Fiber History Websites

The American Red Cross Museum

The American Red Cross offers free scans of their World War II patterns online!

Antique Knitting Patterns

Knitting-crochet.com’s antique patterns.

Antique Pattern Library

This site is part of a project to preserve vintage patterns in the public domain. Offers PDF versions of many vintage pattern books and booklets.

The Bohus Museum

Information about Bohus Knitting and links to a description and photos of Bohus garments.

The Dales Knitting Tradition

History and photos on the history of knitting in the British Dales.

History of Men Who Knit

Great introduction to men who knit with links to more sources.

Homework 1891

Sarah Bradberry’s fabulous site that translates “Homework,” a knitting manual from 1891, into contemporary knitting terms.

The Hook and the Book: The Emergence of Crochet and Knitting in American Popular Culture, 1840-1876

A virtual exhibit exploring knitting and crochet history in mid 19th century America.

Knitting for Victory

Excellent essay on U.S. women knitting during World War II with a good bibliography.

The Richard Rutt Collection

Bishop Richard Rutt, author of Handknitting: A History, donated all his archival materials to the Winchester School of Art at the University of Southampton, which digitized the entire collection of vintage knitting goodness for you to enjoy.

Traditional Knitting Patterns in Austria

Traditional Austrian stitch patterns.

Victoria and Albert Museum

Searchable database of knitted objects in the V&A’s collection, links to knitting patterns from the 1940s, and a great description of British Isles knitting traditions.

Vintage Purls

Scans of vintage patterns, mainly from the 1940s-1950s. Great site!