Traditionally Emily: Cable Christmas Stocking Pattern

I absolutely love cable knits. Sweaters, hats, mittens, anything! They look so cozy and just seem to be a hug made from yarn. Since I don't yet know how to knit, I am stuck trying to achieve that look with a hook... Katie of Think.Courage.Strength designed a Braided Cable Hat pattern that I think is just fantastic. I have made several of these hats for various family members and love how quickly they come together.

When I was staring at my yarn basket the other day, I became inspired to use Katie's idea to make a Christmas stocking with the crochet cables look. This is what I came up with...

Supplies

Size I or 5.5mm crochet hook
About 300 yards of medium worsted weight yarn (almost 1 skein). I used Red Heart Super Saver in Ranch Red and Medium Thyme.
A length of ribbon for hanging your stocking
Scissors

Abbreviations

st - stitch
ch - chain stitch
slst - slip stitch
dc - double crochet
fpdc - front post double crochet
bpdc - back post double crochet
dc6tog - double crochet 6 together
dc2tog - double crochet 2 together
dc3tog - double crochet 3 together

To Begin: ch 50, join with slst to 1st chain

Round 1: ch 2 (counts as dc, but not always in this pattern), dc in each ch around, join with slst to top of ch 2

Round 2: ch 2, bpdc in same st (ch2 of previous row), dc in next st, *bpdc in next st, dc in next st,* repeat * * around, join with slst to top of first bpdc

Rounds 3-5: ch 2, bpdc in same st (bpdc of previous row), *dc in dc, bpdc in bpdc,* repeat * * around, join with slst to top of ch 2

Rounds 6-9: ch 2, (counts as first dc), dc in each st around, join with slst to top of ch 2

Round 10: ch 2, fpdc in st below, skip first st, fpdc in next st, fpdc in skipped st, fpdc in next open st (should look like IXI), dc in next st, *fpdc in next st, skip first st, fpdc in next st, fpdc in skipped st, fpdc in next open st (IXI), dc in next st,* repeat * * around, join with slst to top of first fpdc - makes 10 cables or IXI pattern repeats

Round 11: ch 2, fpdc in st below, fpdc in next three fpdc, dc in next dc, *fpdc in next 4 fpdc, dc in next dc (should look like IIII),* repeat * * around, join with slst to top of first fpdc

Rounds 12-29: repeat rounds 10 and 11

Round 30: (beginning to form the heel) ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), dc in next 23 sts, turn (24 sts)

Round 31: ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), dc2tog across the row, dc in top of ch 3, turn (13 sts)

Round 32: ch 3 (counts as 1st dc, dc2tog, dc2tog, dc3tog, dc2tog, dc2tog, dc in top of ch 3, turn (7 sts)

Round 33: ch 3, dc6tog, turn

Round 34: (joining back up with rest of stocking) ch 2, work 8 dc across edge of heel rows 31-33, dc3tog across the edge of row 30 with the last leg of the st in the corner where the heel and stocking meet, dc in next dc, *fpdc in next fpdc, skip first fpdc, fpdc in next fpdc, fpdc in skipped st, fpdc in next open fpdc (IXI), dc in next dc,* repeat * * 4 more times (5 total), dc3tog across round 30 with the first leg of the st in the corner where the heel and stocking meet, work 8 dc across edge of rows 31-33, join with slst to top of ch 2

Round 35: ch 2, fpdc in next 4 dc, dc in next dc, fpdc in next 4 sts, dc in next dc, *fpdc in next 4 fpdc, dc in next dc (should look like IIII),* repeat * * 4 more times (5 total), fpdc in next 4 dc, dc in next dc, fpdc in next 4 dc, join with slst to top of ch 2

Round 36: ch 2, *fpdc in next fpdc, skip first fpdc, fpdc in next fpdc, fpdc in skipped st, fpdc in next open fpdc (IXI), dc in next dc,* repeat * * around (9 times total), join with slst to top of ch 2

Round 37: ch 2, *fpdc in next 4 fpdc, dc in next dc (should look like IIII),* repeat * * around (9 times total), join with slst to top of ch 2

Round 38-45: repeat rounds 36-37 (end on 37)

Round 46: ch 2 (counts as first dc), dc in each st around, join with slst to top of ch 2

Round 47: ch 2 (counts as first dc), dc2tog, *dc in next st, dc2tog,* repeat * * around, join with slst to top of ch 2

Round 48: ch 2, dc in next st, *dc2tog,* repeat * * around, join with slst to top of 1st dc

Round 49: ch 2, dc in next st, *dc2tog,* repeat * * around, join with slst to top of 1st dc

To finish: Tie off. Cut the end, leaving a long tail. Use the tail to cinch the toe closed. Pull the tail inside and tie off again, weaving in the ends.

Fold down the cuff. Make a pouf and attach it to the back edge of the cuff, if you wish.

Loop a ribbon through the stitches to hang your stocking.

Hang your cute stocking on the mantel and wait eagerly for December 25th! :)

Note: If you get stumped on any of the stitches, feel free to ask. Or, just type the name of the stitch into YouTube, and watch a few video tutorials! You can learn how to do anything! :)