Christmas Stocking in Plymouth Encore Worsted - F167

Christmas Stocking Knitting Pattern – Plymouth Yarn Encore Worsted F167

This free downloadable knitting pattern from Plymouth Yarn Design Studio (pattern number F167) provides instructions for creating a classic Christmas stocking measuring approximately 6 inches wide by 14 inches tall. Worked in the beloved Encore Worsted yarn, this festive holiday stocking combines colorwork, ribbing, and traditional stocking construction techniques to produce a sturdy, decorative piece perfect for holiday display or gifting.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a traditional Christmas stocking with a ribbed cuff, a colorwork motif section, and a fully shaped foot complete with a gusset and heel. The stocking is sized at roughly 6 inches by 14 inches, making it a generous holiday accent. Optional beads can be added as embellishment to personalize the finished piece.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Encore Worsted – one 100g ball each of Red #1386 and Green #054. Encore Worsted is a widely popular worsted-weight blend known for its durability, stitch definition, and easy-care properties, making it an excellent choice for a keepsake holiday item that will be handled and displayed year after year.
• Needles: Straight or circular needles in size 6 (for the ribbed cuff) and size 8 (for the main body), plus size 8 double pointed needles (DPNs) for working the heel, gusset, and foot in the round. Needle sizes should be adjusted as needed to achieve the correct gauge.
• Notions: Beads for optional embellishment.

Gauge

The pattern requires a gauge of 4.5 stitches per inch over stockinette stitch using the larger size 8 needles. Achieving the correct gauge is important to ensure the stocking reaches the intended finished dimensions of approximately 6 by 14 inches.

Techniques and Construction Method

The stocking is constructed using a combination of flat knitting (back and forth on straight or circular needles) for the cuff and upper leg, then transitioning to knitting in the round on double pointed needles for the gusset, heel, and foot. This hybrid construction approach is common in traditional stocking and sock knitting and allows the colorwork and ribbed sections to be worked flat for ease, while the shaped lower sections benefit from seamless circular knitting.

• Cuff: Begun with smaller size 6 needles in Green #054, the cuff is worked flat in k2-p2 ribbing for 2 inches. Ribbing creates a stretchy, textured band that adds a classic finishing touch to the top of the stocking.
• Leg: After the ribbing, the work transitions to larger size 8 needles and Red #1386, worked in stockinette stitch (knit on right side, purl on wrong side). After 2½ inches of red stockinette, a colorwork chart is introduced, adding a decorative motif typical of holiday knitting designs.
• Gusset Shaping: Once the leg reaches a total length of 11½ inches, decreases are worked at each end of the final row using k2tog (knit two together), reducing the stitch count from 62 to 60 stitches in preparation for the gusset. Stitches are then moved to double pointed needles to continue construction in the round.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• K2-P2 Ribbing – a classic two-by-two rib pattern worked flat for the cuff, creating elasticity and a neat, structured edge
• Stockinette Stitch (St st) – the primary stitch pattern for the leg and foot, creating a smooth knit fabric that showcases the colorwork chart effectively
• Colorwork Chart – a charted motif section worked in Red and Green Encore Worsted, adding