Knitted Christmas stocking

Stocking top: Work back and forth on the needles. Using knitting needles size 8 mm and one strand of Col 1 with one strand of Col 2, cast on 46 stitches (sts). Work 7 rows (rs) of garter stitch (knit (k) to end). To continue: Work 9 rs of stocking stitch, starting with a purl (p) row (r). Now work 6 rs: k to end.

Using 4 double-pointed knitting needles, slide 11 sts each onto needles 1 and 4 and 12 sts each onto needles 2 and 3. Work 28 cm of stocking stitch

Work stocking stitch across the 22 sts on needles 1 and 4 as follows: Knit 20 rs. Now decrease as follows: k13, knit 2 together purlwise (k2tog tbl), k1, turn, slip 1 st, p5, purl 2 together (p2tog), p1, turn, slip 1 st, k6, k2tog tbl, k1, turn, slip 1 st, p7, p2tog, p1, turn. Repeat until all sts are worked. Now pick up 10 sts on each side of the heel and again knit in the round (rd), working k2tog on each side of the instep (wedge heel) in alternate rows until there are again 46 sts in the rd. Work 8 cm across these 46 sts.

Work k2tog at the start of alternate rds until 3 and 4 sts remain on the needles. Break the yarn and pull it through the remaining 14 sts. Sew the stocking top and fold it down. To crochet a loop at the top of the fold at the back of the shaft: Make 2 double crochet (dc), 20 chain stitches (ch) and secure again with 2 dc. Work 20 dc back along the row of ch. Cut the thread, pull it through and weave in ends.

Using crochet hook size 2.5 mm and Col 3, make 9 chain (ch). Turn, skip the first ch and work 1 dc, 1 half treble crochet (htr), 2 treble crochets (tr) into the next st, 1 double treble crochet (dtr), 2 dtr into the next st, 1 dtr, 1 tr, 2 htr, 2 ch and 2 htr into the next st (weave in the yarn tail along the other side of the leaf as you work), 1 tr, 1 dtr, 2 dtr into the next st, 1 dtr, 2 tr into the next st, 1 htr, 1 dc, 6 ch, turn, skip the first ch, and work 5 ch. Continue around the leaf edge as follows: 2 dc, *3 ch, 1 dc into the first ch*, repeat from * to *, 3 dc, repeat from * to *, 3 dc, repeat from * to *, 4 dc, repeat from * to *. This is half a leaf edge. Continue working on the other side: 4 dc, repeat from * to *, 3 dc, repeat from * to *, 3 dc, repeat from * to *, 1 dc, 13 ch, turn and start a new leaf. Make 9 crochet leaves in all. Cut the thread to leave a 10 cm tail

Start by making a magic circle with Col 4. Work 7 dc into the ring. Pull the ring taut, make a long loop and cut the thread (make sure there is enough thread to attach the berry to the wreath). Thread one of the threads onto a darning needle. Tack through the top dc loop 7 times, pull the thread taut and backwards to form a berry. Now use both threads to attach the holly leaves to the stocking. Make 16 berries (or as many as you wish). Sew the leaves to the stocking top and the berries to the leaves at the stem.