Mini Stocking
I decided to knit a mini stocking that was a perfect replica of a real sock, complete with a proper heel and grafted toes. Don't ask me why, it just appealed to me. I attach these stockings to the outside of Christmas presents, stuffed with
mini chocolates. They can then be used as tree decorations. I use different colours each year and choose my wrapping paper to match the stockings - not that I'm at all obsessive!
Materials
Small amount of textured DK for cuff Small amount of 4 ply for stocking Set of five double pointed 2.25mm / US size 1 needles
Method
Using cuff colour cast on 24 sts and divide between 3 needles. Work 6 rounds in garter st (K 1 round, P 1 round). Change to stocking colour and knit 14 rounds.
Heel flap:
Work back and forth on the first 12 sts only, leaving the leg sts divided between 2 needles. Work 16 rows in heel pattern as follows: Row 1: \*Sl 1 pwise, K1, rep from \*. Row 2: Sl 1 pwise, P to end. Turn Heel: Row 1: S1 1 pwise, K6, SSK, K1, turn. Row 2: S1 1 pwise, P3, P2tog, P1, turn. Row 3: Sl 1 pwise, K4, SSK, K1, turn. Row 4: Sl 1 pwise, P5, P2tog, P1. Instep: The work is now divided between 4 needles. Needle 1: K8. Needle 2: Pick up 8 sts along side of heel flap, K1 Needle 3: K10. Needle 4: K1, pick up 8sts along side of heel flap.
Shape instep:
Needle 1: Knit. Needle 2: K to last 2 sts, K2tog. Needle 3: Knit. Needle 4: SSK, K to end. Work this round 6 times by which time you should be back to 24 sts.
Foot:
Re-arrange sts on 3 needles . Knit 10 rounds.
Toes:
Knit first 10 sts from round onto one needle. Beginning from this new starting point work on 4 needles as follows: Needle 1: K3, K2tog, K1. Needle 2: K1, SSK, K3. Needle 3: as needle 1 Needle 4: as needle 2 (20 sts) Knit 1 round. Needle 1: K2, K2tog, K1. Needle 2: K1, SSK, K2. Needle 3: as needle 1 Needle 4: as needle 2 (16 sts) Knit 1 round. Needle 1: K1, K2tog, K1. Needle 2: K1, SSK, K1. Needle 3: as needle 1 Needle 4: as needle 2 (12sts) Nearly there now! Re-arrange the sts on 2 needles and graft the toe together. This is not as difficult as it sounds. Hold the two needles together with the wool coming from the needle at the back (needle B), the needle in the front is called...wait for it...needle A! Cut the wool, leaving a long end, thread a blunt needle with it and start grafting: Thread through the first st on A pwise and the first st on B kwise, leave both sts on their needles. \*Thread through the first st on A kwise and pullit off the needle. Thread through the next st on A pwise and leave it on. Thread through the first st on B pwise and pullit off the needle. Thread through the next st on B kwise and leave it on. Rep from \* until all the sts are grafted together.
Hanging Tab:
Using 4 ply, work 40 rows of garter st on 3 sts. Sew to outside of stocking just below cuff.
Abbreviations K knit pwise purlwise P purl kwise knitwise st stitch SSK slip, slip, knit (see below) sts stitches P2tog purl 2 together S1 slip K2tog knit 2 together slip, slip, knit slip 2 sts kwise one at a time, insert tip of left needle into sts from above, put yarn round right needle and knit both sts together.
