Abstract: Closing the toe opening of a stocking, or the end of a tube by providing a two ply welt defining the toe pocket, and constricting the fabric of at least one of said plys about the axis of the toe opening to obstruct the same. The constriction or gathering of the fabric is effected by winding a thread about the fabric. The knitting of the stocking and the welt and the closing of the opening are carried out automatically, as an integrated operation and on a single machine.A stocking, the toe pocket of which is defined by a two ply welt having an end opening, said opening being closed by gathering fabric there-across.

Abstract: A tubular knit fabric article having a two ply end portion that is confined to a reduced tubular size at the outer end thereof by an auxiliary yarn disposed between the plies in an unknit constricting loop and with the ends of the auxiliary yarn knit in the fabric of the plies. The constricting loop is formed by feeding the auxiliary yarn to the needle circle of a circular knitting machine during the knitting of a welt-like portion using an auxiliary yarn feeding attachment that first feeds the auxiliary yarn for knitting the leading end in the tubular fabric, then feeds the auxiliary yarn under tension in a non-knitting position at which the yarn is drawn by the previously knit leading end around the tubular fabric in a constricting loop or loops, and then cuts the trailing end of the auxiliary yarn, which is disposed in the needle circle for knitting in the tubular fabric.

Abstract: A knitted fabric tube, and more particularly a portion of a garment to be worn on a foot, closed by being constrained into a constricted form without twisting of the fabric tube and retained in the closed state; and also a method and machine for producing such closed fabric tube particularly with the closure formed as part of the procedure in knitting the tube. The closure by constriction is conveniently effected by wrapping a binding thread around the fabric between parts to form plies of a double welt like portion of fabric at the position of the crease or fold of the welt like portion, portions of the binding thread extending each way from the wrapping turns being knitted into the fabric structure.

Abstract: A tubular knit seamless stocking having boot, heel, instep and toe portions formed of non-elastomeric yarn, incorporating, substantially throughout except in the toe portion, at least one elastomeric stretchable retractive yarn having the major portion thereof inlaid coursewise of, and locked in, said portions. The toe portion is formed primarily of non-elastomeric yarn and is free from elastomeric stretchable retractive yarn. The non-elastomeric yarn may be stretch or torque yarn preferably of s and z twist in the boot, heel and instep portions. The heel and toe portions each include a shaped pocket knit of non-elastomeric yarn including partial courses preferably varying in length in the toe portion, the cut ends of yarn of each partial course being knit in tuck-float relationship with a stitch loop of an adjacent course to prevent pulling out.

Abstract: A hose knitwork such as stockings, socks and the like having a closed toe portion. The closed toe portion is made in the form of a pocket closed substantially at its central section by a wrapping yarn. The toe portion is knit on a circular knitting machine with a combination of loop wales of which certain of the wales have a higher number of loops while the other wales have a lesser number of loops in the same course length. The wales having a lower number of loops may be regularly alternated with those wales having a higher number of loops. The wales having a higher number of loops may be provided with regularly alternating loops of elastic and non-elastic yarns while the wales having fewer loops may be formed with non-elastic yarns. The combination of loop wales may be provided by providing certain of the wales with loops formed of elastic yarn while the other wales are formed with loops formed of non-elastic yarns.

Abstract: A method for forming a closed end on a tubular knitted fabric, such as a stocking, on a circular knitting machine, in which two annular tubular layers are formed as continuations of the tubular knitted fabric at separate stages by needles operating in the same cylinder of the machine. The two layers are supported on separate circles of support members while a relative rotation through at least 180.degree. between the circles of support members is effected, and a final few rows of substantially run-proof close knitting are made before the fabric is cast-off from the needles.

Abstract: The invention is a process for knitting a plurality of convergent tubular portions on a circular knitting machine having a dial and cylinder and the resulting article, especially the two legs and body portion of a panty-hose, wherein the knitting operation is continuous with no sewing of separate pieces together, and the height of the body portion may be varied without dependency on the needle cylinder diameter which also includes a crotch closure.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing stockings, socks and the like and closing the toe thereof on a double cylinder knitting machine, comprising the steps of manufacturing a leg, heel and foot portion by selecting the needles to knit in both needle cylinders in a manner to make the reverse fabric side on the exterior as discharged from the machine, operating a 1:1 selection of the needles, lowering a first group of selected needles in the lower needle cylinder and inactivating these needles in the lower cylinder, knitting the toe with the needles which have been transferred to the upper needle cylinder thereby providing an additional pocket around which non knitted thread is wound and interknitting the final part of the additional pocket with the initial part thereof and with the foot portion of the stocking.