Project: DPN Stocking Ornament!

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