Abstract: A continuous length of textile tubing is knit on a circular knitting machine and includes a plurality of relatively long lengths of sleeve areas formed of a strong, wear resistant, reinforcing material such as fiberglass, polyester or an aromatic polyamide yarn separated by relatively narrow or shorter non-run sections formed by lock stitches or from yarn of a different material having rougher surface characteristics, or in other techniques which prevent running when cut. The sleeve areas are of a circumference such that, when the tube is stretched longitudinally prior to assembly on the hockey stick, the circumference is less than that of the hockey stick blade to which they are applied, and of such length as to effectively cover the tip, impact area, and handle/blade joint of a hockey stick.