Stocking Up for the Holidays

---

If ever there is a month that evokes strong nostalgia for my childhood, it is December. The smell of hot chocolate and pine trees, the feeling of snowflakes on my skin, all send me back to joyous holidays spent at my grandparents’ house in the Rocky Mountains. 

---

Featured above: Dancing Duo Stocking by Jenny Williams and Winter Snowflake Stocking by Donna Kay.

---

One feature of those years were the knit stockings which my grandmother made her grandchildren, hung proudly in front of their wood-burning fireplace. Stockings hold a special place in my heart as a result, and today I wanted to bring you four of my favorite stocking patterns from Interweave (plus a special peek at some new stockings in this year’s issue of Interweave Knits Gifts)! You can get all four of these stockings individually, as part of their digital magazine issues, or included in an Interweave+ membership.

Winter Snowflake Stocking

For a truly timeless stocking, look no further than the Winter Snowflake Stocking by designer Donna Kay. Originally published in Interweave Knits Holiday 2017, this lovely stocking is worked from the cuff down, starting with a narrow lace border with a two-color band. Geometric snowflakes and diamonds worked using stranded colorwork make up the leg and instep, and a peasant heel and simple toe complete this classic piece.

The Hat Stocking

When I was a child, my mother would often read my sisters and me the works of Jan Brett. Imagine my delight at discovering a stocking inspired by her joyous children’s book, The Hat, in Interweave Knits Holiday 2016! The Hat Stocking by Interweave founder Linda Ligon interprets the sock from the story into a beautiful holiday stocking. Worked in a sturdy, worsted-weight wool yarn, this stocking is worked from the cuff down. 

Snow Bird Stocking

Inspired by traditional Nordic decorative arts, the Snow Bird Stocking by designer Kristin Spurkland overflows with charming details. Birds perch around the stocking’s cuff, while abstract stripes march down the leg and instep. Originally published in Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2012, this stocking is worked from the cuff down and uses duplicate stitch to create pops of green amidst the red and white colorwork.

Dalahast Stocking

Every so often, my family would meet my grandparents up in Estes Park. At the time, there was a Scandinavian store there with a giant dala horse out front, and the interior was simply chock full of Scandinavian toys and artwork. More than any other stocking on this list, the Dalahast Stocking by designer Amanda Scheuzger reminds me of Christmas spent in the Rockies with my grandparents. Worked from the toe up, this stocking uses embroidery to embellish the stranded-colorwork around the cuff for a beautiful, simple holiday decoration. It’s another fun design from Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2012.

Sneak Peek! Interweave Knits Gifts 2021 Stockings 

In this year’s issue of Interweave Knits Gifts, we have not one but two new stocking patterns heading your way. The Stollen Stocking by designer Emily Kintigh is a celebration of touchable texture. It is worked in the round from the cuff down in a beautiful, all-over cable pattern. The Dancing Duo Stocking by designer Jenny Williams, meanwhile, is a riot of colorwork motifs and includes three designs for the dancing couple at the top, so you can pick your dance partner! The issue arrives in our store this week, so be sure to check it out! 

---

It’s not yet winter here in Colorado. Arguably, it isn’t even fall yet! But I’m already casting on projects for my holiday gifts. If you’re planning some holiday knitting this year, I hope this list has inspired you. And, as always, 

Happy Knitting, 
Julia 

---

Knit Stockings You’ll Treasure for Years