Knitting technology, Third Edition

Fig. 21.5
Lin Toe toe-closing on the machine [Sangiacomo].

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Knitting technology
6
Another method employs the dial as the transfer element, enabling the set-up
course to be run by the dial, stitch-by-stitch, as the toe pouch is knitted by 
reciprocation. The toe fabric is then transferred to the other half of the needles
that knit to close the toe. Afterwards, circular knitting commences for the foot.
7
The Conti Florentia Air Toe
. This system produces a random linked appearance,
not exactly loop-for-loop. It is therefore most suitable for coarser gauge sports
socks. It is simple and virtually invisible on the outside of the sock. At the start
of the toe, two courses of covered elastic are knitted by reciprocation. Sufficient
fabric is then knitted to transfer across to the other half of the cylinder. Special
hooked sinkers engage with the fabric aided by air jets which blow down onto
the fabric. As the cylinder turns, the new yarn is knitted into the elastic yarn
course.
21.17
Tights
Early versions of tights were made by seaming a hose leg to each leg of a pair of
panties. Today, the conventional method of constructing tights is to knit two long
seamless hose legs (having about 2000 courses). In the making-up operation, the
legs are ‘
toe-closed
’. A slit is then cut vertically down the centre of the inner side of
the upper (body) section of each leg. The slits are then opened so that the left side
of one leg slit can be seamed to the right side of the other leg slit in a single oper-
ation. This is termed the ‘
line closing
’ or ‘
U
-
seaming
’ operation and it converts the
top of the two tubular legs into one large tubular tights body. The top of the legs
may contain the knitted-in 
elasticated waist-band
or this may be seamed on later.
The crotch area may then be cut or burned out so that a shaped gusset (often of
knitted cotton fabric) can be inserted and seamed in its place.