You've dressed the tree, wrapped the presents and started defrosting the turkey – all that's left is to hang up your stockings ready for Santa. It's one of our favourite Christmas rituals, so why not make it extra special this year with handmade stockings for the whole family?
Read on for 17 of our favourite Christmas stocking knitting patterns to welcome Saint Nick in style.
Christmas stocking knitting patterns to cast on now
If you love DIY Christmas decorations, you need a handmade stocking to match. Whether you're making one for yourself or welcoming a new addition to the family on their first Christmas, a stocking is a decoration that will be enjoyed year after year.
With a few simple changes, you can also personalise knitting patterns for Christmas stockings to make them unique. Simply choose your favourite colour palette or add a name using Swiss darning or simple embroidery stitches.
We've organised our favourite Christmas stocking knitting patterns into two categories: traditional patterns for those who like a classic red/green or Scandi-style theme, and modern ones, where anything goes!
We've included a mix of free and paid-for patterns, so there's something for everyone.
Skip to each section using the links below:
Handmade holiday
Make your own decorations and gifts with our Christmas craft ideas.
Traditional Christmas stocking knitting patterns
Is there anything more Christmassy than a stranded colourwork stocking? Whether it's classic Fair Isle motifs or traditional Nordic stars, these stockings deserve pride of place on your fireplace.
Choose wool yarns for crisp, neat colourwork (it can be harder to get a good finish with smooth or shiny yarns) and stick to the time-honoured palette of red, green and white for a look that will never go out of style.
For tips and tricks to make these knitting patterns for Christmas stockings easier to follow, see our guide to Fair Isle knitting.
1. Nordic star stocking
It's a classic of Scandinavian colourwork, and the Nordic star looks just perfect on this traditional stocking from Debbie Bliss.
With its simple, flat-knit motifs and aran yarn, this would be a great choice for colourwork beginners.
- Get the Debbie Bliss Christmas stocking pattern for £3.50 from LoveCrafts
2. Vintage-style stockings
We have a pair of perfect stockings right here on Gathered! Chunky yarns make these Fair Isle designs quick to knit.
Choose from two patterns by Ann Franklin and Mary Henderson, one worked flat and the other in the round.
- Learn how to knit a Christmas stocking with free patterns from Gathered
3. Christmas roses stocking
More than just a stocking – this is a family heirloom! We can see generations to come finding satsumas in the bottom of this beautiful stocking from Birdsong Designs Store on Etsy.
The intricate colourwork will be a joy to knit, and the pattern even includes a full alphabet for personalisation.
- Buy the Christmas roses stocking pattern for £9.92 from Etsy
4. Character motifs stocking
Adding a fun twist to a traditional style, this pattern from Yankee Knitter Designs features two stockings with six motifs that you can mix and match. Kids will love choosing their favourite characters to appear on their stocking.
- Buy the character stocking pattern for £5.71 from Etsy
5. Fir tree stocking
Happy little trees! Show off your Fair Isle skills with these cute fir tree motifs which line the cuff of this stocking design from Martin Storey and Rowan.
It's worked in Felted Tweed yarn to give a gorgeous rustic effect, perfect for a cottagecore Christmas.
- Buy the fir tree stocking pattern for £4 from Laughing Hens
6. Selbu-inspired stocking
Denise Balvanz's Christmas stocking knitting pattern was inspired by Norwegian Selbu mittens, with their traditional scrollwork borders and high-contrast colours.
We love how striking it looks hung from a mantelpiece – this is a real statement stocking!
- Buy the Selbu-inspired stocking pattern for £6.06 from LoveCrafts
7. Bullfinch stocking
We couldn't get through this list without a pattern from the kings of Christmas knitting, Arne and Carlos. They release new festive designs every year, and 2023's motif is a bullfinch on a branch. Don't miss the matching bauble too!
- Buy the Dompap stocking and bauble pattern for £12 from Arne and Carlos
8. Stripy stocking
We love all the little details in this Christmas stocking knitting pattern from Fiddlestyx Studios, such as the subtle zig-zag stripes and the mini jingle bells on the cuff.
It's knitted in the round from the toe up using a short-row sock heel and toe, just like a regular sock but bigger!
- Buy the stripy stocking pattern for £5.95 from Etsy
Free festive knits
Cast on for Christmas with our favourite Christmas knitting patterns for decorations, gifts, toys and more.
Modern Christmas stocking knitting patterns
If your Christmas decor is more trend-led, you need a stocking to match. Choose from our favourite modern Christmas stocking knitting patterns, which feature vibrant colours, stylish stitch patterns, and of course plenty of festive whimsy!
With 3D designs, bobbles, colourwork and more, there's lots to enjoy here. Whatever you make, it's sure to be treasured for many years to come.
9. Bubble stocking
It's all about the texture in this bubble stitch stocking, so choose a solid yarn to let the stitch pattern shine.
Studio Knit's design is a fast and easy knit in super-chunky yarn. The foot is shaped using basic increases and decreases – ideal if you don't like turning heels!
- Buy the bubble stocking pattern for £4.16 from LoveCrafts
10. Embroidered stocking
Add embroidery to plain knits for eye-catching colour and texture. Annie Lupton shows you how with her video tutorials for her Boho stocking collection.
The stocking is quick to knit in bulky yarn, giving you plenty of time to perfect the embroidered details.
- Buy the embroidered stocking pattern for £6.06 from LoveCrafts
11. Doodle stockings
How gorgeous are these stockings? Jamie Lomax's modern take on Fair Isle uses mix-and-match micro charts and modular instructions to allow you to create your own unique design.
This pattern is perfect for using up scrap yarn from your stash, or why not use mini skeins from a yarn advent calendar?
- Buy the doodle stocking pattern for £6.34 from Ravelry
12. 3D stockings
These character stockings are sure to raise a smile when they're hung on the fireplace. Pat Alinejad's pattern includes instructions for a snowman, Santa, an elf and a fairy. Can you resist knitting all four?
- Buy the 3D stocking pattern for £3.60 from LoveCrafts
13. Reindeer stocking
A majestic reindeer is the centrepiece of this stocking from Yarnspirations. The pattern uses a mixture of Fair Isle and intarsia knitting, so it's best for confident colourwork knitters who are happy to swap between the two techniques.
- Get the free reindeer stocking pattern from Yarnspirations
14. Sweet treat stocking
For anyone whose Christmas vibe is kitsch and fun, this is the stocking you need. Katie Jones has mixed bright, eye-catching colours with heart motifs and even bobbles to make her stocking a delight to knit and to look at. And even better, the pattern is free!
- Get the free sweet treat stocking pattern from Hobbii
15. Mix and match stocking
If you need stockings for all the family, but they all have different tastes and interests, then this design from Ukee Knits is for you.
With 24 colourwork charts to mix and match, there are a huge 512 possible options (not including colour choices!) – so everyone can pick their favourites.
- Buy the mix and match stocking pattern for £11.88 from Payhip
16. Chevron stocking
For something a little different, go for the Mistletoe stocking pattern from Ellissa Gilbert. Her bold geometric pattern makes for easy, rhythmic knitting and a standout finished look. We think it would be stunning in a monochromatic colour palette.
- Buy the geometric stocking pattern for £3.20 from Ravelry
17. Jumbo stocking
Need more space in your stocking? Go for this giant design from Leolic on Etsy. At 65cm high it has plenty of room for festive treats.
Knit it with or without stripes and a contrast toe using super chunky yarn and needles.
- Buy the jumbo stocking pattern for £6.95 from Etsy
What's on your wishlist?
Find the perfect present for every crafter with our round-up of the best gifts for knitters.
Christmas stocking knitting patterns to make now
Add a thoughtful handmade touch to your Christmas Eve preparations with beautiful knitted stockings to hang on the fireplace. Why not make one for every member of the family? You could even personalise them too.
Whatever you choose, they'll add a bit of festive magic to your decor, and you can look forward to finding them full of presents on Christmas morning!
DIY stocking patterns for a crafty Christmas
For more stocking ideas, try a different craft! Find easy DIY Christmas stocking ideas for quilting, cross stitch, crochet and more in our free pattern round-up.
