Learn to Knit a Christmas Stocking

Hand knit Christmas Stockings are perfectly awesome on their own…but when you think about it, they’re just big socks, right? When you learn the techniques of making a stocking, you’re also learning what you need to know to follow any cuff-down sock pattern! That’s why I’m offering this as a video lesson.

In this lesson, you will learn:
• working in-the-round on circular and double-pointed needles
• changing yarn colors
• sock basics, like working a heel flap, turning the heel, gusset decreases
• duplicate stitch embroidery on your finished stocking

Materials Needed:
• About 200 yards of worsted weight yarn (the samples are knit with Wool-Ease in green and cream or red and cream)
• Size 7 US needles 16” circular needles, size 7 US double-pointed needles
• 3 stitch markers
• Tapestry needle
• Scrap yarn for embroidery (optional)
• Gauge – 4.5 stitches/1 inch

This pattern is available in three different formats, each includes links to 7-part video tutorial:

1. PDF Pattern, traditional and printable. $8.00 via PayPal

2. Amazon Kindle digital download (suitable for Kindle devices and devices that use the Kindle app): $6.00 US.

3. eReader (For non-Kindle eReaders, like Sony eReader and Barnes & Noble Nook, or any device using the Google Play Books app) $6.72 US

84 comments on “Learn to Knit a Christmas Stocking

  1. Hi Stacy. I was looking for a tutorial on how to knit with two colors in the same row. When I saw these stockings, I saw the Christmas tree and snowflake, so I was hoping to see this. I’m kind of a new knitter, and I just started a baby blanket that requires me to do this. I’ve seen one way where you carry the yarn of the color not currently being used, but you get lots of loose loops in the back – I really don’t want that. Is there another way?

  2. Staci-I have knit 2 stockings from this pattern and everything looks fantastic until it’s time to graft the 24 toes stitches together with the kitchener stitch. Once I complete the graft, the toe of my stocking looks like it is concave. Does this ever happen to you? I have watched your tutorial several times and double checked that I am doing the stitch correctly. Can you suggest any fixes?
    Thanks,
    Beth

  3. Beth – right after working the kitchener stitch, the toe can look a bit wonky, but blocking (either using steam or handwashing) should go a long way to fix it.

    If you are working the stitch as I have it written out in the pattern, I’m sure you’re doing it correctly.
    S t a c i

  4. How do you do the hanging loop for the Christmas stocking? I’ve done both the kitchener and duplicate stitch work but need to finish. If there is a video that would be great.

  5. Hello Staci,
    Because of you I learnd how to knitt socks,My whole family I. Germany knew how to do ig and noone ever showed me. Thank god I found you or. You tube a few years ago.I have benn folowing you ever since.You rock.
    I bought the chriztmas socking pattern this year late wjnter /in early spring. I downloaded it onto my new tablet that came with a Kindal app.2 days ago my tablet crashed and I lost the pattern.This might be a unusual question but it can’t hurt to try. Do you have record of me buying it and could it be replaced by you ?I apologize if this is inappropriate, but I got the stocking started and im stuck now any chance of me getting this pattern again of no charge?
    Sincerely Chris

  6. Hello Staci
    Hunted for the right Christmas stocking pattern to knit for all
    4 of my Grandsons. Yours are perfect.
    I live in England what is the equivalant size needle in place
    of US size 7?
    My first try at knitting stockings. Wish me luck!
    Debbie

  7. for the toe video you say that you told us the place the makers in a different spot at the end of the foot from the gusset which I’m confused about because I feel like my markers are in different positions from when u start the toe!!! How many stitches should I have between the markets?

    • I am having this same problem. I am doing a different pattern, but I cannot understand the writing. I am using your videos to supplement, but I dont know where to place the markers.

  8. I am going to attempt the stocking! I have never knit before, but here I go. Anyway, do you have a version for the iPad yet?
    Thanks!

  9. Lori – there isn’t such a thing as a “version for the iPad”, but if you have a PDF reader on your iPad, there is the PDF version, if you have the Kindle app on your iPad there is the Kindle version, and I have another version for Google apps and devices. All for sale on this website where you commented.

    S t a c i

  10. Hi Stacy,
    I just wanted to thank you for your tutorials and pattern. I just started knitting this summer and already knitted up 3 of these stockings. Working on #4 right now for my family.

    Thanks for your wonderful and clear tutorials!

    Yvonne

  11. Hi Staci,
    Thank you so much for this beautiful pattern! I am somewhat of a beginner knitter and this was my first non-scarf/blanket project! Your pattern + video tutorials were perfect, and I always type ‘very pink’ into YouTube when I am looking for any knitting tutorial!!

    I wanted to know if you had any suggestions about lining the inside of the stockings. I plan to put things in them and I am nervous they may stretch out if the contents are too heavy- any ideas, or things you have done in the past?

    Looking forward to knitting up more of your great projects! Thanks again!
    Ashley

  12. Ashley – thank you for the note! I don’t have any experience with lining stockings, but if you google instructions on how to line a knitted purse, you should get some good guidance. Good luck!
    S t a c i

  13. Hi Tracy,
    Thank you so much for your pattern.
    I wish to have the circular needles and holder box as you have. Could you please let me now where I can get it.

    Thank you,
    Kind regards,
    Mai

  14. Staci,
    I made sock before and now I want to try knitting these for my family but I have a problem. I am using Size 7 16 in circular needles and size 7 double-pointed needles. I CO 56 stitiches on the circular needle, but when I was going to start kniting in the round, the stitches were not reaching the end of the double pointed needles. What cause this and how do I fix it?
    Clara

  15. Hello Staci!

    I’m still new to Math for Knitters, so my question is about the yarn/needle and gauge for these stockings. Could I use the same yarn/needle combination I’ve been using for the Learn to Knit A Sweater (raglan top down sweater), which is a gauge of 18 stitches per inch? It’s a different yarn than you’ve suggested, so I know it might not be the same when it’s finished.

    Thanks so much!
    Amanda

  16. Amanda – if you want the same results and size that I show in the pattern photos, you really have to stick with the yarn type and gauge I have listed. You can, of course, change it up – but I can’t predict what the results will be, since I haven’t test knit it that way.

    S t a c i

    • Thank you for getting back so quickly. The gauge for the sweater is 18 stitches in 4″, while for this pattern you list 4.5/inch. Are these equivalent, or is there something different about the listing of 1 or 4 inches as a gauge?

      Thanks again,
      Amanda

  17. Hi Staci, thanks for this lovely stocking pattern! I’m excited to get started, but I had a question about the exact yarn you’re using. Are you using Lion Brand’s Wool-Ease? And is this the 620 size? I’m ordering online because my local store didn’t have enough color selections, so it’s hard to tell what size yarn is correct. If you have a brand you like, please let me know. Thanks so much!

  18. Emily – you can use any worsted-weight wool or wool blend, I used Cascade 220 in mine. If you want to use Wool Ease, you’ll want Wool Ease Worsted.
    S t a c i

  19. Thank you so much for the pattern! I just finished working the I-cord but do you have a video or tutorial of how to attach the loop? I tried googling but my loop seems to be hanging off the end of my cuff. . . Thanks in advance!

  20. Hi Staci, I recently purchased this pattern to make my Grandchildren each a stocking. I have never knit a sock before, so I’m very excited to tackle this pattern with your wonderful videos to guide me! I’ve started a sample stocking and am wondering if a tubular cast on would be possible or just to hard to do in the round. If it’s not super duper hard, can you advise me how to do it? Would I do the 1×1 rib as shown in your tubular cast how to video, and then change to 2×2 rib? Or just stay with 1×1 rib for the entire cuff? Is it possible to a tubular cast on in the round? Please advise me. Sincerely, Ann

  21. Ann – you can search YouTube for a video on 2×2 tubular cast-on (it’s more than I can explain here), I expect to have a video on this in the next couple of months. I actually recommend sticking with a long tail CO for this project, since the sock isn’t actually stretching over a leg, the priority is for a straight appearance.
    S t a c i

  22. Hillary – you should contact the pattern designer with your question, I can’t really help you since I’m not familiar with the pattern you’re using. Designers should support their patterns, Ravelry message is usually a good way to reach designers.
    S t a c i

Comments are closed.