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Mini Santa Stocking Knitting Pattern

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The Mini Santa Stocking Knitting Pattern is a delightful quick-knit project that’s perfect for intermediate knitters who love adding a personal touch to their holiday decor.

Whether you hang it on your Christmas tree or use it as a stocking stuffer for small gifts, this pattern is sure to bring the Christmas spirit to your home.

Please scroll down to view the free pattern, or grab the printer-friendly ad-free PDF in my shop here.

Santa stocking knitting pattern

A Quick Overview of the Santa Stocking Knitting Pattern

This mini stocking pattern is the perfect size for a small gift or a decorative touch.

Knit using 4 mm (US 6) circular needles or double-pointed needles.

The body of the stocking is crafted in DK yarn (we recommend Drops Lima for its softness and vibrant colors).

The design features a charming Santa face that is worked in the round using intarsia, with a color chart provided to guide you through the intricate details.

The top of the stocking includes a festive top cuff, and a hanging loop makes it easy to display on your Christmas tree.

Knitted Santa stocking hanging on the tree

Skills You’ll Need

This pattern is designed for intermediate knitters.

Here’s a quick list of techniques and skills you’ll need:

  • Knitting in the round: Use either circular knitting needles or double-pointed needles to shape the stocking.
  • Colorwork patterns: The Santa’s face section uses intarsia. Familiarity with fair isle or stranded knitting is a bonus.
  • Basic knitting stitches: The stocking is primarily worked in stockinette stitch (knit every round).
  • Shaping techniques: You’ll shape the toes and back of the heel to create the stocking’s classic silhouette.

Why You’ll Love This Pattern

  1. Festive Charm: The Santa Claus motif adds a whimsical touch to your holiday stockings.
  2. Versatility: The hanging loop makes it ideal for holiday stockings on Christmas trees, mantels, or even as part of table settings.
  3. Speedy Knit: As a quick-knit project, it’s perfect for last-minute gifts or adding handmade stockings to your holiday decor.
  4. Customizable: Personalize your own stocking with different yarn colors or initials for each family member.
Christmas stocking with Santa

Mini Santa Stocking Knitting Pattern

Skill Level – Intermediate

The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to spread festive cheer than by creating your own handmade Christmas stockings?

Dive in and see what you need to get started!

Size Information

  • The sock length measures – 8 inches.
  • The width measures around – 2.5 inches.
  • Gauge – 21 stitches/28 rows in 10 x 10 cm/4 inches in stocking stitch.
  • A gauge swatch is optional for this project.

Materials

To bring this simple knit pattern to life, gather the following supplies:

Yarn

  • DK/light worsted/8 Ply yarn.
  • Amount of yarn – around 20g/80 meters.
  • I used DK yarn Drops Lima in Gray (8465), Red (3609), and White (0100) with scraps of black DK yarn for the eyes.
  • You could use any yarn weight and needle size for this project, but it will affect the sock’s finished size.

Knitting Needle Size

Notions

  • Tapestry needle for sewing up and weaving in ends.
  • Scissors.
  • Tape Measure.

Knitting Abbreviations

  • CO – Cast on
  • BO – Bind off
  • Cont – Continue
  • DPNs – Double-pointed needles
  • K – Knit
  • K2tog – Knit the next two stitches together to decrease
  • P – Purl
  • P2tog – Purl the next two stitches together to decrease
  • Sl1 – Slip one stitch
  • St(s) Stitch(es)
  • SSK – Slip, Slip, Knit
  • Rep – Repeat
  • RS – Right side
  • WS – Wrong side
  • 2×2 ribbing – K2, P2, every round.
Santa stocking knitting pattern

Pattern Instructions

Cuff:

CO 24 stitches using the color of your choice (Color A). Divide stitches evenly across 3 DPNs or arrange for the magic loop.

Join to knit in the round, being careful not to twist.

Work in K2, P2 ribbing for 6 rounds.

Leg:

Switch to stockinette stitch (knit every stitch in the round) and work for 2 rounds.

Then, divide the sts to work the color chart across 10 stitches.

Work 2 rounds in color A.

Santa color chart for sock

Heel Flap (worked flat):

Knit 12 stitches onto one needle (this will be the heel flap; leave the remaining stitches on hold).

Make sure the Santa face is on the side of the work; 6 stitches will include part of the colorwork, and 6 will not.

Work back and forth on these 12 stitches:

  • Row 1 (RS): Sl1, K1 repeat to end.
  • Row 2 (WS): Sl1, P to end.

Repeat these 2 rows for a total of 8 rows.

Turn Heel:

Row 1 (RS): K7, K2tog, K1, turn.

Row 2 (WS): Sl1, P3, P2tog, P1, turn.

Row 3: Sl1, K4, K2tog, K1, turn.

Row 4: Sl1, P5, P2tog, P1, turn.

Row 5: Sl1, K3, K2tog, K1, turn

Row 6: Sl1, P2, P2tog, P1, turn, (6 stitches remain).

Gusset:

Knit across the heel stitches.

Pick up and knit 6 stitches along the side of the heel flap.

Knit across the stitches on hold for the instep.

Pick up and knit 6 stitches along the other side of the heel flap.

Knit half of the heel stitches onto the next needle to reposition (you’ll now be back in the round).

Arrange stitches evenly on 3 needles (DPNs) or across 2 if using circulars.

You should have 30 stitches total.

Gusset Decreases:

Round 1: Knit.

Round 2: Knit to last 2 stitches of first needle, K2tog.

Knit across instep stitches.

On last needle, SSK, knit to end.

Repeat these 2 rounds until you’re back to 24 stitches total.

Foot:

Knit in the round until the foot measures 3 inches from the heel.

Toe:

Round 1: K4, K2tog repeat to end (20 sts remain).

Round 2: Knit.

Round 3: K3, K2tog repeat to end (16 sts remain).

Round 4: Knit.

Round 5: K2, K2tog repeat to end (12 sts remain).

Round 6: Knit.

Round 7: K1, K2tog repeat to end (8 sts remain).

Cut yarn, leaving a tail.

Thread the tail through the remaining stitches and pull tight to close.

Finishing:

Weave in all ends.

Add a hanging loop with a knitted length or a small knitted i-cord (optional).

Decorate with embroidery, pompoms, or small appliques if desired!

Hanging Loop:

CO 30 sts, bind off.

Sew to the inner top side of the sock (see photos for reference).

Tips for Success

  • Plan Your Colorwork: Keep your yarn organized when working with the color chart to ensure clean transitions.
  • Mind the Gauge: Check your gauge before starting to ensure your stocking turns out the perfect size.
  • Add Your Personal Touch: Incorporate initials or special embellishments to make each stocking unique for your family member.
Knitted Santa stocking tree ornament

Celebrate Christmas Morning in Style

Handmade Christmas stockings bring warmth and joy to any holiday celebration.

This Mini Santa Stocking pattern combines festive cheer with practical functionality, making it an ideal addition to your holiday traditions.

Whether you’re crafting for a loved one or adding to your collection of handmade stockings, this project is sure to be a holiday favorite.

Ready to get started?

Get started on this free knitting pattern today, and let the Christmas spirit inspire your creativity.

With every stitch, you’ll be adding love and warmth to your holiday decor during the festive season.

Happy knitting, and may your holiday season be merry and bright!

Could you share your work with us…

I love seeing your finished projects on social media.

If you enjoyed making the mini Santa stocking knitting pattern, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme or #handylittleme to be featured.

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