Knitted Tennis Sock Pattern

The tennis socks pattern was originally published in November 1925 in The Needlecraft Magazine.

MATERIALS required. - Use four ounces of lightweight knitting wool, and four steel knitting needles, No. 14. The work should measure 9 stitches to the inch.

Cast on 80 stitches, placing 28 on the first and third needles, and 24 on the second.

Knit in ribbing, 2 plain, 2 purl for 4 inches.

Knit the rest of the sock plain.

Work 2 inches plain after the ribbing is finished and then begin to decrease as follows:

Knit 1, knit 2 together, knit to within 2 stitches of the end of the round, slip 1, knit 1, pass the slipped stitch over.

Knit 6 rounds without decreasing.

Repeat these 7 rounds 5 times more.

Work without decreasing until the leg measures 12 ½ inches from the beginning of the ribbing. If a long sock is liked, a few more rounds may be knitted.

To divide for the heel, knit 17 stitches, turn, and purl 34. Keep these stitches upon one needle for the heel and divide the other stitches upon two needles to wait until they shall be required for the instep.

Work 32 more rows upon the heel-stitches, the last row being a purled one.

To turn the heel, knit 19, knit 2 together, knit 1, turn; slip 1, purl 5, purl 2 together, purl 1, turn; slip 1, knit 6, knit 2 together, knit 1, turn; slip 1, purl 7, purl 2 together, purl 1, turn; continue to work in this way, taking in the extra stitches at each time of turning, until all the stitches are worked in.

Knit across the heel; with the same needle pick up and knit 17 stitches on the side of the heel-flap and knit off the first stitch of the instep. With the second needle knit the instep-stitches. Slip the last stitch of the instep on to the third needle; with this needle pick up and knit 17 stitches on the side of the heel, and knit 10 stitches of the heel.

Knit 1 plain round.

Next round. - Knit to within 2 stitches of the end of the first needle, knit 2 together, knit the stitches of the second needle, slip the first stitch of the third needle, knit the next stitch, pass the slipped stitch over, knit to the end of the round.

Repeat the last two rounds until the stitches are reduced to 68. Then knit without decreasing until the foot measures 9 inches from the back of the heel for an 11-inch sock, or 8 ½ inches if a 10 ½-inch sock is required.

Put the last stitch of the first needle and the first stitch of the third needle on to the instep-needle so that there are 34 stitches on the instep and 34 on the heel, and then decrease for the toe in the following manner:

1st round. - Knit to within 3 stitches of the end of the 1st needle, knit 2 together, knit 1; knit the first stitch of the 2d needle, slip 1, knit 1, pass the slipped stitch over, knit to within 3 stitches of the end of this needle, knit 2 together, knit 1; knit the first stitch of the 3d needle, slip 1, knit 1, pass the slipped stitch over, knit to the end of the round.

Knit 2 plain rounds.

4th round. - Same as the 1st round.

Knit 1 plain round.

Repeat the last 2 rounds until the stitches are reduced to 36. Knit to the end of the first needle, and then bind off and sew up the toe.

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