Christmas Stocking Request

My nephew, Ben, got married in early December. His mom, my sister-in-law, Elaine, asked if I would knit a Christmas stocking for the new bride, Brandy. She wanted a stocking that matched all the other family members’ stockings. Without hesitation – or knowing anything about the pattern – I agreed.

Elaine then sent me a copy of the pattern and her old stocking. It’s an old Bernat pattern, one with which I’m sure many of you are familiar: “Jumbo Santa Claus Stocking”.

The pattern that Elaine sent was an updated rendition, posted with permission by Ruthless Knitting. It is available as a free download through Ravelry. 

The pattern suggested using Cascade 220 or a similar worsted weight yarn. I took a quick trip into Traverse City to stop at Lost Art Yarns. I knew Gerhild would have appropriate Christmas-y colors of 220. I got some green, some red, and some white. And a ball of Angora yarn for Santa’s beard.

The pattern indicates that most of the bits of color should be worked in intarsia. Not my favorite type of knitting. Instead, I worked all the color bits in duplicate stitch, which I’m particularly fond of.

It was hard to get the full name, BRANDY, on one side of the stocking; I had to make the letters on the small side, and the “B” doesn’t look quite right. But I’m pleased with how the Santa head came out. And I like the postioning of the jingle bells. And I’m pleased with the red-green-white twisted cord for hanging the stocking.

I hope Brandy likes it and that her first Christmas as a member of the Tyler family was a good one.

I’m now in the mood to make more Christmas stockings. I’ve got ideas for using handspun, and incorporating loads of cables. Next year!