The War on Rumors: Why Your Knitting Still Matters
Military officials and the Red Cross pushed back against malicious rumors that soldiers didn't want, or were even discouraged from using, knitted goods from home.
Shall the knitting needles stop? Is it time that women drop their wool and stop hardening the boys? No, say the war and navy departments. Stories afloat that socks and mufflers, wristlets and sweaters are not wanted by the nation's sailors and soldiers are malicious. Rumors that the Red Cross sells such articles turned over to them and pocket the money on them are plain lies. 'A knitted article is a garment of great service and is a welcome addition to a soldier's equipment,' says one of the council of defense. The demand for sweaters especially has been beyond the capacity of our sources.
“Stories afloat that socks and mufflers, wristlets and sweaters are not wanted... are malicious.”
This illustrates the 'home front' propaganda war, where local domestic labor was mobilized through shaming campaigns against dissent or apathy. It mirrors how digital misinformation campaigns today can attempt to undermine charitable or civic efforts.
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