Cabled Christmas Stocking

A pattern by YarnThrower

(These directions are for the cabled off-white stocking shown on the right in the photo. To make the red stocking shown in the photo, go here.)

Make a Christmas Stocking in an evening, using large needles and super bulky yarn! The stocking shown here was made with Plymouth Brand Yukon (35% Mohair, 35% Wool, 30% Acrylic).

(This pattern is the property of YarnThrower and may not be reproduced except for one copy for individual use. If you print or distribute this pattern without YarnThrower's written permission, you are stealing.)

Finished Dimensions:

• Off-white stocking shown is 6 inches wide by 19 inches long

Materials required:

• One skein Plymouth Brand Yukon, or Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick, or any super-bulky weight yarn (category 6) which knits up at about 8 or 9 stitches per four inches in stockinette.
• Set of four size 13 double pointed needles
• Size 13 circular needle, 16 inch (optional -- may use double pointed needles throughout, or may cast stitches onto circular needle and knit most of the sock on the circular needle, though double pointed needles will still be needed at the heel and toe)
• Cable needle
  
• Darning needle
• Scissors

Cast On:

1. Holding two double pointed needles together, cast on 36 stitches tightly over both needles. Carefully pull out one of the needles. This will yield a loose, uniform cast on edge.
2. Divide stitches evenly onto three needles. You will have 12 stitches per needle.

Cuff:

1. Place marker and join to work in the round, knitting one row. (Note that the first 12 stitches knit are on neelde #1, the next 12 stitches knit are on needle #2, and the last 12 stitches knit are on needle #3.)
2. Work in K1 P1 ribbing for five rows.

Leg:
Work 12 rows of Leg Cable Pattern as follows:

• Rows 1-4: Knit.
• Row 5: *K2, place two stitches on cable needle and hold in back of work, K2, then K2 from cable needle*, repeat section between * * five times until end of round.
• Rows 6-10: Knit.
• Row 11: *Place two stitches on cable needle and hold in front of work, K2, then K2 from cable needle, K2*, repeat section between * * five times until end of round.
• Row 12: Knit.

Work 12 rows of cable pattern two more times. Stocking will measure approximately 11 inches after this step is completed.

Heel Flap:

1. Arrange stitches on needles so that the next 18 stitches are on needle #1, and needles # 2 and #3 have 9 stitches each. The heel will be worked back and forth on needle #1.
   
2. Row 1: *Slip one stitch as if to purl, K1*, repeat section between * * until the end of needle #1, turn work.
3. Row 2: S1, purl across, turn work.
4. Rows 3-9: Repeat rows 1-2, ending with row 1.

Turn Heel:
(Note that when you turn work on rows 1-5 in this section, you will not be at the end of the row.)

1. Row 1: P11, P2tog, P1, turn work.
2. Row 2: S1, K5, K2tog, K1, turn work.
3. Row 3: S1, P6, P2tog, P1, turn work.
4. Row 4: S1, K7, K2tog, K1, turn work.
5. Row 5: S1, P8, P2tog, P1, turn work.
6. Row 6: S1, K9, K2tog, K1.

Gusset:

1. Pick-up round (Row 1): Pick-up and knit 8 stitches along right edge of heel flap. Combine instep stitches (those stitches on needles #2 and #3) onto one needle by using a free double pointed needle and knitting across the 18 instep stitches. Using the needle which was just freed up, pick up and knit 8 stitches along left edge of heel flap. Continue knitting with this same needle and knit 6 stitches from the heel. You are now at the center back, the "new" end of round. Move next 6 stitches onto needle #1. Needle #1 should have 14 stitches on it, needle #2 should have 18 stitches on it, and needle #3 should have 14 stitches on it, with yarn end between needle #1 and needle #3.
2. Row 2: Knit across needle #1. Work row 2 of Leg Cable Pattern across needle #2 (the 18 instep stitches). Knit across needle #3.
3. Row 3: Decreasing round. Knit to last three stitches of needle #1, K2tog, K1. work row 3 of Leg Cable Pattern across needle #2. On needle #3, K1, SSK, knit to end of needle.
4. Row 4: Knit across needle #1. Work the next row of Leg Cable Pattern across needle #2. Knit across needle #3.
5. Row 5: Decreasing round. Knit to last three stitches of needle #1, K2tog, K1. Work the next row of Leg Cable Pattern across needle #2. On needle #3, K1, SSK, knit to end of needle.
6. Then, repeat rows 4 and 5 until needles #1 and #3 both have 9 stitches each.
7. Knit across needle #1. Work next row of Leg Cable Pattern across needle #2 (the 18 instep stitches). Knit across needle #3. Repeat this row until 18 rows have been completed since the start of the gusset. (When at this point, row 6 of Leg Cable pattern will have just been completed on instep stitches.)

Toe:

1. Row 1: On next round, knit to last three stitches of needle #1, K2tog, K1. On needle #2, K1, SSK, knit to last three stitches, K2tog, K1. On needle #3, K1, SSK, knit to end of round.
2. Row 2: Knit around.
3. Repeat rows 1 and 2 until there are a total of 16 stitches remaining, stopping at end of round.
4. Continue knitting with needle #3, and knit 4 stitches from needle #1 onto needle #3. You should now have two needles, each with 8 stitches.
5. Cut yarn leaving an 18 inch tail, and use kitchener stitch to close toe.

Finishing:

1. Weave in all ends.
2. Add a crochet chain or I-cord for hanging stocking.