Episode 44: Spring forward

We continue to discuss the book No Idle Hands: The Social History of American Knitting by Anne L. MacDonald. Chapters 3 and 4 are titled Knitting in the Circle of Domesticity and Westward Bound respectively. Those pioneer women had it rough! As "Aunt Becky" states (page 69),

"We didn't come in automobiles, I can tell you. We came by ox teams...It was hard, hard trip, hard work, slow progress, and not always dainties to eat. But we got here! We never gave up, never looked back, just kept on the move. And I guess that trip and the tough times we had after getting here were good for us...Look at me!...I will race anybody in the crowd who is under fifty if the race is at least four miles, which is about my distance. If you find anybody who wishes to take on such a race, just tell them to...ask for Aunt Becky Morris."

Bossy calculated that she had to be around 80 when she said that! Wow, Aunt Becky!

Bossy referred to the series of books instructing young women on domestic endeavors, including The Little Girls Own Book by Lydia Maria Child and the Golden Book called, We Help Mommy Every Day. The latter inspired Bossy to clean the whole house for 25 cents (and if you want to race, just ask for Bossy!).

Bossy discovered that the Fragment Society is still in existence and celebrated their bicentennial in 2012! They have a fascinating video detailing the history of this generous institution.

In terms of knitting, Bootie finds herself eternally on sleeve island because she is knitting three sweaters at once! All for herself! She's also working on a MKAL with Marie Greene of Olive Knits called Postcard from the Edge.

Bossy has returned to bunny land and has so far made ears for another stuffed bunny.