The Groundwork and the Colour Scheme - The Mistake of Tight Knitting - The Method of

"Work for each Row

There is no form of knitting more fascinating * than the manufacture of stocking-tops.

To knit with two coloured wools is almost as simple as knitting with one, since only one is used at a time, and the wool not in use hangs loosely till its turn comes. In changing from one colour to another, let the strand of wool pass over that which was last in use, and when the end of the row is reached, untwist the wools, so that they may not become hopelessly entangled.

The great fault to guard against is tight knitting. It is well to use thicker needles for the top than those employed for the remainder of the stocking; but even this is not sufficient to equalise the tension, unless the knitting is kept well stretched out, particularly when a change of wool is made.

To knit the stocking-top illustrated, cast 32 stitches on each of three needles (size 12 or 13), using dark wool. Join round and knit three rows of ribbing with 2 plain and 2 purl alternately, to prevent the stocking-top from rolling up at the edge when in use.

4th and 5th rows: Purl with dark wool.

6th and 7th rows: Plain knitting with dark wool.

8th row: Knit 1 stitch with light wool, and 3 with dark, and continue this alternation to the end of the round.

9th row: Knit 2 light stitches, * 1 dark and 3 light, and repeat from * to the end of the round.

10th row: Same as the 8th.

11 th to 13th rows: Plain knitting with dark wool.

14th nd 15th rows: Purl with dark wool.

The stocking top completed

The stocking-top completed

16th to 18th rows: Plain knitting with dark wool.

19th row: Knit 2 dark stitches, * 5 light and

3 dark. Continue from * to the end of the round.

20th row: Knit 1 dark stitch and 7 light stitches alternately to the end of the round.

21st row: Knit 1 light stitch and 3 dark stitches alternately to the end of the round.

22nd row: Knit 1 light stitch, 2 dark stitches, 3 light, 2 dark stitches, and repeat this combination to end of round. 23rd row: Same as 21st.

24th row: Knit 2 light stitches, * 5 dark stitches, 3 light stitches. Repeat from * to the end of the round.

25 th to 27th rows: Same as 21st to 23rd rows.

28th row: Same as 20th.

29th row: Same as 19th.

30th to 33rd rows: Plain knitting with dark wool.

34th and 35 th rows: Purl with dark wool.

36th and 37th rows: Plain knitting with dark wool.

38th to 40th rows: Same as 8th to 10th rows.

41st to 43rd rows: Plain knitting with dark wool.

44th to 46th rows: Purl with dark wool, to make the ridge on which the stocking-top turns over when worn.

Turn the work inside out and continue the leg and foot of the stocking in the ordinary way, using plain knitting or ribbing, as preferred.

Note. - The stocking, and particularly the top, looks better if it is pressed with a warm iron when it is finished.