Did we ever really have time to knit gaiters? Indeed we did, for Harrison's Complete Guide To The Work-Table says: "... a very warm covering for the feet and legs, and will be found very useful for ladies who reside in the country and who have to drive some distance to dances or dinner parties, or for daytime drives in cold weather."

This useful book of the late Victorian years gives winding instructions for the knitting of these gaiters, also offering a smart version for the gentlemen, including a nifty pair of knee-caps.

The gaiter, mainly composed of garter stitch was a type of stocking worn over regular silk hosiery to add an extra layer for warmth in those chilly carriage rides. They were designed footless, with an instep piece that covered the shoe, fastening under the foot with a two-inch strap of webbing.

To make up the article, six ounces of 4-ply Peacock yarn in white or black is required and a set of four "pins" No. 10 measured on Walker's bell gauge. Commencing at the thigh and knitting in rows, a typical ribbing starts off the pattern which is then continued on in regular garter stitch. A gusset is worked under the knee for comfort when sitting. Twenty four rounds of knit two, purl two ribbing encircle the calf. Some decreasing follows and once the length is reached, shaping of the ankle begins.

After a set of gaiters for the family, you could happily venture on to the knee-caps, decorating these with a frilly crochet edge. Of course the industrious woman would always be clicking away on yet another stocking. She would commonly wear a sort of apron bag around her waist into which she dropped her current work so it was every ready to whip out when there was an idle moment, such as waiting for the kettle to boil. It was frequently recommended to have something on hand to keep the fingers busy so that no time was wasted just sitting and encouraging pretentious thoughts to arise.

A clever housewife could produce a basket of the most wondrous novelties. There was a true sense of pride in lovingly producing gaiters, knee-caps, elbow warmers, wrist covers, garters, long gloves, woolen bodices, Canadian bonnets, wrappers and all manner of winter necessities. She could also squeeze in ear protectors for the horse, and when there was nothing left to do there were never enough bootlaces. Yes, these were knit in strong, black glazed cotton using the i-cord technique (tube knitting).

I will be posting my own gaiter design shortly called Damson. Meanwhile Harrison's Complete Guide To The Work-Table presented this pattern for its wide-eyed readers:

MATERIALS

6oz of 4 ply wool

Set of 4 double-pointed needles (sample used 3.25mm/UK 10/US size 3)

SIZE

As is usual, the original pattern gives no idea of sizing -- only that it is a "ladies". Knitted according to the instructions it comes out exceedingly petite -- make it for your pet turkey. If you've got an average leg, take scrap wool, cast on the required stitches and see how this goes around your thigh. Since it is knitted from the top down, you can see if this will fit. If you have

a meaty leg, try knitting the gaiters in 5 ply wool on needles to suit. You can even do these in 8 ply if that's what you need. (To give you an idea of measurement, my sample gaiter was 10 inches across measured over relaxed garter stitch at thigh).

A little garter to match can quickly be knitted in plain knit to your thigh measurement. Cast on about 8 stitches and continue until long enough to tie up. No modern elastic! but you can use India Rubber (whew!). Whatever, you will cut off your circulation and have seductive blue thighs to expose. Hence, the suspender belt was invented.

Begin at the top of leg. Cast on 62 sts on one needle.

Rows 1-34: K2, P2 across row.

Rows 35-60: Knit all rows in garter stitch.

Rows 61-100: K2TOG at beg and end of each alternate row until 22 sts remain.

Now cast on 23 sts on a third needle, work on these, and across the 22sts, cast on 23 more sts. You will have 23 sts each side of the 22 sts which form the centre of the knee.

Knit 24 rows on all sts, then 24 rows of K2, P2 rib. Knit 34 plain rows of garter stitch.

In the next round the decrease for the calf is commenced. K2, K2tog, K60, K2tog, K2. Knit 5 rows without decreasing, then work a row, decreasing after the two first, and before the two last sts. Continue to decrease with five plain rows between, until you have decreased 9 times. Work 32 rows plain.

Now divide the stitches on 3 needles, 16 on each side and 18 in the centre. Knit across the first 16 sts, knit one at the back and one at the front of the first 18 stitches, K16, knit one at the front and one at the back of the next stitch. Knit the 16 sts on the other needle, turn and knit back. Increase in the same way twice more with the plain row between. (This is just an ordinary increase of knit into back and front of same stitch -- written today as inc.)

Now work only on the 24 sts on centre needle. Work 12 rows on these, then work a row decreasing by K2tog at the beginning and end of the row. Knit 12 rows. Work a row, decreasing by K2tog at the beginning and end of the row. Knit 12 rows.

Now pick up one stitch at the end of each ridge down each side of front, then work 6 rows on all stitches, cast off. Sew the gaiter together up the back of the leg, and sew the cast on stitches at the under part of knee to the edge of the decreased rows. This will form a kind of gusset. Check the picture to see how it all comes together.

Full graphics version here

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