Details

Item details

Date

December 14, 2024 8:00AM

Name

Encounters with History - Needles & Hooks Hands on History

Description

Needles & Hooks: Hands on History with Jef Savage & Nancy Walker of Danza Antiqua

In the North during the American Civil War, from eight to eighty years old, everyone who could, knitted and crocheted personal items for Union Soldiers. The most requested knitted item from home was for socks. Gloves and scarves (scarves were also crocheted) were also knitted. Patterns were provided by the United States Sanitary Commission and others could be found in Godey’s Ladies Magazine and Peterson’s Magazine. Knitting and Crochet manuals were also available and attractive to the developing middle classes.  Items would go in personal care packages or would be provided to the US Sanitary Commission for distribution.

Participants will have the opportunity to choose either one and start a project to knit or crochet a scarf. The basics of each will enable participants to continue and complete the project after the program. The program includes historical interludes covering Women’s roles on and off the battlefield, history and activities of the U.S. Sanitary Commission, general knitting, and crochet history with an emphasis on Civil War applications.

This program is designed for absolute beginners to experience a practical project, learn the history of each fiber art, its traditional methods and view samples of each. Nancy Walker & Jef Savage will guide you through both programs. Experienced knitters and crocheters are welcome to participate, but please note that this will be a beginner class. The program will begin at 8:00 a.m. in the Ford Room at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center and end approximately at 4 p.m. Breakfast and Lunch will be available for participants.