French Knickers, 1940's
French Knickers made in crepe or wool
Materials: 5 hanks of pure silk crepe or 5 oz. of 3-ply wool, 2 No. 10 (US #3) and 2 No. 12 (US #2) knitting needles, elastic as required
Tension: 7 sts. and 9 rows to 1 in. (on No. 10 needes)
For size smaller work at a tension of 8 sts. and 10 rows to 1 ins.
Note--With this patt. sts vary on each of the 3 rows. See **. Beginning at lower edge of right leg with No. 10 needles, cast on 190 sts. and work in patt. as follows:
1st to 4th rows--Knit.
5th row--K.1, * k. 2 tog., m.1, sl.1, k.1, p.s.s.o.; rep. from * ending k.1 (143 sts.) **.
6th row--K.1, * p.1, (k.1, p.1) into next st., p.1; rep from * ending k.1 (190 sts.) **.
7th row--Sl.1, k.1, p.s.s.o., * m.1, sl.1, k.1, p.s.s.o.; rep. from * to end (189 sts.) **.
8th row--Purl. (189 sts).
9th row--K.2, k. twice into next st., * sl.1, k.1 into next st. but leave the loop on left-hand needle, p.s.s.o., then pass 2nd st. on left-hand needle over the loop (i.e., 2nd half of st. just worked), then k. the loop, k. twice into next st.; rep. from * ending k.2 (190 sts.).
10th row--Purl.
11th to 15th rows--Rep. 5th to 9th rows once.
16th to 18th rows--Garter st.
Change to stockinette st. and work 22 more rows.
Shape Front and Back Seams.
Next row (right side facing)--K.2 tog., k. to last 2 sts., sl.1, k.1, p.s.s.o.
Next row--P. to last 2 sts., p 2 tog.
Rep. these 2 rows 7 times.
Continue to dec. at beg. of 4th row, right side facing for front seam, then dec. at back seam every 8th row until 148 sts. remain.
Next row--K.71, k.2 tog., k.2, sl.1, k.1, p.s.s.o., k.71.
Next row--Purl.
Continue to decrease on front and back seams and on the 2 sts. in centre on every 4th row until 125 sts. remain.
Shape depth at Back.
Next row (wrong side facing)--P. to 27 sts., from end, turn and k. back.
P.47, turn and k. back.
P.67, turn and k. back.
P.87, turn and k. back.
P.107, turn and k. back.
Change to No. 12 needles and k.1, p.1 rib for 2 ins. (24 rounds).
Cast off in rib.
Work another leg to match, reversing shaping.
To Make Up. Join half-shaped part to seam edge. Now join both legs together. Press well under a damp cloth and warm iron. Run round elastic through ribbing on inside of waist, picking up one side only of each k. st. Several rows of elastic should be inserted for strength. If flat elastic is used it is sewn to the wrong side of the ribbing with herringbone stitch, worked over the unstretched elastic. The ribbing should be stretched during the sewing.
