Raechel and Ryan had a baby girl. Before this, they had a baby boy. Before this, it was just the two of them. Somewhere along their journey, they found two knitted Christmas stockings from J. Crew. Two knitted Christmas stockings from J. Crew are just right for two newlyweds, but what about their baby boy who joined the fun a few years later? He needed a J. Crew stocking, too! Luckily, J. Crew still sold knitting Christmas stockings and Oliver’s was able to have his very own. But that was three or four years ago, friends. Now a new little baby girl has arrived and J. Crew no longer carries knitted Christmas stockings. What to do? Raechel and Ryan turned to their friend Janie (me) who they knew could knit up something lovely for their little baby Hazel. And so she did.
Ryan and Raechel requested a herringbone pattern and wanted the colors of Hazel’s stocking to coordinate with colors found in the other three stockings. Not an unrealistic request. I consulted my Knit Picks color card and found yarn in the correct shades and tones. I rummaged through my other resources and read up on how to knit stocking toes and heels. I found a pattern chart for the herringbone motif (yeah for color work!), and with a lick and a promise began my first Christmas stocking knitting experience.
Pattern: Hazel’s Christmastime Stocking (details of which are stuck into the filing cabinets of my head). Toe and Heel adapted from Sandy Cushman’s Family of Funky Stockings pattern, found in Handknit Holidays.
Yarn: Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool (100% wool, held double throughout), Nature’s Brown and Natural
Knit Picks Palette (100% Peruvian Highland wool, held quadruple throughout), Rosehip, Blush and Peapod
Berroco Ultra Alpaca (50% wool, 50% alpaca, held triple throughout), Light Gray
Needles: US size 9 dpn
Janie,
Raechel
Oh, it looks great! I love the herringbone.
I ordered some of the same Knit Picks wool and have been working with it this week. I (hope) to finish a Gryffindor scarf for Baylor. This may or may not happen before Halloween. Regardless, I’m really liking the yarn. And the colors are BEAUTIFUL. So saturated. And can we just get an Amen on the price? Whoa.
Great work, sister.
Thanks, Christine!! I definitely suggest holding the yarn double, triple or more and using big needles if you bought Palette. The scarf will knit up much faster, but you probably already know this. Can’t wait to see pictures. B will be perfect as little Harry!
Absolutely beautiful! I love herringbone.
Will you make the pattern available? I just might attempt some Christmas stockings for my family.
Knitting in Flashes,
Thanks for the comment!! I probably won’t claim the pattern as my own, as this was my very first stocking and I closely followed Sandy Cushman’s Family of Funky Stockings to get started on the toe. Sandy’s pattern was also quite helpful when knitting the heel, though I did alter her pattern a bit to create the look I was going for. I found the chart for knitting the herringbone pattern free on Ravelry, which was great because it was multiples of eight and the total cast on was 64 st. The book, Handknit Holidays, has lots of great projects and I’d highly recommend looking for it at the library!
Good luck with your Christmas knitting endeavors!
Janie
Janie, I’m in the exact same boat as your friends. I was just searching the net trying to find another j crew stocking and found this site. Are you interested making another one??? I do not knit and was trying to piece one together w old sweaters. Not nearly as nice. Can u let me know if interested and a price. Tx- B
Becky,
Thanks for asking! I am certainly interesting in knitting a similar stocking for you. However, because it’s so close to the holidays and because I’m expecting our first baby any day, I won’t be able to make it in time for this Christmas. If you are still interested, I’d be happy to knit one for you in the springtime. The cost is $94 before shipping and you would be able to choose color(s) and pattern (stripped, houndstooth, herringbone, etc). Please let me know what you think! Thanks again for asking, Janie.
I would love one as well to match ours! I love the one you did! May I make an order for one. My email is lewismyl@mac.com
Thanks
melissa