Saturday, July 28, 2012

Knit Christmas Stocking

This here is the only reason I learned how to crochet over 10 years ago. My grandmother made these for every family member, and is still making them today.





It was over 10 years ago that she started guilting us a little bit about who was going to make the stockings after she was gone. Since grandma crocheted everything, I started to learn how to crochet.

A year later I told her I was ready to learn how to make the stockings, however, I learned then that she knit the stocking.

Nine years later I learned how to knit.

Now 6 months after learning how to knit, I finally made what I had set out to make over 10 years ago!!



I am so proud of my stocking!! I saw someone selling something similar to these on Etsy for $50!! If only they didn't take so many man hours to make. Maybe the next one I make i'll break out my stop watch to figure out exactly how many hours it takes.



The pattern came from an old kit that my grandmother bought many many many years ago. If I had to guess, I'd say about 30 years ago. The directions are so tattered, torn, faded, and the paper is even now brown! I have no idea where the pattern is from, who made it, or even if something similar is still available. All I have are a photocopied version of her pages.

I am thinking about taking the pattern, and just changing up the chart a little bit. Maybe make a blue stocking with snowflakes?

I know for my family, I can never stray from the original design... seeings that everyone in my family has it!

However, for my husbands family, I might experiment!

12 comments:

  1. I don't know how to knit or crochet, but my older sister made this exact stocking for all my Mother's grandchildren many years ago. I tried to get the pattern from her, but we never got around to getting that accomplished. Now she's gone and I am learning how to knit I would like to carry on her tradition. I thought I found the pattern for it, however, when I took it to my friend she said I only had maybe 1/4 of what I would need. I'm just sick, ugh! Any ideas on how to find or re-create the pattern???

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  2. My great great aunt made these for all of our family as well! My mom is now trying to learn to make them for our spouses. Is there any chance you would be willing to share your pattern? She is struggling to read her great aunt’s handwriting. Thank you for considering!

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    1. following. My mother lost her directions and is trying to make a stocking for the latest great grandchild.

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    2. Comment added that you'll be interested in!

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  3. I stumbled across this by accident... But I have great news! I have the complete pattern!! I hate to put my contact info here, so contact me on Ravelry (PaulaB102) and we'll figure out how to get patterns to those who need it.

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    1. I would love to get a copy of this pattern! 😊

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    2. Hi Paula! I lost four pages of our family Christmas stocking after making 10 of them! I went looking for you on Ravelry and couldn't find you but when I searched there was the exact pattern I had used 12 or so years ago!!! Thank you for the lead.

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    3. How can I get a copy of this pattern? My grandmother made me this in 1956 when I was born. I would love to make one for my grandchild. Am I too late?

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  4. Hi Paula! I lost four pages of our family Christmas stocking after making 10 of them! I went looking for you on Ravelry and couldn't find you but when I searched there was the exact pattern I had used 12 or so years ago!!! Thank you for the lead.

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  5. Hello. Please help. I would really like to have this pattern. My mom who died a few years ago made these for all of us and I want to make them for new family members. Can you send me a link to the pattern? Thanks. Anne Pride - apride1@comcast.net

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    1. Ms. Pride:

      My family also has the tradition of having these stockings (this pattern) made for each new family member addition (child or adult spouse). My stocking was the first I know of and was knitted by my mom’s mom more than 40 years ago. It still hangs on our fireplace mantle each Christmas and I’m seeing it as I write you now.

      We have a copy of the pattern, used by my grandmother and mother, and I would be glad to send this to you.

      Right now we expect to have three new family additions for Christmas 2022, but neither my wife or I knit. So if you, or someone you know, can and are willing to knit three of these, I would be grateful to hear back from you at floodjd56@gmail.com.

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  6. I love the story of how and why you learned to crochet/knit. My Godmother made very similar stocking for my 3 children years ago and I too am looking for a pattern and knitter (unless I can teach myself too!) First step, locate the pattern... Can anyone help?

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