Knitting Christmas Stockings for Leo and Jamie
This Christmas my needles are working overtime on a pair of very special stockings for two very special boys, Leo and Jamie. These sweet cousins are celebrating their first Christmas, and I couldn’t resist giving them each a hand knit stocking to start their holiday traditions off right.
Basic Construction → Cascade Christmas Stocking Pattern
Skill Level → Intermediate with knowledge of fair isle knitting
Skills to know ↓
- Knit
- Purl
- Cast On
- Bind Off
- Weave in ends
- Knit 2 Together
- Yarnover
- SSK
- Knitting in the round
- Fair Isle Knitting
Need help? Check out this great book
Yarn
Encore Knitting worsted weight yarn from www.plymouthyarn.com
Hobby Lobby “I Love This Yarn” worsted weight
Related Post → Marlow’s Christmas Stocking
Needles
Knitpicks Caspian Options Short Interchangeable Circular Set
Size 8 needles with a 16″ cord and a gauge of 18 stitches per 4 inches
Pattern
Basic Construction → Cascade Christmas Stocking Pattern free on Ravelry
The first section was knit with Hobby Lobby’s white yarn with silver sparkles. The next section I knit 2 red, knit 2 green for 6 rows, then a row of white sparkle.
To knit the name into the stocking I used this chart: and used the Encore yarn Cranberry.
Continuing on, I knit a row of cranberry. Next row: K1 cranberry, K1 white. Next came a row of cranberry. This give a nice separation between the name and the next design.
The next chart is from the Cascade pattern. I finished the chart and then knit a row of K1 light blue, K1 dark blue, then a row of dark blue.
The all around chart is from the Cascade pattern. Again, to separate the sections, I transitioned to the next chart by knitting 1 of each color, then a solid row.
When I reached 12 inches total, I began the afterthought heel.
Afterthought Heel
Here is my own method of knitting the afterthought heel. With a craft needle I thread a scrap piece of yarn through the 15 stitches before and after the middle marker. I tied the yarn and leave them for later. This way it is very simple to put them back on the needles when it is time for the heel.
Then I go back to the stitches left on the needle and cast on 30 stitches, then purl back to continue the fair isle overall pattern. This is my way of doing it. The Cascade pattern has a different way of handling it and it’s very well written!
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- place 15 stitches before end of marker and 15 stitches after marker on scrap yarn
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- pick up the last color used and cast on 30 stitches using the knit cast-on method
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- purl back 30 stitches and resume pattern
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- knit pattern for 2 more inches
After knitting the overall pattern for another 2 – 2.5 inches, I add the toe color. Knit a row or 2 and then continued the instructions to finish the toe. I use the kitchener stitch to close up the toe and the heel.
Finishing the Heel
Now it’s time to put the heel stitches that are being held by the scrap yarn on the needles. For the toe and the heel I prefer to use 2 16″ circular needles. The one set of 30 stitches goes on one needle. Then pick up 30 stitches with the other needle.
When knitting with 2 circular needles, I knit the top stitches with one needle and then the bottom stitches with the other needle. Just give the yarn a little tug when going from one needle to another.
Weaving in the Ends
You want to be sure your ends are neatly woven in and that they won’t come undone. You can expect this Christmas Stocking to last many many years of holiday joy! Check here for great tips on weaving in your ends.
Blocking
I always block my knits. I like to use a steamer to set the stitches.
I-CORD Loop
I knit a 7″ long I-cord loop so I can hang the stockings by the fire!
Conclusion
Knitting for babies always feels like a little bit of magic, but knitting for their first Christmas feels extra special. Here’s to Leo and Jamie and all the memories their stockings will hold!
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