A hand-knit Christmas stocking is one of those projects that becomes part of the family. It comes out of the box every December, it holds the same little treasures each year, and it is often the first thing kids look for on Christmas morning. If you have wanted to make a set for your family, this is the list for you.
Every knit Christmas stocking below is a free pattern that we opened and checked. There are flat stockings for beginners, chunky stockings you can finish in a weekend, and colorwork designs with names, snowflakes and reindeer.
Knit Christmas Stocking Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- 16″ circular needles or double-pointed needles
- Worsted, bulky or super bulky yarn in holiday colors
- Stitch markers
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
- Pom pom maker for cuff trim
1. How To Knit A Christmas Stocking
Photo: Handy Little Me
A chunky stocking knit in the round from the cuff down, with a ribbed cuff, stockinette body and short-row heel. Pom poms on the cuff add a playful touch. Super bulky yarn on 10 mm needles makes it quick, and the step-by-step page is great if this is your first stocking.
- Designer: Handy Little Me
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Super bulky (#6)
- Needle size: 10 mm (US 15) circular
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Easy Christmas Stocking (Flat, Two Needles)
Photo: Quiet Life Farm
No circular or double-pointed needles here. This stocking is knit flat in double seed stitch as two panels, then sewn together. The texture looks the same on both sides, and the whole thing is about 15 inches tall in DK yarn. It is the friendliest pick for brand new knitters.
- Designer: Quiet Life Farm
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: DK (#3) or worsted (#4)
- Needle size: 3.75 mm (US 5) for DK, 4 mm (US 6) for worsted
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Classic Christmas Stocking (Worsted)
Photo: Betty Lai (SaltyCrafts)
A traditional top-down stocking in worsted wool, about 17 inches tall. The designer worked it on a 16-inch circular needle to avoid ladders. It is a simple, timeless shape that looks great in solid red, green or cream.
- Designer: Betty Lai (SaltyCrafts)
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Needle size: 5 mm (US 8)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Cascade Christmas Stocking
Photo: Marji LaFreniere for Cascade Yarns
This is one of the most popular free stockings online, with hundreds of finished projects. It is knit top-down in the round with stranded colorwork, and the pattern has both charts and written rows. If you want a heirloom-style Fair Isle stocking, this is it.
- Designer: Marji LaFreniere for Cascade Yarns
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Needle size: 4.5 mm (US 7)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Lined Knit Christmas Stocking
Photo: Agnes Freese (Freese-Works)
A large 26-inch stocking with colorwork bands of hearts, trees, sleighs and holly. It is knit flat with a back seam, and the pattern shows how to add a sewn lining and a name in duplicate stitch. It is a big project but a true keepsake.
- Designer: Agnes Freese (Freese-Works)
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Aran (#4)
- Needle size: 5 mm (US 8)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Classic Christmas Stocking (Bulky)
Photo: Susan Frick (A Box of Twine)
A bulky stocking about 16 inches long, with a ribbed cuff, stockinette leg and a heel flap. It is worked in the round using the magic loop method, so it is a good way to learn that technique on a quick project.
- Designer: Susan Frick (A Box of Twine)
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Bulky (#5)
- Needle size: 9 mm (US 13)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Knit Before Christmas Stocking
Photo: Purl Soho
Jumbo yarn and stripes make this stocking cozy and modern. It is knit in one seamless piece from the top down with short rows. On 12 mm needles it grows fast, which makes it a great choice if you started your holiday knitting late.
- Designer: Purl Soho
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Jumbo (#7)
- Needle size: 12 mm (US 17)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Personalized Christmas Stocking
Photo: Mare Allison
A 20-inch stocking with a name knit into the cuff using intarsia and colorwork. It is worked top-down in the round with a heel flap and Kitchener toe. The designer assumes some sock experience, but the directions are detailed enough for a careful first try.
- Designer: Mare Allison
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Aran (#4)
- Needle size: 3.75 mm (US 5) and 4 mm (US 6)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Christmas Stocking Knit Pattern (Super Chunky)
Photo: Nourish and Nestle
Super thick yarn on 15 mm needles gives this stocking a cozy, Scandinavian look. It is about 20 inches long and worked cuff-down with magic loop, a short-row heel and a grafted toe. Helpful videos on the page make it doable for confident beginners.
- Designer: Nourish and Nestle
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Berroco Macro or similar super bulky (see pattern)
- Needle size: 15 mm (US 19) circular
- Price: Free written pattern (printable PDF with free subscription)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Mossy Cable Christmas Stockings
Photo: Squigglidinks
Moss stitch with one wide cable down the leg makes this stocking look like a cozy sweater. It has a folded cuff and a wrapped short-row heel, about 14 to 15 inches long. A great choice if you love texture.
- Designer: Squigglidinks
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Lion Brand Hometown USA (see pattern)
- Needle size: US 11 circular, 16″
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Christmas Stocking Trio
Photo: Noble Knits
Three matching stockings with tree, snowflake and reindeer designs, each about 9 inches wide and 21 to 22 inches long. They are made on straight needles, which is handy if you do not like knitting in the round. Make one for each family member.
- Designer: Noble Knits
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Plymouth Homestead (see pattern)
- Needle size: US 8 and US 9 straight
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
12. Festive Snowflake Stocking
Photo: Lion Brand Yarns
A 13-inch stocking with a bold snowflake design. It is rated intermediate-plus, so it suits knitters who already have some colorwork practice and want a crisp, classic look.
- Designer: Lion Brand Yarns
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: see pattern
- Needle size: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
13. Scandinavian Stocking
Red and white Nordic colorwork gives this 21-inch stocking a cozy cabin feel. It uses only three balls of worsted acrylic and is knit on a 16-inch circular plus double-pointed needles.
- Designer: Premier Yarns
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Premier Anti-Pilling Everyday Worsted (#4)
- Needle size: 5 mm (US 8)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- Never knit in the round? Start with #2, knit flat on two needles, or #11 on straight needles.
- Short on time? #1, #7 and #9 use super bulky or jumbo yarn and grow fast.
- Want names on the stockings? #8 has a knit-in name, and #5 shows how to add one in duplicate stitch.
- Love Fair Isle? Try #4, #12 or #13.
- Want texture without colorwork? #10 has moss stitch and a cable.
FAQ
How much yarn do I need for a knit Christmas stocking?
A standard stocking takes about 200 to 400 yards of worsted yarn, while chunky and jumbo stockings use fewer yards but heavier skeins. Colorwork designs need several colors, though the contrast shades use less. Check each pattern for exact amounts and buy a little extra.
What is the best yarn for a knitted stocking?
Wool and wool blends hold their shape and look classic. Acrylic is affordable, washable and comes in bright holiday colors. For heavy gifts, choose a sturdy yarn and consider adding a fabric lining so the stocking does not stretch out of shape.
Is a Christmas stocking hard to knit?
Not really. It is basically a large sock. If you can knit, purl and decrease, you can make a flat stocking. Stockings in the round add a heel, which is great practice before your first pair of socks.
Pick your favorite design, cast on in November, and your new stocking will be ready to hang by Christmas Eve.
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