Above, a carving of southern pine depicts an elderly lady busy with her bone knitting needles while her cat watches on. The period ink label tells us the carving is “FROM A SOLDIER AT THE FRONT – WINTER CAMP OF THE 17TH MAINE – BRANDY STATION”. With the figure is a collection of carved bone sewing items. From a simple thimble, tatting shuttle and floral needle case to a darning egg, and a needle holder in the telltale form of a field artillery piece and a spinning wheel whimsy, the intricately carved crochet hooks best reflect the hours spent carefully transforming common bone into a remembrance for a loved one at home.
