Measurements of the stocking:

• Circumference: 21 cm / 8.5 inches
• Length: 23 cm / 9 inches

You will need:

• 5 double pointed needles or circulars in size 5 mm / US 8
• 50 g / 82 yards of red 10 ply aran / worsted yarn
• 50 g / 82 yards of white 10 ply aran / worsted yarn

*I used DROPS Nepal – Deep Red #3608 and White #1101*

Abbreviations:

• number and R (e.g. 6R) = number of stitches knitted with Red (e.g. knit 6 stitches with red);
• number and W (e.g. 6W) = number of stitches knitted with White (e.g. knit 6 stitches with red);
• k – knit;
• ssk – slip, slip, knit together through back loops;
• k2tog – knit 2 together;
• sl 1st st – slip 1st stitch;

Instructions:

Cast on 36 stitches and work the beginning with red.
*all stitches are knit stitches*

• knit 1 round;
• purl 1 round;
• knit 1 round;

Start with the pattern (all rounds will be knit rounds):

Round 1: *3W, 3R* 6 times;
Round 2: *1R, 3W, 2R* 6 times;
Round 3: *2R, 3W, 1R* 6 times;
Round 4: *3R, 3W* 6 times;
Round 5: *1W, 3R, 2W* 6 times;
Round 6: *2W, 3R, 1W* 6 times;

Move on working:

• 3 rounds with red;
• 20 rounds with white;
• 1 round with red;

Start with the heel using only red.

Heel flap:

Row 1: knit 9 stitches, turn;
Row 2: slip 1st stitch, purl 17 stitches, turn;
Row 3: slip 1st stitch, knit 17 stitches, turn;
Row 4: slip 1st stitch, purl 17 stitches, turn;

Repeat rows 3 and 4 total of 4 times.

Turning the heel:

Row 1: sl 1st st, knit 12, k2tog, turn (3 stitches left over);
Row 2: sl 1st st, purl 8, p2tog, turn (3 stitches left over);
Row 3: sl 1st st, knit 8, k2tog, turn (2 stitches left over);
Row 4: sl 1st st, purl 8, p2tog, turn (2 stitches left over);
Row 5: sl 1st st, knit 8, k2tog, turn (1 stitches left over);
Row 6: sl 1st st, purl 8, p2tog, turn (1 stitches left over);
Row 7: sl 1st st, knit 8, k2tog, turn;
Row 8: sl 1st st, purl 8, p2tog, turn;

Pick up round: knit 5, place marker (it is the beginning of your work now), knit 5, pick up 5 stitches from the side of the heel flap, knit until the other side of the heel flap, pick up 5 stitches, and knit 5 stitches (these are the ones you worked at the beginning of this round.

Gusset decrease round: knit 8, ssk, k18, k2tog, k8;

You have a total of 36 stitches again – continue with the foot.

Work as follows:

• 1 round with red;
• 10 rounds with white;
• 1 round with red;

Start with toe decreases.

Toe decreases:

Round 1: *k1, ssk, k12, k2tog, k1* twice;
Round 2: *k1, ssk, k10, k2tog, k1* twice;
Round 3: *k1, ssk, k8, k2tog, k1* twice;
Round 4: *k1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1* twice;
Round 5: *k1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1* twice;
Round 6: *k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1* twice;

Cut yarn leaving enough for sewing. Bring yarn through all the stitches and to the wrong side of work and fasten off.

Block your stocking.

*Tip: make sure you’ll put a bit of vinegar into the water before you put your stocking in – this will prevent the red from giving out the colour*

To make your stocking even more beautiful, put a fabric lining inside the stocking, and add a ribbon for hanging.