Mix-it-Up Christmas Stocking Stranded Colorwork

Mix-it-Up Christmas Stocking by Terry Morris

What Is Being Made

The Mix-it-Up Christmas Stocking is a customizable knitted holiday decoration designed by Terry Liann Morris (SailingKnitter). This project allows crafters to create a unique Christmas stocking by selecting their own stranded colorwork motifs and color combinations. The sample stocking measures 18 inches in total length with a 5½-inch width across the leg and foot, though final dimensions will vary based on the motifs chosen. This heirloom-quality stocking can be personalized for family members, pets, or friends, making it a thoughtful handmade gift.

Techniques Used

This advanced-level knitting project employs several key techniques to create a professional-finished stocking:

• Stranded colorwork: The primary technique, allowing knitters to work with multiple colors in a single row by carrying unused yarn across the back of the work to create intricate patterns and motifs
• Knitting in the round: The stocking is constructed using circular knitting methods, which creates a seamless tube ideal for socks and stockings
• Afterthought heel: A specialized heel construction method where the heel is worked last, after the main body of the stocking is complete. This technique involves picking up stitches from waste yarn and working the heel separately, offering flexibility in heel placement and construction

Stitches Used

While specific stitch abbreviations are not detailed in the pattern materials provided, the project utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined with stranded colorwork techniques. The stocking construction relies on stockinette stitch as the base fabric, with colorwork stitches created by carrying contrasting yarn colors across rows to form the selected motifs and charts.

Materials

The Mix-it-Up Christmas Stocking requires approximately 220 yards of worsted weight yarn in multiple colors of the crafter's choice. The sample stocking shown in the pattern was knit using Andes yarn from Knit Picks, with each skein containing 50 grams and 110 yards. Crafters can select from a variety of colors including Daffodil, Avocado, Red Caution, Forest Heather, Hollyberry, Snickerdoodle, Winternight, Pumpkin, Cloud, Cranberry, Green Tea Heather, and Maple Syrup, using one skein of each color or smaller amounts as needed.

Tools required include US Size 6 (4.00–4.25mm) to US Size 7 (4.50mm) double point needles for working in the round, and smooth waste yarn for the afterthought heel construction method.