The second way is to take in 3 or 4 stitches at a time, as described in the knickerbocker hose. This is not so suitable for very small stockings, as more rounds require to be knitted between each intake, there being fewer of them.
=Striped Stocking.=--Six rows of black, and 1 or 2 of some colour, make a very pretty stocking.
Knit the top-band with the coloured worsted, then tie on the black at the side of the stitch chosen for the seam. Knit 5 rounds of black, and pass up the coloured. Give it a single twist round the black, taking care not to pull it too tight, but just sufficient to bring the stripes opposite to each other.
=Gentlemen's Knickerbocker, or Kilt Hose.=--Knitted with 4-ply fingering worsted--Needles, No. 16. Cast on 156 stitches. Knit 42 rounds for the top-band, 1 plain and 2 pearl stitches. Knit 1 round of holes, putting over the thread, and knitting 2 stitches together. Knit 1 round plain. Knit 114 rounds, 1 pearl and 2 plain stitches, or 9 inches in length.
The intakes of gentlemen's hose are done in the following manner:--
A pearl stitch should be fixed upon for the seam-stitch, by tying a coloured thread round it; and it ought to be knitted pearl and plain alternately.
There will be 2 plain stitches on each side of the seam-stitch.
Begin the intakes on the right hand side of the seam-stitch, by slipping the 5th stitch from it. Knit together the 4th, 3d, and 2d, then take the slipped stitch over.
This brings 2 plain stitches to the side of the seam-stitch again.
On the left hand side of the seam-stitch, slip the 2d stitch, knit together the 3d, 4th, and 5th, then take the slip-stitch over. Number of intakes:
4 with 7 rounds between. 1 " 8 " " 1 " 10 " " 1 " 11 " " 1 " 12 " "
This makes 8 intakes on each side of the seam-stitch, and reduces the stocking to 96 stitches. Knit 60 rounds for the ankle, or 4 inches. Then divide the stitches; placing 24 on each side of the seam-stitch. Knit 43 rounds for the heel, or 2¾ inches, continuing to knit it 1 pearl and 2 plain stitches. Then knit the top, and pick up the stitches, 34 on each side--10 being for the gusset. When this is finished, knit 79 rounds, or 5 inches, with the 1 pearl and 2 plain on the front of the foot, and plain on the back. Knit 7 rounds, all plain. Knit the toe, and cast off, with 16 stitches on each side of the foot.