Pattern For Gaiters

LADIES KNITTED GAITER

6oz of 4 ply wool (or 25g balls) Set of 4 double-pointed needles UK size 10 (US size 3 or 3.25mm)

SIZE

As is usual, the original pattern gives no idea of sizing -- only that it is a "ladies". Knitted according to the instructions it comes out exceedingly petite - make it for your pet turkey. If you've got an average leg, take scrap wool, cast on the required stitches and see how this goes around your thigh. Since it is knitted from the top down, you can see if this will fit. If you have a nice meaty leg, try knitting the gaiters in 5 ply wool on needles to suit. You can even do these in 8 ply if that's what you need. (To give you an idea of measurement, my gaiter was 10 inches across, unstretched over garter stitch at thigh).

A little garter to match can quickly be knitted in plain knit to your thigh measurement. Cast on about 8 stitches and continue until long enough to tie up. No modern elastic! - but you can use India Rubber. (Whew!) Whatever, you will cut off your circulation and have seductive blue thighs to expose. Hence - the suspender belt was invented.

Begin at the top of leg. Cast on 62 sts on one needle.

Rows 1-34: K2, P2 across row. Rows 35-60: Knit all rows in garter stitch. Rows 61-100: K2TOG at beg and end of each alternate row until 22 sts remain.

Now cast on 23 sts on a third needle, work on these, and across the 22sts, cast on 23 more sts. You will have 23 sts each side of the 22 sts which form the centre of the knee.

Knit 24 rows on all sts, then 24 rows of K2, P2 rib. Knit 34 plain rows of garter stitch.

In the next round the decrease for the calf is commenced. K2, K2TOG, K60, K2TOG, K2. Knit 5 rows without decreasing, then work a row, decreasing after the two first, and before the two last sts. Continue to decrease with five plain rows between, until you have decreased 9 times. Work 32 rows plain.

Now divide the stitches on 3 needles, 16 on each side and 18 in the centre. Knit across the first 16 sts, knit one at the back and one at the front of the first 18 stitches, K16, knit one at the front and one at the back of the next stitch. Knit the 16 sts on the other needle, turn and knit back. Increase in the same way twice more with the plain row between. (This is just an ordinary increase of knit into back and front of same stitch - written today as inc.)

Go To Page: 1 2