Though I can only speak towards the weather we’re experiencing, I think it’s safe to say that the cool rainy days are not the reason that I’ve started working on a Christmas stocking for my niece. Though I do typically start my holiday knitting in the summer, the real reason I’m writing up this pattern is that I need to knit a third stocking to match the ones I made my sister and her husband two years ago (I can’t believe that it was only two years ago).
Back when I made the first two, I noticed there didn’t seem to be a simple stocking pattern that I could use to get the effect that I was hoping for. In the interest of making what I wanted, I took notes and created my own stocking pattern. In addition to the yarn required to make the stocking, I also used about a yard of fabric to create a lining so that the stitching wouldn’t stretch as gifts were added to it.
Simple Holiday Stocking
Materials needed:
- 400 yards fingering weight (held double) or 200 dk weight (held single)
- I used Rohrspatz & Wollmeise Pure 100% Merino Superwash for all three stockings
- Size 7 knitting needles (or size needed to get gauge)
- 1/3 yard of fabric (I brought my finished stocking and had them cut the fabric against it)
- Thread
- Sewing machine (although you could stitch this by hand)
- Fish Lips Kiss Heel (one of the best dollars I’ve ever spent)
Gauge:
22 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches
in Stocking Stitch (Stockinette)
Knitting Pattern:
Cast on 60 (place at beginning and middle of round)
Knit 80 rows
Fish Lips Kiss Heel
Knit 36 rows
Work toe:
- row 1 (K1, K2Tog, knit to 3 stitches before next marker, SSK, K1) twice
- row 2: K
Repeat these two rows until there are 12 sts left
Kitchener stitch to finish toe
Braid some of the leftover yarn to make a loop for hanging.
Sewing Pattern:
To sew the lining, fold your fabric lengthwise with the right sides facing in and place your finished stocking on top of it. Using a marker, trace your knit stocking and then cut out the fabric. Alternatively, you can make a template for your stocking by tracing it onto paper.
Next lay both pieces so that the right side of the fabric is facing the table, then fold the cuff area down towards you about a half-inch and pin. Sew across the top on both pieces, this will be the pop of fabric that you see at the top of your stocking.
Pin your stocking so that both right sides are facing each other and sew around the stocking (leaving the top open, I had ~.75 in between the edge of my fabric and my needle).
Sew your lining into the sixth row down from your cast on.
Thoughts from iswimlikeafish 