Christmas Stocking Knitting Pattern

I decided to replace our Christmas stockings this year by knitting them myself! Knit stockings are just so gorgeous, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to share my pattern with you!

Since I just knit a Cozy Cables Throw Blanket for the sofa, I thought it would be fun to stick with the cable theme for these stockings. I chose to use the Ripple stitch, which a simple eight row repeat. Ripple stitch is pretty easy if you are new to cable knitting, and it looks gorgeous with pretty much any decor style!

These stockings are on the larger end since I wanted them to be as big as our old jumbo Pottery Barn stockings. Plus, the bigger the stockings, the more goodies they can hold! As a result, my yarn choice this time was Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Superwash Bulky Weight Yarn in the colours White, and Hollyberry. I had to make 4 stockings, so I really wanted to use a thicker yarn – and I just love the combination of these two colours.

So here it is, 22 days before Christmas… my very first Christmas stocking knitting pattern. I hope you guys enjoy this fun festive pattern, and I’m sorry that I haven’t had a chance to post it sooner. I don’t know how this happens, but every year the holidays creep up on me!


Christmas Stocking Knitting Pattern: PDF Copy

I have written out and posted the free pattern below on this page.

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Christmas Stocking Knitting Pattern

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Christmas Stocking Knitting Pattern

Materials:

To make one stocking, you will need the following supplies:

  • US size 9 (5.5 mm) circular knitting needles (min 32” cord for magic loop method), or double pointed knitting needles.
  • 2 skeins (274 yards) of Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Superwash Bulky yarn in White or Hollyberry.
  • Scissors.
  • Stitch marker.
  • Tapestry/yarn needle.
  • Size 8 (5mm) crochet hook to make hanging loop.

Gauge:

18 stitches X 22 rounds = 4” in stockinette stitch.

Measurements:

Christmas Stocking Knitting Pattern Drawing of Measurements

Notes:

The stocking is knit in the round from the cuff down with a French heel.  To knit this project, you will need to know the following techniques:

  • Basic knit and purl stitch, as well as the stitches listed in the abbreviations section below.
  • Knitting in the round on double pointed needles, or with circular needles using the Magic Loop method.
  • Kitchener Stitch for invisibly grafting live stitches together (used to complete the toe).
  • Crochet chain stitch for the hanging loop. 

Abbreviations:

k: Knit.

p: Purl.

pm: Place a stitch marker on your needle.

st: Stitch.

sl1k: Slip one stitch knitwise.

sl1p: Slip one stitch purlwise.

c4f: C4F:  Cable 4 Front (slip 2 stitches onto your cable needle to the front of your work, knit the next two stitches, then knit the two stitches off the cable needle).

C4b:  C4B: Cable 4 Back (slip 2 stitches onto your cable needle to the back of your work, knit the next two stitches, then knit the two stitches off the cable needle).

k2tog: Knit two stitches together decrease stitch.

ssk: Slip one stitch knitwise, slip next stitch knitwise, insert left hand needle in front of slipped stitches and knit the two stitches together.

Special Stitches:

Ripple Stitch:

Rounds 1-2: Knit all sts.

Round 3: *K1, c4b, k2; repeat from * to end of round.

Rounds 4-6: Knit all sts.

Round 7: *K3, c4f; repeat from * to end of round.

Round 8: Knit all sts.

Pattern Instructions:

Begin by casting on 70 sts and distribute them equally on your needles.  Mark the beginning of the round with a stitch marker and join (being careful not to twist the stitches).  Continue to Cuff.

Cuff:

Working in the round, complete rounds 1 & 2 below.

Round 1: Knit all sts.

Round 2: Purl all sts.

Continue to Leg.

Leg:

Continue knitting in the round in Ripple Stitch until leg and cuff combined measures 14 inches in length, and then continue to Heel Flap.  Take note of which round of the Ripple Stitch you stop on for when you continue working the instep later.

Christmas Stocking Knitting Pattern

Heel Flap:

The heel flap is worked back and forth in rows on the first 35 sts.  The remaining 35 sts will stay on the cord (or needles if using dpns) and worked later.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 below ten times (twenty rows total), and then continue to Heel Turn

Row 1: Sl1k, knit remaining sts.

Row 2: Sl1p, purl remaining sts.

Heel Turn:

Complete rows 1-12 below.

Row 1: Sl1k, k22, ssk, k1, turn.

Row 2: Sl1p, p12, p2tog, p1, turn.

Row 3: Sl1k, k13, ssk, k1, turn.

Row 4: Sl1p, p14, p2tog, p1, turn.

Row 5: Sl1k, k15, ssk, k1, turn.

Row 6: Sl1p, p16, p2tog, p1, turn.

Row 7: Sl1k, k17, ssk, k1, turn.

Row 8: Sl1p, p18, p2tog, p1, turn.

Row 9: Sl1k, k19, ssk, k1, turn.

Row 10: Sl1p, p20, p2tog, p1, turn.

Row 11: Sl1k, k21, ssk, turn.

Row 12: Sl1p, p21, p2tog, turn.

23 sts remain.  Continue to Gusset.

Gusset:

Knit across the remaining 23 sts and then pick up and knit 12 sts along the side of the heel flap.  Knit in Ripple Stitch for the next 35 sts (instep), and then pick up and knit 12 sts along the other side of the heel flap. K11, and pm to mark beginning of round in the center of the sole.

Repeat rounds 1 and 2 below to shape the gusset. When 70 sts remain, continue to Foot.

Round 1: K to 3 sts before the instep begins, k2tog, k1. Knit across instep in Ripple Stitch. K1, ssk, knit to end of round.

Round 2: K to instep.  Knit across instep in Ripple Stitch. Knit remaining sts.

Christmas Stocking Knitting Pattern Heel flap and Gusset

Foot:

Work in the round, knitting the sole sts and working instep sts in Ripple Stitch for 3 more inches and then continue to Toe.

Toe:

Repeat rounds 1 and 2 below until 46 stitches remain, and then repeat just round 1 four more times (30 sts remain).  At the end of the last repeat, knit past the center sole marker to the end of the sole sts and then continue to Finishing.

Round 1: Knit to last 3 sole sts, k2tog, k1. On top of foot, k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. On second half of sole, k1, ssk, knit to end of round (this will decrease a total of 4 sts).

Round 2: Knit all sts.

Finishing:

With one needle holding top of foot sts, and second needle holding sole sts, close toe with Kitchener stitch.  Fasten off and weave in loose ends.

Wet block the stocking by immersing it in cold water until it is completely soaked.  Gently squeeze out the excess water and lay the stocking flat to dry. 

Once the stocking is completely dry, fold over the cuff 3-4 inches.  Cut a piece of yarn to about 16 inches and make a slip knot on one end.  Insert a crochet hook through the slip knot and the inside of the stocking cuff, pull through a loop, and chain 12.  Insert the hook back into the first chain and pull the remaining yarn through to secure.  Weave in the tails.

Christmas Stocking Knitting Pattern Hanging Loop
Christmas Stocking Knitting Pattern Stockings hanging on fireplace

I hope you enjoyed this free pattern and I am so grateful for your support!  Don’t forget that you can purchase the ad-free PDF file.  Purchasing the PDF file helps support this website and allows me to continue to share my patterns and inspiration with you guys!   

Should you have any issues with the download, please email: [email protected] for assistance. 

Purchase the PDF file (which will be emailed to you automatically after purchase) for $5 USD by clicking the button below or through Ravelry