Free Beginner Christmas Stocking Knitting Pattern
Are you in the team “never-knitted-a-christmas-stocking-before”? Well, me too! So, today we put our fears of a complicated heel aside, and let’s create a beginner knitted squares Christmas stocking. This project requires eighteen squares to make a cozy and festive stocking.
It’s July and as usual Marie of Underground Crafter is hosting a Christmas in July Make Along 2024. This knitting project is my contribution to this awesome initiatiave.
You can grab 31 free knitting, crochet or sewing patterns, during July, each by a different designer. Visit Underground Crafter to learn more about the prizes, enter the giveaway, and get links to each Christmas in July Make Along post as it is released.
Scroll down to get the link and coupon code to the free pdf pattern.
BEGINNER KNITTED SQUARES CHRISTMAS STOCKING
Let’s have a look at this beginner holiday stockings, free knitting pattern:
- Whether you’re a seasoned knitter or just starting, this pattern is perfect for all skill levels.
- With easy-to-follow instructions and simple stitches, you’ll have a beautiful handmade stocking to hang by the fireplace in no time.
- Using straight needles and thicker yarn, or scraps of yarn or yarn that you can combine in the most beautiful hues, you’ll only need eighteen (18) knitted squares to create hand-knit stockings for everyone in the family.
- You can adjust your needles and yarn, and even your row counts, using the free knitting patterns below, to customize the size of your stockings.
- Personalize your holiday decor with colors of your choice.
- And as with grankids, spoil them with a touch of personalization!
RECOMMENDED YARN TO USE FOR YOUR KNITTED SQUARES XMAS STOCKING
As gauge is not important, provided that you use the same yarn weight throughout, you can use any yarn.
Just remember to consider the following:
1. Fiber content. The yarn you’re using will influence the look, feel, and durability of your finished stocking.
2. Wool is a popular choice for Christmas stockings as it holds up well with repeated use, making it a great option for stockings that will be stuffed with presents year after year.
3. Budget can be a factor when deciding which yarn to choose, luckily there are plenty of budget-friendly yarn options that still offer great quality and beautiful colors.
4. Color, such as your Christmas decor. Specialty yarns with metallic thread or sparkly yarn can add an extra festive touch to your stocking. An obvious color choice could be the personality of the persons you are knitting the little stockings for.
5. Yarn weight. The most popular choices are DK or worsted yarn weight. Having said that, if you aim to knit a huge Christmas stocking, an obvious choice would be super bulky yarn. If in doubt, knit at least a gauge swatch and see if it passes your quality test!
6. Scrap yarn (of the same yarn weight). This will be the ideal yarn buster and you can use all sorts of embellishments to jazz up your knitting projects.
7. Creativity. Plan your knitting project with care and your personal touch. Color combinations can turn your stocking from drab to fab – make every stitch count.
MATERIALS NEEDED
- Approximately 110g medium (worsted) weight yarn in three colors (optional).
- The yarn used is an 80% acrylic and 20% wool blend.
- It will look equally pretty in a solid color yarn.
- Knitting needles, size 5mm, 8 size US, 6 UK size.
- Embellishments – extra yarn for pom-poms or tassels.
- Tapestry needle.
- Scissors.
- Measuring Tape.
- The Pattern.
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SKILL LEVEL
Basic knitting stitches and knitting skills required:
- Casting on stitches
- Knit stitches
- Purl stitches
- Casting off stitches
WHERE to FIND KNITTING SUPPLIES?
For more Knitting Ideas and Books, I have a collection of knitting (and other craft) related items in my Amazon Shop:
SIZE / DIMENSIONS (APPROXIMATE)
Full-sized Christmas Stocking: 13.5″ long (34.5 cm) x 9″ wide (approximately 23 cm)
GAUGE
With the materials as listed, my gauge to obtain a 3.5″ x 3.5″ square (9cm x 9cm) is – 16 stitches knit over 22 rows.
ABBREVIATIONS
k – knit
kfb – knit in front and back of the same st (increase)
p – purl
RS – right side
st – stitch
sts – stitches
WS – wrong side
Here’s the link to the Make Along again: Visit Underground Crafter to learn more about the prizes, enter the giveaway, and get links to each Christmas in July Make Along post as it is released.
NOTES
- The starting point is to knit 18 square patterns – note the knit patterns below.
- The cuff and hanging loop are knitted separately.
- Sewing your pieces together.
- Weaving in the ends.
- Adding the cuff and hanging loop.
- Embellishing your Christmas Stocking.
- Gift it to someone very special, or even sell your stockings.
Beginner Knitted Squares Christmas Stocking
Written Pattern Instructions using US terms
Colors used:
Color A – Cream
Color B – Green
Color C – Mustard
1. Square #1 Knitting Pattern (Garter and Stocking PATTERN Stitch, aka Stockinette Stitch)
8 squares of this pattern – 4 in color A; 2 in color B and 2 in color C. (4 on the front and 4 on the backside of the stocking).
Cast on 16 stitches.
Rows 1 and 2 – knit
3rd Row (and every uneven row) – k
4th Row – k4, p8, k4.
Repeat Rows 3 and 4, 8 more times = 20 rows.
Rows 21 to 22 – knit
Bind off and leave a long yarn tail for sewing the squares together.
Make a total of 8 squares in this pattern in the colors as indicated (or matching your choice.)
2. Square #2 Knitting Pattern (Striped Garter Stitch)
4 squares of this pattern – 2 in colors A and B and 2 in colors A and C.
Cast on 16 stitches.
1st Row (A) – knit
2nd and 3rd Rows (B) – k
4th and 5th Rows (A) – k
6th and 7th Rows (B) – k
8th and 9th Rows (A) – k
10th and 11th Rows (B) – k
12th and 13th Rows (A) – k
14th and 15th Rows (B) – k
16th and 17th Rows (A) – k
18th and 19th Rows (B) – k
Rows 20 to 22 (A) – k
Bind off and leave a long tail for finishing.
Make a total of 4 squares in this pattern in the colors as indicated (or matching your choice.)
3. Square #3 Knitting Pattern (Moss Knit Stitch Pattern)
2 squares of this pattern – 2 in colors A.
Cast on 16 stitches.
1st Row (A) – *k1, p1* to end of row.
2nd Row – *p1, k1* to end of row.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until you have 22 rows.
Bind off and leave a long tail for finishing.
Make a total of 2 squares in this pattern in the color A.
4. Square #4 Knitting Pattern (Double Rib Stitch Pattern)
2 squares of this pattern – 2 in colors C.
Cast on 16 stitches.
1st Row (C) – *k2, p2* to end of row.
Repeat row 1 until you have 22 rows.
Bind off and leave a long tail for finishing.
Make a total of 2 motifs in this pattern in the color C.
(this motif is smaller than a square but it is super stretching and will match the other squares when sewn together). I particularly used it for the heel and curve of the boot.
5. Stocking Cuff
In B, cast on 4 sts.
1st Row – k2, kfb (knit front and back in the same st), k1 (5sts).
2nd Row (and all even rows) – purl.
3rd Row – k2, kfb, k2 (6sts).
5th Row – k2, kfb, k3 (7sts).
7th Row – cast off 3sts, k4.
8th Row – p.
Repeat Rows 1 to 8 until your work is the desired length.
For the cuff in the pattern, there are 8 pattern repeats.
6. Hanging Loop
In B, cast on 5 sts.
Knit 50 rows.
Cast off.
BLOCKING YOUR SQUARES
You may note that I have not blocked my squares as I run out of time. This is not an item that will be worn, so if you don’t block them, it is not a problem.
Here are the instructions should you want to block the squares.
- Wet Blocking:
- Dampen the knitted piece in lukewarm warm with some washing powder or soak wash.
- Soak the squares for a few minutes, remove and squeeze out excess water.
- Spread it on a clean towel to dry.
- Gently stretch it to meet your desired dimensions or pin it into the desired size (using a blocking peg or mat).
- Allow the squares to dry completely (it will depend on your weather).
- Steam Blocking:
- Steaming your squares to relax the fibers (ideal for non-washable fibers).
- Stretch and pin the squares to the desired size.
- Steam to set the new shape.
- Leave to dry.
- Spray Blocking:
- Spray squares with water.
- Pin it into shape.
- Allow it to dry completely.
Remember, blocking works wonders for natural fibers, but results may vary with synthetics
SEAMING THE SQUARES (into a stocking)
- Refer to diagram 1 above and lay out your squares in the arrangement.
- It is best to start at a point and sew the squares together vertically and horisontally, to create the fabric matching the image above.
- Thread a tapestry or craft needle with yarn from the square. If the yarn is not enough, thread your needle with yarn in the matching color.
- Start at the left bottom squares and hold two squares with right sides facing each other.
- Insert your hook through both loops of the corresponding stitches.
- Yarn over and pull through both loops.
- Repeat across the seam.
- Fasten off and weave in ends.
- This method creates a neat, flat seam.
- Watch How to sew knitting pieces together here.
- Continue until all squares are joined.
- We will then fold the stocking and start with the heel, toe and side sections.
Heel and Toe seaming
- Fold the stocking with the right sides facing, on the dotted line as per Diagram 1.
- Note the heel and toe squares as marked in Diagram 2. Fold these two squares into triangles, at the dotted lines.
- Finish seaming the stocking into shape per Diagram 3.
- Weave in all the ends and trim tails.
- For a beautifully shaped stocking foot, press with you finger to make a small dent as per image below and give it a little tug with your thread and needle.
SEWING SEQUENCE
WITH RIGHT SIDES FACING
- Sew Square 1a to 5.
- 3a to the bottom of Square 7.
- 3b to the side of 2a.
- 6a as indicated.
- 6b to Square 1’s top side.
- Join the bottom and side seams together.
Hanging Loop
- Attach the knitted hanging loop to the back of the stocking near the top edge.
- Secure the loop by weaving in the yarn ends.
CUFF
- With the right sides facing, fold stocking cuff and sew the side seams of the cuff together.
- Join the cuff to the top of the stocking.
- Weave in all loose ends.
Adding Finishing and Personalized Touches
- Add any embellishments you like: pom-poms and tassels.
- Embroider an initial to one of the squares or randomly as you please.
- Add little bells to the cuff.
- Add appliques or wooden trinkets or some of your favorite things.
- You know what you like, use your own method of excellance and make something to be proud of.
- Helpful tip – For a fair isle stocking, change the design of some of the squares.
USE the code STOCKING24 in Ravelry to get the free pdf pattern on RAVELRY. The pattern is available in pdf format, free until Friday, 5th July 2024 at 23h59 SAST.
Click on the RAVELRY LINK below and use the code in the Redemtion Page.
IN CONCLUSION
So gather your yarn and needles, and get ready to create a special keepsake that will be cherished for years to come. Let’s get knitting and spread some holiday cheer!
Share your progress and post pictures of your finished projects. Tag your projects and posts #CIJMakeAlong2024 on all social media.
For even more great ideas and free knitting patterns, browse the blog.
Whatever you do…
KEEP KNITTING!
PLEASE PIN!
