supplies I recommend:

KnitPicks and their WeCrochet site (for yarn and knit/crochet supplies)
Lion Brand (for yarn)
Furls
Connecting Threads (for sewing supplies)

I have been a KnitPicks customer since 2013 and a Lion Brand customer since 2003. KnitPicks has been around since 2002. Lion has been in business since 1878 and is fifth generation family-owned and operated. I didn’t discover Furls until 2023. I love their wood crochet hooks. Connecting Threads is in the same company family with Knit Picks and We Crochet, but sells sewing supplies and fabrics.

I often get asked about olive drab yarn color options. Unfortunately, the sport and worsted weight ones I used were discontinued recently. Below are the links to the bulky and fingering weight ones, which are still available. The bulky weight can work for scarves. Also, I’ve included a DK weight one. (DK weight is thicker than sport, but lighter than worsted.) You can just click on the photos and it will take you to the yarn.

Fingering weight.

Bulky weight.

DK weight.

In the photo below, the 100% Superwash Merino is what I use for olive drab socks. It’s a little bit glossier than the one I used in prior years, but is good quality and olive drab color. Here is the direct link: LB Superwash Merino and then select the Olive Branch color.

I love the variety of natural fibers that Lion Brand offers.

I buy hundreds of skeins of KnitPicks wool yarn for my work. Some colors have been discontinued over the years, so I occasionally have to dye my own to match the wartime colors that I need.

Furls Fiberarts creates beautiful wood crochet hooks, in addition to other supplies.

Connecting Threads is in the same family of companies with Knit Picks and We Crochet. I buy fabric and sewing supplies from them.

Household Products

This small business makes historical makeup and personal care products for women and men.

•Litttle Bits LBCC Apothecary

You can also see my other small business recommendations on my other website by Clicking Here or on the image below:

]]><![CDATA[Washing and care instructions for pure wool garments: historical knitting.]]>Sun, 19 Feb 2023 04:11:27 GMThttps://www.worldwarknits.com/blog/washing-and-care-instructions-for-pure-wool-garments-historical-knittingI have been knitting and crocheting with wool yarn since 2013. Although I include a washing and care instructions sheet with all orders through my WorldWarKnits.com website, I decided to make a blog post as well so that I could include some more information. Keeping with the historical theme of my website, I adapted the instructions from two of my historical knitting books; one from 1910 and the other from 1942.

1910 wool washing instructions. Historical knitting.

These instructions are from my 1910 knitting book.

Historical wartime knitting, wool washing instructions.

These instructions are from my 1942 book.

The instructions I include on a printed sheet for my customers are as follows:

It is important to hand wash the wool item in cool or lukewarm water, not in hot water. (Hot water and/or excessive scrubbing of wool can cause shrinkage and felting.)

Use a small amount of soap or laundry detergent.

You can let the item soak if needed. Gently agitate, but do not scrub. Rinse in the same temperature as you used to wash. Squeeze, but don’t wring, the excess water out.

Roll the item up in a clean towel to squeeze out additional water.

Then place the item on a flat surface and reshape it. Let air dry. Turn it over a few times while it’s drying, so both sides can dry.

Never hang to dry. This will make it stretch.

For storage, fold the item. If it’s not going to be used often, it’s good to store it in a sealed container.

Sometimes after washing or wearing, a stray yarn end may poke out. This can just be cut with scissors. Never cut a loop though.

Here is the laundry soap powder I use for both the wool items I make and for my regular clothes as well. It is effective, fragrance-free, and dissolves in cold water. Also, there is no plastic laundry detergent jug like with so many brands.

*The above laundry detergent link is to the product on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I use anyway, regardless of commissions. Thank you for your support to me and the companies I share as well.*

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