Mods: I started this as a toe-up project, so I had to keep adjusting my pattern’s beginning-of-round to get things to align properly. It led to more than my fair share of ripping out. Anyone else who wants to do this pattern as a toe-up stocking should focus on how the toe lines up to the heel and the hanging loop aligns to the heel.

c.o. 36 sts using Judy’s Magic Cast-On. inc 4 sts e.o. round until 72 sts, knit in stockinette for another 5 rounds. 1 round in light green. Begin flower chart: 1 repeat. Knit in waste yarn for afterthought heel across 36 sts. Work 1-1/2 more repeats of flower chart (note that “blips” at top and bottom of chart correspond to where new flower starts). inc. to 126 sts (M1L every 3/4 sts). double-knit until desired height. bind off in double knit 3 st applied i-cord across top row. create i-cord loop at back of stocking, affix firmly. p/u sts for afterthought heel, incl. 1 st on either side of hole, twice (i.e., 4 new sts picked up). k2tog/skp new sts plus extra st on bottom row = 72 sts. 4 decreases e.o. round until 36 sts. Kitchener Stitch to sew the heel closed.

Dec 3/12: cast on today and have already started working the chart I want to feature. I’m going to have to figure out how to work an afterthought heel for this project.

Dec 4/12: made it about 10 rows into my second iteration of the chart before realizing I’d place my heel incorrectly. I had to rip out, re-knit the placeholder sts for the heel, then start again. At least it’s a quick knit.

Dec 6/12: I finished the colourwork last night. I’m doing a double-knit stocking top and considering finishing it with an i-cord edge. Then I still have to work the afterthought heel. Update: my brain is definitely not co-operating with me tonight. After finishing a double-knit cuff, I began an applied i-cord and placed the hanging loop at the beginning of the round, rather than at the back of the stocking. I’ve fixed it, but I lost enough time that I wasn’t properly able to start the afterthought heel tonight.

Dec 7/12: after that nasty little hiccup, I’m proud to state that I’ve finished knitting this stocking! The afterthought heel went a lot more smoothly than I thought it would and I really like that the heel is self-contained in a contrast colour. I’ve posted all mods above. Blocking began today.