Stocking to knit
This luxurious cable-knit stocking is the perfect addition to your festive decorations this season. Especially once it’s been filled with treats!
MEASUREMENTS
Approximately 37cm/14½in long by 16.5cm/6½in wide at the top.
MATERIALS
3 x 50g (100m) balls of Sublime Extra Fine Merino Worsted (100% wool) in Alabaster 003*. Pair each of 4.5mm (no. 7) and 5mm (no. 6) knitting needles; cable needle; 5cm pompom maker. Yarn is available from theknittingnetwork.co.uk.
TENSION
18 stitches and 24 rows, to
10 x 10cm, over stocking stitch, using 4.5mm needles.
ABBREVIATIONS
St(s), stitch(es); k, knit; p, purl; c4b, cable 4 back (slip next 2 sts onto cable needle, leave at back, k next 2 sts, then k 2 sts from cable needle); c4f, cable 4 front (slip next 2 sts onto cable needle, leave at front, k next 2 sts, then k 2 sts from cable needle); 2tog, decrease 1 st
(by working 2 sts together);
inc, increase 1 st (by working into same st twice).
NOTE
Yarn amounts are based on average requirements and are therefore approximate. instructions in square brackets are worked as stated after
2nd bracket.
FIRST SIDE
** With 4.5mm needles, cast on 34 sts.
1st row: K2, [p2, k2] to end. 2nd row: P to end.
Last 2 rows form broken rib.
Rib until cuff measures 9cm from cast-on edge, ending with a 1st row.
Change to 5mm needles.
Work in pattern as follows:
1st row: [K2, p2] 3 times, k10, [p2, k2] 3 times.
2nd row: [P2, k2] 3 times, p10, [k2, p2] 3 times.
3rd row: [P2, k2] twice, p4, c4f, k2, c4b, p4, [k2, p2] twice.
4th row: [K2, p2] twice, k4, p10, k4, [p2, k2] twice. These 4 rows form the cable panel with double moss st pattern. Pattern straight until work measures 34cm from cast-on edge, ending with a wrong side row. **
Shape for foot: Next row: Inc in first st, pattern to end – 1 st increased.
Next row: Pattern to last 2 sts, inc in next st, pattern 1 – 1 st increased. Repeat the last 2 rows, twice more – 40 sts.
Next row: Pattern to last 2 sts, work 2tog – 1 st decreased.
Next row: Pattern to end.
Repeat the last 2 rows, 4 times more – 35 sts.
Next row: Work 2tog, pattern to last 2 sts, work 2tog – 2 sts decreased.
Next row: Work 2tog, pattern to end – 1 st decreased.
Repeat the last 2 rows, 6 times more – 14 sts.
Cast off.
SECOND SIDE
Work as given for first side from ** to **.
Shape for foot: Next row: Pattern to last 2 sts, inc in next st, pattern 1 – 1 st increased.
Next row: Inc in first st, pattern to end – 1 st increased.
Repeat the last 2 rows, twice more – 40 sts.
Next row: Work 2tog, pattern to end – 1 st decreased.
Next row: Pattern to end.
Repeat the last 2 rows, 4 times more – 35 sts.
Next row: Work 2tog, pattern to last 2 sts, work 2tog – 2 sts decreased.
Next row: Pattern to last 2 sts, work 2tog – 1 st decreased.
Repeat the last 2 rows, 6 times more – 14 sts. Cast off.
LOOP
With 4.5mm needles, cast on 30 sts.
K 1 row.
Cast off.
TO MAKE UP
Join seam, reversing seam for cuff. Fold cuff to right side. Fold loop in half and attach to back of sock. Make two 5cm pompoms and a 35cm long twisted or plaited cord (see below).
Attach one pompom to each end of cord and join centre of cord to back of sock.
TWISTED CORD
Cut two strands of Alabaster in lengths of 105cm (this is three times longer than the desired length of 35cm). If you’d like a thicker cord, you can use more strands but they must be divisible by two. Note that the final cord will be a double thickness of the amount of strands you use.
Knot the lengths of yarn together at each end. Slip a knitting needle between the strands at each end so they’re both resting at each knot and standing upright. Hold one needle steady and twist the other until the lengths of yarn are twisted tightly. You can ask a friend to help with this, or you can anchor one end of the yarn over a door handle. Find the middle of the twisted yarn and remove the needles, but keep hold of each end to stop them untwisting too soon.
Bring both ends of yarn together, keeping the length taut and release the hand that is holding the middle. The cord should automatically twist up. Smooth out any uneven lumps with your fingers and knot both ends together.
PLAITED CORD
We used the twisted cord method, but if you are struggling, then this is an easier, alternative method. Cut three strands of Alabaster in lengths of 50cm (this is one third longer than the desired length of 35cm). If you would like a thicker cord then you can use more strands but they must be divisible by three.
Knot the strands together at one end and secure this end. Ask a friend to hold it, or tape/pin it to a suitable surface. Plait the strands in the same way that you would plait hair (right over centre, left over centre, etc) to the end of the strands and tie a knot to secure.
5CM POMPOM
(make 2)
Cut two circles of card about 6cm in diameter and make a hole in the middle of each. Put the two pieces of card together and begin to wind lengths of Alabaster (use more than one length stranded together for speed) around the card until the ring is covered. Continue until you can no longer poke the lengths through the centre. You may need a darning needle for when the centre gets smaller. Using a pair of sharp scissors cut through the lengths around the outer edge of the ring. Tie a length of yarn tightly and securely around the middle of the two rings and remove the cardboard. Fluff up the ends and trim to an even round shape using scissors. Be sure to leave a length of the tie to attach to cord.