Patent ID: 6257025
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: D04B

Abstract:
A method of knitting a tubular structure on a circular knitting machine having a plurality of needles, said tubular structure having a substantially closed toe end and an open end, said method comprising the steps of:knitting a plurality of first substantially circular courses of stitches using a first group of said needles to form a toe end, said first courses of stitches including at least an initial course of stitches and a final course of stitches;knitting a plurality of second substantially circular courses of stitches using a second group of said needles fewer in number than said first group of said needles, said needles comprising said second group being drawn from among said needles comprising said first group, said final course of stitches being retained on said needles of said first group not comprising said second group during knitting of said second courses of stitches;knitting a plurality of third substantially circular courses of stitches using said needles of said first group; andknitting a plurality of fourth substantially circular courses of stitches using a third group of said needles greater in number than said first group of said needles, but including said first group of said needles.