Figure 1.--This image comes from an old knitting book from Columbia Yarn, Bridgeport, Pennsylvania, probably during the 1940s. The knitting pattern was for the sweater, hat, and mittens. The pants are also wool, but are made from Melton wool fabric. They have double knees for durability. These snow pants were probably bought from a store or catalog. These pants were very common for boys over about 3 years old because they were warm, windproof, and much more durable than knitted wool pants. notice how the knit garments match.
The most popular knitted garment as in most countries is the sweater. American boys have worn many different styles of sweaters. There are many other knitted garments, mostly cold weather garments like socking caps, scarves, and mittens. We have also noted knitted snow suits, especilly in the northern state near Canada. Stockings were once popular knitted garments, but are now aslmost never knitted.
Some of the fashionable French knit garments like short pants outfits were not nearly as populr as in America.
Knitted stocking caps are popular cold-weather headwear for both boys and girls in America. They were also widely worn in other countries, mostly Canada an northern Europe.Colorful Knitted caps were popular for both boys and girls. They were commonly called stocking caps. Knitted caps were also called watch caps, but usually not children caps. We see these caps in the 19th century, althoughn we are not sure just whn they first appeared. There were a variety of stylistic variations, Some fitted dnuggly on the head. Some were elongated, rather like elf caps. Some had poms of different sizes. They were done in a wide range of colors and patterns. Knit caps with boldpatterns were often called ski caps.
Gloves and Mittens
Pants
Some of the fashionable French knit garments like short pants outfits were not nearly as populr as in America.
Scarves
Snow Suits
We have also noted knitted snow suits, especilly in the northern state near Canada.
Stockings
Stockings were once popular knitted garments, but are now aslmost never knitted.
We do not yet have much information on American sweaters. The most popular knitted garment as in most countries is the sweater.
We do not see boys wearing sweaters in the early and mid-19th century. We first see sweaters in the late-19th centuries. American boys have worn many different styles of sweaters. The first ones we note are pull-overs, often with heavy necks, both turtle necks and roll overs. We note cardigans in the early 20th century. The sweater was a major clothing garment for boys by the 1920s. Many boys wore them to school. They were avtually part of the increasing informality in dress. Boys wore sweaters instead of suit jackets. They were a useful garment in that the child could keep his sweater on indoors if it was not warm enough. For parents who wanted a little formality, a V-neck could be purchased which showed a tie. Other boys wire crew necks. Sweaters in bright patterns and colors became very popular. In addition to different neck styles, there were also sleeveless sweaters developed. They were also a popular item for home knitting. The letter-man's sweater was one of a teenagers most prized possessions. Sweaters were at first wool garments. Since World War II, synthetic fibers have been used to produce less-expesive alternatives. There are many other knitted garments, mostly cold weather garments like socking caps, scarves, and mittens. Knitting magazines sometimes offered patterns for coordinated outfits envolving these garments with the sweaters.
We begin to see knitted shorts sets in the early-20th century. We do not have a detailed chronology yet, but we believe thet became especially popular after World War I in the 1920s. We see them earlier, but they do not seem to be a major item until the 1920s. Sweaters of course were a common garment earlier in the late-19th century. Matching pants were a new feature. The pants varied in length. We see some of these sets for younger boys done as long pants, but short pants seem more common. This was especially the case by the 1920s. The shorts tended to be done shorter by the 1930s. This was a general trend in children's clothes at the time. These were winter sets en though they were commonly done with shoets, We notice both knitted and crocheted sets. Thwy were often knitted at home, but could be purchased in the stores as well. They were mostly done for pre-school boys, but younger primary boys might wear them. After World War II we see younger boys wearing them. mostly babies and todlers to about 3 years of age. Some were plain. Others were had colorful designs that appealed to younger childrem.
