In the cooler climates homes used to be bitingly cold and often damp, especially when constructed of stone. Fireplaces and hefty iron stoves warmed toes in wet socks, provided heat for cooking and for many was the only opportunity to get the laundry dry during winter. Many confined days and evenings were spent knitting up supplies of all manner of items, some quite weird, to keep our various body parts from freezing to the bone. Apart from the obvious thick socks, there were family needs to be considered; often the elderly and invalid were being cared for at home. Women and children even knitted bandages and medical garments. Among the woolies required you would find bed socks, heel-less bed socks, slippers, long-armed gloves, caps, tubular sleeves, knee-caps, wrist warmers for arthritis, scarves, bed-jackets and wraps. One interesting item is the body warmer, worn of course over the abdomen if one suffered severely from the icy weather. It no doubt was used for the bed-bound and aged. You might make this up for amusements sake and then find it toasting your tummy under your nightgown next winter.
2 X 50g balls 4ply wool Set 4.00mm double point needles Set 3.00mm double point needles
With 3.00m needles, cast on 180 sts, more if you need them. Row 1: K2 *P1, K1* repeat around, working in the round. Rib for 5" - 6". With 4.00mm needles work stocking stitch for length required (8" - 10"), then repeat the rib as for beginning. Finish off ends. If preferred, use 8ply wool and suitable needles, adjusting number of cast on stitches.
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