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Man’s Pullover for Navy or Army

Cover of a world war two knitting booklet

from “Guide to Knitting for the Services” by the Australian Comforts Fund, 1940

Materials

  • Sports Wool – Navy Blue. Size (a) 16 oz; size (b) 16 oz. for Navy. Any colour for Army. This is used double and may be substituted with Australian 10 ply weight, UK aran or US worsted weight that knits to gauge
  • Knitting Needles 1 pair each UK Nos. 6/5mm/US 8 and UK 10/3.25mm/US 3 or needles to get gauge.
  • A set of four UK 10/3.25mm/US 3 (with points at both ends).

Gauge

20sts to 10cm/4″ on larger needles

Measurements

Length from top of shoulder: 22 ins., or length desired.

Width all round under arm: (a) 38 ins; (b) 40 ins.

Length of sleeve from underarm: 21 ins.

Abbreviations

K-knit plain

P-purl

Tog-together.

Pattern

The instructions are written for the smaller size (a). The instructions for the larger size (b) are written in brackets, thus: ( )

The Front: Using the smaller, cast on 86 (92) stitches.

1st Row: K2, * P1, K1. Repeat from * to the end of the row.

Rib for 4 ins.

(a)
K2, P1, K1 *(P1, K1) three times, P1, increase once in the next stitch, repeat from * to the last two stitches P1, K1. (96 stitches).

(b)
K2 *(P1, K1) four times, increase once in the next stitch, (K1, P1) four times, increase once in the next stitch, repeat from * to the end of the row. (102 stitches).

Using the larger size needles, proceed as follows:

1st Row: Knit plain.

2nd Row: Purl.

Repeat the first and second rows until the work measures 14 inches from the commencement, ending with a purl row.

Cast off 9 stitches at the beginning of each of the next two rows.

Decrease once at the beginning and end of the needle in every alternate row six times.

Continue without shaping until the work measures 19 inches from the commencement, ending with a purl row.

In the next row K23 (26) turn.

Work on the first 23 (26) stitches as follows:

Decrease once at the neck edge in every alternate row until 20 (23) stitches remain.

Work 10 rows without shaping.

Shape for the shoulder as follows:

1st Row: K1, purl to the last 6 (7) stitches, turn.

2nd Row: Knit plain.

3rd Row: K1, purl to the last 12 (14) stitches, turn.

4th Row: Knit plain. Cast off.

Slip the first 20 stitches on to a spare needle and work the last 23 (26) stitches to correspond with the other shoulder.

The Back

Work exactly as given for the front until the armhole is reached, ending with a purl row.

Proceed as follows:

Cast off 9 stitches at the beginning of each of the next two rows.

Decrease once at the beginning and end of the needle in every alternate row six times.

Continue in plain smooth fabric until the back armhole measures same as front armhole, ending with a purl row.

Shape for the shoulders as follows:

1st and 2nd Rows: Work to the last 6 (7) stitches, turn.

3rd and 4th Rows: Work to the last 12 (14) stitches, turn.

5th and 6th Rows: Work to the last 20 (23) stitches, turn.

7th Row: Work to the end of the row. Cast off.

The Sleeves

Using the No. 6 needles, cast on 20 stitches.

Work in plain, smooth fabric, casting on 2 stitches at the end of every row, until there are 76 stitches on the needle.

Continue in plain, smooth fabric, decreasing once at the beginning and end of the needle in every 6th row, until 48 stitches remain.

Continue without shaping, until the work measures 23 inches from the commencement, ending with a purl row.

Using the smaller needles, proceed as follows:

1st Row: K1, P1 to the end of the row.

Repeat this row for three inches.

Cast off loosely.

Work another sleeve in the same manner.

The Collar

Join the shoulder seams.

Using the four smaller needles, knit up 26 stitches across the back, 24 down the left side, the 20 stitches from the spare needle and 24 stitches up the right side of the neck.

Work in rounds in rib of (K1, P1) for 5 inches for Navy, 1 inch for Army.

Cast off very loosely.

To Make the Pullover

With a slightly damp cloth and warm iron, press lightly.

Sew up the side and sleeve seams.

Sew in the sleeves, placing seam to seam.


The original publication of this pattern is in the public domain, however this modernised and clarified version is copyright Sarah Bradberry, May 30th 2012. All rights reserved.