Comforts For Tommy And Jack

From Home Notes, January 12th 1918.

COMFORTS FOR TOMMY AND JACK.

Knitting needles out, please!  Our soldiers and sailors want any number of warm comforts, and it’s up to you to help supply them.

Many people who knitted vigorously in the first winters of the war seem to think that their work is no longer so urgently needed.  But it is wanted, and wanted in larger quantities than ever, for we’ve got such a big army and navy to supply nowadays.  So please set to work this very minute.

These patterns, which are, by the way, issued by the American Red Cross, are exceptionally simple ones, and you need have very little experience of knitting to tackle them successfully.

The Muffler.

First of all comes the muffler.  For this you need just ¾ lb. of four ply khaki, grey or navy blue wool and wooden or bone needles No. 3.  Cast on 50 stitches and knit plain for 68 inches.

A muffler like this American soldier is wearing is splendidly warm.

The Mittens.
These are made on to needles with a space left for the thumb.  You need ¼ lb. of the same wool as you used for the muffler, and steel needles No. 12.

Cast on 48 stitches, k.2 and p. 2 for 12 inches and sew up, leaving 2 inches open space for the thumb 2 inches from the top.

An easy, quick to make, warm mitten.

The Helmet.
You will want ½ (?) lb. of the four-ply khaki, grey or navy blue wool; 1 pair steel needles, No. 12.  The helmet is made in two parts, which afterwards are sewn together.

Front of Helmet. — Cast on 48 stitches (11 inches) k. plain for 25 ribs (6 inches), and k. 2, p.2, for 35 rows.  On the next row the opening for the face is made as follows:  k.2, p.2, k.2, p.2, k. 2, k. and cast off loosely the next 28 stitches and p. 1, k.2, p.2, k.2, p.2.  Run the stitches before the opening on a spare needle and on the stitches at other side of opening k.2, p.2 for 12 rows. The last row will end at the opening, and at that point cast on 28 stitches to replace those cast off.  Begin at the face opening of stitches on spare needle and k.2, p.2 for 12 rows.  At the end of the 12th row continue all across to the end of the other needle, when there should be 48 stitches on the needles as at first.  K. 2, p. 2 for 24 rows.

Top of helmet. — K.2, narrow (knitting 2 stitches together), k. 14, narrow, k. 14, narrow, k. 12.  P. the entire next row. On the 3rd row k. 2, narrow, k. 13, narrow, k. 13, narrow, k.11.  P. 4th row.  On the 5th row, k. 2, narrow, k. 12, narrow, k. 12, narrow, k.10.  P. 6th row.
Continue to narrow in the 3 places every plain knitted row with 1 stitch less between narrowings, until 9 stitches are left.

Back of Helmet.  — Work in the same manner as for front, but omit the face opening.  Sew the stitches of upper edges together with joining stitch.  Sew up the side seams, leaving the plain knitting at shoulders open.

Two views of a really sensible helmet, showing it on and off.

Another Mitten Pattern.
These mittens are made on four needles. You need for them ¼ lb. of the same wool as you used for the others, and four steel needles No. 12.

Cast on 52 stitches on three needles. — 16, 16, 20. Knit 2, purl 2 for 8 inches.
To make opening for thumb, knit 2, purl 2 to end of “Third” needle, turn; knit and purl back to end of “First” needle, always slipping first stitch, turn.
Continue knitting back and forth for 2 inches.  From this point continue as at first for four inches for the hand.  Cast off loosely; buttonhole thumb opening.

Tommy wants comforts.  Knit as many garments as you can and send them to

Sir Edward Ward, D.G.V.O.,
45 Horseferry Road, S.W.