crafts & knitting

Christmas stockings

Julie (little Cotton Rabbits)

If ever proof was needed of the speed that time passes by, then I have it here with my little Christmas stockings.

 

New stockings
 

A long time ago I was asked to knit some little stockings for a shop window display and I scribbled some notes to myself whilst making them. When I started the blog in 2006 the Christmas stocking pattern was the very first one that I wrote up to share with others and I hastily took some rather fuzzy photos so people could get on with the pattern and planned to upload some better ones in a few weeks. But, here we are 9 years later and I'm a bit ashamed to say that the same out of focus, poorly-lit photos are still there!

Every year I've thought that I must dust off the pattern, take some decent pictures and produce a proper pdf file that people can download and this year I have finally managed to do just that. The pattern has been tweaked very slightly:

  • a change of decrease direction at the start of the heel shaping,
  • an extra instruction about picking up a stitch at the join between the sides of the heel and the top of the foot and knitting it together with it's neighbour, which is aimed at eradicating the gap that often appears there
  • and 5 new charts to add to the existing 3 which have also had a makeover.

You can download a copy of the new pattern here download now. (I've left the original pattern untouched too).

It's still free and shared with my thanks for supporting my work and in the hope that you enjoy using it to make decorations for your home, gifts for your family and friends or for charity fundraising. It makes me very happy to think of my little pattern helping to spread a little pleasure and happiness out there.

Right, now I've got to go and seam this little lot, which should keep me busy for a while!

 

Prepping

 

65 thoughts on “Christmas stockings”

  3. Dear Julie,
    What a lovely post! I adore the composition of the socks in the first picture. Thanks a lot for sharing the pattern, that is really very kind of you. I am sure you could make a little fortune. It touches me that you don’t choose to do that. It makes the pattern even more special. My hands are itching!
    Love,
    Mirjam

    Like

    Reply

  5. Those are gorgeous but I must try to finish your elephant before I embark on anything else! My lack of Fair Isle skills are holding me back so she may have to have a stripy dress instead. Perhaps the stocking would be a good way to practice although come to think of it, I’ve never knitted a sock either.

    Like

    Reply

  6. Thank you! Everybody loves these. Have just made some for the Christmas tree in the library where I work. I also make them for gifts personalised with letters for the child’s name – so everyone knows whose is whose!

    Like

    Reply

  9. Thank you Julie, you are such an inpiration. I’ve planned to do these stockings for this Christmas and the tiny dolls to hang in the Christmas tree that you have also free of charge in your blog, but time it seems never enough to start those beauties and the other dolls that I do want to offer this year to my boys (a fox and a elephant – your designs) and a boy cat (also your design) to offer to a child this Christmas that is being supported by an institution that gives the pediatric palliative care. Have a lovely week ;o)

    Like

    Reply

  13. Thank you so much! Lots of ideas bouncing in my head of what I am going to do with this. I love the idea of making a little rabbit or bear to pop inside. You are spreading ” adorableness”…don’t think that’s a real word but it’s needed here & you know what I mean 😊

    Like

    Reply

  15. Thank you Julie!!! I have made several of your little precious stockings for our tree and for gifts. This is the sweetest pattern. I am going downstairs now to look through my yarn and get started. I just have 5 knitting projects in various stages waiting on me in the den!!! You are so very kind. Thank you again!!!
    Ren

    Like

    Reply

  19. awww…have knit many of these over the years for ornaments for kids, friends, friends kids, even one in honour of a dearly loved pet who is no longer with us. This year I’m making them for my grandsons. Such a lovely pattern. The photo of all the little socks in a circle has been one of my favourite photos of all time! You always inspire!!!

    Like

    Reply

  20. oh, I so adore your tiny christmas stockings, they are totally on my must-knit list! One of these days I’m going to knit 24 of them, and use them as a little advent calendar.

    Like

    Reply

  22. I just love these little stockings, thanks so much for the pattern. They are so versatile, so many things I can think of to do with them. I’m going to try one tonight.

    Like

    Reply

  23. Your first photo–with the colour of the toes alternating–is just gorgeous! Visually stunning (and heart stopping lol). You are so kind to share your pattern!

    Like

    Reply

  24. I have knitted your previous stockings (from about 10 years ago??) and knitted a couple more stockings just a couple of weeks ago. It’s great fun searching for little things to go inside them! I am looking forward to trying the new pattern. Thank you sooo much.

    Like

    Reply

  25. these little stockings always make me smile- and make me want to rush out and get the yarn to make a bunch more!! (I wrote you a comment not too long ago about how I made a bunch of these years ago and continue to make a few each year). I am definitely going to look at the new pattern. Thank you!
    Oh, and by the way- the old version did the trick just fine 🙂 I was super happy to find it when I did!

    Like

    Reply

  32. Thank you very much for this pattern!
    At the moment I finish a little Fox Girl for my granddaughter. It’s for Christmas!
    Thanks a lot for all your nice patterns!
    My girls are asking for me to knit some for them…. There is no age old for attractive things. 🙂

    Like

    Reply

  34. Julie thank you so much for sharing this pattern! I have been thinking of what to do for my two little girls as far as an advent calendar and now I’m thinking I should maybe make 24 of these to hang on a little line and use them as an advent calendar. Something handmade would be so much better than store bought. Thank you for the pattern and the perfect timing for the idea. I hope you are doing well! I have very much enjoyed reading your blog through the years and sharing in what you’ve been up to. 🙂

    Like

    Reply

  35. Thank you for your generosity Julie I shall be making a stocking each for my daughters and grandson! Just finished a dear little rabbit wearing the red snowflake dress, white tights and red button shoes, she is sitting in my room making me feel very Christmassy! Posted a photo of her on my Ravelry page. You brighten up our lives with your gorgeous patterns xx

    Like

    Reply

  36. Thank you so much Julie for your wonderful pattern. I am currently knitting number 41 of 48 stockings for two advent calendars. Your new patterns are very welcome. A new one will be on my needles later today. Thank you again and I am hoping to embark on one of your rabbits when I have finished the stockings.

    Like

    Reply

  39. Must make! Love how you arranged them for the picture. Thanks for sharing this pattern. I love all your patterns and have more than I will probably ever be able to do!

    Like

    Reply

  43. That original photo is what drew me to them in the first place! I’ve knitted many of these and used the pattern as an intro to chart reading and fair isle. Thank you for the updates. Time to try out the new version. Many thanks for sharing your talents with us!

    Like

    Reply

  49. I love these little stockings. I made some a few years ago and hung one or two on my tree. But last year I decided to incorporate them into a garland which I now hang on the beam above my wood burner at Christmas. Can’t wait to put them up again soon. Everyone who comes to the house admires them, so thanks xx

    Like

    Reply

  50. Thank you Julie for the lovely new pattern and new variations , you are are so lovely to give us this . Your free patterns have been a life saver for me over the years as due to long term cancer fight I am on minimal income , and so have used them to make little presents for my friends .so I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all the love you have created .
    Oh and I was really lucky last year and won the most beautiful ballerina bunny from you .! I love her so much. Xxxxxxx

    Like

    Reply

  51. Thank you again for your generosity in sharing your patterns freely. I haven’t tried the new designs yet but have made plenty of your others for two particular charities I support. They are always popular and I have the pleasure of making them and knowing they’re helping others too xx

    Like

    Reply

  52. Thanks for the reminder about the stockings. I need to get mine out of storage and make some more with the new and “improved” pattern, although I thought the old one worked great! I also have several Easter eggs made with your pattern. Thanks for all your holiday inspiration.

    Like

    Reply

  53. Hi Julie – Thank you Thank You! You are such a sweet & generous enabler to share these stockings with everyone. Always a devoted fan of your great inspirations!!

    Like

    Reply

  54. Just the cutest little stockings I have ever seen. Sad I don’t know how to knit : ( You have blessed so many with the pattern and brought each one much Joy. Bless you. Janita

    Like

    Reply

  55. Julie your website is just fantastic, one of the best I have ever seen. Your patterns are so clear and precise and the wonderful pictures describing each stage are really appreciated. I have only just found you and downloaded a few patterns. I have just started a rabbit for our new grandson Charlie and then hope to make the elephant for him. Do you just use your fingers to put in the stuffing or do you use a piece of small gauge dowling or something similar?
    I look forward to knitting more of your patterns in the future. Blessings Penny

    Like

    Reply

  56. I made a bunch of these about 4 years ago and they are still among my favourite things to hang on my Christmas tree. They are just perfect x

    Like

    Reply

  60. Thank you so much! I love colorwork knitting and making little miniature knitted stockings, sweaters and baubles for our little tree! I hope you are enjoying a really great holiday season with your family.

    Like

    Reply

  61. Thank you for creating this wonderful pattern! They are adorable and I can’t wait to get started on a collection for our tree!

    Like

    Reply

  62. I echo everything everyone else has said…………some of the animals, depending on my emotional state at the time, bring tears (of joy) to my eyes. Thank you!
    Janet
    p.s. I hope I win!!

    Like

    Reply

  63. These are the most beautiful little knitted items I have ever seen! Your talent is amazing and a gift. I just started to learn to knit (not very good yet) your creations have inspired me!
    – Angela

    Like

    Reply

Please leave your comments