I’m loving the new, sharper tips on the Takumi double-pointed needles so much that I’ve been thinking about gifting them to some of the knitters in my life. I know I’d love receiving a set either by themselves, or bundled with some luscious yarn! Well, here we are barely into mid-summer, and I’m already pondering holidays — so this week, I thought I’d post a little (literally), “Christmas in July” gift idea that you can either start churning out in advance, or else bookmark for later. Stitch a wee stocking for a set of DPNs for the perfect, parcel topper or tree ornament. Not only is a sweet sock sure to put a smile on any stitcher’s face, but it’ll also keep the needles together when they’re not in use. Bonus: you can use the same needles to knit the stocking that will later keep them all Christmas-cozy. Enjoy! xx, Vickie
MATERIALS
Scraps (about .2 ounces), DK weight yarn
Set, size U.S. 6 (4 mm) Takumi Bamboo Premium Double-Pointed Needles
Waste yarn
Clover Tapestry Needle
Optional: size U.S. E (3.5 mm) Takumi Bamboo Crochet Hook
FINISHED SIZE
Fits one set of up to size U.S. 6 (4 mm), double-pointed needles
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Approx 6″/15 cm (from cuff to toe)
GAUGE
22 sts x 28 rows = 4″/10 cm in Stockinette Stitch
STANDARD ABBREVIATIONS (Click here.)
DIRECTIONS
CO 10 sts; divide evenly onto dpns; join, taking care not to twist.
Cuff:
Rnds 1-3: *K1, p1; rep from * around.
Rnd 4: Knit.
Repeat Rnd 4 until piece measures 4″/10 cm from CO edge.
Next Rnd (Heel prep): K 5 sts with waste yarn; slide sts back onto LH needle, k sts again with working yarn; k around.
Continue knitting until piece measures 5 1/2″/14 cm
Toe:
Rnd 1: K2, k2tog, k3, k2tog, k1. –8 sts.
Rnd 2: Knit.
Rnd 3: [K2tog] 4 times. –4 sts.
Cut yarn, leaving a tail. Using tapestry needle, weave tail through live sts, letting them drop off of needles; cinch shut. If any gaps show, sew together using tail. Feed tail end through toe.
Heel:
Carefully remove waste yarn; place sts on dnps. –9 sts.
Set-up Rnd: Knit sts, picking up 1 additional st at each gap. — 11 sts.
Redistribute sts on needles as follows: Needle #1 (back of “leg”), 5 sts; Needle #2, 3 sts; Needle #3, 3 sts.
Rnd 1: Needle 1: ssk, k1, k2tog. Needle 2: ssk, k1. Needle 3: k1, k2tog — 7 sts
Rnd 2: K4, k2tog, k1 — 6 sts.
Place 3 sts each on two needles; hold parallel. Bind-of using the 3-needle BO method.
Use tail to sew together any gaps.
FINISHING
Create hanging loop by either braiding 3-strands of yarn and attaching, or crocheting as follows:
Join yarn at top edge of stocking; place slip knot on hook. Chain 12; slip stitch in same place as yarn joined.
Fasten off.
Weave in ends.
#NotJustforChristmasPresents