A Hiker's Stocking

A Hiker's Stocking by Darlene Swaim

Project Overview

A Hiker's Stocking is a decorative knitted stocking designed by Darlene Swaim, perfect for seasonal displays or holiday decorations. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a festive stocking measuring 18 inches from cuff to toe with a 13-inch circumference, offering a substantial finished piece suitable for hanging or gifting.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a complete knitted stocking featuring a structured cuff, leg section, heel, foot, and decorative toe. The finished stocking is 6½ inches wide when laid flat and stands 18 inches tall from the ribbed cuff to the completed toe. The design incorporates colorwork and embellishments, making it a visually interesting decorative piece that combines traditional stocking construction with hiking-themed details.

Knitting Techniques Used

The pattern employs several intermediate knitting techniques that add visual interest and structure to the finished piece. Cable knitting is utilized throughout the design, with 2/2 right cable (2/2 RC) techniques requiring a cable needle to create twisted stitch patterns. Colorwork is incorporated through the use of multiple yarn colors strategically placed in different sections of the stocking. Decreasing techniques are used to shape the stocking, including knit two together (K2tog) and slip, slip, knit (SSK) decreases. The stocking is constructed using the in-the-round method on double-pointed needles, which allows for seamless construction and proper stocking shaping.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental and intermediate stitches to create texture and structure:

• Knit (K) – The basic foundation stitch used throughout the project
• Purl (P) – Used in ribbing and textured sections
• Knit two together (K2tog) – A right-leaning decrease for shaping the toe and heel areas
• Slip, slip, knit (SSK) – A left-leaning decrease that pairs with K2tog for balanced decreasing
• 2/2 Right Cable (2/2 RC) – A cable stitch that creates twisted rope-like texture, requiring slipping stitches to a cable needle before working

Additional techniques include using stitch markers to track pattern repeats and sections, slip markers to move markers between rounds, and stitch holders or waste yarn to hold stitches temporarily during construction.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

This pattern calls for worsted weight yarn, with the sample created using Cascade 220. The total yardage requirement is 305 yards distributed across three distinct colors:

• Silver Grey (#8401) – 85 yards, used for the hanger and cuff sections
• Forest Heather (#9447) – 75 yards, used for the heel
• Ruby (#9404) – 145 yards, used for the toe

The pattern requires Size 6 (4.0 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) for working in the round, with a gauge of 24 stitches and 25 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Additional tools include a cable needle for cable stitches, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, stitch markers for tracking pattern sections, and a sewing needle with thread for attaching embellishments. The design is completed with eight ¼-inch black buttons or black yarn for French knots as decorative details, adding a hiking-themed element to the finished stocking.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, this pattern is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle cable work and color changes. The combination of cable stitches, decreasing techniques, and multi-color construction makes this project more challenging than basic stockings while remaining accessible to experienced beginners.