Knit Your Way Back in Time: Vintage Holiday Stockings

I always get a little nervous writing about the holidays this early. Is it too soon? Maybe, until I’m startled by shelves already piled high with ornaments, wrapping paper, and peppermint everything. Still, for us makers—the knitters, stitchers, and gift-givers of handmade treasures—it’s never too early. If we want those heirloom-worthy gifts ready in time, we’d better get those needles clicking now!

Family Stockings

When I was little, we had two beloved family stockings that had been around since my dad was a kid—one red, one green. No fireplace for us, so we’d hang them from the living room drapes on either side of the tree! I inherited the red one (complete with a fuzzy knitted Santa and a candy cane), and yes, I still hang it every year—though thankfully, no longer from the curtains.

The family heirloom stocking at right hangs next to the one I kntted for my grand niece.

When I was small, my mom’s friend knitted me my own stocking—red, white, and green with “KAREN” stitched proudly across the top, fuzzy Santa in the center, and a jingly bell at the bottom. Years later, when my son was born, she made him one, too.

A while back, I wrote a little web post about these stockings—just sharing the story—and out of the blue, a reader reached out to say, “I have that pattern! I’ll send it to you.” And she did: “Jumbo Santa Claus Stocking” pattern by Bernat. That’s the magic of needleworkers, isn’t it? We connect over shared patterns and histories and help each other out in unexpected ways.

The pattern sat quietly in my pile for a few years until my niece had a baby—the first little one in our family in over a decade—and suddenly, I had to carry on the tradition. Out came that vintage pattern, and I started charting out her name. My mom’s friend had it easy with “I-A-N,” but fitting E-L-L-O-W-Y-N took a wee bit of work.

But where did this whole idea of hanging socks come from?

Apparently, it all goes back to St. Nicholas, born in the 3rd century in what is now Turkey. After losing his wealthy parents, he devoted his life to helping the poor and became known for his kindness—especially toward children. One famous story tells of a poor man with three daughters who couldn’t afford dowries. On three different nights, Nicholas secretly dropped bags of gold into their home—one supposedly landing in a stocking drying by the fire. And just like that, the Christmas stocking tradition was born!

Whether that tale is fact or legend, it reminds us what this season is really about: generosity, kindness, and giving from the heart. Every item we choose to make and give carries a little story—of who taught us the craft, who passed it down, and who we’re making it for, and why.

Andrea Wong’s miniature Portuguese stocking from our Jan/Feb 2017 issue.

So go ahead—browse our library of sock patterns and transform one into a special holiday gift! Knit one for a new baby, an old friend, or a neighbor who could use a bit of cheer. Start a new family tradition: one special stocking each year, each with its own name and story. With our vintage alphabet charts, you can make every one personal.

And remember—there’s still time. You only have to knit one!

Happy making,
Karen