Every year I get so inspired to work on holiday projects, always in December… and always with the goal to be festive. Finishing small things gives me great joy, but they all tend to go away as gifts and treasures for family and friends. Last year I realized the joy in knitting something bigger, and being okay with it not being complete until the new year.

This Fall I had the privilege of knitting holiday patterns in September for publication in October partnering with Knitting Fever and a few of the new yarns from Queensland Collection. I designed a few Holiday Stockings in Drover, a 330 yard light worsted weight yarn  made up of 50% Merino Lambswool, 25% silk  burette and 25% Polyamide. Drover has a smooth hand and contrasting color tweed fleck making the fabric both durable and interesting. This yarn is great for color work as well as textured projects. It is sure to be a work horse in the Queensland line.

While working with Drover I was drawn to both the simplicity of stripes and the complexity of color work. Watching the rustic colors play off one another on my needles  and in the fabric that developed was a dream.  I ended up with three designs this season, one of which is here for you to enjoy for your own knitting right away.

The striped stocking is whimsical and fun. The clever stripe repeat is beautiful knit in the five colors shown, but could be equally stunning in only two colors.  The fun in handmade holiday decor is that you are 100% in control. Make it just to suit your style.

My holiday gift to you is the knitting pattern for the striped stocking. Drover Stripe Stocking – Just download your very own copy and enjoy knitting!

Special thank to Anna, my sample knitter who worked very closely with me on the stripe stocking.

The other two designs are more traditional color work Christmas Stockings  modeled after holiday stocking I knit for my own family. They feature seasonal design elements as well as elements derived from traditional weaving patterns.   They are a available for purchase on Ravelry  from Knitting Fever as well as in paper copy from your local yarn shop.