For additional information, see http://www.operationholidaystockings.com/
Additional patterns are available at the OHS site. You'll also find a sweet, heart warming story of why Sue, the group's founder, started Operation Holiday Stockings. I encourage you to check it out.
Supplies:
- Worsted weight yarn.
- Size US 8 or Size US 9 double pointed needles (dpns)
- Stitch marker
- Yarn needle
For the Cuff:
Using three double pointed needles (dpns), cast on 28 stitches with yarn to be used for cuff. Join being careful not to twist. Mark beginning of round with stitch marker.
Row 1,3,5,7: Purl around.
Row 2,4,6: Knit around.
If a wider or narrower cuff is desired, alternate knit and purl rows until cuff is desired width. End with a purl row.
For the Leg:
Change to yarn to be used for the remainder of the stocking. Knit even for 22-25 rounds.
For the Heel Flap:
Remove stitch marker (you will no longer need it). Knit 7 stitches beyond the stitch marker, turn.
Row 1 (WS): With yarn in front (WYIF), slip one stitch purlwise and then purl 13 stitches; turn.
[Note: These 14 stitches you just worked (the 1 slipped stitch and the 13 purl stitches) establish the 14 stitches over which you will knit the heel flap. Put the remaining 14 stitches (which will later become the instep) on 2 dpns or a stitch holder.]
Row 2 (RS): With yarn in back (WYIB), slip 1 stitch purlwise, knit 13 stitches; turn.
Alternate Row 1 and Row 2 for a total four times each, then turn heel as follows.
To turn the Heel:
Row 1 (WS): WYIF sl1, p7, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 2 (RS): WYIB s1, k3, ssk, k1, turn.
Row 3 (WS): WYIF s1, purl to 1 stitch before the gap, p2tog, p1, turn.
Row 4 (RS): WYIB s1, knit to 1 stitch before the gap, ssk, k1, turn.
Continue working in this manner (Rows 3 and 4) until 8 stitches remain, ending with a right side (RS) row.
For the Gusset:
Pick up 6 stitches down the side of the heel flap; knit across the instep (14 stitches); pick up 6 stitches on the opposite side of the heel flap, then knit the next 4 stitches.
At this point you'll need to re-arrange your stitches on your needles as follows.
Needle 2 should hold the 14 stitches of the instep.
Needles 1 and 3 should each hold 6 picked up stitches plus 4 stitches from the turned heel.
Now that you have the stitches in the correct configuration, you need to decrease back down to 28 stitches as follows:
Row 1: Knit around.
Row 2 (decrease round):
Needle 1: Knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1
Needle 2 (the instep): Knit across.
Needle 3: K1, ssk, knit to end of needle.
Alternate Row 1 and Row 2 for a total three times each until 28 stitches remain.
For the Foot:
Knit 10 to 12 rows.
Decrease for the Toe:
Row 1 (decrease round):
Needle 1: Knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1.
Needle 2: K1,ssk, knit to last three stitches, k2tog, k1.
Needle 3: K1, ssk, knit to end of needle.
Row 2: Knit around.
Row 3: Repeat Row 1 (decrease round).
Row 4: Knit around.
Row 5, 6, & 7: Repeat Row 1 (decrease round) until 8 stitches remain.
Graft toe using Kitchner Stitch or cut yarn and draw through remaining stitches.
Weave in loose ends.
Abbreviations:
RS = Right Side
WS= Wrong Side
K = Knit
P = Purl
sl1= slip one stitch purlwise
ssk = slip two stitches separately as if to knit, knit two slipped stitches together through the back loops
WYIF = with yarn in front (toward you as you do when purling)
WYIB = with yarn in back (away from you as you do when knitting)
If you are a member of Ravelry, I encourage you to check out Operation Holiday Stockings group!
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/operation-holiday-stockings
If you have any comments about this pattern or get stuck or have any recommendations or find any mistakes, please leave a comment on my blog and I'll do my best to straighten it out. I welcome any feedback.... good or bad. Just like my knitting, I am a work in progress. :)
