Featuring in the March 1940 issue of Stitchcraft magazine, this striking sleeveless pullover was introduced with the charming caption:

A new idea in slipovers, this harlequin pattern is knitted in two brilliant shades of green and orange. It looks so smart worn over a flannel sports shirt and will be useful to wear for tennis later on in the summer.

In spirit, the combination of overlapping halves in strong contrasts (though notably the instructions do not give orange and green…) is very closely related to the Happy Hearts design featured earlier in the Pattern Collection. The difference with this version is that the two pieces are knitted together for the front and back, and seamed at the sides, offering a shaping and fitting that make it easily wearable for all sizes. This top also uses less yarn, as the contrasts under the top layer are smaller stitched sections rather than two whole overlapping sections.

Although in 1940, when this pattern was offered, the knitter’s challenges of rationing, coupons and shortages were yet to come, the hardships imposed by wartime already necessitated economy, thrift and judicious use of available supplies. Following the recommendations of the time, as with Happy Hearts, the idea was to use less yarn but in strong colour combinations to create a statement, disguising the fact that this design was born of necessity to knit with what was available.

Materials

• 200 g (7 oz) MC
• 150 g (5 oz) CC
• 1 pair 4.5 mm/7 needles
• 1 pair 3.75 mm/9 needles
• 1 3.5 mm crochet hook
• 5 or 6 buttons (for optional shoulder opening or as decoration)