#HistoryStitch: Colonial American Knitting – “Roundabouts” & Everyday Fashion around 1700

24/09/2025

When we think of knitted jackets today, we might picture cozy cardigans or elegant outerwear. But in 17th–18th century New England, knitted garments had a very different role.
Settler women created "roundabouts" – cylindrical woolen jackets worn under heavy leather coats. These garments were not only practical and insulating, but also carried a social meaning in the everyday fashion of their time.

🧶 What were "Roundabouts"?

Shape: Simple, cylindrical jackets without complicated tailoring.
Material: Pure wool – warm, robust, and readily available.
Use: Worn under thick leather coats as an extra layer of insulation against New England's harsh winters.

Their plainness was highly functional – but it also reflected the colonial lifestyle, where practicality came before luxury.

✨ Patterns and Symbolism

The knitting patterns were usually straightforward:

Ribbing for elasticity and warmth.
Simple lace or eyelet stripes when yarn had to be saved.

But patterns were not only functional – they also served as status indicators:

Merchants preferred finer, plain versions.
Farmers and rural families used coarser, quickly made variants.

Thus, knitted clothing became a subtle marker of origin and social standing.

👩‍🌾 Knitting in Everyday Life

Knitting was a daily necessity:

Women provided clothing for the entire household.
Knitting was done by the fire, in groups, or even alongside fieldwork.
Wool was precious, so garments were often unraveled and re-knit.

This "slow crafting" wasn't a conscious lifestyle choice – it was survival. It highlights how deeply handcraft was connected to both community and resilience.

🏛️ Historical Artifacts

Today, original "roundabouts" can be admired at the Colonial Williamsburg Museum. They reveal details of materials, patterns, and construction – invaluable glimpses into the textile history of everyday life.

💡 My Conclusion:

The "roundabouts" remind us that knitting has always been more than a pastime. In colonial times, it was a tool for survival, a marker of social belonging, and a creative contribution made by women to their communities.

💬 Have you ever tried knitting with historical patterns?

Share your projects in our Facebook group!

#historymasche #strickenimtrend #maschenmitliebe #knittinghistory #heritagecrafts

Perhaps this historic perspective will inspire you to reimagine old patterns in modern projects – and bring a touch of history into your stitches.

Yours,
Kathrin 💛

Want to dive deeper into the world of stitches?
Explore my patterns, browse the blog, or join our community!