Pattern of the Week: Yukon Stockings
Pinterest is both a problem and necessity. The problem is that once I begin a new board, it is very difficult to stop pinning until said board is “satisfactory” in visual representation; the necessity is that I have to use Pinterest for designer mood boards and research for upcoming issues. Do I spend more time than I need to on Pinterest? That’s debatable; if I had not spent nearly an entire day researching the Winter 2018 issue of Interweave Knits, the Yukon River Stockings might not exist, and that would be tragic.
On my secret Pinterest boards, you’ll find several bird’s-eye views of long, knitted socks on beautiful women lounging in a winter haven escape. Usually, these little havens involved fluffy blankets, a cozy bed, books, coffee, and effortless-looking lounge wear. Although I have all these things in my house, somehow I’ve never been able to recreate the look on my own. But with a little help from a professional stylist, photographer, and gorgeous model, we were able to capture the look for the Yukon Stockings in Interweave Knits Winter 2018.
These stockings are beautiful, but despite their sexy and cozy appeal, I’m not sure how I would wear them unless I was also 5’11” and shapely, like our lovely model, Elle. Long, slender legs are a requirement to pull off these stockings, and I’m sure there are many out there who can, but I’m not one of those people. I’m betting I’m not alone.
3 Ways to Modify the Yukon River Stockings Because We Can’t All Be Gorgeous Models
These stockings involve everything I love about knitting—cables, tweed, worsted weight yarn, and thoughtful techniques. Just because I wouldn’t make these stockings as pictured doesn’t mean I’m not willing to figure out how to make them work for me. I am a knitter, and I will persevere in the face of adversity!
So far, I’ve come up with three different options for these stockings: regular socks, knee socks, and leg warmers. Let’s talk about how to make a few simple modifications to the Yukon River Stockings so they work for everyone.
1. Yukon River Socks
This solution is fairly straightforward. As these stockings are knitted from the toe up, it’s simple to make length modifications without much pre-planning. After turning the heel, eliminate the increases for the leg/calf and work even until the sock leg measures approximately 2 inches less than the desired length. Work in 2 x 2 rib then bind-off. Tah-dah! Warm, worsted-weight boot socks.
2. Yukon River Knee Socks
Again, because these stockings are worked from the toe up, modifications for knee socks are fairly simple. Work in pattern, including the written increases for the calf, until your socks measure approximately 2 inches less than desired length. Try to finish your chart repeat before you begin the ribbing. Work in 2 x 2 ribbing for 4 or 5 inches, so you can fold the ribbing at the top over a boot or just below the knee.
3. Yukon River Legwarmers
If socks or stockings aren’t your thing, but you love the cables in the Yukon River Stockings pattern, turn them into legwarmers!
There’s a lot of stretch in these stockings. Determine your size in the pattern, and cast on the amount of stitches needed to work the leg of stockings. Work in 2 x 2 rib for the first 2 inches of the leg warmers, and then work the pattern for the leg (without the increases) until the legwarmers reach 2 inches less than desired length. Work in 2 x 2 rib for 2 inches, and bind off.
Knitting is a lifelong journey of discovery. I’ve never let a design beat me. If there is something that I love about a pattern, I usually find a way to modify it so it works for me. There is always a solution. After all, it’s just knitting.
With love,
Meghan Babin
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