Early WWII Patterns from the Glasgow Herald

KNITTING FOR HOSPITALS

WITH APPROVED INSTRUCTIONS

The universal occupation of women in war-time is knitting, and already almost instinctively many women have felt that they wanted to be doing something by way of preperatation of those warmth-giving articles which may mean so much to the comfort of the wounded.

Here then are two patterns, as approved by the British Red Cross Society. Eventually when completed, and some supplies accumulated, they can be sent to any Women's Voluntary Services office, or to any other official address which may appear from time to time in the press appealing for hospital supplies.

Heel-less Bed Sock

Measurement when finished, 22 inches.

Materials required: 5oz, of white 4-ply wool and 4 No.8 bone or vulcanite needles.

Cast on 60 stitches (that is 20 on each of three needles). Knit one round plain.

Then knit 2 purl 2 until a length of 10 inches is worked, then knit all plain for another 10 inches.

Knit one round plain, next round decrease 1 stitch about the centre of each of two needles, and one the beginning and end of third needles; knit next round plain.

Then knit 6, take 2 together; repeat to end of tound.

Knit 6 rounds plain.

Knit 5, take 2 together; repeat to end of round.

Knit 5 rounds plain.

Knit 4, take 2 together; repeat to end of round.

Knit 4 rounds plain.

Knit 3, take 2 together; repeat to end of round.

Knit 3 rounds plain.

Knit 2, take 2 together; repeat to end of round.

Knit 2 rounds plain.

Knit 1, take 2 together; repeat to end of round.

Knit 1 round plain.

Next round: Knit every 2 together, then knit 2, slip the first knitted one over the second, continue until last stitch, through which draw the wool, leaving a length of 4 or 5 inches to be neatly fastened off with darning needle.

Heel-less Operation Stocking

Measurement of stocking when finished, 36 inches in length.

Materials required for a pair, 8oz. of white 4-ply vest wool; 4 No. 8 bone needles.

Cast on 68 stitches and knit on two needles, one row plain, and then rib-purl 2, knit 2-for four inches. Put the work on to three needles-24 stitches on two and 20 stitches on the third needle, and knit round and round still in the rib until work measures 34 inches.

Then knit one round plain, next round decrease one stitch about the centre of each of two needles, and the beginning and end of the third needle. Knit the next round plain.

Then:-

Then knit 6, take 2 together; repeat to end of tound.

Knit 6 rounds plain.

Knit 5, take 2 together; repeat to end of round.

Knit 5 rounds plain.

Knit 4, take 2 together; repeat to end of round.

Knit 4 rounds plain.

Knit 3, take 2 together; repeat to end of round.

Knit 3 rounds plain.

Knit 2, take 2 together; repeat to end of round.

Knit 2 rounds plain.

Knit 1, take 2 together; repeat to end of round.

Knit 1 round plain.

Next round: Knit every 2 together, then knit 2, slip the first knitted one over the second, continue until last stitch, through which draw the wool, leaving a length of 4 or 5 inches to be neatly fastened off with darning needle.

-The Glasgow Herald September 19. 1939