Bev's BLOG

RESIDUAL LIMB COVERS (aka stump socks) for amputees
Copyright Barbara Coley 2001
NOTE:  Always use a washable yarn, and try to include with each sock a note giving the label's washing/drying directions.  Softness is very important.   We have used traditional men's sock colors (blue, brown, black,tan, white)  and for wrist socks we have used white exclusively, but do feel free to make stripes, patterns, etc. - whatever you think someone would wear!

"Bear in mind that these patterns are intended for adults; socks for below-knee amputees would necessarily be longer (10-12") than those for above-knee amputations. Adaptations for children's or women's sizes or for arm/wrist amputations can be made by using finer yarns and/or smaller needles, but the basic pattern remains constant. One variation we have tried was to make the sock ribbing about 8" long, then change to plain stockinette for an inch or so before the decreases; this made a snug but very flexible fit."  Barbara

STUMP SOCK PATTERN #1
MATERIALS:  100% acrylic, DK or sport weight (2 - 3 ounces)
DP needles, US sizes 6 or 7, and 8
Cast on 72 stitches (could be 64, or 80 - as long as it is a multiple of 8)
on size 6 or 7 needles; rib in K2P2 for 3 inches.  Change to size 8; work in
stockinette stitch til whole piece is 9 inches long.  Decrease:  *K6, K2
together, repeat from * around; knit one round; *K5, K2 together, repeat from
* around; etc., until 9 stitches remain.  Weave in end.  You can use 12" or
16" circular needles if preferred, changing to doublepoints for the decreases.

STUMP SOCK PATTERN #2
MATERIALS:  washable knitting worsted
DP needles US sizes 8 and 10
Cast on 72 stitches on size 8 needles.  Rib in K2P2 for 3 inches.  Change to
size 10 and work in stockinette stitch, as in pattern #1.  Decrease as for
pattern #1.  Make it longer if needed.

STUMP SOCK PATTERN #3  (wrist or ankle sock)
MATERIALS:  washable knitting worsted (acrylic)
DP needles US size 5 and 6
Cast on 40 stitches on size 5 needles.  Rib K2P2 for 2 inches.  Change to
size 6 needles; work in stockinette stitch until piece measures 8 inches.
CHANGE BACK TO SIZE 5 NEEDLES.  Decrease:  *K3, K2 together, repeat from *
across.  Knit one row.  *K2, K2 together, repeat from * across.  Continue
until 9 stitches remain.  Finish off.

STUMP SOCK PATTERN #4 (thinner wrist or ankle sock)
MATERIALS:     DK or sport weight acrylic or cotton/acrylic blend
DP needles US size 5 and 4
Cast on 40 stitches on size 5.  Rib in K2P2 for two inches.  Switch to size
4; work in stockinette stitch til piece measures 6 or 7 inches.  Decrease:
*K2, K2 tog. across; *K1, K2 together across; *K2 together across [no
intervening rows of plain knit].  Finish off.