DIY Christmas Gift Ideas #3

Another textured Christmas stocking is the Bavarian Twist Stitch Christmas Stocking.  The Bavarian Twist Stitch technique uses stitches that are knitted into the back of the stitch.  This creates a very crisply textured fabric.  The Bavarian Twist Stitch stocking has twist stitch cable patterns combined with  a ladder-like rib stitch, to create vertical stripes on the leg and foot of the sock.

Bavarian Twist Stitch Christmas Stocking

The 12-page pattern contains both written instruction and charts for most of the stocking, with the exception of the starting I-cord band, the heel and the toe shaping.  A photo tutorial is given for the heel turn and picking up stitches for the gusset, and another photo tutorial is given for picking up stitches from the i-cord band.

This pattern can be made very inexpensively, as it uses only one skein of Loops & Threads Impeccable.  A bonus...this yarn is on sale for $2.99 at Michael's this week (November 3-9, 2013)!   Plus, if you buy it on the 8th or the 9th, they have a coupon for 25% off your entire purchase, including sale items:  http://weeklyad.michaels.com/coupons/    Good deal!

This yarn is quite sturdy and comes in a wide range of colors.  It is 100% acrylic, so it can be machine washed, if you (or its recipients) desire.

If you love working cables, this stocking is for you!  Enjoy your knitting, and make something absolutely fabulous for a friend or loved one this Christmas.

  Visit Mountain Mist's Craftsy Pattern Store »

DIY Christmas Gift Ideas #2

Perhaps you prefer color patterning to textured knitting.  Today's post focuses on two fair-isle patterned Christmas stocking patterns, both knitted with worsted-weight yarn.

Christmas Trees Stocking

This stocking has a Christmas Tree pattern on the top, and poinsettias along the leg.  The heel is worked in a stripe pattern, using short rows to turn the heel. The 10-page pattern includes fair isle charts, and lots of instructions and photos of the techniques used in the pattern.

 The Christmas Trees Stocking is knitted from Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Worsted, one skein each of two colors, using size 6 and 8 needles.


Another fair-isle Christmas stocking pattern is the Poinsettia Stocking.  This one is somewhat similar to the Christmas Trees Stocking, but with a slightly different look.

Poinsettia Stocking

 

The Poinsettia Stocking has a Poinsettia pattern on the top, with a striped pattern on the leg and foot.  This 10-page pattern has a chart for the fair isle pattern, and written instructions for the rest of the sock.  Many photos of the techniques used are included, as well as tips and technique instruction.  The sock is knitted from Loops & Threads Impeccable (one skein each of two colors), or use your favorite worsted-weight yarn; needle sizes 6
and 8.




Here are a couple of close-ups of the completed stocking.  The sock has an attached I-cord hanging loop.




Either of these two stockings would make a lovely, long-lasting gift for a friend or loved one. 

Visit Mountain Mist's Craftsy Pattern Store »