Things You'll Need
For a woman’s medium size:
400 yards of a 98%cotton/2% elastic blend yarn
Set of US 4 double pointed needles
Set of US 4 straight needles
5 yards of narrow satin ribbon
Fishnet stockings were an iconic fashion accessory in the 1960's, but the fashionistas then didn't invent them by a long shot. They were popular in the 1940's as well. But in the 1960's, they hinted at the risque, the abstract – much like the rest of the decade. These may be harder to find now, except in lingerie catalogs. But with a little investment in time, some yarn and knitting know how, a custom pair can be made. They can be knitted to the right length -- with just the right amount of leg revealed. Lace them up the back and pair them with a sexy outfit for an evening out. What was that Grandma used to say? Keep something long enough and it will be new again?
The Foot
Step 1
Using the Judi's Magic Cast On, cast on 16 stitches (eight on each needle) on two double pointed needles.
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Step 2
Round 1: Make one stitch (knit in the front and back of this first stitch), knit 6, make one.
Round 2: Knit.
Step 3
Repeat these rows until there are 40 total stitches on the needles.
Step 4
Divide the stitches as follows: Needle one: 10 stitches; Needle two: 20 stitches; Needle three: 10 stitches. Work four more rounds without increasing.
Step 5
Work the following Pattern 1 until the work measures 4 inches less from heel to toe that the desire length of the sock foot.
Row1: Yarn over, knit two together, repeat to end Row2: Knit. Row3: * Yarn over, slip-knit-pass-slipped-stitch-over*, repeat to end Row4: Knit.
The Heel
Step 1
Needle 1: Knit. Needle 2: Work Pattern 1 from above. Needle 3: Knit.
Step 2
Repeat this round 3 more times.
Step 3
Work a short row heel, but do not wrap the stitches.
The Leg
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Step 1
Round 1: Needle 1: Knit. Needle 2: Work Pattern 1. Needle 3: Knit. Repeat this round 3 more times.
Step 2
Change to Pattern 2:
Row1: Knit 2, *yarn over, knit two together, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, knit2. Row2: Knit. Row3: Knit 2, * yarn over, slip-knit-pass-slipped-stitch-over, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, knit 2. Row4: Knit.
Step 3
Change to the straight needles and work back and forth, turning your work at the end of each row. Work Pattern 3 until the work measures one inch less than the length from your heel to your calf muscle.
Pattern 3:
Row1: Slip 1, knit 1, yarn over, knit two together, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, knit 2. Row2: Purl. Row3: Slip 1, knit 1, yarn over, slip-knit-pass-slipped-stitch-over, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, knit 2. Row4: Purl.
Step 4
Work the Increase Pattern one time:
Row1: Slip 1, make 1, knit 1, yarn over, knit two together, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, knit 1, make 1, knit 1. Row2: Purl. Row3: Slip 1, make 1, yarn over, slip-knit-pass-slipped-stitch-over, repeat from * to last stitch, make 1, knit 1. Row4: Purl.
Step 5
Return to Pattern 3 and work until the stocking measures two inches below the knee. Now, work two sets of the Increase Pattern.
The Top of the Stocking
Step 1
Round 1: Slip 1, knit to end. Round 2: Slip 2, purl to end. Round 3: Slip 1, knit 1, yarn over, knit two together, knit 1, purl 1, repeat from * to last 4 stitches, knit two together, yarn over, knit 2. Round 4 and 6: Slip 1, purl 1, purl 1, knit 1, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, purl 2. Round 5: Slip 1, knit 1, *knit 1, purl 1, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, knit 2.
Step 2
Round 7 - 10: Repeat round 3 – 6 two more times. Round 11: Slip 1, knit 1, yarn over, knit two together, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, knit 2. Round 12: Purl 1 row even. Round 13: Slip 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, repeat from * to end. Round 14: Slip 1, *purl 1, knit 1, repeat from * to end. Round 15 – 16: Repeat Rounds 13 and 14.
Step 3
Bind off. Weave in ends. Wash and block to size. Lace up back leg seam with ribbon.
Tip
For a longer stocking, repeat Pattern 3 three more times at the top of the leg.
For a more substantial stocking top, knit 1 purl 1 for three inches, starting with Round 10 above.