Military 'woolly pully' sweaters

[Ticklishchap]

Might be pulling mine out tomorrow. Apparently the afternoon windchill is projected to be in the -40s.

Send us a photo if you have time.

 

[Bushman]

Sure! Here ya guys go!

 

[Ticklishchap]

Sure! Here ya guys go!

Now let’s see it on you!!!

 

[Ticklishchap]

Sure! Here ya guys go!

... Not compulsory of course (my last post)!
The turn-back cuffs are one of the best features of the WP, along with the ribbed wool and the patches.

 

[Bushman]

Nah, it's fine, I don't mind sharing. I just got home last night and pulled it out of the closet for a quick picture.

Sorry about the messy mirror.

 

[Ticklishchap]

Nah, it's fine, I don't mind sharing. I just got home last night and pulled it out of the closet for a quick picture.

Sorry about the messy mirror.

Love the cuffs. Even bigger than mine.

 

[Harp]

Might be pulling mine out tomorrow. Apparently the afternoon windchill is projected to be in the -40s.

My Irish fisherman knit came to the rescue this dawn. Warmer than a commando; surprisingly so.
And topped with my sole surviving Gloverall, hood and drawstring.
Feel sort of monkish wearing it but warm.
Sitting tomorrow's freeze out though: a few books, some soup, coffee and tea.

 

[Bushman]

My Irish fisherman knit came to the rescue this dawn. Warmer than a commando; surprisingly so.
And topped with my sole surviving Gloverall, hood and drawstring.
Feel sort of monkish wearing it but warm.
Sitting tomorrow's freeze out though: a few books, some soup, coffee and tea.

Yeah, man, the whole city is shutting down.

 

[Ticklishchap]

Yeah, man, the whole city is shutting down.

Actually I’m a bit envious as I can never get enough cold weather. It’s dry, clear and frosty here - which is my all-time favourite weather and so I can’t complain! Good WP weather of course: Navy crew neck today.

 

[Edward]

I had a couple of these when I was a kid that I think I inherited from a cousin. One in navy, one in brown. Never green: I first wore military green when I was fifteen and both old enough and had the spare cash to buy the occasional shirt from the local army surplus place. Growing up in Northern Ireland, my parents would never allow us camo, and they really weren't happy about olive drab at all. Worried I'd get shot by some squaddie with an itchy trigger finger. (Looking back, they weren't being entirely paranoid; when I was at university, a ten year old in Derry was shot by an army patrol because they saw him in silhouette only with a cut-out wooden 'rifle' with a length of copper pipe for a barrel. The copper pipe glinted in the sun, they reacted as trained...). These days, I'm more a fan of the submariner-type jumper, but recently I've taken a fancy to the idea of getting one of the v-neck style commando sweaters so I can wear a tattersall shirt and a knit tie with it. Would look good with tweeds.

 

[Ticklishchap]

I had a couple of these when I was a kid that I think I inherited from a cousin. One in navy, one in brown. Never green: I first wore military green when I was fifteen and both old enough and had the spare cash to buy the occasional shirt from the local army surplus place. Growing up in Northern Ireland, my parents would never allow us camo, and they really weren't happy about olive drab at all. Worried I'd get shot by some squaddie with an itchy trigger finger. (Looking back, they weren't being entirely paranoid; when I was at university, a ten year old in Derry was shot by an army patrol because they saw him in silhouette only with a cut-out wooden 'rifle' with a length of copper pipe for a barrel. The copper pipe glinted in the sun, they reacted as trained...). These days, I'm more a fan of the submariner-type jumper, but recently I've taken a fancy to the idea of getting one of the v-neck style commando sweaters so I can wear a tattersall shirt and a knit tie with it. Would look good with tweeds.

Yes, I agree; I have quite often worn a v-neck Commando sweater (hereafter WP for ‘Woolly Pully’) with a Tattersall shirt and/or Tweed jacket. The vast majority of my WPs are crew neck and that has always been the case. Like you I enjoy wearing submariner sweaters and I also have a large collection of Guernseys.

I understand completely your point about NI. I have a family connection with it but have not been there since I was a teenager. During that visit (in the time of the Troubles) I did not wear either my Army or Navy WP! I think I wore a Navy Guernsey most of the time actually. On a visit to the Donegal Coast I recall wearing a moss green WP crew neck which blended in well (the v-neck version in NI would have signified Royal Ulster Constabulary however!).

Is the second largest city in NI still known as ‘Stroke City’ as in Londonderry/Derry?

Outdoor Knitwear would be your port of call for the v-neck WP.

 

[Edward]

I understand completely your point about NI. I have a family connection with it but have not been there since I was a teenager. During that visit (in the time of the Troubles) I did not wear either my Army or Navy WP! I think I wore a Navy Guernsey most of the time actually. On a visit to the Donegal Coast I recall wearing a moss green WP crew neck which blended in well (the v-neck version in NI would have signified Royal Ulster Constabulary however!).

I'd forgotten the old RUC jumpers, though yes, they were a different shade, known as 'black green', if memory serves. Matched the rest of the uniform (typically the sweater was worn under the tunic for warmth in the Winter, though the tunic could be replaced by the flack jacket over the sweater if things got... restless...) :

(RUC uniform on the right; the blue on the left is the Garda Síochána (Civic Guard), the police force for the Irish Republic.)

The rebranded PSNI wear the same colour green still, though the uniforms, I'm told, aren't of the same quality as in the old days. I wish I could find a bolt or two of the old cloth they used to use for the RUC dress uniforms, I'd have a suit or two made in a 30s beltback cut from that. no ploitical point there at all - I just always loved that colour (it was also the colour of both the old RIC uniforms and the Irish Citizen Army, so no one tribe can claim ownership. ).

In the last decade I've grown accustomed to seeing RUC uniforms in army surplus stores in England. Made me feel old the first time! I'd actually wear one of their sweaters if I found one, though no, not back in the Old Country where if it got recognised nobody would ever accept it was just "a nice sweater".

Is the second largest city in NI still known as ‘Stroke City’ as in Londonderry/Derry?

Very much so, since the term was first popularised in the 70s by Gerry Anderson (showband performer and later local radio DJ, since deceased. He himself had two names, his own being dangerous in both types of area). Northern Ireland Railways in all their publicity material and announcements refer to it as "Derry-Londonderry". Fun fact: BT as late as the 90s (and I believe even now) maintained two separate entires in its staff database for those who live in "Derry" and those who live in "Londonderry". It still matters.

Outdoor Knitwear would be your port of call for the v-neck WP.

Thanks, I'll check that out.

 

[Ticklishchap]

I'd forgotten the old RUC jumpers, though yes, they were a different shade, known as 'black green', if memory serves. Matched the rest of the uniform (typically the sweater was worn under the tunic for warmth in the Winter, though the tunic could be replaced by the flack jacket over the sweater if things got... restless...) :

(RUC uniform on the right; the blue on the left is the Garda Síochána (Civic Guard), the police force for the Irish Republic.)

The rebranded PSNI wear the same colour green still, though the uniforms, I'm told, aren't of the same quality as in the old days. I wish I could find a bolt or two of the old cloth they used to use for the RUC dress uniforms, I'd have a suit or two made in a 30s beltback cut from that. no ploitical point there at all - I just always loved that colour (it was also the colour of both the old RIC uniforms and the Irish Citizen Army, so no one tribe can claim ownership. ).

In the last decade I've grown accustomed to seeing RUC uniforms in army surplus stores in England. Made me feel old the first time! I'd actually wear one of their sweaters if I found one, though no, not back in the Old Country where if it got recognised nobody would ever accept it was just "a nice sweater".



Very much so, since the term was first popularised in the 70s by Gerry Anderson (showband performer and later local radio DJ, since deceased. He himself had two names, his own being dangerous in both types of area). Northern Ireland Railways in all their publicity material and announcements refer to it as "Derry-Londonderry". Fun fact: BT as late as the 90s (and I believe even now) maintained two separate entires in its staff database for those who live in "Derry" and those who live in "Londonderry". It still matters.



Thanks, I'll check that out.

In haste now: longer reply to follow.
The Moss Green v-neck WPS at Outdoor Knitwear, with epaulettes (& pen pocket ) is a virtual facsimile of the old RUC sweater! There is really, I think, almost no difference in the shades of green. I have worn that colour (crew and v-necked) and been asked about the RUC.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I have a moss Green OKW Crew Neck WP and a Bottle Green Vee Neck WP, I would say that there is a bit of a difference with the shading of these two greens.

 

[Ticklishchap]

I have a moss Green OKW Crew Neck WP and a Bottle Green Vee Neck WP, I would say that there is a bit of a difference with the shading of these two greens.

That’s interesting. I have had Bottle Green in the past but now only have Moss Green. The difference is very slight - I do notice that my Bottle Green Guernsey is a slightly darker shade than my Moss Green WP.

It might be worth suggesting to OKW that they produce a Bottle Green version again! (I won’t mention the RUC if I do that - it produces an ambivalent response from many people).

 

[AyaSemar]

What is the break in recommendation to make these sweaters less itchy? I am used to wearing cashmere sweaters and this TW Kempton is like sand paper by comparison.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

What is the break in recommendation to make these sweaters less itchy? I am used to wearing cashmere sweaters and this TW Kempton is like sand paper by comparison.

They are made to be for robust/rugged wear, perhaps give them a gentle wash with a knitwear detergent.

 

[Bushman]

I wear a light, long sleeved T-shirt under mine to be less itchy.

 

[Ticklishchap]

What is the break in recommendation to make these sweaters less itchy? I am used to wearing cashmere sweaters and this TW Kempton is like sand paper by comparison.

I have been wearing these sweaters since the 1970s and have never had the problem with itching. However I usually wear them over a long-sleeved shirt or T-shirt. The advice about a gentle wash is good I think.

I assume from your post that this is your first Woolly Pully. May I ask which colour it is? They become addictive: several of us on this thread have quite large collections!

 

[ItnStln]

www.outdoorknitwear.com These guys made the Brigade Quartermaster ones

This came up in a Google search when I was trying to find out who made the Brigade Quartermaster sweaters as they are no longer on the website, so thanks!