Part 1
Knit Your Bit
Swiftly, to and fro, Let your needles fly! Be not yours to know Pause, for tear or sigh.
Stitch by stitch they grow, Garments soft and warm That will keep life’s glow In some shivering form.
Sweater, muffler, sock, For the soldiers’ wear! List to pity’s knock— For those “over there.”
Children’s voices, too, In the sad refrain, Wring our hearts anew, From that world of pain.
Banish for a while Tints of brighter hue, Welcome with a smile Khaki, gray and blue.
Days are cold and drear, Nights are long and bleak, Thoughts from home are dear, Where the cannons shriek.
Let some simple thing, That your hand employs, Cheer and comfort bring To our gallant Boys.
May there be no end To what love supplies! Thus their share we’ll send To our brave Allies! A. M. D.
October, 1917.
[Illustration: KNITTING _for the_ ALLIES]
KHAKI KNITTING BOOK
Edited by OLIVE WHITING
[Illustration: [Logo]]
COPYRIGHT 1917, by ALLIES SPECIAL AID 19 East 37th Street, New York, N. Y.
FOREWORD
This book is in no sense an instruction book, but for those who are familiar with the art of knitting the articles therein will be found practical and easy to make.
Thanks are due to the following:
American Polish Relief Committee, American Red Cross, Bear Brand Yarn Mfrs., Columbia Yarns, Comité Franco-American, Miss A. M. Drury, S. B. & B. W. Fleisher, Incorporated, Mrs. Horace Leeds, Modern Knitting Book, Modern Priscilla, Navy League Leaflet, Utopia Yarn Book and Mrs. Mary Willard, for permission to use directions and illustrations without which the book could not have been compiled.
THE EDITOR
The money from the sale of the KHAKI KNITTING BOOK goes to the Allies and anyone lending the book to a friend who can afford to buy one, defrauds the Allies.
THE EDITOR
INDEX
Sweaters
Ladies’ Knitted Sweater 1 Sleeveless Jacket 1 Ladies’ Knitted Slip-On Sweater 2 Large Sleeveless Jacket 3 Sleeveless Jersey 3
Wristlets
Regulation Wristlets 3 Knitted Wristlets 3 Wristlets 4 Crocheted Wristlets with Thumbhole, or Half Glove 4
Men’s Socks
Socks, in Plain Knitting 5 Bed Socks 6 Regulation Socks 6 Light Hard-Wearing Socks for Men 7 Man’s Socks 9 Knitted Socks for Service Wear 9 Heelless Socks 11 Bed Socks 12 Men’s Socks knit on 2 needles 12 Soldiers’ Knitted Sleeping or Stump Socks 12 Knitted Socks for Medium Sized Men 13 Crocheted Hospital Stockings 14 Knitted Sleeping Socks 15
Children’s Sweaters
Boys’ Knitted Sweater 15 Child’s Closed Sweater, with V neck 16 Child’s Knitted Slip-Over Sweater, with Collar 17 Child’s Knitted Sweater 18
Men’s Scarfs and Mufflers
Crocheted Scarf I 18 Crocheted Scarf II 19 Knitted Muffler 19
Men’s Mittens
Knitted Thumbless Mittens 19 Crocheted Thumbless Mittens 19 Men’s Knitted Mittens 20 Long Crocheted Wristlets with Thumbholes, or Half Glove 20 Crocheted Wristlets 21 Soldiers’ Knitted Fingerless Gloves, with Thumb and Index Finger 21 Knitted Mittens 22 Knitted Bath Mitt 23
Men’s Caps, Helmets, Abdominal Bands, etc.
Men’s Knitted Polo Caps 23 A Man’s Helmet, with Cape Pieces 24 Seamen’s Helmet 24 Helmet without Cape Pieces 25 Sleeping Cap 25 French Soldier’s Crocheted Cap 26 Knitted Cap, and Combination Scarf and Cap, for Convalescent Wear 27 Men’s Trench Caps 27 Ear Protectors with Head Band 27 Abdominal Band 28 Knitted Knee Caps 28 Knitted Eye Bandage 28 Knitted Wash Cloth 29 Knitted Hot Water Bottle Cover 29 Knee Cap 29 Abdominal Scarf Belt 30 Comfort Bags, for Soldier or Sailor 30
Boys’ Caps
Boys’ Knitted Polo Cap. See under Men’s Polo Cap. Boys’ Knitted Storm Cap 31
Infants’ Bands
Knitted Band 31
Baby’s Caps and Socks
Baby’s Knitted Hood 32 Infant’s Snowflake Hood 33 Infant’s High Knitted Bootees 33
Child’s Mittens
Child’s Knitted Mittens 33 Child’s Knitted Mittens 34–35 Baby’s Knitted Angora Mittens 36 Baby’s Thumbless Mittens 37–38 Child’s Mittens 38
Children’s Stockings
Child’s Socks 39 Boys’ Socks 40 Child’s Three-quarter Stocking, with Scotch Top 42 Crocheted and Knitted Ambulance or Hospital Blankets 43 Crocheted Blanket; Cross in Centre 43 Knitted Blocks for Blankets 43 Knitted Blanket with American Flag 44 Flag 44
Abbreviations Used
Ch.—Chain Stitch Sl. St.—Slip a stitch Sg. C.—Single Crochet D. C.—Double Crochet T. C.—Treble Crochet W.—to wrap wool around needle * and †—Mean that work described is to be repeated between them.
LADIES’ KNITTED SWEATER IN KIMONO STYLE
(_Courtesy of Columbia Yarns_)
For 36 or 38 Bust
8 Hanks of Columbia Floss 2 Celluloid Needles No. 5
Cast on 75 stitches for the back and knit plain. Work 75 ribs (2 rows form a rib) then increase 1 stitch at each end every other row until there are 91 stitches on the needle. Now cast on 65 stitches at each end for sleeves, work 30 ribs, slip the first 95 stitches off on an extra needle, bind off the next 31 stitches for the neck and on the remaining 95 start the front.
Front: Work 6 ribs for the shoulder, now increase 3 stitches every other row towards the neck until there are 110 stitches on the needle, work 23 ribs on this length, now bind off 65 stitches for the sleeves. Then decrease 1 stitch every other row towards the armhole until 37 stitches remain; work 75 ribs this length and bind off. Work 2nd front to correspond. Use the yarn double for the collar and cuffs. Pick up 50 stitches at the end of the sleeves for the cuffs, and work 17 ribs, bind off loosely. Sew up the underarm and sleeves. Pick up the stitches around the bottom of the sweater, work 14 ribs, bind off. Pick up the stitches in the right front, work 6 ribs and on the next row work buttonholes as follows. Knit 4 stitches* bind off 3 stitches, knit 15 stitches, repeat from * until you have 7 buttonholes. On the next row cast on 3 more stitches over the bound-off stitches, work 6 ribs more, bind off. Work border on left front omitting buttonholes. For the collar cast on 23 stitches, work 68 ribs, bind off, sew on to sweater leaving ½ the border extending beyond the collar each side.
SLEEVELESS JACKET
½ Pound gray or dark blue knitting yarn 2 Celluloid Needles No. 8
For sleeveless jacket, cast on 80 stitches. Knit 2, purl 2, for 4 inches. Knit plain until sweater measures 25 inches. Knit 28 stitches, bind off 24 stitches for neck, knit 28 stitches. Knit these last 28 stitches back and forth until you have made 7 ribs or 14 rows. This makes the shoulder. Cast on 24 stitches. Knit the 28 stitches on end of needle back and forth until you have 7 ribs, for the second shoulder. Knit plain for 21 inches. Purl 2, knit 2, for 4 inches. Sew up side, leaving 9 inches for armholes. Crochet 2 loose rows around each armhole and neck.
LADIES’ KNITTED SLIP-OVER SWEATER—Illustrated
(_Courtesy of Columbia Yarns_)
For 36 or 38 Bust
[Illustration]
19 Hanks of Columbia Teazle Wool 4 Balls of Columbia Angora Wool 2 Celluloid Knitting Needles No. 5
_Note_—2 rows form a rib.
_Back_—Cast on 75 stitches, knit plain for 18 inches, then increase 1 stitch at each end every other row 5 times, cast on 65 stitches at each end for sleeves. Knit 30 ribs, slip the first 95 stitches off on an extra needle, bind off 25 stitches for the neck and on the remaining 95 stitches start the front.
_Front_—Knit 5 ribs, then cast on 16 stitches toward the front, work 20 ribs, work second front to correspond, slip all the stitches on to one needle and work 9 ribs, now bind off 65 stitches at each end, this completes the sleeves, decrease 1 stitch at each end every other row 5 times, work on this length until front is as long as back, bind off loosely.
_Cuffs_—With Angora Wool pick up 50 stitches at end of sleeve, knit 16 ribs, bind off.
_Collar_—With Angora Wool cast on 20 stitches, knit 14 inches, bind off, sew in place, finish the front of neck with a row of slip stitches.
_Girdle_—Cast on 26 stitches, knit plain for 1½ yards.
_Balls_—With Angora Wool make a chain of 4 stitches, join in a ring, work round, working 2 Sg. C. in each stitch (always taking up the back loop of preceding row) until there are 22 stitches, work 8 rows plain, fill ball with cotton, decrease in the same manner as you increased until 4 stitches remain, draw together and sew to end of girdle.
LARGE SLEEVELESS JACKET
(_Courtesy of Mrs. Horace Leeds_)
3½ Hanks of Knitting Yarn, Gray or Khaki 2 Bone or Amber Knitting Needles No. 5
Cast on 92 stitches, knit 2, purl 2, for 4 inches. Knit plain for 21 inches, then knit 31 stitches, bind off 28 stitches; knit 31 stitches. Knit 7 ribs on each shoulder, cast on 28 stitches; knit plain 21 inches and knit 2, purl 2, for 4 inches. Sew up sides leaving ten inches for the armhole.
SLEEVELESS JERSEY
(_Courtesy of Miss M. E. Drury_)
2½ Skeins of Scotch Yarn 1 Pair Needles No. 6
Cast on 84 stitches. Knit 26 rows, 2 seam and 2 plain; knit 23 inches plain; knit 30 stitches and bind off loosely 24 stitches for the neck. Knit remaining 30 stitches. For shoulders knit 10 ribs (20 rows) on each of 30 stitches; then cast on 24 stitches, knit the 30 stitches on shoulder and then knit 23 inches of 84 stitches plain as before, knitting 2 seam and 2 plain for 26 rows. Sew together under the arms.
REGULATION WRISTLETS WITH THUMB
½ Hank gray Knitting Yarn 1 Pair Bone Knitting Needles No. 3
Cast on 52 stitches. Knit 2, purl 2, for 12 inches. Sew up, leaving 2-inch space for thumb 3 inches from top. Take up stitches and knit 4 rows for thumb. Bind off.
KNITTED WRISTLETS WITH SLIT FOR THUMB
(_Courtesy of Mrs. Horace Leeds_)
½ Hank of Worsted, Gray or Khaki 1 Pair of Steel Needles No. 11 or Amber No. 3
Cast on 52 stitches and knit 2, purl 2, for 12 inches. Sew up leaving slit for the thumb 2 inches long, 3 inches from one end.
WRISTLETS
Use any Soft Dark Wool 4 Steel Needles No. 14
Cast on 60 stitches (20 on each of the three needles), rib for 9 inches. Cast off loosely.
To make a wristlet with a thumbhole, use the same size needles. Cast on 60 stitches, 20 on each of the three needles; rib for 8 inches, cast off 9 stitches; knit 2 rows back and forth; cast on again the 9 stitches and knit 2 inches more. Bind off.
Wristlets No. 1
½ Hank of Yarn (1–8 lb.) 1 Pair Red Cross Needles No. 2
Cast on 48 stitches, knit 2 and purl 2 for 12 inches, and sew up leaving 2 inches open space for thumb 2 inches from the edge.
Wristlets No. 2
½ Hank of Yarn (1–8 lb.) 4 Red Cross Needles No. 1
Cast on 52 stitches on 3 needles; 16–16–20. Knit 2, purl 2, for 8 inches. To make opening for thumb, knit 2, purl 2, to end of 3d needle, turn; knit and purl back to end of 1st needle, always slipping first stitch; turn. Continue knitting back and forth for 2 inches. From this point continue as at first for 4 inches for the hand. Bind off loosely and buttonhole thumb opening.
CROCHETED WRISTLET WITH THUMBHOLE OR HALF GLOVE
1 Amber Hook No. 4
Chain 45 stitches. Join with slip stitch. 1st row: 1 single crochet in each chain stitch. 2nd row: 1 single crochet in each stitch. Repeat 2nd row for 40 rows. 41st row: 1 single crochet in each of first 19 stitches, chain 7, skip 7, for buttonhole, and 1 single crochet in each of the next 19 stitches. 42nd row: 1 single crochet in each stitch and 1 single crochet in each chain stitch of 7. Repeat 42nd row for 15 rows and finish around with slip stitch in each stitch. Fasten off.
On beginning chain at wrist, fasten yarn. 1 single crochet in stitch, * chain 1, 1 single crochet in same stitch, skip 1 stitch, and 1 single crochet in next stitch; repeat around from *.
SOCKS, in Plain Knitting
6 oz. 3-Ply Yarn 4 No. 11 Knitting Needles
Cast on 60 stitches, 20 stitches on each of 3 needles. Knit 2, purl 2, for 32 rounds. Knit plain for 11 inches.
_The Heel_—Put 30 stitches on the first needle, then equally divide the remaining stitches (required for the instep), on the second and third needles, to be left until the heel is finished.
On the 30 stitches knit alternately plain and purl 30 rows, always slipping the first stitch.
To turn the heel, knit 18, slip 1, knit 1, pass the slipped stitch over the knitted, turn, purl 8, purl 2 together, turn, knit 8, slip 1, knit 1, pass the slipped stitch over. Continue working in this manner until all the stitches are worked in, having the nine stitches on the needle under the heel, knit the two center stitches together.
_The Instep_—Knit across the first needle, and pick up 15 stitches on the side of the heel; knit on to the second needle the 30 stitches which were left for the instep; and with the third needle pick up the 15 stitches on the other side of the heel, and knit off 4 stitches from the first needle.
Knit 2 rounds plain.
To decrease knit the 3rd and 4th stitches together from the end of the first needle, knit across the second needle, and on the third needle, knit 2, slip 1, knit 1, pass the slipped stitch over. Do this in every third round until there are 15 stitches on each of the first and third needles.
Knit plain until the work measures 7 inches from the heel.
_For the Toe_—* Knit to within the last 3 stitches on the first needle, knit 2 together, knit 1: on the instep needle, knit 1, slip 1, knit 1, pass the slipped stitch over, knit to the last 3 stitches, knit 2 together, knit 1; on the third needle, knit 1, slip 1, knit 1, pass the slipped stitch over, knit to the end of the needle. Knit 1 round plain.
Repeat from * until the stitches are reduced to 24.
Divide the instep and foot stitches equally on to 2 needles. Turn the sock inside out and cast off the 2 needles together.
BED SOCKS
(_Courtesy of American Polish Relief Committee_)
2 No. 12 Steel Needles Any Knitting Yarn
Cast on 50 stitches. Knit 2, purl 2, for 30 rows. Knit 2 rows plain. Knit 24 stitches, increase 1 stitch and knit to end of row. Knit 25 stitches on next row, increase 1 stitch, knit 2, increase 1, and knit to end of row. Continue this widening in the center until you have 100 stitches, then knit 2 rows plain. Bind off, and sew up the back and foot.
REGULATION SOCKS—Illustrated
6½ Skeins 4-Ply Scotch Yarn 4 Steel Needles No. 13
Cast on 64 stitches, and rib in rows of knit 2, purl 2, for 4½ inches. Knit plain until the stocking measures 12 inches including the ribbing.
[Illustration]
_The Heel_—Knit 32 stitches on to one needle, and leave the remaining 32 on the other two needles for the instep. On the heel needle knit 30 rows of alternate knitting and purling, always slipping the first stitch. Then with the inside of the heel toward you, purl 18, purl 2 together, purl 1, turn. Knit 6 stitches, slip 1, knit 1, pass the slipped stitch over, knit 1, turn. Purl 7 stitches, purl 2 together, purl 1, turn. Knit 8 stitches, slip 1, knit 1, pass the slipped stitch over, knit 1, turn. Purl 9 stitches, purl 2 together, purl 1, turn. Knit 10 stitches, slip 1, knit 1, pass the slipped stitch over, knit 1, turn. Purl 11, purl 2 together, purl 1, turn. Knit 12, slip 1, knit 1, pass the slipped stitch over, knit 1, turn. Purl 13, purl 2 together, purl 1, turn. Knit 14, slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over, knit 1, turn. Purl 15, purl 2 together, purl 1, turn. Knit 16, slip 1, knit 1, pass the slipped stitch over, knit 1, turn. Purl 17, purl 2 together, turn. Knit 17, slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over. Pick up 16 stitches along the sides of the heel flap, knitting each stitch as you pick it up. Knit the 32 stitches of the instep needles on to one needle. Pick up and knit the 16 stitches along the other side of the heel flap, and knit on to this needle 9 stitches from the first needle.
Knit 1 round plain.
_The Gussets_—* On the first needle, knit to within 3 stitches of the end of needle, knit 2 together, knit 1. Knit instep needle plain. On third needle, knit 1, slip 1, pass the slipped stitch over, knit plain to end of needle. Knit 1 round plain *.
Repeat between * * until there are 62 stitches on the needles. Knit plain until the foot measures 9 inches (measured from the back of the heel).
_The Toe_—Knit 7, slip 1, knit 1, pass the slipped stitch over, repeat to the end of round. Knit 6 rows plain. Knit 5, slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over, repeat to end of round. Knit 4 rows plain. Knit 3, slip 1, knit 1, pass the slipped stitch over, repeat to end of round. Knit 3 rounds plain. Knit 2, slip 1, knit 1, pass the slipped stitch over, repeat to end of round. Knit 2 rounds plain. Knit 1, slip 1, pass the slipped stitch over, repeat to end of the round. Knit 1 round plain. Knit 1 round, decreasing once on the first needle, twice on the instep needle, and once on the third needle. This should leave 4 stitches on each of the foot needles and 8 on the instep needle. Knit the stitches on the two foot needles off on to one needle. Holding the two needles together, knit off 1 stitch from each needle at a time, bind off, and fasten end of wool securely. Length of finished foot should be 11 inches.
LIGHT HARD-WEARING SOCK FOR MEN
(Foot measures 10½ inches)
4 Ounces of 4-Ply Fingering 4 Steel Needles No. 12
Cast on 60 stitches (20 on each needle), rib in rows of knit 2, purl 2, or knit 3, purl 1, for 4 inches. Knit plain until the leg measures 11 inches including the ribbing. Divide the stitches so that one needle contains 30 stitches with 15 on each of the other 2 needles.
_To Make Heel_—Work forward and backward along the needle with the greatest number of stitches, slip 1, purl 1. Every row is the same, knit 16 rows and finish along the inside row. _To turn the heel flap._ Begin on an outside row. Slip 1, knit 11, * knit 2 together, knit 2, knit 2 together, knit plain to end of row * then purl along the inside row. _Outside Row._ Slip 1, knit 10 and repeat * to *. Continue knitting the inside and outside rows, knitting 1 less after the slip one in each outside row until there are 12 stitches on the needle. Finish along an inside row. _To pick up the sides of the Heel Flap._ Pick up and knit the inner loops of the chain at the left side of the flap, adding these to the 12 already on the heel needle.
Knit along the front of the sock, working the stitches on to one needle ready for the instep. Pick up and knit the inner loops of the chain at the right-hand side of the flap, and take off half of the 12 heel stitches on to this needle, dividing the stitches evenly on the 2 heel needles. The foot is knitted plain.
Now count the stitches in the whole round. The _difference_ between this number and the number of stitches in a round at the ankle will give the number of stitches to be decreased at the instep. Then divide number of stitches to be decreased by two and this will give the number of rounds in which intakes must be worked.
To work round of instep decreasings. Knit to within 2 stitches of the end of the left-hand heel needle, knit these 2 together. Knit along the instep needle. At the beginning of the right-hand heel slip 1, knit 1, and pull the slipped stitch over the knitted one. Knit to the end of round. Go on decreasing in this way until you have 4 consecutive rounds, then every other round until you have 15 stitches on each heel needle; the number of stitches on the 2 heel needles should be equal to the instep needle. Continue knitting plain rounds until the foot measures 9 inches, then commence to shape the toe, by beginning on the instep needle with 30 stitches.
1st round. * Slip 1, knit 2 together, † slip 1, knit 1; repeat from † to within 3 stitches of the end of the needle, then knit 2 together, knit 1. The 2 back needles with 15 stitches on each are to be treated as one needle and worked as the instep needle, therefore repeat from *. This completes the round.
2nd round. † knit 1, slip 1, repeat from † to end of round, knitting the last stitch.
3rd round. † Slip 1, knit 1, repeat from † to end of round, knitting the last stitch. Repeat from * to the end of third round 3 times. There should be 44 stitches in the round.
Next round. ** Slip 1, knit 2 together; * Slip 1, knit 1; repeat from * to within three of the end of needle, then knit 2 together. Knit 1. Repeat from ** for the working of the two back needles, treating them as one.
Next round. * Knit 1, slip 1; repeat from * to end of round, but knit the last stitch. Repeat from ** till the stitches number 12.
Divide the stitches equally on 2 needles and cast off, darning the end of the wool up and down the side of the toe to make the fastening very secure. Fold the sock along the centre back of leg and press under a heavy weight.
MAN’S SOCKS
(_Courtesy of S. B. & B. W. Fleisher, Incorporated_)
1 Hank of Fleisher’s Knitting Worsted 4 Steel Needles No. 15
Cast on 80 stitches equally divided on 4 needles. Knit 2, purl 2, making rib of 2 and 2 for 50 rows.
Now begin to knit plain, making 1 stitch the seam stitch. Continue knitting plain until the sock measures 7 inches in length (including the ribbing). Now narrow on each side of the seam stitch for the ankle. This is done by knitting to within last 3 stitches of seam, then slip 1, knit 1, draw the slipped stitch over the knitted one, knit 1, purl the seam stitch, knit 1, knit 2 together, knit the rest plain. Repeat this 5 times, doing 5 rounds between each narrowing. Now knit plain until the leg measures 10½ inches.
Divide the stitches for the heel, have 17 on each side of seam; knit and purl the stitches until the heel measures 3 inches. Always slip first stitch whether it be knitted or purled.
Now knit across, knit 20 stitches, knit 2 together, knit 1, turn; purl 5, purl 2 together, purl 1, turn; knit 5, knit 2 together, knit 1, repeat these 2 rows until you have only 7 stitches left. Now pick up side stitches, do 3 plain, then narrow.