‘Gaiety personified…coloured stripes and a new slipped stitch pattern add a novel touch to this well-fitting classic.’

A real knitter’s knit, with just one row of the pattern repeat needing a little more concentration, the resulting jumper looks far more complicated to achieve than it actually is thanks to an impressive stitch pattern.

The original Copley’s pattern suggests five colours, with the ribbed edgings of cuffs and neckband in a darker contrast that isn’t used in the main pattern. The finished model has used just four colours, working the darker edging contrast into the main pattern to bring out the colours of each stripe and tie the whole together.

All the ribbing is formed with a twisted rib stitch, made by knitting into the back of every knit stitch. This gives the ribbing a more raised texture, and a more rigid finish that will retain its elasticity longer. The ribbing at the waist is knitted in stripes of each of the colours used for the main part in the same sequence, but not repeated in the same way for the ribbing of the sleeve edges or neckband – although this could easily be done if uniformity is preferred. Alternatively, the waist ribbing could be in one colour only.

In keeping with post-war fashion, the length of the body and sleeves is a little longer. The higher collar band works well to balance out the longer line of the elbow-length sleeves.

The pattern given here is for a four-colour garment, as the finished model. Additional colour variations from the original instructions are given in brackets where relevant.

Materials

For 4-colour option as in finished model:

• 2 x 50 g (1.75 oz) in a dark shade M
• 2 x 50 g (1.75 oz) in a light contrast L
• 2 x 50 g (1.75 oz) first mid-contrast G
• 2 x 50 g (1.75 oz) second mid-contrast B

For 5-colour option as in original pattern:

• 1 x 50 g (1.75 oz) brown (for ribbing only)

• 1 x 50 g (1.75 oz) blue (for rows between colour changes)

• 2 x 50 g (1.75 oz) in each of yellow, red, green

• 1 x pair 2.75 mm/12 needles

• 1 x pair 3 mm/11 needles

• For 81–6 cm (32–4 inches) bust: work with 3.25 mm/10 needles

• For 91–7 cm (36–8 inches) bust: work with 3.75 mm/9 needles

• 1 x 3 mm/11 crochet hook (for buttonholes)

• Stitch holder

• 4 small buttons

• Shoulder pads – a more 1940s silhouette will be achieved by adding pads to the sleeve tops. The straight style suits this sleeve shape best