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Inconsistent hyphenation and spelling in the original document have been preserved. Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.

CYCLING AND SHOOTING
KNICKERBOCKER STOCKINGS

HOW TO KNIT THEM

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CYCLING AND SHOOTING

KNICKERBOCKER STOCKINGS

HOW TO KNIT THEM

WITH PLAIN AND FANCY TURNOVER TOPS

BY

H. P. RYDER

London

MACMILLAN AND CO. Ltd.

NEW YORK: THE MACMILLAN CO.

1896

Richard Clay and Sons, Limited,

LONDON AND BUNGAY.

HOW TO KNIT KNICKERBOCKER STOCKINGS

GENERAL DIRECTIONS

The difficulty in giving knitting directions arises from no two people knitting alike. Some do so too loosely, others too tightly. In good work the loops should just run easily on the needles.

In order to secure your stocking being the right size, it will be well before you start it to test your knitting by casting on 8 stitches and knitting 8 rows. If, with Alloa yarn and No. 12 needles, the knitting measures about a square inch, your stocking will work out medium size. If, however, the square is much larger or smaller, then alter the size of needles to suit your knitting, taking bigger or smaller needles as required. This is a very important point to attend to. The directions given are for a medium-sized stocking, both in length and width. Any one who has knitted a stocking by them will see at once how easy it is to enlarge or diminish the size.

How to join Wool

Never make a knot, but knit a few stitches with both wools. The extra thickness never shows, and the ends may be cut off close with impunity.

Raising

It is helpful and saves much counting, if, when you raise or decrease, you knit along with the wool, on that stitch only, a piece of fine white wool or thread. It is easily withdrawn afterwards, but it enables you to see at a glance which is your back needle, and the last time you raised or decreased.

You raise, by putting your needle before knitting next stitch through the loop below, in reality the stitch of the last round, and drawing the wool through it. You must be very careful not to make a hole, a slight twist as you take up the stitch prevents this.

Tops in Fingering

When you knit with two wools, carrying them on at the back, the knitting is much more even if one colour, say the dark, is knitted with wool from right hand in the usual English way, but keep the lighter coloured wool over finger on left hand, and take it up as the Germans always knit. This sounds troublesome, but is really quite easy with a little practice.

Another simple but useful direction in knitting with wool carried on at the back I must give.

When you knit 6 or more stitches with one colour, to avoid too long a loop at the back, which is apt to get pulled, at the 3rd or 4th stitch lay the wool you are not using level with your needle so as to come above or rather between the needle and the wool you are going to knit with. When the stitch is knitted, you will find the wool caught lightly through at the back.

KNICKERBOCKER STOCKING WITH FANCY TOP. NO. 1.

Required.—4 needles No. 12, tested by Walker's Bell Gauge, 3 cuts of Alloa yarn (heather mixture), ½ cut of red to correspond.

K stands for knit, P for purl.

With heather mixture cast on 78 stitches, 26 on each needle. Knit 4 rounds of k 1, p 1 alternately.

Purl two rounds.

In the next round you use the two colours alternately. Don't break off the wool until directed to do so.

Fancy Top No. 1

1st pattern round.—With red wool, k 4. Heather wool k 2, but in knitting these put the wool twice round the needle instead of once as in ordinary knitting; this is done to lengthen the stitch. Repeat.

2nd round.—Red wool, k 4, slip the 2 knitted stitches on to the same needle, letting the wool drop to make a long stitch. When you slip, put in needle, as if to purl, from right to left. Repeat.

3rd, 4th, and 5th rounds.—Same as 2nd.

6th round.—Heather wool. Knit all.

7th and 8th rounds.—Purl all.

9th round.—Red wool, k 1, *, heather wool, k 2, putting wool twice round needle, red wool, k 4, repeat from *, end with k 3 red wool.

10th, 11th, 12th and 13th rounds.—Red wool, k 1, *, slip 2, k 4, repeat from *, end with k 3.

14th round.—Heather wool. Knit all.

15th and 16th rounds.—Purl all.

Repeat from 1st round once more.

Repeat up to 9th round once.

You will have 5 coloured squares. Break off red wool.

With heather wool k 1, p 1 alternately every round until your stocking measures, from casting on, a length of six inches.

Stocking Leg

Before beginning to rib the stocking leg, you must turn what you have knitted inside out to make the fancy top fall over correctly. Do this and arrange your stitches as follows. Place 31 on 1st needle, which will be called the back or heel needle, 24 on the 2nd, 23 on the 3rd needle.

1st round.—P 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, p 2, k 3, knit 2 together, k 3, knit 2 together, k 1, *, p 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, p 2, k 9, repeat from *.

You will have 29 stitches on back needle, 76 in all.

2nd round.—* P 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, p 2, k 9, repeat from *.

This ribbing broad and narrow alternately is carried down the leg. In future, directions are only given for the increasings and decreasings made on the 1st or back needle.

Repeat the 2nd round until your stocking measures from casting on eight inches.

To increase for Calf of Leg

1st round.—Back needle. P 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, raise 1 (see general directions), knit till within 2 of end of broad rib, when raise 1, k 2, etc. By etc. please understand you are to knit the ribs according to pattern rest of round.

Rib 5 rounds with 11 stitches in centre back needle, broad rib.

7th round.—Same as 1st.

Rib 5 rounds with 13 stitches in centre back, broad rib.

13th round.—Same as 1st.

Rib, with 15 stitches in centre back needle, broad rib, until your stocking measures eleven inches from casting on.

Decreasing

This is done twice in the round at first, afterwards only once.

1st round.—Back needle. P 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, knit two together; knit until within 4 of end of this broad rib, when knit 2 together, k 2, etc.

Rib 4 rounds.—You will have 13 stitches in back needle rib.

6th round.—Same as 1st.

Rib 4 rounds.—11 stitches back needle rib.

11th round.—Same as 1st.

Rib 4 rounds.—9 stitches back needle rib.

16th round.—Same as 1st.

Rib 4 rounds.—7 stitches on back needle rib.

Decreasing once in Round

1st round.—Back needle. P 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, knit 2 together, k 3, etc. After the decreasings, purl or knit the next rib according to pattern.

2nd and 3rd rounds.—P 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, p 2, k 6, etc.

Observe two rounds only are knitted between decreasings.

4th round.—P 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, knit 2 together, k 2, etc.

5th and 6th rounds.—P 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, p 2, k 5, etc.

7th round.—P 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, p 2, k 1, knit 2 together, k 2, etc.

8th and 9th rounds.—P 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, p 2, k 4, etc.

10th round.—P 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, p 2, k 1, knit 2 together, k 1, etc.

11th and 12th rounds.—P 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, p 2, k 3, etc.

13th round.—P 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, p 2, k 1, knit 2 together, etc.

14th and 15th rounds.—P 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, etc.

16th round.—P 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, p 2, knit 2 together, etc.

17th and 18th rounds.—P 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, p 2, k 1, etc.

19th round.—P 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, p 1, purl 2 together, p 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, p 2, etc.

20th and 21st rounds.—P 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, p 4, etc.

22nd round.—P 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, p 1, purl 2 together, p 1, etc.

23rd and 24th rounds.—P 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, p 3, etc.

25th round.—P 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, purl 2 together, p 1, etc.

26th and 27th rounds.—P 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, p 2, etc.

28th round.—P 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, purl 2 together, etc.

29th and 30th rounds.—P 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, p 1, etc.

31st round.—P 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, knit 2 together, k 1, etc.

32nd and 33rd rounds.—P 2, k 2, p 2, k 4, etc.

34th round.—P 2, k 2, p 2, k 1, knit 2 together, k 1, etc.

35th and 36th rounds.—P 2, k 2, p 2, k 3, etc.

37th round.—P 2, k 2, p 2, k 1, knit 2 together, etc.

38th and 39th rounds.—P 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, etc.

40th round.—P 2, k 2, p 2, knit 2 together, etc.

41st and 42nd rounds.—P 2, k 2, p 2, k 1, etc.

43rd round.—P 2, k 2, p 1, purl 2 together, p 2, etc.

44th and 45th rounds.—P 2, k 2, p 4, etc.

46th round.—P 2, k 2, p 1, purl 2 together, p 1, etc.

47th and 48th rounds.—P 2, k 2, p 3, etc.

49th round.—P 2, k 2, p 1, p 2 together, etc.

This finishes the decreasings. You will have 10 stitches left on your back needle, 57 stitches in all on the needles. Your decreasings will have formed a good V-shaped slant.

Continue ribbing until the stocking measures, from casting on, 22 inches. You must not pull out the stocking, but place it flat on the table and measure it with a rule.

Heel

Prepare for heel by ribbing to end of back needle, from next needle knit off on back needle the broad rib of 9 stitches. Knit on a 2nd needle the small ribs and 5 of the next broad rib stitches, in all 15 stitches. On a 3rd needle k 4 and next small ribs, 14 stitches in all. Now pass the 9 stitches of broad rib on to the heel or back needle. This gives you 28 stitches on the heel needle.

The heel is formed by knitting the heel needle backwards and forwards.

1st row.—Slip 1 (when you slip 1st stitch put in needle from right to left), k 8, p 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, p 2, k 9, turn.

2nd row.—Slip 1, p 8, k 2, p 2, k 2, p 2, k 2, p 9, turn.

Repeat these two rows until you have knitted 30 rows.

To round Heel

1st row.—Slip 1, k 15, knit 2 together, k 1, turn.

2nd row.—Slip 1, p 5, purl 2 together, p 1, turn.

3rd row.—Slip 1, k 6, knit 2 together, k 1, turn.

4th row.—Slip 1, p 7, purl 2 together, p 1, turn.

5th row.—Slip 1, k 8, knit 2 together, k 1, turn.

6th row.—Slip 1, p 9, purl 2 together, p 1, turn.

7th row.—Slip 1, k 10, knit 2 together, k 1, turn.

8th row.—Slip 1, p 11, purl 2 together, p 1, turn.

9th row.—Slip 1, k 12, knit 2 together, k 1, turn.

10th row.—Slip 1, p 13, purl 2 together, p 1, turn.

11th row.—Slip 1, k 14, knit 2 together, turn.

12th row.—Slip 1, p 14, purl 2 together. 16 stitches will be left on the heel needle.

To form the Foot

This is done by taking up, and as you take up knitting through the loops down side of length of heel. In taking up be particular to put your needle through both sides of the loops.

1st side needle. Slip 1, k 15 (these are the heel stitches). Take up, and as you take up knit 17 stitches down side of heel. Purl 2 stitches off next needle on this 1st side needle. With a 2nd needle rib all the stitches on the next two needles but the two last. This needle is henceforward called the instep needle. On a 3rd needle purl the 2 stitches left, and with it take up, and as you take up knit 17 stitches down other side of heel, also knit on to it 8 stitches off the 1st side needle; these 8 are the half of the heel stitches left after rounding it.

Count loops on your needles. You ought to have 27 on each side needle, 25 on the instep needle.

To shape the Foot

1st round.—1st side needle. Knit plain until within 4 stitches of end of needle, when knit 2 together, p 2.

Instep needle. K 2, p 2, k 2, p 2, k 9, p 2, k 2, p 2, k 2. 2nd side needle. P 2, knit 2 together, knit to end of needle.

Repeat this round four times. You will have 23 stitches left on each side needle.

5th round.—1st side needle. Knit all but 2 last, which are purled. Instep needle. Rib according to pattern. 2nd side needle. P 2, knit the rest.

6th round.—Same as 1st.

Repeat 5th and 6th rounds until you have only 16 stitches left on each side needle, 25 on instep needle, 57 in all.

Repeat the 5th round until your foot measures, including the heel, 8½inches.

Toe

Prepare for toe by knitting to end of instep needle, and on that needle knit 2 stitches off the next.

Next needle. Knit plain. 3rd needle. Knit to within 5 stitches of end, when knit 2 together, k 2, and pass the last stitch on to instep needle. You will have 28 stitches on instep needle, 14 on each of the others.

To decrease the Toe

1st round.—Instep needle. K 2, knit 2 together, knit to within 4 of end, when knit 2 together, k 2. Next needle. Knit 2, knit 2 together, knit to end. 3rd needle. Knit to within 4 of end, knit 2 together, k 2.

2nd, 3rd and 4th rounds.—Knit all.

Repeat these 4 rounds twice more.

13th round.—Same as 1st.

14th and 15th rounds.—Knit all.

Repeat 13th, 14th and 15th rounds once more.

19th round.—Same as 1st.

Repeat this until you have only 8 stitches left on the instep and 8 on back needles, 16 in all.

Slip the back 8 stitches on one needle, knit the back and front needles together, casting off at the same time.

STOCKING, NO. 1.—PLAIN TOP

Cast on same number of stitches as for fancy top.

Rib, by k 1, p 1 alternately, or k 3, p 3 alternately a length of six inches from casting on. You do not need with plain top to turn your stocking inside out, as both sides are alike. Arrange your stitches as directed for "stocking leg," and follow out the pattern.

STOCKING, NO. 2

Required.—4 needles No. 12, 2½ cuts of blue speckled Alloa yarn, ½ cut of blue Alloa yarn, ½ cut of tan-coloured ditto.

K stands for knit, p for purl.

With speckled Wool.—Cast on 77 stitches, 28 on two, 21 on the third needle. The rib throughout the stocking is knit 5, purl 2.

Work 6 rounds of this rib, k 5, p 2.

Blue Wool.—One round plain knitting.

2nd round.—The rib, k 5, p 2. Each time you change the wool the 1st round must be plain knitting, the other rounds are ribbed. Don't break off the different coloured wool until told to do so.

Tan Wool.—Seven rounds. Recollect to knit all 1st round.

Speckled Wool.—Two rounds.

Blue Wool.—Nine rounds.

Speckled Wool.—Two rounds.

Tan Wool.—Seven rounds.

Blue Wool.—Two rounds.

Now break off all the wools, excepting the speckled.

Stocking No. 2

Speckled Wool.—Rib until your stocking measures, from casting on, six inches. To make your stocking top fall over correctly, you must now turn your work inside out and continue the rib until your stocking measures, from casting on, nine inches. Be careful after you have turned it to knit 5 over the knitted stitches, and to purl over the 2 purled ones.

Increasing for Calf

Directions are only given for the back needle, where the increasing is made. Follow the usual ribbing in the rounds.

Back needle. 1st round.—This must be a needle with 28 stitches on it. (See directions for raising in general directions.) K 5, p 2, k 5, p 1, raise 1, p 1, etc. By etc. understand is meant continue the usual rib.

2nd round.—K 5, p 2, k 5, p 3, etc.

3rd round.—K 5, p 2, k 5, p 1, raise 1, p 2, etc.

4th round.—K 5, p 2, k 5, p 4, etc.

5th round.—K 5, p 2, k 5, p 2, raise 1, p 2, etc.

6th round.—K 5, p 2, k 5, p 2, k 1, p 2, etc.

7th round.—K 5, p 2, k 5, p 2, raise 1, k 1, p 2, etc.

8th round.—K 5, p 2, k 5, p 2, k 2, p 2, etc.

9th round.—K 5, p 2, k 5, p 2, k 1, raise 1, k 1, p 2, etc.

10th round.—K 5, p 2, k 5, p 2, k 3, p 2, etc.

11th round.—K 5, p 2, k 5, p 2, k 2, raise 1, k 1, p 2, etc.

12th round.—K 5, p 2, k 5, p 2, k 4, p 2, etc.

13th round.—K 5, p 2, k 5, p 2, k 3, raise 1, k 1, p 2, etc.

14th round.—K 5, p 2, k 5, p 2, k 5, p 2, etc.

15th round.—K 5, p 2, k 5, p 2, k 4, raise 1, k 1, p 2, etc.

16th round.—K 5, p 2, k 5, p 2, k 6, p 2, etc.

17th round.—K 5, p 2, k 5, p 2, k 5, raise 1, k 1, p 2, etc.

18th round.—K 5, p 2, k 5, p 2, k 7, p 2, etc.

Repeat 18th round until your stocking measures, from casting on, 12½inches. You will have 37 stitches on your back needle.

Decreasing

This is done every other round. In the intermediate rounds follow the ribbing as usual, and where the decreasing has been made knit, if over knitted stitches, purl when over-purled.

1st round.—Back needle. K 5, p 2, k 5, p 2, knit 2 together, k 5, etc.

3rd round.—K 5, p 2, k 5, p 2, knit 2 together, k 4, etc.

5th round.—K 5, p 2, k 5, p 2, knit 2 together, k 3, etc.

7th round.—K 5, p 2, k 5, p 2, knit 2 together, k 2, etc.

9th round.—K 5, p 2, k 5, p 2, knit 2 together, k 1, etc.

11th round.—K 5, p 2, k 5, p 2, knit 2 together, p 2, etc.

13th round.—K 5, p 2, k 5, p 2, purl 2 together, p 1, etc.

15th round.—K 5, p 2, k 5, p 1, purl 2 together, p 1, etc.

17th round.—K 5, p 2, k 5, purl 2 together, p 1, etc.

19th round.—K 5, p 2, k 5, purl 2 together, etc.

21st round.—K 5, p 2, k 5, knit 2 together, k 4, p 2, etc.

23rd round.—K 5, p 2, k 4, knit 2 together, k 4, p 2, etc.

25th round.—K 5, p 2, k 4, knit 2 together, k 3, p 2, etc.

27th round.—K 5, p 2, k 3, knit 2 together, k 3, p 2, etc.

29th round.—K 5, p 2, k 3, knit 2 together, k 2, p 2, etc.

31st round.—K 5, p 2, k 2, knit 2 together, k 2, p 2, etc.

33rd round.—K 5, p 2, k 2, knit 2 together, k 1, p 2, etc.

35th round.—K 5, p 2, k 1, knit 2 together, k 1, p 2, etc.

37th round.—K 5, p 2, k 1, knit 2 together, p 2, etc.

39th round.—K 5, p 2, knit 2 together, p 2, etc.

41st round.—K 5, p 2, purl 2 together, p 1, etc.

43rd round.—K 5, p 1, purl 2 together, p 1, etc.

45th round.—K 5, p 1, purl 2 together, etc.

47th round.—K 5, purl 2 together, etc.

49th round.—K 5, knit 2 together, k 4, etc.

51st round.—K 4, knit 2 together, k 4, etc.

53rd round.—K 4, knit 2 together, k 3, etc.

55th round.—K 3, knit 2 together, k 3, etc.

57th round.—K 3, knit 2 together, k 2, etc.

59th round.—K 2, knit 2 together, k 2, etc.

60th round.—K 5, p 2.

Repeat this round until your stocking measures, from casting on, 22 inches. You will have 56 stitches in all on your needles.

Heel

Prepare for heel by knitting to end of back needle; from next needle knit off on back needle as follows, k 5, p 2, k 3. On a 2nd needle, k 2, p 2, k 5, p 2, k 2. On a 3rd needle, k 3, p 2, k 5, p 2, k 2, then pass the remaining 12 loops on to the heel needle.

You will have 29 stitches on heel needle, 13 on the 2nd, 14 on the 3rd.

The heel is made by knitting the back needle backwards and forwards.

1st row.—Slip 1 (when you slip 1st stitch, put in needle from right to left), k 2, p 2, k 5, p 2, k 5, p 2, k 5, p 2, k 3, turn and work back.

2nd row.—Slip 1, p 2, k 2, p 5, k 2, p 5, k 2, p 5, k 2, p 3, turn.

Repeat these two rows for 30 rows.

To round Heel

1st row.—Slip 1, k 15, knit 2 together, k 1, turn.

2nd row.—Slip 1, p 5, purl 2 together, p 1, turn.

3rd row.—Slip 1, k 6, knit 2 together, k 1, turn.

4th row.—Slip 1, p 7, purl 2 together, p 1, turn.

5th row.—Slip 1, k 8, knit 2 together, k 1, turn.

6th row.—Slip 1, p 9, purl 2 together, p 1, turn.

7th row.—Slip 1, k 10, knit 2 together, k 1, turn.

8th row.—Slip 1, p 11, purl 2 together, p 1, turn.

9th row.—Slip 1, k 12, knit 2 together, k 1, turn.

10th row.—Slip 1, p 13, purl 2 together, p 1, turn.

11th row.—Slip 1, k 14, knit 2 together, k 1, turn.

12th row.—Slip 1, p 15, purl 2 together.

You will have 17 stitches left on heel needle.

To form the Foot

This is done by taking up, and as you take up knitting through the slipped loops down side of heel. Be particular in taking up to put your needle through both sides of the loops.

1st side needle. Slip 1, k 16 (these are the heel stitches). Take up, and as you take up knit 17 stitches down side of heel. On same needle knit 2 stitches off next needle. Work on a 2nd needle ribbing according to pattern, all the stitches on the next two needles excepting the two last. This needle is henceforward called the instep needle. On a 3rd needle knit the 2 stitches left, and with it take up, and as you take up knit 17 stitches down other side of heel, also knit on it 9 stitches off 1st side needle (these are part of the heel stitches). Count loops on your needles. You should have 27 on 1st side needle, 23 on instep, 28 on 2nd side needle, 78 in all.

To shape the Foot

1st round.—1st side needle. Knit plain until within 4 of end of needle, when knit 2 together, k 2. Instep needle. Rib to pattern. 2nd side needle. K 2, knit two together, knit to end.

Repeat this round four times.

5th round.—Knit plain side needles, rib the instep.

6th round.—Same as 1st.

Repeat 5th and 6th rounds until you have only 16 stitches left on 1st side needle, 23 on instep, 17 stitches on 2nd side needle. In all 56 stitches.

Repeat 6th round until your foot measures, including heel, 8½ inches.

Toe

This is all knitted plain. Prepare for it by knitting to end of instep needle on same needle, knit 3 stitches off next needle. Knit plain next needle. 3rd needle. Knit plain to within 2 stitches of end, slip these two on to instep needle. You will have 28 stitches on instep needle, 28 on the back needles.

To decrease the Toe.—Knit

1st round.—Instep needle. K 2, knit 2 together, knit to within 4 of end, when knit 2 together, k 2. Next needle. K 2, knit 2 together, knit to end. 3rd needle. Knit to within 4 of end, when knit 2 together, k 2.

2nd, 3rd and 4th rounds.—Knit all.

Repeat these four rounds twice more.

13th round.—Same as 1st.

14th and 15th rounds.—Knit all.

Repeat 13th, 14th and 15th rounds once more.

19th round.—Same as 1st.

Repeat this round until you have only 8 stitches left on your instep needle, and 8 on the back needles. Slip the 8 on back needles all on one needle. Cast off by knitting back and front needles together in the usual way.

STOCKING, NO. 2.—PLAIN TOP

Cast on same number of stitches as for Fancy Top. Rib, that is, k 5, p 2 alternately, a length of nine inches. (Follow directions from "Increasing for Calf.")

FANCY TOP, NO. 3

This top can be knitted as a change with either stocking leg. Same quantity of wool required.

With stocking wool cast on 78 stitches, 26 on each needle. Knit 4 rounds of k 1, p 1 alternately.

5th round.—* Slip 1 (taking it off as if purled, that is, putting the needle-point through the loop from right to left. All slipped stitches in this pattern are to be worked in this way). Knit 2 together; repeat from *. Knit loosely, not to draw the wool tight.

6th round.—* Throw wool over needle twice from back to the front, purl 1. This purled stitch is the slipped one of previous round. With wool still in front of needle slip 1 (the knit 2 together of last round), after which pass the wool to the back. Repeat from *.

7th round.—Knit plain, letting the thrown over twice wool drop, and knit it as one stitch. To make sure you have done this correctly, count over your stitches; there should be 26 on each needle.

Coloured stripe.—8th round, knit all.

9th round.—Same as 5th.

10th round.—Same as 6th.

11th round.—Same as 7th.

These four rounds constitute the pattern. With wool your stocking is knitted; repeat these four rounds twice, that is, 8 rounds.

Coloured stripe.—Repeat pattern three times.

Fancy Top No. 3

Stocking wool.—Repeat pattern twice.

Coloured stripe.—Repeat pattern once, break off coloured wool.

Stocking wool.—Repeat pattern once.

Knit 1, purl 1 alternately until your top measures 6 inches from casting on.

The rest of stocking knit according to receipt No. 1. (See directions for Stocking Leg.)

Fancy Top No. 4

FANCY TOP, NO. 4

This is a very simple but effective top. With wool your stockings are to be knitted, cast on 78 stitches.

Rib, that is k 2, p 1 alternately for five rounds.

With red wool.—Make 1, by throwing wool over the needle, and knit 2 together. Repeat this throughout this round and three more rounds.

Dark wool.—5 rounds of make 1 and knit 2 together.

Red wool.—9 rounds of same.

Dark wool.—5 rounds of same.

Red wool.—4 rounds of same.

Dark wool.—Knit 1 round plain.

Rib, that is k 2, p 1 alternately until your top measures 6 inches from casting on.

Rest of stocking knit according to directions. (See receipts Nos. 1 or 2.)

STOCKING TOPS IN FINGERING WOOL. NO. 5

If checks and plaids are knitted in Alloa yarn, carrying on wool at the back, they are so thick and clumsy no one likes them. I therefore give directions for patterns to be knitted in 3-ply Fingering wool and larger needles. After you have knitted the top, you continue the rest of leg with Alloa yarn and the smaller needles. Be careful to match exactly colour of Fingering and Alloa.

No. 1

Required.—4 needles No. 10. Small quantity, say ½ cut, of Fingering wool, same colour as Alloa the stocking is to be knitted with, and ½ cut of crimson Fingering.

Cast on 80 stitches, 30 on two, 20 on 3rd needle, with darker Fingering.

1st round.—K 1, p 1 alternately.

2nd round.—P 1, k 1 alternately.

3rd round.—Same as 1st.

4th round.—Same as 2nd.

In next round you work with both colours, carrying them on at the back. You must be particular not to pull or drag them too tightly. (Read carefully the "General Directions.")

Stocking Top No. 5

1st pattern round.—Crimson wool k 1, *, dark wool k 6, crimson k 2, repeat from *, end with crimson k 1.

2nd round.—Crimson k 2, *, dark k 4, crimson k 4, repeat from *, end with crimson k 2.

3rd round.—Crimson k 3, *, dark k 2, crimson k 6, repeat from *, end crimson k 3.

4th round.—Crimson k 2, *, dark k 4, crimson k 4, repeat from *, end crimson k 2.

5th round.—Crimson k 1, *, dark k 6, crimson k 2, repeat from *, end crimson k 1.

6th round.—Dark k 3, *, crimson k 2, dark k 6, repeat from *, end dark k 3.

7th round.—Dark k 2, *, crimson k 4, dark k 4, repeat from *, end with k 2.

8th round.—Dark k 1, *, crimson k 6, dark k 2, repeat from *, end with k 1.

9th round.—Dark k 2, *, crimson k 4, dark k 4, repeat from *, end dark k 2.

10th round.—Dark k 3, *, crimson k 2, dark k 6, repeat from *, end dark k 3.

Repeat these 10 rounds three times more. Break off crimson wool.

41st round.—Knit all.

42nd round.—K 1, p 1 alternately.

43rd round.—P 1, k 1 alternately.

Repeat 42nd and 43rd rounds until your stocking top measures, from casting on, six inches.

The rest of stocking is knitted in Alloa yarn with needles No. 12. You can knit it either as pattern No. 1 or 2. See "Stocking Leg." Having 80 stitches on your needle, you must, in commencing the ribbing, narrow off the extra stitches.

Zig Zag Top

ZIGZAG TOP IN FINGERING, No. 6

Required.—4 needles No. 10. 3-ply Fingering wool in two colours ½ cut of each.

With dark wool cast on 80 stitches, 30 on two, 20 on third needle.

1st round.—K 1, p 1 alternately.

2nd round.—P 1, k 1 alternately.

Repeat these two rounds.

1st pattern round.—The colours are used alternately. Red k 5, dark k 5, repeat to end of round.

2nd round.—Red k 4, *, dark k 5, red k 5, repeat from *, end with red k 1.

3rd round.—Red k 3, *, dark k 5, red k 5, repeat from *, end red k 2.

4th round.—Red k 2, *, dark k 5, red k 5, repeat from *, end red k 3.

5th round.—Red k 1, *, dark k 5, red k 5, repeat from *, end red k 4.

6th round.—Dark k 5, red k 5, repeat.

7th round.—Red k 1, *, dark k 5, red k 5, repeat from *, end red k 4.

8th round.—Red k 2, *, dark k 5, red k 5, repeat from *, end red k 3.

9th round.—Red k 3, *, dark k 5, red k 5, repeat from *, end red k 2.

10th round.—Red k 4, *, dark k 5, red k 5, repeat from *, end red k 1.

Repeat these ten rounds three times more.

41st round.—Knit all.

42nd round.—K 1, p 1 alternately.

43rd round.—P 1, k 1 alternately.

Repeat 42nd and 43rd rounds until your stocking measures, from casting on, six inches.

The rest of the stocking is knitted in Alloa wool with needles No. 12, as in previous directions.

DIAMOND PATTERN TOP

Required.—4 needles No. 10, 3-ply Fingering wool in two colours, ½ cut of each.

With dark wool cast on 84 stitches, 28 on each needle.

1st round.—K 1, p 1 alternately.

2nd round.—P 1, k 1 alternately.

Repeat these two rounds twice more.

Light wool.—Knit 1st round plain.

2nd round.—K 1 in light wool, k 1 in dark wool, repeat in two colours rest of round.

Diamond Pattern Top

3rd round.—K 1st stitch dark wool, 2nd light, repeat in two colours alternately.

4th round.—Knit in light colour.

5th, 6th and 7th rounds.—Knit in dark colour.

You now begin the pattern. It is knitted plain in alternate colours, carrying on wool at the back. [L for light wool, D for dark.]

1st round.—Light k 1, dark k 6, repeat.

2nd round.—Light k 2, *, dark k 4, light k 3, dark k 4, repeat from *, end with light k 1.

3rd round.—Dark k 1, light k 2, dark k 2, light k 2, dark k 1, light k 2, dark k 2, light k 2.

4th round.—Dark k 2, *, light k 2, dark k 2, light k 3, dark k 2, light k 2, dark k 3, repeat from *, end with dark k 1.

5th round.—Light k 1, dark k 2, light k 2, dark k 2, light k 1, dark k 2, light k 2, dark k 2.

6th round.—Light k 2, *, dark k 2, light k 2, dark k 3, light k 2, dark k 2, light k 3, repeat from *, end with light k 1.

7th round.—Light k 3, *, dark k 2, light k 2, dark k 1, light k 2, dark k 2, light k 5, repeat from *, end light k 2.

8th round.—Dark k 1, light k 3, dark k 2, light k 3, dark k 2, light k 3, repeat.

9th round.—Dark k 2, *, light k 3, dark k 2, light k 1, dark k 2, light k 3, dark k 3, repeat from *, end dark k 1.

10th round.—Dark k 3, *, light k 3, dark k 1, light k 1, dark k 1, light k 3, dark k 5, repeat from *, end dark k 2.

11th round.—Dark k 2, *, light k 3, dark k 2, light k 1, dark k 2, light k 3, dark k 3, repeat from *, end dark k 1.

12th round.—Dark k 1, light k 3, dark k 2, light k 3, dark k 2, light k 3, repeat.

13th round.—Light k 3, *, dark k 2, light k 2, dark k 1, light k 2, dark k 2, light k 5, repeat from *, end light k 2.

14th round.—Light k 2, *, dark k 2, light k 2, dark k 3, light k 2, dark k 2, light k 3, repeat from *, end light k 1.

15th round.—Light k 1, dark k 2, light k 2, dark k 2, light k 1, dark k 2, light k 2, dark k 2, repeat.

16th round.—Dark k 2, *, light k 2, dark k 2, light k 3, dark k 2, light k 2, dark k 3, repeat from *, end dark k 1.

17th round.—Dark k 1, light k 2, dark k 2, light k 2, dark k 1, light k 2, dark k 2, light k 2, repeat.

18th round.—Light k 2, *, dark k 4, light k 3, repeat from *, end light k 1, repeat.

19th round.—Light k 1, dark k 6, repeat. This round finishes the diamond.

Knit 3 rounds with dark wool.

Knit 1 round with light wool.

5th round.—K 1 with dark wool, k 1 with light alternately.

6th round.—K 1 with light wool, k 1 with dark alternately.

7th round.—Knit with light wool, which you afterwards break off.

8th round.—Knit with dark wool.

9th round.—K 1, p 1 alternately.

10th round.—P 1, k 1 alternately.

Repeat 9th and 10th rounds until your top measures, from casting on, six inches.

Knit the rest of your stocking in Alloa yarn with needles No. 12. Don't forget in the 1st round to take two stitches together at intervals, to make the number right for whichever stocking leg you are going to knit.

The Scotch custom of having wooden legs to dry the stockings on when they are washed, prevents their running up, and keeps them a very good shape.

BY SAME AUTHOR.

WINTER COMFORTS, AND HOW TO KNIT THEM. Post free, 1s. 1d.

CHILDREN'S COMFORTS, AND HOW I KNIT THEM. Post free, 1s. 6d.

HOW TO KNIT THE RICHMOND GLOVE. Post free, 6½d.

HOW TO KNIT SOCKS. By E. Ryder. Post free, 1s. 1d.

HOW TO KNIT STOCKINGS. By E. Ryder. Post free, 1s. 1d.

HOW TO KNIT SPUN SILK SOCKS AND STOCKINGS. By E. Ryder. Post free, 1s. 1d.

These Knitting Cards can be procured from

MR. COOKES,

Stationer,

Richmond, Yorkshire.