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Khaki Stockings to be Worn with Shorts

Cover of a world war two military booklet

from “Guide to Knitting for the Services” by the Australian Comforts Fund, 1940

Materials

About 6 skeins of 4 ply khaki wool.

4 UK No. 10/3.25mm/US 3 double point needles
4 UK No. 11/3mm/US (no equivalent) needles
4 UK No. 12/2.75mm/US 2 needles

Using No. 10 needles cast on 64 stitches loosely, so it will measure at least 15 inches. 32 on 1 needle, 16 on each of the other 2 needles.

Work k1, p1 rib for 7 inches.

Now change pattern to k3, p1 rib and work for 3 inches.

Change to No. 11 needles and continue for 4 inches.

Change to No. 12 needles and continue till leg measures 20 inches.

Now knit heel flap on needle with 32 stitches, discontinue ribbing on this needle and work 1 row knit and 1 purl row for 2½ inches.

Turn the heel starting on plain row.

Knit 19, k2tog, k1. Turn.

Purl 8, p2tog, p1. Turn.

Knit 9, k2tog, k1. Turn.

Purl 10, p2tog, p1. Turn.

Knit 11, k2tog, k1. Turn.

Purl 12, p2tog, p1. Turn.

Knit 13, k2tog, k1. Turn.

Purl 14, p2tog, p1. Turn.

Knit 15, k2tog, k1. Turn.

Purl 16, p2tog, p1. Turn.

Knit 17, k2tog, k1. Turn.

Purl 18, p2tog, p1. Turn.

There are now 20 stitches on the needle.

Knit 10 plain, use another needle, knit 10, then pick up 18 stitches along the side of the heel flap.

Continue ribbing on next 32 stitches, knitting them on to one needle.

Pick up 18 stitches along the other side of the heel flap, and 10 left on heel needle.

Stitches are now 32 in ribbing on instep needle and 28 plain knitting on two needles.

Decrease for foot

Knit instep needle without decreasing.

1st side needle, knit 1, knit 2 together, knit to the end of the row. 2nd side needle, knit to the last 3 stitches, knit 2 together, knit 1.

Next round knit without decreasing.

Repeat these two rounds till the stitches on the side needles are reduced to 16.

Continue knitting the foot, the instep needle in ribbing and the heel needles plain till the work measures 9 inches from the back of the heel.

Decrease for toe, discontinue ribbing, start with instep needle. Knit 1, knit 2 together, knit to the last 3 stitches, knit 2 together, knit 1. 1st side needle, knit 1, knit 2 together, knit to the end of the needle. 2nd side needle, knit to the last three stitches, knit 2 together, knit 1.

Next round without decreasing.

Continue these two rounds till there are 14 stitches on the instep needle and 7 on each of the side needles.

Slip stitches on side needles onto one needle, making 14 on two needles.

Graft the toe as follows

Break the wool from the ball, leaving about 18 inches. Thread into a wool needle.

Bring wool from the back. Put needle through 1st front stitch as if to knit and take it off.

Put needle through 2nd front stitch as if to purl and leave it on.

Put needle through 1st back stitch as if to purl and take it off.

Put needle through 2nd back stitch as if to knit and leave it on.

Put needle through 2nd front stitch as if to knit and take it off.

Put needle through 3rd front stitch as if to purl and leave it on.

Put needle through 2nd back stitch as if to purl and take it off.

Put needle through 3rd back stitch as if to knit and leave it on.

Continue till all the stitches are woven off.

Run wool neatly down the side of the toe. Be very careful not to graft off too tightly.


The original publication of this pattern is in the public domain, however this modernised and clarified version is copyright Sarah Bradberry, May 3th 2012. All rights reserved.