Divide the remaining sts on 2nd and 3rd needles, for instep. Drop marker, go back and pick up solid and, starting with 18th rnd of pattern, continue to work around in pattern stitch until piece measures from marker (ending with either the 8th or 18th rnd of pattern) about 4" for sizes 8½ or 9, 5" for sizes 9½ or 10, or 6" for sizes 10½ or 11. Fasten off Mexicana yarn. On sizes 10 to 11 only, work 1 rnd with solid, decreasing 1 st directly above each Mexicana pattern (42 sts). On all sizes: Sl 1 st from beginning of 2nd needle onto end of 1st needle, then knit around in stockinette stitch with solid, until piece measures from marker, 4½" for size 8½, 5½" for size 9½, 6½" for size 10½—or about 4" less than desired size when completed.

To Shape Toe: 1st rnd: On 1st needle, k 2 tog., k across to last 3 sts, then sl 1, k 1, p.s.s.o., k 1. On 2nd needle, k 2 tog., k remaining sts. On 3rd needle, k across to last 3 sts, then sl 1, k 1, p.s.s.o., k 1. 2nd rnd: Knit around. Repeat the last 2 rnds alternately until 18 sts remain. Weave sts together; or bind off, fold and sew.

HEEL … Pull out marker, then pick up sole sts on 1st needle and divide remaining sts (leg sts) between 2nd and 3rd needles. Attach solid at beginning of 1st needle and k 1 rnd, picking up 1 st between 1st and 2nd needles, and 1 st between 3rd and 1st needles. There are 43 sts on needles. K 2 rnds straight, then shape as follows: 1st rnd: On 1st needle, k 2 tog., k across to last 3 sts, then sl 1, k 1, p.s.s.o., k 1. On 2nd needle, k 2 tog., k remaining sts. On 3rd needle, k across to last 3 sts, then sl 1, k 1, p.s.s.o., k 1. 2nd rnd: Knit around. Repeat the last 2 rnds alternately until 19 sts remain. Weave stitches together; or bind off, fold so that decreases are at sides, and sew.

STOCKING HAT (Long or Short) No. 380

Starting at the headband, with No. 5 needles and solid color, cast on 100 sts. Divide the sts on 3 needles and join, being careful not to twist. Work around in ribbing of k 2, p 2 for 5". Change to No. 3 needles and continue to work in ribbing as before until piece measures, in all, 8" for short hat or 23" for long hat. Next rnd: Dec. by purling together each group of 2 purl sts. Work around in pattern of k 2, p 1 for 3" (right side). Following rnd: Dec. by knitting together each group of 2 k sts. Work around in ribbing of k 1, p 1 for 1". Break off yarn, leaving a 12" length. Thread this end into a sewing needle and slip remaining 50 sts onto yarn, but do not fasten until later.

Cuff … With wrong side facing, using No. 5 needles and solid, pick up 91 sts around headband. Knit 4 rnds with solid, then attach Mexicana and work the 20 rnds of Pattern Stitch. Now work the 1st to 7th rnds incl. of Pattern Stitch once more. Knit 1 rnd with solid, decreasing to 88 sts. Fasten off Mexicana, k 3 more rnds with solid, and bind off.

Short Tassel … With Mexicana and crochet hook, starting 3" from end of yarn, ch 55. Fasten off, leaving a 3" end. Make 19 more chains in same way. Pin each chain out to measure 10", and press through damp cloth. Thread yarn at end of chain into sewing needle and form a loop by sewing securely in 1st ch made. Fasten off this end. Draw remaining 3" end of each loop to wrong side of hat, through opening at end. Thread ends through 4 holes in a 1" button, and knot securely. Draw tight last 50 sts of hat, and fasten securely between button and loops.

Long Tassel … Work same as for Short Tassel, but ch 135 instead of 55, and block each chain to measure 24".

CAP No. 380

CHILDREN'S KNEE LENGTH SOCKS No. 380

Sizes 7½ to 10

Starting at the cuff, with No. 3 needles and solid color, cast on 52 sts. Join, being careful not to twist. Work around in ribbing of k 2, p 2 for 4½", decreasing 10 sts on last rnd of ribbing (42 sts). Change to No. 5 needles and knit 4 rnds with solid. Attach Mexicana, and work around in Pattern Stitch until sock measures from end of ribbing (ending with either the 7th or 17th rnd of pattern) about 11" for sizes 7½ and 8, 12" for sizes 8½ and 9, or 13" for sizes 9½ and 10. Next rnd: Drop yarn; then, with contrasting colored thread for marker, knit across the next 20 sts with 1st needle (later to be heel sts). Divide remaining sts on 2nd and 3rd needles for instep. Drop marker, go back and pick up solid and, starting with next rnd of pattern, continue to work around in Pattern Stitch until piece measures from marker (ending with either the 8th or 18th rnd of pattern) about 3½" for sizes 7½ and 8, 4½" for sizes 8½ and 9, or 5½" for sizes 9½ and 10. Fasten off Mexicana, sl 1 st from the beginning of 2nd needle onto the end of the 1st needle, and continue knitting around in stockinette stitch with solid, until piece measures 4" less from marker than desired size when completed.

To Shape Toe: 1st rnd: On 1st needle, k 2 tog., k across to last 3 sts, then sl 1, k 1, p.s.s.o., k 1. On 2nd needle, k 2 tog., then k remaining sts. On 3rd needle, k across to last 3 sts, then sl 1, k 1, p.s.s.o., k 1. 2nd rnd: Knit around. Repeat the last 2 rnds alternately until 18 sts remain. Weave sts together; or bind off, fold so that decreases are at sides, and sew.

HEEL … Pull out marker, then pick up sole sts on 1st needle and divide remaining sts (leg sts) between 2nd and 3rd needles. Attach solid at beginning of 1st needle, and k 1 rnd, picking up 1 st between 1st and 2nd needles, and 1 st between 3rd and 1st needles. There are 43 sts on needles. K 2 rnds straight, then shape as follows:
   1st rnd: On 1st needle, k 2 tog., k across to last 3 sts, then sl 1, k 1, p.s.s.o., k 1. On 2nd needle, k 2 tog., k remaining sts. On 3rd needle, k across to last 3 sts, then sl 1, k 1, p.s.s.o., k 1. 2nd rnd: Knit around. Repeat the last 2 rnds alternately until 19 sts remain. Weave sts together; or bind off, fold so that decreases are at sides, and sew.

MITTENS No. 380