KNITTED SOCKS FOR MEDIUM SIZED MEN

(Courtesy of American Red Cross)

4 Red Cross Needles No. 1

½ lb. (2 Hanks) of Yarn

Set up 60 stitches, 20 on each of three needles. Knit 2 plain and 2 purl for 35 rows (4½ inches.) 36th row knit 4 plain stitches, knit 2 together; repeat this until the round is completed. There are now 50 stitches on the needles. Knit 50 rows plain until leg measures 11 inches. (6½ 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), add 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, and pass it over 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 2d and 3d needle on to one needle, which becomes your 2d needle; with your 3d 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 2d needle, and 20 stitches on 3d needle. 1st needle (a) knit to within 3 stitches of end, knit 2 together, knit 1. 2d needle (b) knit plain. 3d needle (c) knit 1, slip 1, knit 1, 14pass 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 2d, 12 stitches on 3d. Knit plain for 4½ inches. 1st needle (e) knit 10 stitches—knit 2 together, knit 1. 2d needle (f) knit 1, slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over, knit 19 stitches. Knit 2 together, knit 1. 3d 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 2d needle and 4 stitches on your 3d needle. Knit the 5 stitches on your 1st needle on to your 3d. 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 2d stitch as if purling—leaving stitch on, pull thread through 1st stitch of back needle as if purling, slip stitch off, purl thread through 2d 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 top of leg, 14 inches.