St. Nicholas is certain to enjoy filling these colourful stockings when he comes around on Christmas Eve. Designer Joy Green of Leduc, Alta., assures us that they're quick and easy to knit and just as easy to decorate: simply appliqué with felt motifs and personalize with an embroidered name along the top. This is one of our most-requested stories ever -- yours to enjoy here now.

Looking for more quick and easy holiday crafts? Try knitting our easy Christmas tree ornaments.


Abbreviations:
beg = begin(ning)
CC = contrasting colour
cm = centimetre(s)
dec = decrease(s)(d)(ing)
g = gram(s)
in(s) = inch(es)
inc = increase(s)(d)(ing)
k = knit
kb = knit stitch in row below
M1 = make one stitch by picking up horizontal strand lying in front of next st and work into back of it
mm = millimetre(s)
MC = main color
p = purl
psso = pass slip stitch over
rem = remain(ing)
rep = repeat
sl = slip
st(s) = stitch(es)
St st = stocking stitch
tbl = through back of loop
tog = together
yon = yarn over needle

Knitted stocking
Stocking is knit flat, then sewn up the back. Name is worked in duplicate stitch and felt appliqué is applied when stocking is complete.

To see an example of the duplicate stitch click here.

You need:
Worsted weight yarn (50g balls) as follows:
2 balls MC
1 hall white
Scraps of black and another CC One
Pair 4 mm needles (or whichever needles you require to produce the tension given below)
Stitch holders
Tapestry needle or bodkin
Scraps of felt, fibrefill, ribbon, cord, buttons, pom-poms etc.
Matching thread
Dressmaker's chalk pencil
White craft glue

Tension: 19 sts and 26 rows = 10 cm (4 ins) in St st using 4 mm needles. Work to the exact tension with the specified yarn to obtain satisfactory results.

TO SAVE TIME, TAKE TIME TO CHECK TENSION.

To make:
With MC, cast on 60 sts. Work 6 rows in [k1,p1] ribbing. Continue in St st, working color sequence and shaping as follows:

Row 7: Knit.
Row 8: Purl.
Row 9: Knit.
Row 10: Work 2nd and every following 3rd st in CC.
Work 2 rows MC, 10 rows white, then 2 rows MC.
Row 25: As row 10.
Rows 26 to 78: Work in MC, dec 1 st at each end of needle on rows 43, 52, 61 and 73. 52 sts now on needle.
Row 79: Work first then every following every 3rd st in CC.
Work 2 rows MC.

Don't have time to knit these Christmas stockings? Sew up our last-minute holiday stockings in a flash.

To shape heels:
Left heel:
Next row (wrong side): With white yarn, p13, turn.
Next row: Sl 1, k12.
Rep these two rows 8 more times.
Next row: P2, p2tog, p1, turn.
Next row: SI 1, k3, turn.
Next row: P3, p2tog, p1, turn.
Next row: Sl 1, k4, turn.
Next row: P4, p2tog, p1, turn.
Next row: SI 1, k5, turn.
Next row: P5, p2tog, p1, turn.
Next row: Sl 1, k6, turn.
Next row: P6, p2tog, p1, turn.
Slip rem 8 sts onto a st holder. Return to centre sts. Place centre 26 sts on a st holder. Slide rem 13 sts onto another needle so point is at outer edge of stocking and you are ready to start a k row.

Right heel:
Next row: With white yarn, k13, turn.
Next row: Sl 1, p12.
Rep these two rows 8 more times.
Next row: K2, sl 1, k1, psso, k1, turn.
Next row: Sl 1, p3, turn.
Next row: K3, sl 1, k1, psso, k1, turn.
Next row: Sl 1, p4, turn.
Next row: K4, sl 1, k1, psso, k1, turn.
Next row: SI 1, p5, turn.
Next row: K5, sl 1, k1, psso, k1, turn.
Next row: Sl 1, p6, turn.
Next row: K6, sl 1, k1, psso, kl, turn.
Slip rem 8 sts onto a st holder.
Starting at right heel and using MC, k 8 sts from holder, pick up and k 9 sts along edge of heel, k 26 sts from centre st holder, pick up and k 9 sts along edge of other heel, k 8 sts from rem st holder. 60 sts now on needle.
P 1 row.
Next row: Work 2nd and every following 3rd st in CC.
Next row: Purl.
Next row: K14, k2tog, k28, sl 1, k1, psso, k14.
Next row: Purl.
Next row: K13, k2tog, k28, sl 1, k1, psso, k13.
Next row: Purl.
Next row: K12, k2tog, k28, sl 1, k1, psso, k12.
Next row: Purl
Next row: K11, k2tog, k28, sl 1, k1, psso, k11
Next row: Purl.
Next row: K10, k2tog, k28, sl 1, k1, psso, k10.
Next row: Purl.
Next row: K9, k2tog, k28, sl 1, k1, psso, k9.
Next row: Purl. 48 sts now on needle. Work 15 rows, dec 1 st at each end of needle on row 4. 46 sts now on needle. Next row: Work first and every following 3rd st in CC.
Work 2 rows MC.

To shape toe:
Change to white yarn.
Next row: K9, *k2tog, k2, sl 1, k1, psso*, k16, rep from * to *, k9.
Next row: Purl.
Next row: K8, *k2tog, k2, sl 1, k1, psso*, k14, rep from * to *, k8.
Next row: Purl.
Next row: K7, *k2tog, k2, sl 1, k1, psso*, k12, rep from * to *, k7.
Next row: Purl.
Next row: K6, *k2tog, k2, sl 1, k1, psso*, k10, rep from * to *, k6.
Next row: Purl.
Next row: K5, *k2tog, k2, sl 1, k1, psso*, k8, rep from * to *, k5.
Next row: Purl.
Next row: K4, *k2tog, k2, sl 1, k1, psso*, k6, rep from * to *, k4.
Next row: Purl.
Next row: K3, *k2tog, k2, sl 1, k1, psso*, k4, rep from * to *, k3
Next row: Purl.
Next row: K2, *k2tog, k2, sl 1, k1, psso*, k2, rep from * to *, k2.
Next row: Purl.
Break yarn. Thread end through rem 14 sts. Draw up and fasten securely.

Finishing:
Weave in yarn ends on wrong side of work. With chalk pencil and drawing freehand or tracing around cookie cutters, trace simple appliqué shapes on felt; cut out. Place a small amount of fibrefill under the appliqué and machine-stitch in place. Remember that stocking will be folded in half so appliqué should be centred on the front half. Embroider details and sew or glue on trims where appropriate.

Using duplicate stitch, embroider name on white band on front half of stocking. This space accommodates a seven-letter name, each letter measuring 6 sts high and 3 sts wide.

Fold stocking in half and sew back leg seam. Make hanging loop at top of seam.

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