Christmas Stocking Cocoon - Free Pattern

It has been so very busy here these last few weeks! Ive been working on this beauty on and off but finally got it finished today in time to share for the holiday season!

This stocking has duel purposes. It is designed first as a photography prop, and so that is what it is sized to. You can also use it as a decoration, or as a regular giant sized stocking.
It will fit a newborn baby inside, up to maybe 10lb. If you have a bigger bub, jump the hooksize up from a 9 to a 10.
Instructions are for a solid stocking but you can very easily make one with stripes, in blocks of colour, with heel and toe in a contrasting. Multiple possibilities!

You will probably find I only have 2-3 more patterns to share this year, as I am gearing up ready for 2014. This year I aimed for a pattern a week and I came mighty close. Next year Id like that to be a reality. There is still a huge lacking of prem and angel sized items out there, it is my mission to fix that! If you have ideas, suggestions or anything that you want to see as far as keepsakes and prem related patterns, by all means please let me know!

You will need:
1 ball of your main colour in DK weight yarn (8ply)
1 ball of yarn in a contrasting colour yarn (dk or.), chenille works great for this
9mm hook
sewing needle.

The entire piece is worked double stranded to make it super thick and chunky.

1. Into a magic ring, ch2, dc 8 times, join. Pull tight (or if you prefer, ch2, dc 8 times into the first chain)

2. ch3, dc twice in the same stitch and twice in each remaining stitch around. join. (16)

3. ch3, dc twice in the same stitch, dc in the next stitch, *2dc in the next stitch, dc in the next stitch* repeat around, join. (24)

4. ch3, dc in the same stitch, dc in each stitch around, join (24)

5. ch3, dc twice in the same stitch, dc in the next 2 stitches, *2dc in the next stitch, dc in the next 2 stitches* Repeat around, join. (32)

6-10. ch3, dc in the same stitch, dc in each stitch around

If changing colours for the heel this is where you would end off main and attach contrasting yarns. The next few rows are straight rows requiring turning.

11. ch3, dc in the same stitch and the next 17 stitches (18)

12-14. ch3, turn, do in each stitch across

Now we're going to go back to working in rounds
End off your yarn leaving a long tail. Sew up the heel of your work. (see image)

15. rejoin your yarn (if using a contrasting heel, switch back to your main colour) in or close to the seam and chain 3. dc evenly around the entire opening, join, you should have 28 (or close to it) stitches. If not, go back and add a enough extra ones to bring you to 28.

16. ch3, dc, 2dc in the next stitch, dc in the next 5 stitches, 2dc in the next stitch, dc in the next 5 stitches, dc2 in the next stitch, dc in the next 5, dc2 in the next stitch, dc  in the next 5, dc2 in the next, dc in the last 2, join.

Now we work on gaining some height with simple dc rounds.

12-17. ch3, dc in each stitch around, join.

End off your main colour and join chenille yarn for the cuff (or contrasting normal yarn)

18-20. ch3, dc in each stitch around, join.

There you have one, one huge sized stocking as a cocoon, or a decoration, or to use as a unique giftwrap perhaps!