Nothing says Christmas like a stocking. The decorations just aren’t complete until the stockings are hanging from the mantel or banister. We also love the Scandinavian-inspired Christmas decorations that have become popular, so this project blends the themes of traditional and Scandi Christmas and create a lovely striped stocking.
SKILL LEVEL •••
SIZE
17.in (45cm) from cuff to heel and 8in (20cm) from heel to toe
YARN
Super Chunky yarn from Lauren Aston Designs (100% merino wool), 71yd (65m) to 3 ½ oz (100g)
3 ¼ oz (90g) in Natural White (A)
2 ¼ oz (65g) in Mid Grey (B)
NEEDLES
US 15 (10mm) circular knitting needle, 20in (50cm) long
Large darning needle
OTHER EQUIPMENT
3 stitch markers (preferably all different so you can easily tell which is 1, 2, and 3)
GAUGE (TENSION)
Approximately 10 stitches and 13 rows to 4in (10cm) over st st.
ABBREVIATIONS
A, B, C yarn colors as listed in materials
approx approximately
st(s) stitch(es)
k knit
cont continue
foll(s) follow(s)(ing)
sl slip
p purl
ssk slip one stitch, slip one stitch, knit slipped stitches together
p2tog purl two stitches together
beg begin(s)(ning)
rep repeat
rem remain(ing)
FOR THE STOCKING
Cast on 28 sts in A.
Making sure the cast-on is not twisted, join it into a circle and place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.
Rounds 1–8: [K1, p1] to end of round.
Rounds 9–12: Knit in A.
Rounds 13–16: Knit in B.
Rounds 17–24: Knit in A.
Round 25: Knit in B.
Round 26: Knit in A.
Rounds 27–28: Knit in B.
Rounds 29–30: Knit in A.
Rounds 31–34: Knit in B.
Rounds 35–38: Knit in A.
Rounds 39–40: Knit in B.
Rounds 41–42: Knit in A.
Round 43: Knit in B.
Round 44: Knit in A.
SHAPE THE HEEL
Round 45: In A knit to last 7 sts, change to B, k7. Cont in B for rest of heel.
Next row: K7, (so now 14 sts in B) turn, sl1 purlwise, p13; work on these 14 stitches only for the next 16 rows by turning the work at the end of each row as folls:
Next row: Sl1, k13, turn.
Next row: Sl1 purlwise, p13, turn.
Rep last 2 rows 3 times more.
Next row: Sl1, k13, turn.
Next row: Sl1 purlwise, p to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1, turn. (13 sts)
Next row: Sl1, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1, turn. (12 sts)
Rep last 2 rows once more.
For the next three rows you’ll be leaving 1 st unworked at the end of each row; include it in the stitch count but don’t work it.
Next row: Sl1 purlwise, p to last 4 sts, p2tog, p1, turn leaving 1 st unworked. (9 sts)
Next row: Sl1, k to last 4 sts, ssk, k1, turn leaving 1 st unworked. (8 sts)
Next row: Sl1 purlwise, p to last 4 sts, p2tog, p1, turn leaving 1 st unworked. (7 sts)
HEEL GUSSET
Change to A.
Next round: Ignoring the unworked st, knit across 6 heel sts, then pick up and knit 8 sts from side of heel, k14 sts, pick up and knit another 8 sts from side of heel, k the unworked st and another 3 sts to center of heel. (37 sts)
Next round: Place stitch marker 1 (SM1), k11, place stitch marker 2 (SM2), k14, place stitch marker 3 (SM3), k12. (SM2 and SM3 mark gusset decrease points and SM1 is beg of round.)
Next round: Slip marker, knit to 3 sts before SM2, k2tog, k1, slip marker, knit to SM3, slip marker, k1, ssk, knit to SM1.
Rep this round twice more.
Change to B.
Next round: Knit to SM1, slip marker, knit to 3 sts before SM2, k2tog, k1, slip marker, knit to SM3, slip marker, k1, ssk, knit to SM1.
Next round: Knit in B (keeping stitch markers in place on this and foll rows).
Next 5 rounds: Knit in A.
Next round: Knit in B.
Next 2 rounds: Knit in A.
Next 2 rounds: Knit in B.
Next 2 rounds: Knit in A.
Change to B.
SHAPE TOE
Next round: Slip marker, knit to 3 sts before
SM2, ssk, k1, slip marker, k1, k2tog, knit to 3 sts before SM3, ssk, k1, slip marker, k1, k2tog, knit to SM1.
Rep last round 3 times more.
Next round: Knit, removing markers as you go.
Cut yarn, thread through rem sts, and pull up and secure tightly to close hole.
TO MAKE UP
Sew in loose ends.
To make hanging loop, cut 3 strands of B each approximately 16in (40cm). Knot the strands loosely together at one end then braid them and knot the other end loosely.
Thread the braid through the top of the stocking, undo the knots and tie both ends together to make a loop the desired length.
Trim ends and pull the knot to inside the stocking, or to the top of the loop if you want it to show.
For more knitting projects, check out Super Chunky Knits by Lauren Aston.