Abstract: Reference is made to shorts or little skirt with an integral inner slip in which the shorts or little skirt on the one side, and the inner slip on the other side, are knitted together as one piece along their waistbands. A double layer knitting manufacturing process is described according to which the shorts or little skirt on the one side, and the inner slip on the other side, are knitted together in paralled rows along a common waistband running perpendicularly to their body axes, and pairs of shorts/skirts and inner slips are knitted continuously to subsequent pairs along common doubled seamed separating zones. Individual pairs of shorts/inner slips are then separated from the next pair and each pair is then subsequently folded into itself along a flexible transition point located in the waistband. According to the invention, the products are used to hold absorbant insert pads for use by incontinent adults.

Abstract: A knit fabric is made of a combination of a corespun yarn having a core of a resilient continuous filament yarn covered by a cotton fiber and a cotton yarn. These yarns are knit together in such a manner that one side of the knit fabric exposes only one of the yarns while the other side of the knit fabric exposes the knit combination of both yarns. The knit fabric is easily and comfortably manipulated while posessessing improved mechanical properties such as strength, durability, and stretch and recovery.

Abstract: This invention relates to a panty hose garment worn by a dancer or entertainer who is also wearing a revealing costume such as a G-string. This invention avoids the problem of having to roll down the top edge of the panty hose garment to be hidden underneath the dancer's or entertainer's costume. When the dancer or entertainer puts on the panty hose garment, according to this invention, it is stretched to a point such that the edges of the panty hose garment ride on the dancer's or entertainer's hips. The front slopes down in a V-shaped configuration following the contours of the G-string costume such that the edge is completely concealed by the G-string. The panty hose garment further includes a teardrop shaped crotch panel, such that the edges of the crotch panel do not extend over the edges of the G-string costume.

Abstract: A blank for panties or briefs having a tubular knit body formed of 360.degree. courses and a single panel extending from a portion of the last course are formed on a circular knitting machine. The single panel is knit with vertical sides along respective wales. Guide lines are knit into the body section and the single panel to provide a cutting guide for the proper shape for leg openings.

Abstract: The invention relates to V-shaped briefs which can be produced in one piece and which consist of a preferably elastic crotch or gusset part and two side bands of essentially uniform width made of a decorative knitted border. The briefs are produced by continuously knitting single or double layer material widths which after having separated only need to be worked on along one seam or not at all in order to obtain the finished briefs. In addition, it is possible to sew on stocking parts with a very steep leg line. Production is considerably simplified and costs greatly reduced without adversely affecting the wearing properties and the fashionable appearance of the garment.

Abstract: A pair of stockings are joined at the inner upper edge to form an integral garment connected by a crotchpiece. The crotchpiece extends between the two upper leg portions after being sewn to a portion of the top edge of each stocking. The stockings are worn under, and supported by, a pair of conventional panties. Additional support comes from a circumferential elastic band formed at the top of each stocking by a unique combination of spandex, nylon and cotton yarns. The band fits snugly around the thigh to prevent the stockings from slipping downwardly.

Abstract: The cotton characteristics are provided in the panty portion of the pantyhose of the present invention by knitting alternate single courses of the panty portion of a thermoplastic yarn and a much larger cotton yarn in plated relationship with the thermoplastic yarn. Stretchable characteristics are provided in the panty portion of the pantyhose by knitting intervening single courses of the panty portion of a thermoplastic yarn and a plated spandex yarn. The much larger cotton yarn, knit in alternate single courses, is predominant on both the inside and outside of the panty portion. The sheer legs of the pantyhose are formed by merely discontinuing the knitting of the cotton yarn in alternate single courses of the leg and discontinuing the knitting of the thermoplastic yarn so that the legs are formed of alternate single courses of thermoplastic yarn and intervening single courses of spandex yarn.

Abstract: A turned welt-type knitted waistband for use in pantyhose and like garments, wherein selected periodic courses in an annular region of the inward welt ply have an uncovered elastomer filament in alternate knit and float stitches for partial exposure of the float stitches for intermittent frictional contact with a wearer's body or another undergarment to assist in retaining the waistband place when worn.

Abstract: An undergarment according to the invention combines underpants, socks and leg-covering stockings in a single garment. The sock portions of the garment are reinforced, and are knitted continuously with the leg portions. Such an undergarment can provide men with the benefit of recent developments in fabric and knitting technology, such as light weight, warmth, and stream-lined comfort.

Abstract: A security pocket formed at the waistband of a woman's pantyhose or like undergarment for the secure storage of valuables, e.g. a credit card, currency, keys, or identification. The pocket includes an interior flap for retaining such stored items within the pocket. The flap may be knitted with an uncovered elastomer yarn partially exposed at a surface of the flap facing the body of the garment to provide frictional adhering contact therewith for added security.

Abstract: A panty brief consists wholly or partly of elastic textile material, preferably made by knitting or crocheting, and is formed as a flat, substantially rectangular bag which is closed along three marginal zones. The bag is open in the whole extension of one longitudinal edge to provide a waist opening at the non-connected marginal zones, and is provided with two leg openings.To produce such a panty brief, having inclined leg openings and a good fit, without any form of after-fashioning, inexpensively and by automatic machines, the leg openings are located opposite one another in the two side of the bag in a position between the marginal zone and the opposite marginal zone so that two of the interconnected marginal zones are placed in the front and the back of the panty brief, while the third is located in the crotch region of the panty brief between the leg openings.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of manufacturing knitted briefs and the briefs made by the method. In accordance therewith, two separate seamless tubular blanks are knit each with a knit-in waistband, a body portion and a crotch portion. The tubular blanks are each slit walewise, and the free coursewise edges of the crotch portions are sewn together by a crotch seam.Thereafter the side edges of the combined blank are trimmed to define the leg openings, and narrow elastic is sewn to the side edges. The side edges of the body portions are then sewn together. The yarn at the crotch area is then bulked to further reduce the crotch width.

Abstract: A knitted garment, such as tights, is made using circular knitting machine for simultaneously making several pairs of the garment, with two tubular legs and a body portion having a front and a back. The machine comprises a movable unit carrying a cylinder with a circle of cylinder needles and a plate carrying an adjacent circle of plate needles. The movable unit moves with alternating rotary movement relative to several thread guides disposed around the circles of needles. In order to make several garments simultaneously, the circles are divided into as many arcuate groups of needles as there are garments. Each arcuate group is divided into two equal sub-groups separated by a middle group. The needles of each group are automatically brought into operation in a sequence to knit the toes and legs (on the subgroups), then the crotch (using the middle group as well), then the body (still using two threads, one for the left-hand and one for the linked right-hand side).

Abstract: Several pairs of tubular articles are formed on two circular fixed fronts of needles using threads reciprocating transfer mechanism. The articles are alternatively formed by the two fronts by using sets of needles whose number may also vary. By using adjacent sets of needles, the two tubular, leg-shaped articles of each pair are successively formed to make up a body, that is, the panties portion for a pantyhose garment.

Abstract: A plurality of brief blanks are knitted interconnected in side-by-side relationship upon a circular knitting machine. The tube is then slit, either on or off the knitting machine, to sever the interconnection, the slit portions being then coursewise separated to provide a plurality of brief blanks of the required form.

Abstract: A circular knitting machine for simultaneously making several pairs of tights and the like, with two tubular legs and a body portion having a front and a back, comprises a movable unit carrying a cylinder with a circle of cylinder needles and a plate carrying an adjacent circle of plate needles. The movable unit moves with alternating rotary movement relative to several thread guides disposed around the circles of needles. In order to make several garments simultaneously, the circles are divided into as many arcuate groups of needles as there are garments. Each arcuate group is divided into two equal sub-groups separated by a middle group. The needles of each group are automatically brought into operation in a sequence to knit the toes and legs (on the sub-groups), then the crotch (using the middle group as well), then the body (still using two threads, one for the left-hand and one for the linked right-hand side).

Abstract: The present panty is formed of first and second seamless tubular knit blanks each of which includes an inwardly turned welt on one end, a predetermined length of body yarn and inwardly contracted mock rib areas formed by incorporating elastic yarn therein. The inwardly contracted mock rib area of one seamless blank is much longer than the other and is adapted to form the crotch area of the panty. Cotton yarn is incorporated on the inwardly contracted mock rib areas and forms inwardly extending terry loops. The seamless blanks are longitudinally slit and then joined together by a transverse seam extending across and connecting the inwardly contracted mock rib areas and opposite side seams are formed along opposite sides of the body portions of each blank and the inwardly turned welts to complete the panty and join the waistband and form a waist opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making mesh tights or panty-hose, with seam and elastic belt incorporated therein, and to tights obtained thereby. Over the height of the elastic belt, in a strip of about 2 cm width on either side of the slit made for joining two hose elements by a seam, an elastic yarn is knitted with one needle out of two, on the needles of the strip with the exception of the central needle, then the basic yarn is knitted on all the needles of the circular machine used, the hose elements are slit along the wale of the central needle and are joined by a seam.

Abstract: The crotch area is integrally knit with the pantyhose blanks to eliminate the need for separately knit and cut crotch patches. The integrally knit crotch area includes a repeating four-course pattern of course portions with certain of the course portions including alternating jersey stitches and tuck loops to form openings in the crotch area and provide ventilation thereto. The repeating course portions also include selected courses with a hydrophilic yarn knit in plated relationship and on the inside of the body yarn to provide moisture-absorbing characteristics to the crotch area.

Abstract: The body bulge controlling portion of the panty hose has elastic yarn incorporated therein to provide a medium amount of compressive force against the body of the wearer and is positioned between portions of the panty hose having a relatively great amount of compressive force and a relatively small amount of compressive force. The compressive force against the body is thereby varied in a stepped or gradual manner so as to eliminate or minimize the abrupt outward bulging of the underlying portion of the body of the wearer. In one embodiment of the panty hose, the body bulge controlling portion is positioned between a panty girdle portion with a great amount of compressive force and the sheer legs which include very little if any compressive force. In another embodiment, the bulge controlling portion is positioned between the elastic waistband and the upper portion of the panty of the panty hose.

Abstract: A method and garment is provided for maintaining the body temperature of a patient undergoing surgery in an operating room where the ambient temperature is normally below the normal body temperature. The garment is constructed of cut segments of stretchable circular knit seamless fabric and includes arm and leg portions which extend beyond the length of the corresponding hands and feet of the patient. The cut segments are oriented so that the free open ends of the components of the garment are formed by the ends of the cut segments which will not ravel and it is not necessary to seam or hem the free open ends. The garment is constructed in an economical manner so that the garment may be disposed of after the surgical procedure is completed and the stretchable knit fabric provides a snug fit on a wide range of body sizes and shapes.

Abstract: The garment has a body portion with an internal pouch which is adapted to receive an absorbent pad. The pouch is formed of a liquid impervious panel situated adjacent to the body portion and a liquid penetrable panel secured along its sides to the body portion. The sides of the liquid impervious panel extend from the body portion toward the liquid penetrable panel, to which same are attached, so as to form a liquid retention barrier along the sides of the pouch. The body portion is formed of a knitted fabric including interlocked courses of a staple fiber yarn and of a bulked continuous filament yarn. The liquid impervious panel includes a knitted fabric coated with polyurethane. The liquid penetrable panel comprises a polyester yarn knitted into a fabric with a semi-cardigan stitch.

Abstract: This garment is knit exclusively of cotton yarn and has sufficient stretchability and recoverability to properly fit several body sizes. The garment comprises single courses of large stitch loops (courses C-1, C-3 and C-5) of cotton body yarn (C) alternating with single courses of small stitch loops (courses C-2, C-4 and C-6) of cotton body yarn (C) extending throughout the main body portion of the garment. The courses of large stitch loops provide stretchability to the garment and the courses of small stitch loops provide density and opacity to the garment.

Abstract: An opening is provided in a pantyhose garment in which the panty portion comprises a double knit fabric material which by its construction presents overlapping flaps which by digital manipulation expose the opening through which urination can be accomplished without any removal or partial removal of the pantyhose garment.

Abstract: A protective pad or garment for use as a guard against injuries to the human body or parts thereof, incurred e.g. from saw blades or other sharp tools. The pad is made from a double-knit warp fabric of a synthetic material, the two layers of which are interconnected by pile threads, preferably consisting of polypropylene foil strips, which pile threads in at least one of said layers form meshes with the threads of another thread system, or with themselves. The resulting pad comprises a large number of the pile threads which by their nature and their bond to the mesh layer closest to the body resist the cutting effect of the saw blade or other sharp tool that may penetrate through the outer mesh layer.

Abstract: A body garment construction comprising a unitary pants portion having connected leg portions that are integrally connected and whereby the respective leg portions are each made with an integrally formed reinforcing band adapted to circumscribe an intermediate portion of a wearer's thighs and which reinforcing band is positioned to provide a reinforced area for grasping the leg portion to facilitate the stretching and fitting of the leg portions to the wearer's legs in putting the garment on and which reinforced band, when the garment is fitted to the wearer, imparts a highly desirable fashionable simulation of a hose-dressed leg. The reinforced thigh band is integrally formed to the pants portion and leg portion by the utilization of a yarn having denier greater than that of the leg portion and/or pants portion.

Abstract: A sock knitted from a yarn of non-feltable textile fibres, e.g. synthetic fibres. Into the sole, heel and toe regions of the sock is knitted a yarn of feltable textile fibres, preferably wool, forming loop pile meshes therein. After knitting, the sock is subjected to a fulling treatment, whereby the fibres of the yarn knitted into the sole, heel and toe regions of the sock are felted, thus forming soft fibrous layers internally as well as externally in these sock regions.The loop pile meshes and the subsequent fulling treatment thereof make the sole, heel and toe regions of the sock soft and pliable. Because the entire sock is knitted from non-feltable yarns, the sock obtains the desired elasticity and good fit. After fulling the loop pile meshes from a tight structure capable of absorbing and distributing perspiration moisture.

Abstract: The stretch-cotton panty portion of the panty hose includes the combination of stretchable textured thermoplastic yarn forming the outer face and nonstretchable cotton yarn on the inner face. The stretchable and cotton yarns are so knitted as to retain substantially the full stretchable and smooth conforming fit characteristics of lightweight sheer stretch thermoplastic fabric together with the soft sanitary moisture absorbing characteristics of cotton without appreciable bulk, rigidity, or heaviness. The cotton on the inner face is knitted by plating a lightweight cotton yarn on the inner surfaces of selected noncontiguous courses of the stretch thermoplastic yarn.

Abstract: The outwardly turned two-ply waist band is integrally knit with the upper end of the single-ply panty portion of the panty hose to simulate the appearance of a sewn on elastic waist band of the type usually employed in panty hose and the like. The outer lower edge of the waist band is provided with a tab or free edge portion which covers the connecting or transfer stitch loops joining the lower edge portion of the outer ply to the inner ply of the waist band.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing panty hose or like fabrics including two leg portions and a panty portion integral therewith, the leg portions being knitted as tubular portions by continuous rotary motion of a needle cylinder or needle cylinders of a circular knitting machine and the panty portion being knitted by reciprocatory motion. Knitting of the panty portion included inactivation of a number of needles, knitting a first part of constant width formed by partial courses defining selvedge edges at their ends, knitting a central part by firstly narrowing and widening like a heel and then newly narrowing and widening, and knitting a second part of constant width formed by partial courses defining selvedge edges at their ends. The fabric is then cut to define the waist opening and the two parts of constant width are sewn together along the corresponding selvedge edges.

Abstract: Panties including two tubular limb portions and a tubular body portion formed and joined in a circular knitting machine, wherein the tubular limb portions have their same sides situated outside and are joined on one hand by the body tubular portion and on the other hand are mutually joined. The tubular limb portions may be connected by means of a part in the form of a closed toe.Method of manufacturing the above panties, wherein successively there are knitted and retained three tubular portions of panties mutually slipped into each other in such manner that the tubular portion for the body part is situated between two tubular limb portion. The tubular portion for the body part is joined by knitting on one part of the border circumference with the adjacent part of the border of one tubular limb portions situated at its outer side, and on the other part of the border circumference with the adjacent part of the border of a tubular limb portion situated at its inner side.

Abstract: Textile article of tubular shape as, e.g. panties and similar articles, with a body portion and leg portions, made integrally in a circular knitting machine, wherein the knitwork of the body portion is made as at least a double knitwork in an area covering substantially the part between the waist opening and the crotch part of said article.Method of manufacturing the above textile article, wherein a first tubular portion is knitted, is transferred upon finishing below the needle latches, and remains suspended on the needle shanks, a second portion is knitted thereafter as a double welt and a longitudinal gap is formed, the last loops of the first portion and of the first part of the double welt are joined by knitting after having knitted the first part of the double welt, whereupon the second part of the double welt is knitted with a longitudinal gap, both parts of the double welt being joined and the knitting of the tubular part of the second portion being continued.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing, by continuous unidirectional rotary knitting, of one-piece bifurcated lower body garments, of the type having a pair of legs, such as tights, leotards, panty hose, body stockings and the like, and of the legless type, such as briefs, panties, panty girdles, batching suits and the like. The invention provides a one-piece rotary knit garment having an elasticated waistband which is formed during the knitting of the garment, and comprises an integral part thereof. By reason of this invention, it no longer is necessary to sew or affix a separate waistband to the garment following its knitting and removal from the knitting machine. The waist opening of the garment preferably also is formed while the garment is being rotary knitted on the machine, although the invention contemplates that the waist opening may be formed subsequent to the removal of the garment from the machine.

Abstract: Process for forming a panty-hose with a continuous rotational motion of the needle cylinder, in a circular hosiery machine.After forming a first leg portion, the body porton is formed by going on knitting along a needle arc, by cyclically activating and disactivating, along two semiarcs, variable needle arcs by anchoring the produced partial courses to the continuous ones, thus forming two about disc shaped areas - front and rear - and an arcuated and tapered knit; after closure of said disc shaped areas, working is resumed to form the second leg portion.

Abstract: A knitted garment wherein a walewise extending free edge consists of a folded over edge portion automatically produced during knitting of the garment. Such folded over edge portions may finish the leg openings of briefs, or the waist opening of one-piece tights. The invention includes a preliminary seamless tubular blank which, when slit and opened out, provides a final blank for making-up into briefs. The preliminary blank has a visible cutting line extending from end to end and at opposite sides of which are provided two automatically produced folded over edge portions -- initially side-by-side. The folded over edge portions are folded by contraction of floats of yarn which extend coursewise over a number of knitted loops in spaced courses of the fabric margin.

Abstract: A knitted undergarment as formed from a knitted blank made entirely by rotary knitting upon a circle of needles of a circular knitting machine by first knitting a seamless tubular elastic waist encircling turned welt upon all of the needles, then knitting a seamless tubular body section in continuation of the welt upon all of the needles, and then knitting spaced seamless nontubular front and rear narrowed panels in continuation of correspondingly spaced portions of the body section upon correspondingly spaced groups of the needles, the yarn being introduced to the needles for the knitting of each course of the panels and being cut and clamped after the knitting of each such course, so that each course of the narrowed panels is knit of a separate length of yarn. The knitted undergarment is completed by joining the terminal end portions of the panels. The narrowed edges of the spaced panels then delineate spaced leg openings therebetween.

Abstract: The garment is adapted to fit the lower body of the wearer and includes seamless circularly knit tubular legs integrally knit with the body or panty portion. Side gusset panels are provided at opposite sides of the panty portion and are integrally knit with and connected to the legs along upwardly and outwardly inclined gore lines extending from the crotch area so that the outer upper portions of the legs are positioned at a substantial distance above the crotch area.

Abstract: Tights comprising a first tubular portion forming a first leg portion, a second tubular portion forming a second leg portion, and an intermediate portion between the first and second portions forming a pants portion, are produced on a circular knitting machine by knitting the first tubular portion using continuous circular motion of the needle cylinder, knitting the intermediate portion using reciprocating motion of the needle cylinder to form a rectangular opening in the intermediate portion, and knitting the second tubular portion using continuous motion of the needle cylinder.

Abstract: A continuous tubular one-piece panty hose is formed on a circular knitting machine, wherein the waist opening extends transversely of the direction of knitting and is surrounded by a reinforced elastic section with stitches that resist raveling or breakdown.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing seamless panty hose having two tubular legs knitted by continuously rotating the needle cylinder and a panty portion between the legs knitted by reciprocatingly operating the needle cylinder. During manufacturing of the central part of the panty portion a number of adjacent needles is inactivated at the end of each stroke of reciprocation and the last of the working needles are controlled to form a knit selvage edge at the sides of the inactivated group of needles extending longitudinally with respect to the knitted fabric, the opposite selvage edges being spaced by an extent corresponding to the extent of the arc of the needle cylinder occupied by the inactivated needles. The number of inactivated needles is such as to define between the two opposite selvage edges a rectangular waist opening having proportioned sides.

Abstract: A continuous, tubular, one-piece panty hose is formed on a circular knitting machine, wherein the waist opening extends both transversely of the direction of knitting as well as longitudinally of the direction of knitting to form a generally rectangular opening which is surrounded by a reinforced elastic section with stitches that resist raveling or breakdown.

Abstract: The pant or body portion of a pair of tights or panty hose is produced on a dual-cylinder knitting machine using oscillatory motion of the two cylinders. Subsequently the leg portions of the tights are produced using continuous motion of the two cylinders, one leg portion being formed within the other leg portion.

Abstract: Knitted underwear, such as panties, panty hose, leotard and the like formed with a terry patch simultaneously knitted with the fabric at the crotch or other areas. The garment is made on a circular seamless hosiery knitting machine. The resulting tube is tailored for the leg openings, then sewn to form the garment. Shaping of the terry patch is effected by using the usual needle selecting device, normally employed for heel patch reinforcement and modified with suitable cams. The machine is modified to use new dial elements, a new throat plate and a new manner of feeding the loop forming yarn and the base yarn above and below the plane of the dial elements respectively. The machine is operated in a new way and can also produce knitted fabric with eyelet pattern.

Abstract: A knitted undergarment as formed from a knitted blank made entirely by rotary knitting upon a circle of needles of a circular knitting machine by first knitting a seamless tubular elastic waist encircling turned welt upon all of the needles, then knitting a seamless tubular body section in continuation of the welt upon all of the needles, and then knitting spaced seamless nontubular front and rear narrowed panels in continuation of correspondingly spaced portions of the body section upon correspondingly spaced groups of the needles, the yarn being introduced to the needles for the knitting of each course of the panels and being cut and clamped after the knitting of each such course, so that each course of the narrowed panels is knit of a separate length of yarn. The knitted undergarment is completed by joining the terminal end portions of the panels. The narrowed edges of the spaced panels then delineate spaced leg openings therebetween.

Abstract: Seamless one-piece panty hose, integrally knit on a circular knitting machine, has tubular leg and foot portions made by unidirectional rotary knitting, upwardly and outwardly tapering extensions fashioned by reciprocatory knitting at the upper ends of the leg portions and a tubular body portion made by unidirectional rotary knitting in the form of an endless band extending between and connecting the extensions and the upper ends of the leg portions at their inner sides. The lower portion of the tubular body portion forms the crotch area of the garment while its upper portion is slit walewise to form the waist opening. The tubular body portion together with the extensions essentially form the panty part of the garment. Preferably the crotch area is knit with a stitch length differential to constrict and minimize stretchability of the fabric in a walewise direction on this area to achieve better fit.

Abstract: Panti-hose knitted as a continuous tube with an area of fabric removed to form the waist opening in which elastic thread is incorporated in the fabric surfaces adjacent the waist opening primarily in those regions which are subject to stretch in the direction of the stitch courses. Elastic thread can also be incorporated in other regions to cause rolling in or folding over of the edges surrounding the waist opening, thereby improving the appearance, and reinforcing threads are also incorporated in some of the regions surrounding the waist opening.

Abstract: A knitted tubular article such as pantyhose with a longitudinal intermediate cut designed to constitute an opening as for the waist of the pantyhose and for the forming of an elastic edge along said opening. The article is made on a circular hosiery machine, rotating with a continuous motion.

Abstract: In the production of tights on a circular knitting machine, the needle cylinder is operated with continuous motion to form a first tubular leg portion. The needles along a first arc are then excluded, and a trapezoidal fabric flap is knitted along a second arc, explementary to the first arc, using oscillating motion of the needle cylinder, needles being progressively excluded along third and fourth arcs, at each end of the second arc whereby to form inclined sides of the flap. Knitting of the flap is completed along a fifth arc defined between the ends of the third and fourth arcs. A second trapezoidal fabric flap is knitted along the fifth arc, needles being progressively included along the third and fourth arcs. The second flap is connected to the first flap during knitting and the two flaps form the pants portion of the tights. After completion of the second flap, a second tubular leg portion is formed using continuous motion of the needle cylinder.

Abstract: A one-piece seamless garment is knitted by a new method on an improved circular knitting machine. The garment includes a body portion with a pair of leg receiving opening, a pair of side panels and a front panel and a rear panel joined at a crotch between the leg openings. Each of the front and rear panels includes knitting courses formed during reciprocation of the machine that overlap the knitting courses of the other panel at the crotch. Other knitting courses are formed in the garment remote from the crotch and distributed among the courses that extend into the crotch to provide the garment with a contour matching that of the wearer. Integral leg portions may be provided to the garment by rotary knitting at each leg receiving opening of the body portion. A waist opening and waistband may also be provided as the garment is being knitted.

Abstract: The garment includes a panty portion .[.formed of fashioned gussets.]. and a pair of legs integrally knit with the panty portion. The legs may be short to provide a panty, panty girdle and the like or they may be long and provided with foot portions to form tights, leotards, panty hose and the like. .[.Fashioned front.]. .Iadd.Front .Iaddend.and rear .[.gussets.]. .Iadd.portions .Iaddend.of the panty portion are provided with knit selvage edges to form a waist opening in the garment during the knitting operation and to eliminate the need for slitting the garment in a subsequent operation to form the waist opening. Elastic yarns may be incorporated in the portion of the garment surrounding the waist opening to provide an integrally knit elastic band around the waist opening.