3 Pairs of Men's Socks

from How to Knit, 1918, Dr. D. Jayne & Son, Philadelphia

Bed-Sock



MATERIALS: 1 hank yarn, 4 needles No. 2

Cast on 48 stitches on 3 needles, 16 on each. Knit plain and loosely for 20 inches. Decrease every other stitch by knitting 2 together with 12 stitches and weave together as per directions on Man's Knitted Sock.

Man's Knitted Hospital Stockings



MATERIALS: 1 hank yarn, 1 pair bone knitting needles No. 4

Cast on 60 stitches. Knit 2 stitches, purl 2 stitches across row. Repeat for 17 inches long. Then knit 1 row, purl 1 row; knit 1 row, purl 1 row. Knit 1 row, narrow (by knitting 2 stitches together) every 5th stitch. Purl 1 row, knit 1 row; purl 1 row, knit 1 row, narrow every 4th stitch. Purl 1 row, knit 1 row, narrow every 3rd stitch. Purl 1 row, knit 1 row, narrow every 2nd stitch. Purl 1 row, knit 1 row, narrow every 2nd stitch. Then bind off, sew up with worsted.

Man's Medium-Sized Sock



MATERIALS: 1 1/2 hanks of yarn, 4 needles No. 1

Set up 60 stitches, 20 on each of 3 needles. Knit 1 and purl 1 for 3 inches. Then knit 4 plain stitches, knit 2 together, repeat this until the round is completed. There are now 50 stitches on the needle. Knit 50 rows plain, until leg measures 11 inches (6 1/2 inches of plain knitting). Take half the number of stitches (25) on first needle for the heel (leaving 12 and 13 stitches on the second and third needles for the instep), and on the 25 stitches knit 1 row, purl 1 row, alternately for 26 times (or 3 inches), always slipping the first stitch. Begin to turn heel on the wrong side, slip 1, purl 13, purl 2 together, purl 1.

Turn work over, slip 1, knit 4, slip 1, knit 1 and pass it over slipped stitch, knit 1. Turn, slip 1, purl 5, purl 2 together, purl 1. Turn, slip 1, knit 6, slip 1, knit 1, and pass it over the slipped stitch, knit 1. Continue working toward the sides of the heel in this manner, leaving 1 more stitch between decreases on every row until all the stitches are worked in. There should then be 15 stitches on the needle. Pick up 13 stitches on side of heel, now knit the 25 stitches on 2nd and 3rd needle onto 1st needle, which becomes your second needle; with your 3rd needle, pick up the 13 stitches on other side of heel, and knit 7 stitches off your 1st needle, so that you will now have 21 stitches on the 1st needle, 25 stitches on the 2nd needle, and 20 stitches on the 3rd needle. 1st needle (a) knit to within 3 stitches of end, knit 2 together, knit 1. 2nd needle (b) knit plain. 3rd needle (c) knit 1, slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over, knit plain to end of needle. Knit around plain (d).

Repeat a, b, c, and d until you have 13 stitches on 1st needle, 25 stitches on 2nd, 12 stitches on 3rd. Knit plain for 4 1/2 inches. 1st needle (e) knit 10 stitches, knit 2 together, knit 1. 2nd needle (f) knit 1, slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over, knit 19 stitches. Knit 2 together, knit 1. 3rd needle (g) knit 1, slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over, knit 9 stitches, knit 2 rows plain (h).

Repeat e, f, g, and h 5 times, then narrow every other row until you have 5 stitches on your 1st needle, 9 stitches on your second needle and 4 stitches on your 3rd needle. Knit the 5 stitches on your 1st needle onto your 3rd. Your work is now all on 2 needles opposite each other. Break off yarn leaving 12-inch end. Thread into worsted needle and proceed to weave the front and back together as follows:

Pass worsted needle through 1st stitch (*) of front knitting needle as if knitting and slip stitch off - pass through 2nd stitch as if purling - leave stitch on, pull thread through 1st stitch of back needle as if purling, slip stitch off, purl thread through 2nd stitch of back needle as if knitting, leave stitch on. Repeat from "*" until all the stitches are off the needle.

Sock, when finished, should measure:
Foot, from tip of heel to tip of toe, 11 inches.
Leg, from tip of heel to tip of leg, 14 inches.