Knitting in Black History

28 Comments / Knitting / By / February 1, 2016

It’s the first day of Black History month and I thought I would look up knitting in Black History. I am sad to say I didn’t find much, but I did create a board on Pinterest of the pictures I did find. So this opened up my mind, I was like I would love to research and see what I can find. In the meantime check out my Pinterest board and if you find anything please tag me. This has my interest peaked and reminded me of the number of folks that stopped me at Vogue Knitting Live because my bag depicted a black woman knitting. I was proud because it was my logo but never gave much though to the underlying tones. It’s 2016, we must do better.

This picture was found via Google search and it depicts young African-American women knitting bundles for bluejackets, during wartime in a Louisville, Kentucky, church rectory, c1942. and it’s absolutely beautiful! Photo credit Corbis Images 

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I think we have all seen the picture of Sojourner Truth with knitting in her lap, (Photo credit Corbis Images) but there has to be more and I am on a mission to find them. Knowing your history is important and I know people shy away from discussing it, don’t want to discuss our differences but that is the one thing I adore about the knitting community; there are no borders. We all simply love knitting and anyone who knits with us. Can you imagine a world where all people were loved because of who they were or what they did and NOT because their genetic construction. Click To Tweet

Photo Credit Corbis Images

Knit on my fiber friends…knit on

~GG 

 

28 thoughts on “Knitting in Black History”

      1. Cynthia

        I am sure that I read about a woman slave knitting in “The Slave Narratives”. I don’t remember exactly who. There are many slaves that made the clothes, quilts etc for the plantation. I am going to look it up again.
        Also George W Carver was an avid crocheter. His work has been in Piecework Magazine and displayed

        Reply
  2. Cynt Kindle

    Because of my “hooker” tote, I was able to enlighten some of my male coworkers about crocheting. You are right….there is not a lot out there about crafting in black history. Thank you Gigi for your efforts. Love you.

    Reply
  6. Flora

    My Grandmother my namesake Flora, she taught me how to knit when I was five.51 now, I still knit, I’ve knitted/crochet through every aspect of my life including Chemotherpy. Yes, we knit too, I am African American!

    Reply
  9. Yvonne M H Cook

    I am older, gifted and Black and have been knitting most of my life, 77 years. I have fond memories of aunts and cousins who knit shawls and crocheted handbags. I’ ve belonged to many knitting circles, have taught many and have knitted on trains, planes, automobiles and cruise ships in the U.S. Europe and Japan. Regrettably I haven’t taken photos. I do have an ever growing collection of my creations. I’ve bought yarn from Africa.I remain an avid knitter. Thank you for prompting me to do some research in this area.

    Reply
  10. Melissa

    I found your article while searching for “Black knitters” via instagram, Ravelry etc. It’s amazing/shocking to see the limited history, but comforting knowing someone is doing justice by it in our era. If anyone knows or can help me find some experienced black/brown knitwear designers that I can follow and support on Ravelry/instagram please relay that information to me. Although I LOVE the knitwear designers I currently follow and support, the lack of black/brown designers on my Ravelry has been unsettling for me personally. Searching: “black knitters on Ravelry” hasn’t been much help. You can find me on Ravelry under: https://www.ravelry.com/people/tranquilityknits (tranquilityknits) FYI, I am new to knitting so excuse my lack of knowledge, I’m just starting to build my knitting base.
    Thanks again, I will be reading more of what you have available on the topic.
    Xo-Melissa.

    Reply
  12. Why Yet

    Craft on so those who come after us will find photos, so many photos, of everyone knitting, crocheting, weaving, clay molding, jewelry making, yarn dying, all of it!

    Reply
  13. Kate Austin

    Hi Gaye.
    I wanted to let you know that your blog inspired me to search the history of knitting in our First Nations People in Australia.
    I found this article and thought it may also be of interest to you and your readers:
    http://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p332783/html/article08.xhtml?referer=&page=18
    Australia has a particularly shameful history of how we have mistreated (and still mistreat to this day) our First Nations People.
    I have been a knitter all my life … but I have only entered the ‘world of knitting’ in the last couple of years.
    During this time, I have come to learn about the power of knitting (and all the other ‘making’ activities).
    This article discusses how the ‘making activities’ assisted in breaking down the social barriers between Australia’s white and black people during the ‘World Wars’ period. ‘Nice’ sentiments of crafting bringing people together.
    BUT, what I also learned about in this article was the more sinister motivations of teaching and encouraging Aboriginal women to knit (& make). The motivation to ‘assimilate’ Aboriginal People into White Society. How, through the use of imagery such as a group of Aboriginal women knitting for soldiers in the Australian Army, the Australian government was able to promote and market their ultimate goal of turning Black People into White People.
    So I would like to thank you Gaye for inspiring me to search the history of knitting in the lives of the Australian people (both Black & White). I have learnt a lot in just this short period of time and am looking forward to discovering more. And please know that I will use what I learn to Stand In The Gap!

    Reply

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