Mix-and-Match Stockings

With 17 different patterns for you to mix and match, you can knit a unique stocking for everyone in the family. The “afterthought heel” lets you knit straight to the toe and then add the heel afterward. We offer directions for both worsted- (shown) and bulky-weight versions of this stocking.

Finished Measurements

7" wide × 22¹⁄₂" long

Abbreviations

CC: contrasting color

K: knit

K2tog: knit 2 stitches together

MC: main color

P: purl

ssk: slip, slip, knit the 2 slipped stitches together

st(s): stitch(es)

Worsted-Weight

Skip to Bulky-Weight

Yarn

Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride, 100% wool, worsted weight, 4 oz (113 g)/190 yd (173 m) skeins

MC: Sandy Heather (M-01), 175 yds
CC A: Old Sage (M-69), 90 yds
CC B: Chianti (M-28), 90 yds
CC C: Amethyst (M-62), 90 yds
CC D: Cream (M-10), 90 yds

Needles

One US 8 (5 mm) circular needle, 16" long, or size you need to obtain correct gauge

Gauge

20 stitches = 4" on US 8 (5 mm) needles in stockinette stitch

Other Supplies

Stitch markers, small quantity of scrap yarn in similar weight but different color, crochet hook, yarn needle

Knitting the Cuff

With MC, using the circular needle, cast on 72 sts

Join the yarn to work in the round, taking care not to twist the stitches. Place a stitch marker between the last and first cast-on stitches to mark the beginning of the round. (See Getting Around, for information about knitting in the round.)

Work in K2, P2 ribbing for 1¹⁄₂".

Making the Name Band

Round 1: With MC, knit to the end of the round.

Rounds 2–4: Using MC and CC A, knit to the end of each round, following the Chain chart on page 65 for color pattern. Begin where indicated on line 1 at the bottom of the chart and work from right to left, repeating the pattern to the end of the round. Carry unused colors loosely behind work. (For more information about multicolor knitting, see The Joy of Color.)

Rounds 5–15: Using MC, knit to the end of each round. (If desired, the name will be added in these rounds later.)

Rounds 16–18: Repeat rounds 2–4.

Round 19: With MC, knit to the end of the round.

Knitting the Leg

Select an assortment of patterns from the Mix-and-Match charts on pages 65–68. For each pattern, Begin where indicated on line 1 at the bottom of the chart and work from right to left, repeating each pattern until the end of the round. Do not cut the yarn until you reach a round where that color is no longer used.

Using selected patterns, work even in stockinette stitch for 10"–11"

Marking for the Heel

Cut the yarn. Slide onto the left-hand needle the last 18 sts

Join scrap yarn of a different color and K36

Cut the scrap yarn.

Knitting the Foot

Note: For the rest of the piece, start the rounds with the first stitch after the scrap yarn. Move the stitch marker to this position.

Select patterns from the Mix-and-Match charts. For each pattern, begin where indicated on line 1 at bottom of the chart and work from right to left, repeating each pattern until the end of the round.

Using selected patterns, work even in stockinette stitch for 4"–5".

Shaping the Toe

Round 1: With MC, K36

Place a marker indicating the halfway point, and continue knitting to 3 stitches before the end of the round, K2tog, K1, slip marker.

You now have 71 sts

Round 2: K1, ssk, knit to 3 stitches before the halfway marker, K2tog, K1, slip marker, K1, ssk, knit to the end of the round.

You now have 68 sts

Round 3: Knit to 3 stitches before the end of the round, K2tog, K1.

You now have 67 sts

Next Rounds: Repeat rounds 2 and 3 6 times

Last Round: Repeat round 2. You now have 40 sts

Cut yarn, leaving a 36" tail.

Divide stitches equally, sliding half of the stitches to each end of the circular needles. Graft the toe with Kitchener stitch.

Making the Afterthought Heel

Carefully pull out the scrap yarn and place the live stitches from the rows above and below the scrap yarn on a circular needle. Place stitch markers where the stitches split between the upper and lower rows.

Join MC after one of the stitch markers.

Using MC, shape and finish the heel just as you did the toe.

Making the Loop

At the center back of the top of the sock, pick up and knit 3 stitches (see Picking Up Stitches).

Knit a 3" I-cord, following We’ve Got Hang-Ups instructions on page 77.

Tie off the I-cord and tack the end to the beginning of the I-cord, making a loop.

Finishing

With a yarn needle and Duplicate Stitch, work the name of the stocking’s owner into the name band, using the Alphabet chart on page 69 for guidance. Center the words on the band, and leave a stitch between each letter. You can probably fit the name twice, on the front and on the back. Using the same method, work the year into the sock’s toe.

Cut the yarn and weave in all loose ends on wrong side of work.

Bulky-Weight

Yarn

MC: 150 yds
CC A: 70 yds
CC B: 70 yds
CC C: 70 yds
CC D: 70 yds

Needles

One US 9 (5.5 mm) circular needle, 16" long, or size you need to obtain correct gauge

Gauge

16 stitches = 4" on US 9 (5.5 mm) needles in stockinette stitch

Other Supplies

Stitch markers, small quantity of scrap yarn in similar weight but different color, crochet hook, yarn needle

Knitting the Cuff

With MC, using the circular needle, cast on 60 sts

Work in K2, P2 ribbing for 1¹⁄₂".

Making the Name Band

Round 1: With MC, knit to the end of the round.

Rounds 5–15: Using MC, knit to the end of each round. (If desired, the name will be added in these rounds later.)

Rounds 16–18: Repeat rounds 2–4.

Round 19: With MC, knit to the end of the round.

Knitting the Leg

Using selected patterns, work even in stockinette stitch for 9¹⁄₂"–10"

Marking for the Heel

Cut the yarn. Slide onto the left-hand needle the last 15 sts

Join scrap yarn of a different color and K30

Cut the scrap yarn.

Knitting the Foot

Note: For the rest of the piece, start the rounds with the first stitch after the scrap yarn. Move the stitch marker to this position.

Select patterns from the Mix-and-Match charts. For each pattern, begin where indicated on line 1 at bottom of the chart and work from right to left, repeating each pattern until the end of the round.

Using selected patterns, work even in stockinette stitch for 4"–5".

Shaping the Toe

Round 1: With MC, K30

Place a marker indicating the halfway point, and continue knitting to 3 stitches before the end of the round, K2tog, K1, slip marker.

You now have 59 sts

Round 2: K1, ssk, knit to 3 stitches before the halfway marker, K2tog, K1, slip marker, K1, ssk, knit to the end of the round.

You now have 56 sts

Round 3: Knit to 3 stitches before the end of the round, K2tog, K1.

You now have 55 sts

Next Rounds: Repeat rounds 2 and 3 5 times

Last Round: Repeat round 2. You now have 32 sts

Cut yarn, leaving a 36" tail.

Divide stitches equally, sliding half of the stitches to each end of the circular needles. Graft the toe with Kitchener stitch.

Making the Afterthought Heel

Join MC after one of the stitch markers.

Using MC, shape and finish the heel just as you did the toe.

Making the Loop

At the center back of the top of the sock, pick up and knit 3 stitches (see Picking Up Stitches).

Knit a 3" I-cord, following We’ve Got Hang-Ups instructions on page 77.

Tie off the I-cord and tack the end to the beginning of the I-cord, making a loop.

Finishing

Cut the yarn and weave in all loose ends on wrong side of work.

Mix-and-Match Charts

The charts and color key on this and the next page are those used in the stocking pictured on page 60. You will find more designs on the following pages. Color choices are entirely yours!

Note: It’s customary in knitting books for charts to be followed from bottom to top, and, when knitting circularly, from right to left. Although this results in some charts apparently being presented upside down, the designs will be right side up when the stocking is completed, because you’re knitting from the top.

Key

Christmas Tree

Zigzag

Holly

Chain

Wreath

Key

Reindeer

Elf

Boy

Girl

Candy Cane

Bell

Cross

Heart

Santa

Key

Hearts

Snowflake

Snowman

Tree

Alphabet