“The great charm in these braces is the readiness with which they can be washed; so they may be changed at least once a week. The only fittings required are two broad buckles, attached to loops of buckskin leather, through which are slipped leather straps having a button-hole cut at each end. There is a buttonhole made in the knitting itself at the other extremity of each brace so that they only thing to be done is to detach the braces from the buckles, and replace them with a clean pair every week.”

Discovered in a 1861 issue of Godey’s Lady Book, this pattern for historic suspenders can now once again be knit with loving hands, just as they once were for U.S. soldiers. While the government issued high waisted trousers with suspender buttons, suspenders themselves were not provided during the war. Rather, it was the responsibility of the soldier to purchase suspenders from merchants, or to obtain them from loved ones at home.

This pattern was developed from the original primary source by a Craft Yarn Council certified knitting instructor. Included are 39 pages of instructions with numerous images. Additionally, there are two front suspender button tab options—a buckskin version for those following the original pattern and a folded fabric alternative based on observations from historic images of how the pattern was adapted.