We're thrilled to be able to show you these gorgeous stockings – particularly as we're between World Women's Day (8th) and Mother's Day (22nd in the UK). March is all about mums and the other strong women who shaped the world so it's the perfect time to raise awareness and funding for cancers which affect women particularly.
Designer Erssie Major has created these beautiful stockings using Lorna's Laces Pink Flamingo Stripe, chosen because 20% of the proceeds from this particular yarn go to fun breast cancer research.
"I named them Ann Marie Stockings, after my own mother who died at a young age from ovarian cancer," she explains. "Her mother, my grandmother, also died at a young age of breast cancer, so I felt designing the stockings would be a good way to raise awareness."
Don't fancy knitting thigh-highs? This clever toe-up pattern can be cast off at several points, allowing you to make ankle socks, regular socks or knee-highs, as well as the full length version. There's no shaping to worry about either: the close fit comes from the elastic properties of the lacy rib and is widened by changing needle size.
As you can imagine, this is a cause close to Erssie's heart and she's already planning her next knit. "Later in the year, I hope to make a trainer sock version of this stocking, for a Race for Life volunteer to wear in a fun run to raise funds for women's cancer charities," she says. If you enjoy knitting this free pattern, you may like to make a donation to Cancer Research UK or a similar charity. Don't forget – every penny helps!
Ready to cast on? You can download the Ann Marie Stockings pattern (PDF), visit Erssie's website for more information or find the pattern in the pattern library on Ravelry (you will need to be logged in to Ravelry to access this link).
