Since this is my most “hearted” finished object on ravelry, I guess it would a good place to start to offer a tutorial. I’ve tried a few different “fishnet” type projects, including Stitch ‘n Bitch’s “Quick-n-Dirty Fishnets” and Knitty’s “Lolita Legs”. After altering “Lolita Legs” quite a bit, I came up with this:

They are much easier than they look, and since they lace up the back, they allow for mistakes in increases and such. I used a cotton yarn, but anything that is hard-wearing and washable will do. Count on using about 250 yds, usually about 2 skeins.

Use size 13 needles- I used DPNs but the stockings will be knit entirely flat and joined with a lace-up seam. This seems to work faster, but if you wish, you can knit in the round until after the heel.

Cast on 24 stitches.
Row 1- Knit.
Row 2 (and all even rows)- Purl.
Row 3- knit.
Row 5- slip 1, *YO, k1, k2tog*, rep *-*, k1, slip last stitch
Row 7- slip 1, *Skp, YO, k1*, rep *-*, k1, slip last stitch
(this is the basic fishnet pattern)
Row 9- slip 1, m1, *YO, k1, k2tog*, rep *-*, k1, slip last stitch
Row 11- slip 1, m1, *Skp, YO, k1*, rep *-*, k1, slip last stitch
Repeat rows 5-12 three more times, 32 sts total. Check the heel to make sure it lines up with your foot- if not, omit or add rows, but make sure you end up with 32 sts.

Heel:
Row 37- kn 2, *YO, k1, k2tog*, rep *-*, kn 3
Row 39- kn 4, *Skp, YO, k1*, rep *-*, kn4
Row 41- kn 2, *YO, k1, k2tog*, rep *-*, kn 3

Leg (continues as same fishnet pattern with less increases):
slip 1, m1, *YO, k1, k2tog*, rep *-*, slip last stitch
slip 1, *Skp, YO, k1*, rep *-*, slip last stitch
As you increase, the pattern may be cut off mid-repeat- don’t worry, just work pattern until last stitch, and slip it.

Continue until piece is desired length, allowing a couple extra inches for horizontal stretching. If you have used cotton yarn, Remember it will tend to loosen a bit.

Work a few rows of stockinette with a bigger needle (size 15 for S-M, 17 for L-XL). Bind off VERY LOOSELY. Use extra yarn for laces- cut it about 2X longer than the stockings. Wind it through the eyelet stitches along either side and tie at the top. I highly recommend hand-sewing in some elastic at the top- just be careful not to get it too tight. You can also “join” the sides by sewing the elastic into a circle.