Heirloom Christmas Stocking
When it came to appraising Christmas stockings when I was a kid, I was sure grateful that my grandma was a knitter. A knit stocking meant lots of stretch, and lots of stretch meant… well, lots of stuff. Santa still fills my stocking, and nowadays, I’m not as appreciative of getting piles of loot as I am of having a treasured hand knit from my dear ol’ gram.
I count the Christmas stocking as one of knitting’s most gratifying projects. It is one of the only things you can knit that is practically guaranteed to be cherished year after year, indelibly marking the memory of its owner every Christmas season. What a payoff!
For my Heirloom Christmas Stocking I wanted to reflect the quiet beauty of winter with a stitch pattern that evokes windswept fields of snow, rows of icicles hanging from the eaves, and scalloped patterns of frost on the window. I also wanted this stocking to look like it could have been plucked from a mantle sixty or eighty or a hundred years ago. And that it could grace a mantle a hundred years from now.
Knitting an heirloom definitely inspires me to choose my yarn with care. I want the yarn to be beautiful and pure, to be so special that fingers a generation from now will appreciate its quality. And so I chose Purl Soho’s Worsted Twist, our 100% merino wool that is as soft as Santa’s beard and as special as Christmas itself!
Yarn lovers, if you adore the yarn used in this project, you’ll love exploring all of our other yarn collections! Discover over 45 thoughtfully designed yarns in nearly every natural fiber and in every spectacular color you can imagine. Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn store, where every skein is created with care and your creativity in mind!
May your version of our Heirloom Christmas Stocking be just that: everlasting, classic, and most importantly, loved! -Whitney
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Whitney Van Nes.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoHeirloomChristmasStocking, and #PurlSohoWorstedTwist. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- Main Color: 3 skeins of Purl Soho’s Worsted Twist, 100% merino wool. Each skein is 164 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 492 yards required. This color is Heirloom White.
- Contrast Color: 5-10 yards of worsted weight yarn. I used Purl Soho’s Worsted Twist in the color Super Pink.
- US 7 (4.5 mm), 16-inch circular needles
- US 8 (5 mm), 16-inch circluar needles
- A set of US 7 double pointed needles
Gauge
23 stitches = 4 inches in Diagonal Scallop Stitch, on smaller needles
Size
- Circumference at Cuff: 14½ inches
- Circumference at Ankle: 12½ inches
- Length from Cuff to Heel: 20 inches
- Length from Heel to Toe: 11½ inches
Note
Diagonal Scallop Stitch (DSS)
Round 1: Knit.
Round 2: *K2, with the right needle pick up the bar between the stitches from back to front, k2, pass the bar over the 2 stitches, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 3: Knit.
Round 4: *With the right needle pick up the bar between the stitches from back to front, k2, pass the bar over the 2 stitches, k2, repeat from * to end of round.
Repeat Rounds 1-4.
Here is the “bar between the stitches”:
Here is the right needle picking up the bar from back to front:
And here is passing the bar over the 2 stitches:
Pattern
Cast On
With the Main Color and the smaller circular needle, use a Provisional Cast On to cast on 64 stitches.
(If you’re intimidated by the Provisional Cast On, feel free to just use a regular long tail cast on and sew the cuff down at the end. Instructions are in the pattern!)
The Cuff
Place a marker and join for working in the round, being careful to not twist the stitches.
Knit every round until the piece measures 2 1/2 inches from the cast on.
Next Round: *K7, knit into front and back (kfb), repeat from * to end of round. 72 stitches
Next Round: Purl.
Change to bigger circular needle.
Work the Diagonal Scallop Stitch (DSS, see Note above) until piece measures 2 5/8 inches from the purl round, ending with Round 2 or 4.
If You Used a Provisional Cast On…
Slip the cast on stitches onto the smaller circular needle, removing the scrap yarn as you do. Fold the stockinette piece inside the Diagonal Scallop Stitch piece, wrong sides together.
Holding the two left needles parallel, use the front right needle to *[knit first stitch on front needle together with first stitch on back needle] 8 times, knit 1 stitch (alone) from front needle, repeat from * to end of round. 72 stitches.
If You Used a Regular Cast On…
Work the next row holding a piece of contrast sewing thread alongside the working yarn.
The Leg
Continue working the 4-round DSS as established until the piece measures 7 inches from the purl round.
Change to the smaller circular needle and continue working the DSS until the piece measures 15 3/4 inches from the purl round, ending with Round 2 of the DSS.
The Heel Flap
Knit 18 stitches and turn the work so the wrong side of the fabric is facing you.
Purl 36 stitches.
NOTE: The 36 stitches that you just purled are the Heel Flap stitches. For this section, you will be working back and forth on just these 36 stitches, turning the piece at the end of each row. Leave the end-of-the-round stitch marker where it is. Also, it’s okay to leave the 36 stitches you aren’t currently working on the needle. Just ignore them as you work the Heel Flap and the Heel.
Row 1 (right side): *Slip 1 purlwise, k1, repeat from * to end of 36 stitches, turn the work.
Row 2 (wrong side): Slip 1 purlwise, purl to end of 36 stitches, turn the work.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 seventeen more times.
Turn the Heel
Still just working the Heel Flap stitches…
Row 1 (right side): Slip 1 purlwise, K19, ssk, k1, turn the work so the wrong side is facing you and there are 22 stitches on the left needle and 13 stitches on the right needle.
Row 2 (wrong side): Slip 1 purlwise, p5, p2tog, p1, turn the work.
Row 3: Slip 1 purlwise, knit to 1 stitch before the gap, ssk (with the stitch before the gap and the stitch after the gap), k1, turn.
Row 4: Slip 1 purlwise, purl to 1 stitch before the gap, p2tog, p1, turn.
Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until all the heel stitches have been worked and 20 stitches remain on the needle. (For the last repeat, you will end Row 3 with ssk and Row 4 with p2tog.)
The Gusset
Knit across the 20 heel stitches.
With the right side facing you, use the right needle to pick up 20 stitches along the Heel Flap.
Place a marker that is a different color than the end-of-the-round marker.
Continuing to use the right needle, knit across the 36 instep stitches that have been on hold.
Place another marker that is a different color than the end-of-the-round marker.
Still with the right needle and the right side facing you, pick up 20 stitches along the other side of the heel flap.
Knit 10 stitches to the end of the round.
You are now ready to work the DSS in the round again with 96 stitches on the circular needle. The end-of-the-round marker is at the middle of the heel.
Round 1: (Starting with picking up the bar between the stitches) work DSS to 2 stitches before first marker, k2tog, slip marker, (starting with k2) work DSS to next marker, slip marker, ssk, (starting with picking up the bar) work DSS to end of round. 2 stitches decreased
Round 2: Knit.
Round 3: (Starting with k2) work DSS as established to 3 stitches before next marker, k1, k2tog, slip marker, (starting with picking up the bar between the stitches) work DSS to next marker, slip marker, ssk, k1, (starting with picking up the bar between the stitches) work DSS to end of round. 2 stitches decreased
Round 4: Knit.
Repeat Rounds 1-4 until 72 total stitches remain, ending with Round 3.
The Foot
Keeping the three stitch markers in place, start with Round 3 of the DSS and work the DSS until piece measures 8 1/2 inches from the back edge of the heel, ending with Round 1.
The Toe
Round 1: (Starting with k2) work DSS to 4 stitches before first marker, [k1, k2tog, k1, slip marker, k1, ssk, k1, (starting with picking up the bar) work DSS to 4 stitches before next marker] two times, work in pattern to the end of the round. 4 stitches decreased
Round 2: Knit.
Round 3: (Starting with picking up the bar) work DSS to 3 stitches before first marker, [k2tog, k1, slip marker, k1, ssk, (starting with k2) work DSS to 3 stitches before next marker] two times, work in pattern to the end of the round. 4 stitches decreased
Round 4: Knit.
Round 5: (Starting with k2) work DSS to 4 stitches before first marker, [k1, k2tog, k1, slip marker, k1, ssk, k1, (starting with k2) work DSS to 4 stitches before next marker] two times, work in pattern to the end of the round. 4 stitches decreased
Round 6: Knit.
Round 7: (Starting with picking up the bar) work DSS to 3 stitches before first marker, [k2tog, k1, slip marker, k1, ssk, (starting with picking up the bar) work DSS to 3 stitches before next marker] two times, work in pattern to the end of the round. 4 stitches decreased
Round 8: Knit.
Repeat Rounds 1 -8, changing to double pointed needles when necessary (leave the stitch markers in place). 40 stitches
Next Round: *Knit to 3 stitches before next marker, k2tog, k1, slip marker, k1, ssk, repeat from * , knit to end of round. 4 stitches decreased
Repeat last round until 12 stitches remain.
Knit 3 stitches.
Removing stitch markers, arrange next 6 stitches onto one double pointed needle and remaining 6 stitches onto another double pointed needle.
Cut the yarn and bring it to the inside of the stocking.
Finish
Toe
Thread a 24-inch piece of Contrast Color (CC) onto a tapestry needle, and holding the two double pointed needles parallel, use the Kitchener Stitch and the CC to graft together the toe.
Cuff, If You Used a Long Tail Cast On
At the purl round, fold the cuff to the inside and sew the cast on edge to the round marked by the sewing thread, removing the thread as you work.
Top Trim and Loop
Using the CC and the smaller circular needle, start at the middle back of the top edge of the stocking (where the end of the round was) and pick up and knit each bottom purl bump, ending with 72 stitches.
With the right side facing you, use the larger circular needle to bind off each stitch until 2 stitches remain (1 on left needle and 1 on right needle). Knit the last stitch.
Using the CC and two double pointed needles, with the 2 remaining stitches knit a 3-inch I-cord.
Pass the first stitch over the second, cut the yarn and pull it through the remaining stitch.
Creating a loop, sew the end of the I-cord to the top edge of the stocking.
Weave in all the ends and have a merry Christmas!
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
If I didn't already have so much Christmas knitting in my queue, I would cast this on immediately!! Maybe for next year.
I just HAVE to do this… thank you, what a beautiful stocking. Will go onto the needles as soon as I can pick up the yarn!
My goodness I love that stocking, I shall put it on my todo list.
You do such amazing, inspirational work I am envious
Love this ! Soooooo cute!
LOVE this!
does it really use almost 500 yards of yarn??
Seems like a lot of yarn.
Now that is a beautiful must-knit stocking. Thank you for sharing
Is the little felt goose in the first photo from a pattern or book? Can you tell me which one, if any? Thank you.
Hi Holly-
You can buy this little goose (as well as a bunch of other super cute animals) here: http://www.selvedge.org/shop/gl-cksk-fer
or here: http://www.babynaturopathics.com/shop/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=92
Thanks so much for your question!
Molly
Hi bridy,
I used about half of the third skein of Worsted Twist, so not quite 500 yards. It is a generously sized stocking though!
Thanks for asking!
Whitney
I finished the stocking last night!
I loved making it, seeing how the pattern comes together was fun. Thank you for such a great keepsake stocking pattern! Now on to stocking #2!
Is the DSS pattern incorrect here? isn't it purl on the odd rows? thanks!
never mind — figured it out!
I'm a little confused by the pattern. For the heel flap it says "repeat rows 1 and 2 seventeen more time" So how many total rows will you have for the heel flap? 19 or 36 (including the two you did before)?
Thanks!
Hi Cathy G,
WAIT! WAIT! WAIT! I must have been in some pre-holiday frenzy when I originally answered you! I am so sorry, but the correct answer to your question should have been 36 rows, not 19!
Whitney, December 31, 2013
Here, for the record, is my INCORRECT response to your question, given on December 13th…
You will work 19 total rows for the Heel Flap.
Hope this gets you on the right path! Please let us know if you have any more questions and thanks for this one!
Whitney
I'm about to start working on "The Foot". I have 72 stitches (knit in the DSS pattern) on my needle, but I'm not sure I have the correct number of stitches between markers. Could you tell me how many stitches I should have between each of the three markers? Thanks!!
Hi Patty,
You should have 18 stitches between the beginning of the round and the next marker; 36 stitches between that marker and the next one; and 18 stitches between the last marker and the end of the round.
I hope this puts you on the right path; you're almost done! Thanks for your question and please let us know if you have any more!
Whitney
Could you please explain the "gap" you refer to in the heel? Thanks! Also, just recapping Cathy g's question- your heel looks longer than 19 rows. I'm a little confused! Thanks so much!
Hi Katie,
The "gap" is the place where you turned the work two rows previously. A space (or gap) between the stitches should be apparent. You can see a picture of the gap in the Turning the Heel section of our Pom Pom Peds pattern here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/the-purl-bee/2008/4/14/whits-knits-pom-pom-peds.html
And as for the number of rows for the Heel Flap, I was totally mistaken when I answered Cathy G. I have amended that answer and will say again, here, that the heel flap is a total of 36 rows, not 19. Thank you so much for causing me to revisit that question; I, and future makers of this Stocking, really appreciate it!
Please let us know if you have any more questions and good luck!
Whitney
my heel flap is looking very stockinett stich like (after nine rows) any ideas? or am i just too impatient and it will come? thanks leslie
i have found my error. obviously a beginner here. thanx
hello again whitney, turning the heel was nothing short of magic, but now i am supposed to pick up 20 stitches on the flap. except i have 25. (and how did the 36 rows of heel flap leave 25 slip stitches on the edge anyway?) thanx for any help, leslie
Hi Leslie,
Since each Heel Flap row starts with a slip stitch, you should have 18 stitches to pick up (instead of 36). The two extra stitches (to make 20) are there to help close the gusset holes that tend to be born at this step in sock-making.
Now, how you're getting 25, I don't know! Perhaps you miscounted your Heel Flap rows or maybe you forgot to slip some of the first stitches. Either way, you can fudge this section (especially since this sock doesn't have to fit anyone!), either by skipping some stitches and just picking up 20 or by sticking with your 25 stitches and working the Gusset extra rounds.
I hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any more questions and good luck!
Whitney
hello again whitney, well i am still at this stocking!. i got down to the toe (the first time) to realize that the toe was askew, twisted to the one side. i decided since i had messed up the heel flap already i would just rip it out and fix both mistakes and hopefully be happy in the end. well, i got through the heel flap with the correct 20 pickup stitches (thank you) to see that my toe was twisting yet again. so my determination is that the dds in the round moves the marker over, thus making the center back marker no longer the center of the heel. again i have ripped out my work (just the toe) and eagerly await advice.
thanx, leslie
Just finished my version of this stocking! I had one problem where somehow my pattern got off after the heel, but i went with it and you don't notice it at all with how busy the pattern is and being at the very bottom/back of the stocking. So I left it and I am happy with it. I am going to make more in different colors, well see if I have the same problem with the next one. Other than that everything went off without a hitch which shocked me since I have never done several of the techniques used in this pattern. If anyone wants to see my version here it in here http://bansheescrawnbones.blogspot.com/2014/02/christmas-in-january-christmas.html?spref=fb
Thanks for the beautiful pattern!
thank you sadie for your post and pictures. congrats on your no-hitch stocking. whitney i have a question, after looking at sadie's very close ups i see that her stitches are straight up and down. mine on the other hand spiral. hence my problem. this also made my dss off in places. do i need to watch a knitting in the round video? i had to finish this project or i might go crazy so i just plain knit the toe. BUT, my center back starting point is not at the center of the heel, so i need to adjust my icord hanger placement. do you know why my pattern spiraled? thanx again, leslie
Leslie,
I didn't even notice that her stitches looked straight down on the foot! As I mentioned, I did have a slight problem but did my own little "fix it" and was happy with the result. Sometimes with patterns I have found if you can do something that works and you are happy with how it looks, than do it! (if you know how) You don't always have to stick right to the pattern, use it as a guide to feel your way through and make adjustments if you need to along the way!
sadie, thanx for the encouragement. this was my first non-hat or scarf project so i think i was a little nerveous. but i do love the way it turned out and can't wait to make another. after re-reading the pattern over and over i now realize i was doing the dss from front to back! btw, way to go with that yoga!
whitney and laura and all the creators at purl bee thank you for sharing your beautiful patterns. you should be so proud that you can spark such a desire in us mere beginners to attempt your designs. thank you all, leslie
Hi Leslie,
Well, it sounds like you finished your stocking before I had a chance to answer your questions about the toe; I'm so sorry!
For future reference, you should not have had roving markers for the toe. They should have stayed in place, with the beginning of the round always at the center of the heel. The Gusset and Toe sections would be pretty challenging for a beginner knitter since there's so much going on: stitch markers, decreases, stitch patterns, oh my! I'm so impressed (and happy!) you ended up with a Christmas Stocking you're proud of… Congratulations!
On to the next challenge, right? Let us know what it is and how we can help!
Whitney
PS Thanks, Sadie, for your input and I love your yellow stocking!
I just finished my second stocking if you want to check it out on my blog bansheescrawnbones.blogspot.com. I think there is possible a mistake on the pattern, I ran into the same issue twice. The first time I didn't notice and threw off my DSS, this time I did. I am about to start the third one and I will see if I run into the same problem again. It is when you start the DSS again after the heel decrease and you pick up the stitches on the side. You guys are the professionals though and I couldn't dream of making any of the patterns that you guys do and I'm SOO grateful that you make them available for us to make such beautiful things. I will just have to watch myself carefully on the next one and see what happens. Anyways, I have a few better pictures this time if you would like to see. Thanks again, I love this website!
Hi Sadie,
Your stockings looks amazing! Thank you so much for sharing them with us, and I can't wait to see your husband's!
Please do let us know if you run into problems with the pattern again. We definitely want to make sure it's perfect!
Whitney
What a gorgeous stocking! My fingers itch to make one already. Could I be allowed to sell any I make in my Etsy shop, or would you prefer they just be given as gifts?
Hi Mary W-
Thank you for getting in touch about this. All of our patterns are for home use only so they cannot be made for resale, but thanks again for checking!
Best-
Molly
This is such a beautiful pattern and I am having a blast knitting it. I did run into a similar problem as other knitters, however, just after picking up the heel stitches. Is it possible that in round 3 after the ssk, k1 that it should be (start with picking up the bar between the stitches) instead of starting with k2??
Any help you can provide would be very helpful! I can't wait to finish it. 🙂
Did you ever get a reply to this? I just asked the same question (albeit more long-winded!)
This pattern is wonderful! So much fun to knit!
I had the same gusset problem and think Lolo's right about round 3. I was able to rely on the pattern created by the previous rows to get me through.
I'll be finished sometime tomorrow. Care to guess what the family's getting for Christmas this year!? 😉
Thanks so much for the inspiration and guidance!
I am thoroughly confused by the directions for the heel. I always knit my socks toe up so never make a heel as you are showing. I’ve turned the heel perfectly but the gusset confuses me. How can I knit across the 20 stitches and pick up 20 stitches with the RIGHT needle and knit the original 36 when the yarn is at the top of the stocking? It makes more sense to pick the stitches up with the LEFT needle then the working yarn is in the correct position to knit. Before I proceed, I’d like some clarification. Thanks.
I am not familiar with the heel pattern as I knit all my socks toe up using the Bordhi Sweet Tomato Heel. I’m thoroughly confused by the picking up of stitches with the RIGHT needle. The working yarn isn’t anywhere near the 36 stitches that need to be knitted using this needle. If I use the LEFT needle, then I’m in a position to knit the 20 I pick up and then the 36 in the pattern. Please clarify for me. Thanks.
Duh, I figured it out!
Kathleen, I’m having the same problem with picking up stitches. Can you explain what you did to figure it out?
Me again. When working the foot, is there possibly a mistake on Row 3, where after the second marker, SSK, and K1 it says to work in the DSS pattern starting with K2? Because if I do that it mimics Row 1’s pattern and instead of looking like it’s following the diagonal stitch.
SSK would pick up the first stitch that the bar is passed over, then K1 would pick up the second stitch in the bar. If I K2 it follows Row 1’s stitches to the end and looks ribbed instead.
Hi Alexis (and Lolo and Sadie eveyone else who has had this question!),
I had been trying to wrap my brain around this question when we had a big website re-design and my attention got diverted and your questions got buried! I’m so sorry!
Finally, I have changed the pattern to correct this problem that so many of you have had. I’m so sorry for the error and for the delay in correcting it. Your feedback is so appreciated… Thank you!
Whitney
Hi! I just found this pattern late last night and I’m wondering if my hopes for two of these by Christmas are foolish. Would anybody mind sharing their experience/expected duration of the progress? Would hate to invest in the beautiful materials and rush this when I can always purchase something for this year and take my time to have these for next. Thanks!
Hi Diana-
I’m so sorry for taking so long to get back to you! You could probably have one of these done by Christmas if you dedicate a couple hours to it each day but it really depends on how fast of a knitter you are. Perhaps another commenter has some experience they’d like to share?
Thanks for getting in touch!
Molly
Hello,
I’ve almost finished this project but I’m having trouble at the end of the toe (decreasing from 40 to 12 stitches).
The pattern has you slip the marker for seven rounds straight. When I do this I end up with a single stitch that spans seven rows. It doesn’t match your pictures and I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. Can you help me out?
Hi Cori,
I can’t really picture what you mean by a “single stitch that spans seven rows”, but here’s some information that might help you…
When you decrease from 40 stitches to 12, you’re effectively continuing to work the decreases as you’ve already established them, but you’re working in stockinette, instead of the stitch pattern. The stitch markers indicate where the decreases happen and you should just slip them from one needle to the next as you get to them.
I hope this clears up whatever is going on with your toe! If not, please give us some more information, and we’ll be happy to help you out!
Whitney
The pattern detail looks great and I can use the computer. However, I want to print the pattern for a friend who does not have a computer and also when I want to knit away from the computer. Am I missing a link to a PDF? Thanks so much. Jane
Hi Jane-
Unfortunately we don’t have a PDF of this pattern. We are working on making our site easier to print from but in the meantime we recommend using printfriendly.com to print or save as a PDF.
Thank you so much for getting in touch!
Best-
Molly
Hi Whitney. Curious if Pearl Soho has a remnant program so that one would not have to purchase a whole skein of the contrasting color? I would love to make four stockings for our family, with everyone having their own color!
Greatly appreciate your help,
Angie
Hi Angie-
We don’t have a remnant program but you could certainly use any worsted weight yarn you have in your stash for the contrasting color.
Thank you for getting in touch!
Molly
I’m currently on this step “Row 1 (right side): Slip 1 purlwise, K19, ssk, k1, turn the work so the wrong side is facing you and there are 22 stitches on the left needle and 13 stitches on the right needle.”
While I have 22 stitches on the left, I’ve got 15 STITCHES on right right needle. Not sure how I ended up with 2 extra stitches (I counted each time I finished a short row). How do I fix this?
Many thanks in advance for your help!
Hi Liz,
Thank you for your question. It sounds like when you knit the heel flap you had been working 38 stitches rather than 36 as the pattern instructs. At this point you wouldn’t have started the short rows so I think you had just added 2 stitches to the heel flap. If you don’t want to unknit to before the heel flap, you can just continue your short rows and you will just do 2 extra rows of decreases until you end up with 20 stitches on the needle.
Since this isn’t a garment that is intended to be worn it won’t matter that you have those few extra rows.
Happy Knitting!
Jake
For the contrast color around the top edge, when it says to pick up and knit those 72 stitches does that mean pick up and knit a row then bind off? Or do I pick up the stitches then immediately do a bind off row? Hope that makes sense. Thanks!
Hello Melinda!
Yes, you should pick up and knit simultaneously and then bind off the next round. Sounds like you’re on track!
Thanks for your question!
Alyson
Any way you will ever get a real Christmas green color in this yarn?
Hi Carolyn-
We don’t have any plans to add new colors of this yarn in the near future but we will certainly keep your request in mind! Thanks for getting in touch!
Molly
Love the dala horse!
What is the best way to block these stockings?
Hi Carolyn,
Thank you for the comment! I would wet block it by submerging it in water with a little detergent or no rinse soak; available here; https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/10-knitting-crochet-notions-tools?company=240
Then lay it out flat on a towel to let it dry arranged in the proper shape.
I hope this helps and feel free to write back if you’d like anymore tips!
Good Luck!
Jake
I have made it all the way down to the bottom of the toe but, I am now confused. I have knit the decreases and have 12 remaining stitches on my needles. The next line reads: “Knit 3 stitches.” Then the following line reads: “Removing stitch markers, arrange next 6 stitches onto one double pointed needle and remaining 6 stitches onto another double pointed needle.”
Why am I knitting 3 stitches? This must be obvious as no else has asked this question. But the next sentence about arranging next 6 stitches on one needle and the remaining 6 stitches on another does not seem to account for these 3 stitches. What am I missing?
Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.
Hello Anastasia!
Congrats for making it this far! The step in the pattern you’re referring to is really only to re-distribute the stitches correctly so that you are in the correct position to graft the remaining stitches together. You need to knit the 3 stitches at the start of the row so that your working yarn is in place to create the seam that runs parallel to your toes and not perpendicular.
As long as you have 12 stitches left, you should be right on track! Happy knitting! -Alyson
I’m looking for advice on how to store these, long-term. I’m currently making a set of 4 for my family and I’ve had terrible luck in the past with carpet beetles and/or moth larvae finding their way into my woolens. Since I plan to bring them out only once a year, and hope to pass them down a few generations, I want to be especially careful with these. Tips would be appreciated! Thanks.
Hello Tracey!
Your heirlooms should be safe in plastic sealed bags. Another trick to try and kill the bugs that may already be in your items is to put the item in the freezer for at least 24 hours. Best of luck! -Alyson
Hi Tracey,
Great question! I like to store my fine woolens in a cedar chest. If you not lucky enough to have a cedar chest, I would recommend an air tight plastic container with either lavender sachets or cedar blocks in it. Both will deter the creepy crawlies that snack on our knit goods.
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Am I supposed to pick up and knit each of the stitches as I attach the heel flap? I’ve gotten to the 20 stitches, then it says to pick up 20 stitches on the heel flap (but doesn’t indicate to knit them). I feel like if I don’t, the working yarn isn’t where it needs to be too continue with the piece. Thanks!
Hi, Johanna,
Thank you for writing in! For this section you just pick up the 20 stitches along the heel flap, then you continue knitting along the inseam to create the gusset. The working yarn travels along as you pick up the stitches, so it should be there to continue knitting along the gusset. If you have further questions, please let us know!
Best,
Kumeko
I am at this part:
“Turn the Heel
Still just working the Heel Flap stitches…
Row 1 (right side): Slip 1 purlwise, K19, ssk, k1, turn the work so the wrong side is facing you and there are 22 stitches on the left needle and 13 stitches on the right needle.
Row 2 (wrong side): Slip 1 purlwise, p5, p2tog, p1, turn the work.”
I am very confused as to why I would turn the work in the middle of row. Am I supposed turn the work in the middle and then start on Row 2 in the middle of Row 1?
I was hoping you could clarify this part of the pattern.
Thanks!
Hello Caitlin,
Thank you for writing in. Turning a heel can be quite the confusing situation, but do not fear! After you finish this project you will be making socks all the time. If you visualize a sock, you will notice that the cuff goes straight down and then the direction of the knit magically turns at a 45 degree angle. This is because you “turn the heel” and the directions you are reading are modified “short rows”. A short row is when you knit a portion of the round and then turn the work to work backward, creating more fabric in one section of the round and not the other sections. I hope this makes sense. In relation to your stocking, this means that you will knit a certain amount, decrease at the gap and then then turn your work at a certain section of the work to concentrate only on the heel portion. If you follow these directions word-by-word, turning the work as it tells you to, you will not be disappointed. Please let us know if you have any more questions!
Best,
Adam
Hi there! I made this stocking twice a couple of summers ago–I’d like to make a third one for this holiday season, but I’d love to make it a little smaller. What’s the easiest way to adjust the pattern to do a smaller stocking? Thanks for your help!!
Hi Kristin,
Thanks for the question! The easiest way to go about this is to use smaller yarn and smaller needles. I’d go with a sport weight yarn and knit on a US 5 to get a good-sized, smaller stocking. Hope this helps!
-Adam
Any recommendations for a good way to fasten off the yarn for the I-cord loop? I thought I wove in the ends securely but as soon as the stocking is hung and a little bit of weight put on it, the yarn tail comes loose.
Hi Leslie,
Thank you for writing in! If you have a tail the is long enough, you can weave it through a few inches of the edging making sure that the end of the tail is facing the inside. I would also be sure to wait to clip the end of the tail until you have put some weight on it, that way you can be to clip it towards the inside of the stocking.
I hope that this helps and happy knitting!
Cassy
Hi there! I’m just trying to finish the top and am confused at the folding down and sewing. I’m confused by the “remove sewing thread”. Please clarify. Thanks!
Hi Kathy,
Thanks for the question. If you used a long-tail cast on, the directions say to use some thread to mark a certain round when you need to fold the top. This is only for the long tail cast on and not for the provisional though. If you did not use thread to mark the round, then I would just string some thread through the round you want to attach to in order to make it easier to see. Hope this helps!
-Adam
-Adam
Hi,
I’m making this for my sister and am confused about the part where you turn it down and sew it. Am I supposed to sew it using regular sewing thread or yarn? Is there a technique for this?
Thanks for your help!
Hello Wendy,
Thank you for writing in! If you used a long-tail cast on then you will fold the cuff to the inside and sew the cast on edge to the round you’ve marked using the tail of your long-tail cast on. Does that make sense? Please let us know.
Best wishes,
Kumeko
Hi!
Just curious, is it possible to do this pattern with 2 colors?
Thanks!
Camille
HI Camille,
Thanks for writing in! You certainly can use two colors here. Due to the stitch pattern, you will not get clear stripes but I think that it could be quite lovely. There are a few examples on Ravelry where knitters striped colors and they are quite nice indeed!
Best,
Cassy
I am working on Turning the Heel (I did this pattern once before and was successful;)) and am having trouble.
First question: is the “gap” in Row 3 mentioned actually the stitch marker? Or something else? I know you have some stitches on one needle and then the other from row 1…..
If I keep turning when it says I run out of stitches and it seems to be too rapidly condensing in on itself and doesn’t look right. Can you help?
Hello Nicole,
Thank you for reaching out! The “gap” refers to the gap created when you turned your work in Row 1- this means that when you knit Row 3 the gab is where you had previously turned your work in row 1. This you fix the rest of the issues you are having. I hope this makes sense and please let me know if I can clarify anything!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
I’m knitting this for my sister. She said she wanted a “prettier” stocking and she’s in for a treat! This is beautiful! It’s a pleasure to knit and I already know that I will make more. Thank you for such a stunning design.
Hi! I’m knitting the heel flap and am having a little trouble with the slip stitches looking like the picture.
For Row 1: *slip1 purlwise, knit1* should the slip stitch be with yarn in front or in back?
Same question for Row2, slip with yarn in front or in back?
One way it looks like stockingnette and another I have a weird bar. Sorry if this question has already been asked! Thanks for your help
Hi Ali,
Thanks for writing in! Working a heel for the first time can be a bit confusing! In the heel section, you will be slipping purlwise with the yarn in the back. The look of the heel will be a bit like bunched up stockinette stitch. Your knitting should look like the picture underneath the “The Heel Flap” section.
I hope that this clears things up!
Cassy
Hello! I want to make these for Christmas, but I want to add a monogrammed letter do you think that is possible?
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for writing in! I love this idea, and the easiest way to add text or a monogram to a knitted object is with Duplicate Stitch; unfortunately, duplicate stitch doesn’t work very well over textured stitches such as the Diagonal Scallop Stitch. You could either plan ahead and leave a rectangle in the center of the stocking as stockinette stitch to work the duplicate stitch on, or find a pattern for a crocheted or knitted freestanding letter to applique on to the stocking when it is finished.
Best of luck and happy knitting!
Julianna
I am at the heel turning point I read all the comments about the turn I still don’t understand how could the stitched decreased to 20 stitches since you would keep on turning but only knitting the 8stitches that mentioned in the row2. And turn the work before reach to the “gap” (it was answered to one comment referring to the gap at row1)so how could one knit stitches before and after it. It really don’t add up for me I am giving up looking for other people’s turning heel tutorials
Hi Emily,
Thanks for reaching out! Heel turns usually seem quite mysterious at first, so you are not alone in your confusion! Each short row ends with either a P2tog, P1 or a SSK, K1, which decreases one stitch each time you turn, so you will be decreasing down to 20 stitches by the time you are done with the heel turn. Although it is a bit scary, the best thing to do when turning a heel is to trust the pattern and follow it row by row – I promise it works even if it is difficult to visualize when reading through the pattern!
I hope that helps!
Julianna
I’m interested in making it smaller. If I knit it on the smaller needles recommended in the comments, how big does the stocking measure? Is it still the same length and circumference?
Hello Camilla,
Thank you for reaching out! This will all depend on your gauge. If your gauge is smaller than the original pattern the circumference will be smaller, but you can knit to any length you would like.
I hope this all makes sense and let us know if you have any further questions!
-Marilla
I would love to knit this stocking but make it wider and longer. Is there a way to do this? If I use larger needles and larger yarn, can you please recommend a larger yarn that will offer the same look of this yarn (and which needle size I should use)? I will purchase the yarn from Purl–I really appreciate it!
Hello Victoria,
Thank you for reaching out! If you want to make a bigger version I would recommend checking out either our Big Good Wool or our Super Soft Merino. I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hello! I started knitting this pattern in a size 7 needle wanting it to be a denser knit… Now I see where it says to go down to a smaller size about halfway down the leg, Why does it say to do this? Is it just to make the foot more dense? I’m thinking I should probably net the whole thing in a size 7, what do you guys think?
Hello Rose,
Thank you for reaching out! This is a simple way to add shaping to the project. However, if you prefer the denser look you can certainly switch to the smaller needle sooner!
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hello, I love your Christmas stocking patterns, but am interested in making one with a fingering-weight yarn. To my knowledge, you don’t have a pattern like that on your website. Would you be interested in either converting one of your existing patterns or creating a new one? (I would like to try some colorwork, so if the pattern was a plain stockinette stitch, that would be the easiest to follow.) 🙂
Thanks for all the free patterns and projects on your site! They’re so inspirational.
Hi Kerry,
Thanks for writing in! Unfortunately, we don’t have a stocking pattern for fingering weight yarn – I’m so sorry about that! I will certainly pass your request along to our design team, but in the mean time, you may be able to find a pattern on Ravelry or by searching for “Fingering weight Christmas stocking pattern” in your preferred search engine.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Can you please condense the print version of this pattern for those of us who are trying to be environmentally responsible but need something to look at offscreen?
Hi Vicki,
Thanks for writing in! Our Print function allows you to pick and choose whichever portions of the pattern or pictures you want to print! If you’re on a desktop version of the site, you will find a “print” icon in the right column just below the “Save To Favorites” button. If you’re on a mobile version of the site, you will find a “print” icon below the pattern and above the comments.
Follow the easy on-screen instructions to delete whichever parts of the pattern you don’t want to print or save. For example, you may decide to shorten the pattern by omitting certain images or the list of materials. To remove images, click the drop down next to the image icon and change from 100% to 0%.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
This is so pretty and such a fun stocking to knit. When knitting the toe, the first round reads two times, work in pattern to the end of the round. 4 stitches decreased. Does that mean start at the beginning of round one for decreases on either side of the markers?
Hi Jana,
Thanks for reaching out and for your kind words! I am so glad to hear you are enjoying this pattern! Basically, you should have 2 markers placed on either side. You will then DSS to 4 stitches before first marker, then you will k1, k2tog, k1, slip the marker, k1, ssk, k1 so there will be a decrease on either side of the marker. You will then again work DSS to 4 stitches before the next marker k1, k2tog, k1, slip the marker, k1, ssk, k1 again! Then you will continue in patter to the end of the round. This will be a total of 4 stitches decreased, 2 decreases on either side of each of the stitch markers!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna