This pattern is currently only available as part of A Stitch in Time Volume 3, the colourwork edition. The hard copy of the book can be pre-ordered on the Susan Crawford Vintage website.

Poppy is the fourth pattern released from A Stitch in Time Volume 3, The Colourwork Edition and was originally published in the 1940s as a single size pattern to fit chest size 32-34 inch (81-86cm).

Poppy is everything you expect from a 1940s sweater. It commences with a deep ribbed band followed by a stocking stitch body shaped at the sides until the required chest measurement is reached, creating the quintessential 1940s silhouette. The upper body has shaped armholes and then an exquisite, deep, patterned yoke using four additional shades in addition to the main colour used for the rest of the body. Short sleeves and a neat neckline finish off the sweater. The left shoulder and neck band feature a decorative crochet button loop and button opening or alternatively press fastenings can be added if preferred.

Somewhat unusually for this period of rationing and make do and mend, the pattern is also included on the back. However depending on the quantities of yarn the knitter had available to them, they could of course have chosen whether to pattern the back or to knit it in plain stocking stitch. This type of adjustment is made easier by the original garment being constructed in separate pieces and then sewn together.

In the original black and white image of the design, shoulder pads have been added into the top of the sleeve heads to create a slightly squarer, more upright look to the sleeves. If you would like to emulate that look, I have included optional instructions on how to knit your own matching shoulder pads.

Poppy come in 12 sizes to fit from 32-60 inch (82-152 cm) chest with full colour charts to work from.

Poppy is knitted in my fabulous new yarn, LOCK, spun from my own Lonk sheep fleeces blended with nylon to create a unique and very special fingering weight yarn - perfect both as a sock yarn but also for garments. The main shade used is Hay Bale against which I have used Apple Blossom, Red Sky at Night, Moss Covered Wall and Loam for the striking and effective yoke.

Ruth is shown wearing the first size with 5cm (2in) of positive ease at the chest.

Yarn

Susan Crawford LOCK, Fingering weight, 75% British Lonk / 25% Nylon (400m / 436yds per 100g skein)

3 (3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5) skeins, shade Hay Bale - yarn A

1 skein each, shades Loam, Apple Blossom, Red Sky at Night, Moss Covered Wall

Gauge

30 sts and 38 rows = 10cm (4in) over stranded colourwork and stocking stitch, worked flat. We obtained this gauge using 3mm needles.

If necessary use an alternative needle size to obtain the correct gauge.

Suggested Needles

Small Needles: Pair of 2.75mm (US 2) straight needles

Large Needles: Pair of 3mm (US 3) straight needles

Notions

Waste yarn or stitch holders

2 press fasteners or 2 buttons

Sewing needle and thread

2.75-3.25mm (US C-D) crochet hook

A yarn kit is available containing all the yarn required to knit Poppy.