Stocking Pattern

I'm still tweaking it, so please feel free to send me any corrections you might see.

Directions:
Slip all stitches purl-wise unless otherwise specified.

Cuff
- Using contrasting color yarn, cast on 36 stitches. Distribute stitches evenly among needles.
- Join in the round, being careful not to twist stitches.
- Knit to the end of each round until the unrolled cuff measures approximately 1½ inches.
Leg
- Cut the contrasting color yarn, leaving about a 6” tail.
- Join main color yarn. Continue knitting in the round until the leg of the stocking measures approximately 6” from where the main color began.
- Cut main color yarn, leaving about a 6” tail.
Heel Flap
- Join contrasting color yarn, and knit 18 stitches. Combine those 18 stitches onto 1 needle.
- You will now begin working back and forth, turning your work at the end of each row.
- Turn work (you’ll be looking at the purl side).
- Row 1: slip 1 stitch and purl to end of row (17 stitches) and turn.
- Row 2: slip 1 stitch and knit to end or row (17 stitches) and turn.
- Repeat rows 1 and 2 (5) times, ending with a knit row. Turn work.
Turn the Heel
- Row 1: slip 1 stitch, purl 11, P2tog, purl 1. Turn work, leaving 4 stitches unworked.
- Row 2: slip 1 stitch, knit 5, SSK, knit 1. Turn work, leaving 4 stitches unworked.
- Row 3: slip 1 stitch, purl 6, P2tog, purl 1. (The P2tog will close the gap where you turned your work last time.) Turn work, leaving 2 stitches unworked.
- Row 4: slip 1 stitch, knit 7, SSK, knit 1. (The SSK will close the gap where you turned your work last time.) Turn work, leaving 2 stitches unworked.
- Row 5: slip 1 stitch, purl 8, P2tog, purl 1. Turn work, leaving no stitches unworked.
- Row 6: slip 1 stitch, knit 9, SSK, knit 1.
- The heel is complete. You should have 12 stitches on your needle. Cut contrasting color yarn.
Heel Gusset
- Using main color yarn, pick up and knit the slipped stitches from your heel flap (7 stitches of contrasting color). Pick up and knit one more stitch (for a total of 8) next to the slipped stitches.
- Knit across the top of the sock foot (18 stitches). Keep these 18 stitches on a separate needle (or 2 needles).
- Pick up and knit one stitch of main color next to the slipped stitches in contrasting color. Pick up and knit 7 slipped stitches (for a total of 8 stitches).
- Knit across the heel and right gusset to end of needle.
Gusset Decreases
- Round 1: Knit across the top of the sock foot, to end of needle. Starting with the next needle, knit 1, SSK, knit across left gusset, heel and right gusset until 3 stitches remain on needle, K2tog, knit 1.
- Round 2: Knit to end of round.
- Repeat rounds 1 and 2 (4) times. You should have 36 stitches remaining.
Sock Foot
- Knit 10 rounds in main color. Cut main color yarn.
- Join contrasting color yarn, and knit 5 rounds.
Toe Decreases
- The right side of the top of the foot will be the beginning of your rounds.
- Round 1: SSK, knit across until there are 2 stitches left on the left side of the foot, K2tog, SSK, knit across bottom of foot until there are 2 stitches left, K2tog.
- Round 2: Knit to end of round.
- Rounds 3 – 6: Repeat rounds 1 and 2 (2) times. You should have 12 stitches on both the top and bottom of the foot, for a total of 24 stitches.
- Round 7: SSK, knit across until there are 2 stitches left on the left side of the foot, K2tog, SSK, knit across bottom of foot until there are 2 stitches left, K2tog. (20 stitches left)
- Round 8: SSK, knit across until there are 2 stitches left on the left side of the foot, K2tog, SSK, knit across bottom of foot until there are 2 stitches left, K2tog. (16 stitches left).
Closing the Toe
- If you have stitches on 4 needles, combine the stitches so that you have 2 needles (1 for the top, 1 for the bottom) – with 8 stitches on each needle.
- Slip each of the 4 end stitches over the stitch next to it (this will prevent the pointy ends common to grafting).
- Using a darning needle and the Kitchener stitch, graft the stitches on the two needles together.
Finishing
- Weave in ends.
- Braid, crochet, or twist a cord about 8” long to use as a hanging loop for your stocking.

Christmas Stocking

I'm working on writing up the pattern, but here's a list of what you'll need for a small stocking (approximately 5” wide and 9” tall):

Materials:
- 2 skeins/balls bulky weight yarn (about 110 yards per skein/ball), one each of the main color and one of a contrasting color
- US size 9 (5.5mm) double pointed needles (or 2 circular needles or 1 long (40”) circular needle)
- yarn/darning needle (for weaving in ends)

Gauge:
3½ stitches per inch in stockinette stitch

Gauge isn't terribly important in this project, as it's not for a foot. The pattern is relatively easy to adapt to a worsted or aran weight yarn as well. Just be aware that the final measurements of your stocking may vary depending on the type of yarn you select.

I expect to have the pattern up this afternoon - just need to check my calculations on the heel gusset.

Stitches East, 2006

I found out about Stitches late - like the day it started. It was a happy coincidence for me, as my husband and I were going to be in Baltimore anyway - for the NSTA convention. Well, he was going there, I was planning to entertain our son.

Anyway, I was able to browse the market today - and it was lovely. SO many pretty yarns, and tons of different fibers. Heaven. Surprisingly, I didn't purchase all that much, although I did put a sweater's worth of yarn back after fondling it for quite some time. It was a gorgeous blue and grey - mohair, merino, and silk. I think it would have been happy here, but I have to be realistic about my time. I'm about 3 sweaters behind now. I picked up a card from the vendor, and if I ever find myself short of yarn...

No pics were allowed in the market, so you'll have to settle for a photo of the yarn that came home with me. I don't think the photo does them justice however, so I'll try to take individual photos as I work up the projects.


I hope to go next year too, and try to take some classes. Oh, and in case you don't think there's anything about coffee - there's a Starbucks right there in the convention center. It was mobbed, what with all the science teachers and knitters.