Polar Bear Knit Stocking Pattern

By: Bernat Design Team from yarnspirations.com

Are you looking for something a little different to hang by the chimney with care? If so, try knitting this Polar Bear Knit Stocking Pattern. No, this DIY stocking isn't made from an actual polar bear, but it's so white and fuzzy, just like those big bundles of fluff. If you've never knit a sock or slipper before, this knit stocking pattern is the perfect way to get the hang of heel shaping and all of those other seemingly complicated techniques before you tackle them on a smaller scale.

Intermediate

Knitting Needle Size9 or 5.5 mm, Double-Pointed Knitting Needles (DPNs)

Yarn Weight(4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)

Gauge1 stitches, 2 rows, 3 inches. stockinette stitch

Materials:

Bernat® Sparkle Fur™ (1.75 oz/50 g; 24 yds/22 m) Main Color (MC): Vintage (87008) - 6 balls
Set of four size U.S. 9 (5.5 mm) double-pointed knitting needles or size needed to obtain gauge.
Stitch marker.
Yarn needle.
1/2" [1 cm] wide ribbon, 6" [15 cm] long.

Measurements:

Approx 14" [35.5 cm] circumference.

Abbreviations:

Approx = Approximately

Beg = Beginning

Cont = Continue(ity)

K = Knit

Pat = Pattern

P = Purl

P2tog = Purl next 2 stitches together

Pm = Place marker

Rem = Remaining

Rep = Repeat

Rnd(s) = Round(s)

RS = Right side

Sl1K = Slip next stitch knitwise

Sl1P = Slip next stitch purlwise

Ssk = Slip next 2 stitches knit-wise one at a time. Pass them back onto left-hand needle, then knit through back loops together

St(s) = Stitch(es)

Tog = Together

WS = Wrong side

Gauge: 14 sts and 18 rnds = 4" [10 cm] in stocking st.

Note: Stocking is worked to allow the fuzzier side to show. The Cuff, Leg and Heel are knit with WS facing, then the Stocking is turned inside out and the remainder is worked with the RS (purl) side facing.

Instructions

Cuff:

Cast on 48 sts. Divide evenly onto 3 needles. Pm in first st and join in rnd.

1st, 3rd and 5th rnds: Purl.

2nd and 4th rnds: Knit.

Leg:

Cont to knit every rnd until Stocking from beg measures approx 10" [25.5 cm].

Heel Flap:

Slip last 12 sts from 3rd needle and first 12 sts from 1st needle onto one needle for heel, having marker in center. Place rem 24 sts on 2 needles for instep. Break yarn.

Proceed across heel as follows:

1st row: (RS). Knit.

2nd row: Purl. Rep last 2 rows 9 times more, then work 1st row once more.

Shape Heel:

1st row: P14. P2tog. P1. Turn.

2nd row: Sl1K. K5. ssk. K1. Turn.

3rd row: Sl1P. P6. P2tog. P1. Turn.

4th row: Sl1K. K7. ssk. K1. Turn.

5th row: Sl1P. P8. P2tog. P1. Turn.

6th row: Sl1K. K9. ssk. K1. Turn.

7th row: Sl1P. P10. P2tog. P1. Turn.

8th row: Sl1K. K11. ssk. K1. Turn.

9th row: Sl1P. P12. P2tog. Turn.

10th row: Sl1K. K12. ssk. 14 heel sts.

Turn Stocking inside out so that the purl side becomes RS.

Instep:

With RS facing and 1st needle, pick up and knit 10 sts along left side of heel. With 2nd needle, P24 of instep. With 3rd needle, pick up and knit 10 sts along right side of heel. Purl first 7 sts from heel onto end of 3rd needle. Slip rem 7 sts from heel onto beg of 1st needle. 58 sts now divided as 17 sts on 1st needle, 24 sts on 2nd needle and 17 sts on 3rd needle.

Cont working in rnds as follows:

1st rnd:

1st needle: Purl to last 3 sts. P2tog. P1.

2nd needle: Purl.

3rd needle: P1. P2tog. Purl to end of needle.

2nd rnd: Purl.

Rep last 2 rnds until 48 sts rem, divided as 12 sts on 1st needle, 24 sts on 2nd needle and 12 sts on 3rd needle.

Purl even until foot measures approx 6" [15 cm] from pick-up rnd.

Shape Toe:

1st rnd:

1st needle: Purl to last 3 sts. P2tog. P1.

2nd needle: P1. P2tog. Purl to last 3 sts. P2tog. P1.

3rd needle: P1. P2tog. Purl to end of needle.

2nd rnd: Purl.

Rep last 2 rnds until 24 sts rem. Rep 1st rnd only until 12 sts rem. Purl sts from first needle onto 3rd needle. With WS facing, graft 2 sets of 6 sts tog for toe.

Hanging Loop:

Fold ribbon in half. Sew to back of Stocking.