Read Ebook: The Stocking-Knitter's Manual: A Handy Book for the Work-Table by Cupples George Mrs

Font size: 10 px 15 px 20 px 25 px 30 px 35 px

Background color: BlackWhiteGrayLight GrayDark GrayDim Gray

Text color: BlackWhiteGrayLight GrayDark GrayDim Gray

Apply/Save settings

Ebook has 101 lines and 11924 words, and 3 pages

Preface 3

Directions for Working the different parts of a Stocking 5

Stockings 11

Socks 26

Open-Work Patterns 29

PREFACE

These Patterns were compiled for the benefit of a friend, who had some pupils; and she having found them of service, and a saving of time, when engaged in teaching others, the writer has ventured to lay them before the public, in the hope that they may be of further use.

Now that so much time is occupied with the higher branches of education, and only an hour or so allotted to instruction in sewing, knitting, etc., the pupil leaves school in general with a very imperfect understanding of how to shape a stocking. It is not always convenient to get an old woman to assist at the 'turning of the heel;' and many parents cannot themselves knit--the last generation being sadly behind in this simple but useful art.

The present manual is intended for the benefit of those who already know a little about stocking-knitting, but who are not very sure of their own unassisted powers; and it will also prove serviceable to the teacher, as she may see at a glance how many stitches, etc., to cast on for the different sizes required by her pupils. In following the directions here given, the young knitter is advised not to be alarmed at the appearance of the stocking when first cast on, imagining that it is too wide; for as the knitting advances, the work becomes tighter of itself, till the top-band is finished. Besides, it is necessary to have a good many stitches on at first, which are gradually to be taken in during the process of shaping the leg, as the stocking is much narrower at the ankle than at the top.

Though the loom has done away in a great measure with the importance of stocking-knitting, still it is a pleasant and profitable, if homely, accomplishment; and, moreover, a fruitful resource, by way of pastime, for old age. It is to be hoped that at no time will this thrifty household acquirement be allowed to fall into disuse, for the sake of more ornamental occupations.

It may be interesting to know, that the art of knitting is first noticed about the sixteenth century; and, according to some, originated in Scotland, whence it found its way into France. It is related that, in 1564, a certain Wm. Ryder, an apprentice of Master Thomas Burdett, having seen accidentally, in the shop of an Italian merchant, a pair of knitted worsted stockings, made a pair exactly like them, which he presented to William, Earl of Pembroke, and that these were the first stockings knitted in England of woollen yarn.

A. J. C.

THE

STOCKING-KNITTER'S MANUAL.

Directions for Working the different parts of a Stocking.

NOTE.--In knitting the plain part of the foot, leave off working the seam-stitch, and if the work should appear loose at the beginning or ends of the needles, change the stitches by knitting off a few on to the neighbouring needle; but care should be taken to replace them in the same position as they were in at the finishing of the gusset, as the intakes must correspond exactly with the back intakes of the toe.

In measuring the work, use an inch measure, and lay the stocking under it flat on the table. Except where particularly specified, measure the leg independent of the top-band, and the foot from the last intake at the gusset.

As children invariably knit tightly, the needles ought to be chosen of a size coarser, to obviate this tendency. If, however, they should happen to work loosely, it would be advisable to take the numbers specified in the patterns.

If a strong heel is desired, use double worsted.

STOCKINGS.

This makes 14 intakes altogether--7 on each side of seam, and reduces the stocking to 69. Knit 1 1/4 inches plain for length of ankle. Divide the stitches, placing 17 on each side of seam-stitch, and leaving 34 for front of the foot. Knit 23 rows for the heel, plain and pearl alternately, or 1 inch; then knit the top, according to directions , and pick up the stitches for the foot till there are 24 on each side of the seam, 7 being for the gusset. When the gusset is done, there ought to be 69 stitches on. Knit 2 together at back of the foot, to reduce it to an even number. Knit 33 rounds plain, or 1 1/2 inches in length. Knit the toe , and cast off with 10 stitches on each side the foot.

This makes 14 intakes--7 on each side, which reduces the stocking to 42 stitches. Knit 19 plain rounds for the ankle, or 1 1/4 inches in length. Divide the stitches, placing 10 on each side of seam, leaving 21 for the front of the foot. Knit 14 rows, or 1 inch for the heel, 7 plain and 7 pearl; then knit the top , and pick up the stitches at each side of heel till there are 15 on each side of seam-stitch, 5 being for the gusset . When the gusset is finished, there ought to be 42 stitches on. Knit 23 rounds plain, or 1 1/2 inches for foot. Knit the toe , and cast off with 8 stitches on each side of foot.

This makes 20 intakes altogether--10 on each side, and reduces the stocking to 73 stitches. Knit 33 rounds, or 1 1/2 inches, for the ankle. Divide the stitches, placing 18 on each side of seam, leaving 36 for the front of the foot. Knit 28 rows plain and pearl alternately for the heel, or 1 1/4 inches. Knit the top , and pick up the stitches for the foot till there are 27 on each side of seam-stitch, 9 being for the gusset . When this is done, there ought to be 73 stitches on. Knit 2 stitches together to make an even number. Knit 43 plain rounds for foot, or 2 inches in length. Knit the toe , and cast off with 12 stitches.

This makes 16 intakes altogether--8 on each side, reducing the stocking to 54 stitches. Knit 23 rounds for ankle, or 1 1/2 --inches in length. Divide the stitches, placing 13 on each side of the seam, leaving 27 for front of the foot. Knit 19 rows plain and pearl alternately for the heel, or 1 1/4 inches in length. Knit the top , and pick up the stitches for the foot till there are 18 on each side of the seam, 5 being for the gusset . When the gusset is finished, there ought to be 54 stitches on. Knit 31 rounds, or 2 inches in length, for the foot; then knit the toe, and cast off with 10 stitches on each side of foot.

This makes 28 altogether--14 on each side, and reduces the stocking to 86 stitches. Knit 43 rounds, or 2 inches in length, for the ankle. Divide the stitches, placing 22 on each side of the seam, leaving 45 for the front of the foot. Knit 38 rows plain and pearl alternately for length of the heel, or 1 3/4 inches. Knit the top , and pick up the stitches for the foot till there are 31 on each side of seam-stitch, 9 being for the gusset . When the gusset is done, knit 53 rounds, or 2 1/2 inches, for length of foot, there being on 86 stitches when this is done. Knit the toe, and cast off with 14 stitches.

This makes 24 intakes altogether--12 on each side, and reduces the stocking to 62. Knit 31 rounds for the ankle, or 2 inches. Divide the stitches, placing 15 on each side of the seam, leaving 31 for front of the foot. Knit 22 rows plain and pearl alternately for the heel, or 1 1/2 inches in length. Knit the top , and pick up the stitches for the foot till there are 20 on each side of the seam, 5 stitches being for the gusset . When the gusset is done, there ought to be 62 stitches on. Knit 39 rounds for length of the foot, or 2 1/2 inches. Knit the toe; and cast off with 14 stitches on each side of the foot.

This makes 28 intakes altogether--14 on each side, and reduces the stocking to 93. Knit 53 rounds for the ankle, or 2 1/2 inches. Divide the stitches, placing 23 on each side of seam, leaving 46 for front of the foot. Knit 38 rows plain and pearl alternately for the heel, or 1 3/4 inches in length. Knit the top, and pick up the stitches for the foot, till there are 34 on each side of the seam, 11 stitches being for the gusset; when the gusset is done, there ought to be 93 stitches on. Knit 2 stitches together at the back of the foot. Then knit 63 rounds, or 3 inches, for the foot. Knit the toe, and cast off with 11 stitches on each side.

This makes 26 altogether--13 on each side of seam, reducing the stocking to 66. Knit 39 rounds for the ankle, or 2 1/2 inches. Divide the stitches, placing 17 on each side of seam, leaving 33 for front of the foot. Knit 27 rows, plain and pearl alternately, or 1 3/4 inches in length, for the heel. Then knit the top, and pick up the stitches, till there are 25 on each side of seam-stitch--8 being for the gusset. When the gusset is done, there ought to be 66 stitches on. Knit 47 rounds for foot, or 3 inches. Knit the toe, and cast off, with 12 stitches on each side.

This makes 32 intakes--16 on each side, and reduces the stocking to 102 stitches. Knit 58 rounds for the ankle, or 2 3/4 inches in length. Divide the stitches, placing 25 on each side of seam-stitch, leaving 51 for front of the foot. Knit 43 rows for the heel, plain and pearl alternately, or 2 inches. Knit the top , and pick up the stitches for the foot, till there are 39 on each side of the seam, 14 being for the gusset. When the gusset is done, there ought to be 102 stitches on. Knit 73 rounds, or 3 1/2 inches in length. Knit the toe, and cast off, with 16 on each side.

This makes 28 altogether--14 on each side, and reduces the stocking to 73. Knit 43 rounds for the ankle, or 2 3/4 inches. Divide the stitches, placing 18 on each side of seam, leaving 36 for front of the foot. Knit 31 rows, plain and pearl alternately, or 2 inches in length, for the heel. Knit the top , and pick up the stitches, till there are 28 on each side of seam, 10 being for the gusset. When this is done, there ought to be 73 stitches on. Knit 2 stitches together at the back, and knit 44 rounds for the foot, or 3 inches. Then knit the toe, and cast off, with 14 stitches on each side.

This makes 18 intakes altogether--9 on each side, and reduces the stocking to 52. Knit 27 rounds, or 2 1/4 inches in length, for the ankle. Divide the stitches, placing 12 on each side of the seam, leaving 25 for the front of the foot. Knit 21 rows plain and pearl alternately for the heel, or 1 3/4 inches in length. Knit the top, and pick up the stitches for the foot till there are 19 on each side of the seam, 7 being for the gusset. When the gusset is done, there ought to be 52 stitches on. Knit 45 rounds, or 3 3/4 inches, for the foot, measuring from the heel. Knit the toe, and cast off with 10 stitches on each side.

This makes 24 intakes altogether--12 on each side. Knit two together to make an even number, reducing the stocking to 58. Knit 36 rounds, or 3 inches, for the ankle. Divide the stitches, placing 14 on each side of the seam, leaving 29 for front of foot. Knit 24 rows for the heel, or 2 inches in length. Knit the top, and pick up the stitches for the foot till there are 21 on each side of the seam, 7 being for the gusset. When the gusset is done, there ought to be 58 stitches. Knit 48 rounds for the foot, or 4 inches, measuring from the heel. Knit the toe, and cast off with 12 stitches.

This makes 22 intakes altogether--11 on each side, and reduces the stocking to 70. Knit 39 rounds for the ankle, or 3 3/4 inches. Divide the stitches, placing 17 on each side of the seam, and leaving 35 for the front of the foot. Knit 27 rows for the heel, plain and pearl alternately, or 2 1/4 inches in length. Then knit the top, and pick up the stitches, 25 on each side of the seam, 8 being for the gusset. When this is done, there ought to be 70 stitches on. Knit 57 rounds, or 4 3/4 inches, for the foot, measuring from the heel. Knit the toe, and cast off with 14 on each side.

This makes 36 altogether--18 on each side of seam, and reduces the stocking to 113. Knit 63 rounds for the ankle, or 3 inches in length. Divide the stitches, placing 28 on each side of the seam, and leaving 56 for front of the foot. Knit 48 rows, plain and pearl alternately, or 2 3/4 inches, for the heel. Knit the top, and pick up the stitches, till there are 44 on each side of the seam, 16 being for the gusset. When the gusset is finished, there ought to be 113 stitches. Knit 2 together, and knit 88 rounds for the foot, or 4 1/4 inches. Knit the toe, and cast off, with 18 on each side.

This makes 34 altogether--17 on each side, and reduces the stocking to 78. Knit 47 rounds, or 3 inches, for the ankle. Divide the stitches, placing 19 on each side of the seam, leaving 39 for front of the foot. Knit 35 rows, plain and pearl alternately, or 2 3/4 inches, for the heel. Knit the top, and pick up the stitches, till there are 33 stitches on each side of the seam, 14 being for the gusset. When the gusset is done, there ought to be 78 stitches on. Knit 67 rounds plain for the foot, or 4 1/4 inches. Knit the toe, and cast off, with 16 stitches on each side.

This makes 40 intakes altogether--20 on each side of the seam, reducing the stocking to 90. Knit 55 rounds, or 3 1/2 inches, for the ankle. Divide the stitches, placing 22 on each side of the seam, leaving 45 for the foot. Knit 47 rows for the heel, or 3 inches in length. Knit the top, and pick up the stitches, 38 on each side of the seam, 16 being for the gusset. When the gusset is done, there ought to be 90 stitches on. Knit 79 rounds, or 5 inches measuring from the heel, for the foot. Knit the toe, and cast off with 16 stitches.

This makes 26 intakes altogether--13 on each side, and reduces the stocking to 82. Knit 48 rounds, or 4 inches, for the ankle. Divide the stitches, placing 20 on each side of the seam, leaving 41 for the front. Knit 33 rows for the heel, or 2 3/4 inches. Knit the top, and pick up the stitches, 30 on each side, 10 being for the gusset. When the gusset is done, there ought to be 82 stitches on. Knit 72 rounds plain, or 6 inches, for the foot, measuring from the heel. Knit the toe, and cast off with 16 on each side.

The second way is to take in 3 or 4 stitches at a time, as described in the knickerbocker hose. This is not so suitable for very small stockings, as more rounds require to be knitted between each intake, there being fewer of them.

Knit the top-band with the coloured worsted, then tie on the black at the side of the stitch chosen for the seam. Knit 5 rounds of black, and pass up the coloured. Give it a single twist round the black, taking care not to pull it too tight, but just sufficient to bring the stripes opposite to each other.

The intakes of gentlemen's hose are done in the following manner:--

A pearl stitch should be fixed upon for the seam-stitch, by tying a coloured thread round it; and it ought to be knitted pearl and plain alternately.

There will be 2 plain stitches on each side of the seam-stitch.

Begin the intakes on the right hand side of the seam-stitch, by slipping the 5th stitch from it. Knit together the 4th, 3d, and 2d, then take the slipped stitch over.

This brings 2 plain stitches to the side of the seam-stitch again.

On the left hand side of the seam-stitch, slip the 2d stitch, knit together the 3d, 4th, and 5th, then take the slip-stitch over. Number of intakes:

This makes 8 intakes on each side of the seam-stitch, and reduces the stocking to 96 stitches. Knit 60 rounds for the ankle, or 4 inches. Then divide the stitches; placing 24 on each side of the seam-stitch. Knit 43 rounds for the heel, or 2 3/4 inches, continuing to knit it 1 pearl and 2 plain stitches. Then knit the top, and pick up the stitches, 34 on each side--10 being for the gusset. When this is finished, knit 79 rounds, or 5 inches, with the 1 pearl and 2 plain on the front of the foot, and plain on the back. Knit 7 rounds, all plain. Knit the toe, and cast off, with 16 stitches on each side of the foot.

SOCKS.

OPEN-WORK PATTERNS

SUITABLE FOR STOCKINGS.

EXPLANATION OF TERMS.

O means put over the thread. T is knit two together. A is slip a stitch, knit 2 together, and take the slipped stitch over. Ts is slip a stitch, knit 1 plain, and take the slipped stitch over. P is plain 1. B stands for pearl.

Share on: WhatsApp @Hash Facebook Tweet