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RAF COMFORTS (SCOTLAND) AIR FORCE BLUE HEAVY DUTY SWEATER (LINK)
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RAF COMFORTS (SCOTLAND) HEAVY DUTY ROLL NECK SWEATER
Knitted in Scotland
Official RAF WW2 “Comforts” Pattern
10 Ply Guernsey Pure New Wool
Original RAF Label
Also available in Natural
Knitted garments and ‘Comforts' were a very important wartime contribution towards kitting out the Defence Forces whether they were in the Royal Navy, RAF, Army or Auxiliary forces and for distribution by The Red Cross to Prisoners Of War. One of the most popular and sought after garments was the hand knitted Roll Neck Sweater knitted by volunteers on behalf of The Royal Air Force Comfort Committee. For the last few years Aero’s hand knitters have produced a stunning historically correct WW2 recreation but, as during WW2, demand has far outstripped supply.
To help meet the demand for these amazing sweaters, we gave the original 1940s pattern book to the commercial knitters who knit our Submariners, we asked them to use 10 ply Guernsey Wool and we asked for the finished sweater to look “hand knitted”. For complete authenticity, we’ve replicated the official RAF label supplied to knitting groups across Great Britain which is attached to the waistband at the side.
The finished article is superb, to say it’s substantial is an understatement , it looks and feels like a hand knitted garment and best of all it’s a perfect replica of those much sought after Roll Neck Sweaters knitted by volunteers right through the hostilities. An RAF Crew on a long, cold bombing run over Europe at 18.000ft needed plenty extra layers. In the likes of a Halifax or a Lancaster the temperatures dropped well below freezing, the crew would have been delighted to have had one of these sweaters.
By April 1943, there were between 6,000 and 7,000 knitting parties and official groups across Britain. All knitters were volunteers doing their bit for the war effort and given official recognition by way of certificates and badges. They used knitting patterns approved by both The RAF and The Admiralty, while the wool, generally blue or cream, and were supplied by weight free of charge to the individual households or knitting groups.
Arranging wool deliveries in Scotland was often the job of the Women's Voluntary Services who also arranged for the finished sweaters to be forwarded to the Lady Provost’s Comforts Fund Depot in Edinburgh for final distribution