Handmade Christmas stockings are treasures that often last through the decades. Whether you plan to make a stocking for yourself, your children, or a friend or neighbor, I know you’ll find a design you absolutely love in this collection of 25 free Christmas stocking knitting patterns!
Christmas Stocking Knitting Patterns
If you’re looking for a way to add a personal touch to your Christmas celebrations, consider knitting a stocking. When you knit a Christmas stocking, you create something that will be treasured for years.
In this collection of free stocking patterns, I’ve included patterns for both beginner knitters and intermediate knitters. Some use basic knitting stitches and can be completed in just a few hours, while other patterns showcase advanced colorwork for the more experienced knitter. Keep reading for the complete list of patterns.
25 Christmas Stocking Knitting Patterns
Enjoy these free Christmas stocking knitting patterns. Happy knitting!
Falling Snow Stocking
This detailed, rustic stocking is definitely a classic! It’s made with bulky yarn and knitted just like a real sock. If you love it, you can make a matching pair with fingering weight yarn to wear for yourself!
Yarn weight: Bulky
Suggested yarn: Wool of the Andes
Cascade Christmas Stocking
For this colorful pattern, you’ll need circular needles to knit in the round as well as double-pointed needles for the toe and heel. There are so many fun options with this pattern. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to create a collection of colorful and festive stockings!
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Cascade 220
Knit Before Christmas Stocking
How does Christmas always have a way of sneaking up on us? The jumbo yarn used in this pattern knits up quickly, so if you’re feeling crunched for time, this simple but timeless stocking is a perfect option!
Yarn weight: Jumbo
Suggested yarn: Purl Soho Gentle Giant
Jumbo Christmas Stocking in a Jiffy
Here’s another quick pattern – with stripes! This one is worked from the top down and uses super bulky yarn. Enjoy this cozy and fast Christmas stocking knitting pattern.
Yarn weight: Super bulky
Suggested yarn: Cascade Yarns Lana Grande
Cozy Season Stocking
This colorwork knit Christmas stocking is best for those with some knitting experience. Make sure you grab a quality yarn, because you’ll want this beautiful, detailed stocking to last as long as possible! Charts are provided for the different colorwork patterns, as well as an alphabet chart so that you can personalize your stockings with names.
Yarn weight: DK
Suggested yarn: Kersti Merino Crepe
Arlo's Christmas Stocking
Here’s another detailed, vintage knit Christmas stocking pattern that’s great for personalizing. This seamless stocking pattern is sure to be a family heirloom for years to come.
Yarn weight: Aran
Suggested yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Nepal
Tenenbaum Stocking
“Oh Christmas tree, o Christmas tree…” You can almost smell the evergreens on these festive stockings. Though this is a fairly quick-to-make pattern, it’s best for intermediate knitters.
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Cascade 220
Beginner Knit Stocking Pattern
Though it might look more complicated than it is, this pattern is suitable for the advanced beginner. Don’t forget to get your bulky yarn for the super cozy top edge!
Yarn weight: Worsted and Bulky
Suggested yarn: Red Heart With Love and Red Heart Hygge Fur Yarn (for contrast)
Personalized Christmas Stocking
This Christmas stocking pattern was made for personalizing. Make these for your own family or knit them as thoughtful gifts for friends and relatives. For this pattern, it’s helpful to have some experience with colorwork.
Yarn weight: Aran
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Spotted Christmas Stocking
This spotted stocking is knit from the top down and features an afterthought heel. Use festive contrasting colors, or keep it all neutral with just a couple of shades of green.
Yarn weight: Bulky
Suggested yarn: Valley Yarns Berkshire Bulky
Mary Lou's Holiday Stocking
This colorful, striped stocking uses circular needles, but is not knit in the round, which makes color changes a bit simpler. This pattern is great for using up scrap yarn.
Yarn weight: DK
Suggested yarn: Kersti Merino Crepe
Nifty Christmas Stocking
Check out this classic Christmas stocking with these gorgeous vintage colors! You’ll need about four skeins of Cascade 220 for this project, which are held double while you knit.
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Cascade 220
Christmas Village Stocking
Create your own tiny Christmas town right on your stocking! These detailed stockings are made with fair isle colorwork and are knitted just like a real sock. This stocking will make a family heirloom you won’t soon forget!
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Blue Sky Fibers Woolstok
Christmas Stocking
Add a vintage touch to your living room with these cabled Christmas stockings. Stick with Christmas colors or search for your favorite vintage tones. Don’t forget to add the pom poms!
Yarn weight: Bulky
Suggested yarn: John Lewis Merino Chunky
Holiday Stocking
This pattern allows you to add some fun motifs of your choice after your stocking is already knit. Instructions are included for duplicated stitched motifs including a snowman, a Christmas tree, and a snowflake.
Yarn weight: Bulky
Suggested yarn: John Lewis Merino Chunky
Simply Lovely Stocking
Choose your favorite option for this sweet stocking - it comes in three different sizes! It features a simple diamond pattern that’s bordered by using the moss stitch.
Yarn weight: Bulky
Suggested yarn: Wonderfluff
Late Night Christmas Stocking
If Christmas seems to be sneaking up on you, grab some yarn and start making this quick and easy knit Christmas stocking pattern. It mainly features the stockinette stitch, making it a perfect mindless knitting project. Once you get started, you can just keep right on knitting while enjoying your favorite Christmas movie!
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Cascade 220
Celtic Noel Christmas Stocking
This detailed cable stocking will be a Christmas memory to treasure! This pattern is best for those who have some experience with cable knitting.
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Berroco Vintage
Simple Holiday Stockings
This pattern features three different design options that all close with a star toe. Hang this simple knit stocking wherever you want to add some Christmas cheer.
Yarn weight: Aran
Suggested yarn: Patons North America Soy Wool Solids
Classic Cable Stocking
This cable stocking is worked from the top down. This pattern is fairly easy to make and would work beautifully for a handmade Christmas gift.
Yarn weight: Bulky
Suggested yarn: Red Heart Amore Wool Blend
Bountiful Christmas Stockings
These Christmas stockings are designed to hold a bounty of Christmas gifts and trinkets! These lovely stockings are sure to be treasured.
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Briggs & Little Heritage Yarn
Marled Christmas Stocking
Doubled, worsted weight yarn is what gives these stockings their marled look. They’re seamless and quick to make.
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Wool of the Andes
Patons Sugar Twist Knit Stocking
This generously-sized stocking is classic yet unique with its cable knit design. This pattern is best for intermediates.
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Patons Classic Wool
Chunky Christmas Stocking
This knit stocking pattern is quick and super simple! It’s made with super bulky yarn, which allows it to work up in no time. Don’t forget to add a pom pom for some extra Christmas spirit!
Yarn weight: Super bulky
Suggested yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Rasta
Heirloom Christmas Stocking
Bask in the simple beauty of Christmas with this scalloped stocking design. Here’s a beautiful family heirloom that will never go out of style!
Yarn weight: Worsted
Suggested yarn: Purl Soho Worsted Twist
Knitting Techniques for Christmas Stockings
Here are some techniques you may need to know to knit a Christmas stocking.
- Knitting in the round
- Color changes
- Stripes
- Fair isle knitting
- Intarsia
- Cables
Many of the stockings included in this post are similar to regular knit socks – just a bit bigger. If making a pair of socks is part of your future knitting goals, consider a Christmas stocking an excellent place to start!
Favorite Knitting Supplies
Here are some supplies you may need to knit your Christmas stockings:
- Circular needles
- Double pointed needles
- Yarn
- Stitch markers
- Stitch holder
- Other notions, such as a tapestry needle, scissors, or pom poms. Check your pattern for the specific tools and supplies required.
Best Yarn
When choosing the best yarn for your stockings, consider purchasing a high-quality yarn, since your stocking may very likely be passed down through the generations!
Here are some of my favorite yarns for knitting Christmas stockings:
- Cascade 220
- Wool of the Andes
- Red Heart with Love
Tips and Tricks
Here are some tips for making the perfect knit Christmas stockings.
Choose the Best Pattern for Your Skill Level
To avoid discouragement, check out the suggested skill level before starting a pattern. Most patterns specify the intended knitting level near the top or beginning of the pattern.
Knitted stocking patterns are available for every level, from beginners to the most advanced knitters. I’ve included something for nearly everyone on this list, so I hope you find one you love!
Select the Correct Yarn Weight
Be sure to check your pattern to see what yarn weight it suggests. Christmas stocking patterns can be made with a variety of different yarn weights. However, using a weight other than the intended yarn weight for your particular pattern may cause your stocking to turn out too large or too small.
Check Your Gauge and Measure as You Go
While matching your gauge is less critical for Christmas stockings than for clothing or other wearable items, checking your gauge is still an excellent way to ensure that your stockings work up correctly. Matching gauge is especially important if you’re making multiple stockings and you want them to all be the same size.
Practice Colorwork Techniques if Needed
If you’re not quite comfortable with colorwork yet, take the time to create a practice swatch before starting on your stocking. Colorwork can be a bit confusing the first time or two, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be creating beautiful designs in no time!
More Knitting Patterns
After you finish knitting your Christmas stockings, check out our other free knitting patterns.
- 25 Free and Easy Knitting Patterns for Beginners
- 27 Free & Easy Knit Hat Patterns
- 25 Free & Easy Sweater Knitting Patterns (Great for Beginners!)
- 25 Free & Easy Cardigan Knitting Patterns (Beginner-Friendly!)
- 25 Free Christmas Knitting Patterns
What’s Next?
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