Plain Knitted Stocking

Plain Knitted Stocking
Treasures in Needlework, 1870

This pattern features strange terminology, archaic needle sizes, as well as the oddest heel shaping I've ever seen in a sock or stocking.

Evan's Boar's Head Cotton, No. 24, or fine lamb's wool; 4 needles, No. 16.

(A turning in two rows, because at every second round the seam-stitch is pearled.)
Cast on 40 stitches on each of two needles, and 41 on the 3rd needle; the 41st (or odd stitch) is always the seam-stitch at the back of the stocking. Every alternate row of the seam stitch must be pearled, as if it were a straigth piece instead of round knitting.
To form the welts--which are the rounds of ribbed stitches, at the top of every sock or stocking, to prevent their curling up--K 4, P 4 (or turn 4), there will be 40 ribs and 1 odd stitch (which is the seam-stitch), K 60 rows or 30 turnings, then narrow at the seam-stitch; K 6 rows or 3 turnings more, and narrow 6 or 3 more, and narrow; K 3 turnings and widen, K 3 more and widen, K 2 more and widen, K 10 turnings or 20 rows and narrow, K 4 turnings and narrow, K 4 more and narrow, K 3 and narrow, K 3 and narrow, K 2 and narrow until the leg is small enough.
For the heels, take half the stitches on the seam needle, being an equal number on each side of the seam, and K 22 turnings or 46 rows, then cast half of these stitches off; then double the heel the two right sides together, and bind the stitches one over the other, pick up the stitches that are under the heel on one needle, having the other two needles in front, decrease or narrow one stitch on each side the heel for 3 rows, then K 100 rows, then narrow by K 2 * 6 times at regular divisions; then K 12 rows and narrow at every 6th stitch, then sew the tops together.