Fisherman Rib Stocking with Floral Lace Cuff: Free Knit Pattern
Introduction
This Victorian-inspired Christmas stocking is a heirloom piece for knitters who love texture and a touch of old-fashioned romance. The body is worked in fisherman rib, a deep, squishy rib that makes the navy chenille feel thick and luxurious, while the white cuff shows off a delicate band of tiny floral lace. A crisp white toe and a small buttoned hanging loop finish the look. At about 18 inches long and 12 inches around, it holds plenty of treats and looks beautiful hanging by the fire. It is written for experienced knitters comfortable with lace, short rows, and working in the round.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight chenille (100% polyester, approx. 100 yds / 3.5 oz per skein). Navy (MC): 2 skeins (200 yds). White (CC): 1 skein (100 yds).
- Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needle, 16" long, and a set of 4 US 7 (4.5 mm) double-pointed needles, or size needed to obtain gauge.
- Notions: Stitch markers, a tapestry needle, a cable needle or spare needle for the hanging loop, one button for the back of the cuff, and a small amount of smooth waste yarn if you like to hold stitches.
- Finished size: Approx. 18 inches long from cuff to toe, 12 inches circumference.
Abbreviations
- CO: cast on
- k: knit
- p: purl
- k1, p1 rib: alternate one knit stitch and one purl stitch around
- st(s): stitch(es)
- rnd(s): round(s)
- inc: increase by knitting into the front and back of the same stitch (one stitch becomes two)
- k2tog: knit two stitches together (decreases by one)
- p2tog: purl two stitches together (decreases by one)
- sl1: slip one stitch purlwise
- w&t: wrap and turn (wrap the next stitch, then turn the work to go back the other way)
- RS / WS: right side / wrong side
- BO: bind off
- MC / CC: main color (navy) / contrast color (white)
Gauge
16 sts and 24 rnds = 4 inches in fisherman rib in the round. Knit a small swatch in the round and measure it after a light block; if you have more stitches than 16 per 4 inches, go up a needle size, and if you have fewer, go down.
Tips Before You Start
- Fisherman rib is much denser than plain stockinette, so swatch in the round rather than flat, and check that your 72-stitch leg still measures about 12 inches around.
- Chenille sheds and slips, so keep your tension even and avoid tugging the yarn; a light touch keeps the fabric plush and prevents the pile from matting.
- Place a marker at the start of every round and one at each side of the heel stitches so the short rows and the later pick-up are easy to find.
- Work the floral lace cuff slowly and count stitches after every lace round; the increase round from 48 to 72 stitches is the one place a dropped stitch will show.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Cuff (CC)
Setup: With CC and the circular needle, CO 48 sts. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist, and place a marker at the start of the round.
Rnds 1-6: k1, p1 rib (48 sts).
Rnds 7-22: Work the floral lace pattern over 48 sts, repeating the 16-round chart once around (48 sts).
Change to MC.
Rnd 23: k all sts, inc 24 sts evenly around (72 sts).
Leg (MC)
Rnds 24-60: Work fisherman rib in the round (37 rnds, 72 sts).
Heel (MC)
Work short rows over 36 sts (half the round).
Row 1 (RS): sl1, k24, w&t (36 sts).
Row 2 (WS): p13, w&t (36 sts).
Row 3: k to 1 st before the wrapped st, w&t.
Row 4: p to 1 st before the wrapped st, w&t.
Rep Rows 3-4 until 12 sts remain unwrapped, ending with a WS row.
Shape heel, Row 1 (RS): k to the first wrapped st, pick up the wrap and k2tog, w&t.
Shape heel, Row 2 (WS): p to the first wrapped st, pick up the wrap and p2tog, w&t.
Rep Shape heel Rows 1-2 until all wrapped sts are worked, ending with a RS row.
Foot (MC)
Setup: Rejoin to work in the round, picking up 12 sts along each side of the heel (72 sts).
Rnds 61-80: Work fisherman rib in the round (20 rnds, 72 sts).
Change to CC.
Toe (CC)
Rnd 81: k all sts (72 sts).
Rnd 82: [k7, k2tog] rep to end (64 sts).
Rnd 83: k all sts (64 sts).
Rnd 84: [k6, k2tog] rep to end (56 sts).
Rnd 85: k all sts (56 sts).
Rnd 86: [k5, k2tog] rep to end (48 sts).
Rnd 87: k all sts (48 sts).
Rnd 88: [k4, k2tog] rep to end (40 sts).
Rnd 89: k all sts (40 sts).
Rnd 90: [k3, k2tog] rep to end (32 sts).
Rnd 91: k all sts (32 sts).
Rnd 92: [k2, k2tog] rep to end (24 sts).
Rnd 93: k all sts (24 sts).
Rnd 94: [k1, k2tog] rep to end (16 sts).
Rnd 95: k all sts (16 sts).
Rnd 96: [k2tog] rep to end (8 sts).
Finish toe: Cut yarn, leaving a tail, and thread it through the remaining 8 sts; pull tight.
Hanging Loop (CC)
Setup: At the top back of the cuff, pick up 8 sts.
Rows 1-6: k1, p1 rib (8 sts).
BO all sts.
Assembly and Finishing
Weave in all ends on the wrong side, working the chenille tails in gently so the pile does not bunch. Fold the hanging loop in half and sew it to the inside at the top back of the cuff with a few firm stitches. Sew the button at the top back of the cuff, opposite the loop. Block lightly by misting the stocking and patting it into shape flat, keeping the lace cuff open and the fisherman rib relaxed; do not press with a hot iron. Let it dry completely before hanging.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the navy body for deep burgundy or forest green chenille for a different Victorian palette, keeping the white cuff and toe.
- Work the cuff lace in a soft metallic or silk-blend white yarn for a subtle sheen that catches the light.
- Add a small ribbon bow or a vintage glass button at the cuff for extra charm, or omit the button and loop for a simpler stocking.
