Christmas is coming! I have been working diligently on hand-made presents for my family, so I haven’t had much time to write… couldn’t post pictures of those presents and my photo editing program zonked out on me to boot. Finally got a new program installed and was able to get these pictures cropped and sized.
This first stocking is one that my grandmother made me in 1956. She made one for each of us six kids. I believe she made one for both of my cousins, too. Mine has jingle bells, my name, Barby, my Grandmothers initials, RBW and the year I was born, 1956. Wow. It seems to be made of a light worsted weight wool.
The second stocking here is my brother Ken’s. It is a little different, having a white toe, no initials and date and oddly enough, no bells. The Santa on Ken’s seems to have a duplicate stitch on Sants beard to add the fuzzy look. It was made in 1968. It also feels like wool, but a heavier one. I haven’t tested it.
This next one is my daughter Liz’s stocking made in 1979. It has her full first name Elizabeth and a label inside that says Hand Knit and Fashioned by Ruth B. Watts. I think Liz’s stocking may have been made with acrylic. The yarn is a slightly heavier weight still. But we have jingle bells!
And finally I have KC’s stocking. KC was born after my Grandmother’s passing and just about the time I took up my needles again after some years of not knitting. I didn’t have my Grandmother’s pattern, but I did have my stocking to copy.
I used a heavy worsted weight acrylic yarn. I wish now I had used wool, but I thought acrylic would hold up better here in Florida.
I am hoping the rest of my family members will read my blog and send me photos of their stockings. It would be nice to see them all here. Next post I will show you close-ups of the Santa’s. They are all different. Oh, what fun!
Hi Barby 🙂
My stocking doesn’t look near as healthy as yours, mine has a lot of holes in it. I keep it displayed year ’round so I don’t remember what is on the backside of it. Mimi purchased a “kit” for mine in 1966 or 67 so it looks different from yours. I took pics of Mimi’s needles and books and uploaded them to esips.com for you to look at.
ttyl,
~Amy
Do you know where I can get a copy of this pattern…My children have this stocking, and now I want to make it for their spouses and future generations….Thanks, Eloise from Annapolis
Thank you for finding, keeping and posting this treasure! My husband and I both have the Santa stocking, his he got as a small child (it’s about 40 now), mine I rec’d from his mother after we got married (about 16 yrs ago). Unfortunately, by the time our son was born, the woman who made them had passed away. My mother-in-law didn’t have a pattern to make them and so our son has always had a mismatched stocking. We’ve always wanted to have one that matched, but until you posted this info, we didn’t know how to do that. You’ve richly blessed us. Thank you very much!
Oh, my…my Grandma knit those for us, her four grandchildren, when we were born. I’ve wanted to knit those for all the kids now, but never had her patter. I know I might be a little slow…but I can’t figure out how to access the pic of the book you said you put up with that in it. How would I go about seeing this? Please! 🙂
My mother-in-law made these stockings for family members as well – i found the pattern free on the web under a seach for “vintage knit christmas stocking.” The ones she made her immediate family are a little different with a tree, candle and wreath on them. i’m searching for this pattern also – if anyone has a copy or knows where I can find – please – please send me an email. Thanks so mcuh! Judy@faithbasedpages.com
The stocking with the tree, candle and wreath is at ruthlessknitting.com. It was my childhood stocking as well.
My Aunt Mary used to make these stockings. I grew up with one that she made for me. When I married she made one for my husband and then for each of my children. I now have two sons-in-law and will soon have three grandchildren. I would love to learn how to make these stockings and surprise my children. I know they would be thrilled. Can I possibly get a copy of the pattern?
Here is a link to the pattern. http://ruthlessknitting.ruthlessediting.com/vintage-santa-stocking-pattern. Happy knitting.
Updated link:
http://ruthlessknitting.com/vintage-santa-stocking-pattern
Hello!
My mom has knit the same exact stocking since the late 1950’s!! She passed away 5 years ago at the young age of 66, and was suppose to teach me how to make these stockings so I can carry on the tradition. I have several Grandchildren now that need one of those stockings, and my children’s spouse’s. I have the patteren, (a little faded) but don’t knit so the instructions look Greek to me!
If you have any tips I’ll take them! And if you want me to send you a copy of the pattern for you to use, I can certainly do that!
Take care!!!
Julie Bechtel
My only tip would be to go to a local yarn shop and get knitting lessons. Knitting a stocking with intarsia is an intermediate skill in my opinion. But it is well worth the time to learn!! There are people on Etsy.com that make and sell these stockings. I did a search for santa knitted christmas stocking and they came up. My cousin sent me a copy of my grandmothers pattern, but thanks.
My Gramma knitted me one 25 years ago. She passed away last year. I would love to find the pattern to have one made for my husband and daughter. Please send a pattern my way.
The pattern for the stocking is at RuthlessKnitting dot com. Enjoy!
Can anyone tell me where you get your angora or angora blend for the christmas stockings I don’t seem to be able to find it anywhere. Thank You
Hi Dorine, I got mine at a local yarn shop that is now out of business. I did a quick search on the internet and found white angora on Amazon and at Etsy. A little goes a long way.
I’ve been asked to take over the tradition for a friend; her grandmother passed away and she’s made one for every member of the family. The link to Ruthless Knitting isn’t working. Does anyone have it?
I have instructions and chart, please email me at barbawatts@yahoo.com
I had bookmarked the link for this stocking at ruthless knitting so that I could make the stocking when I had grandchildren. My first grandchild will be born this coming year so I went to look it up and the link is no longer working. Is there anyone out there that would be willing to send me a copy via email or snail mail? I would be so grateful!!!!! Thanks!
I have instructions and chart, please email me at barbawatts@yahoo.com
Can someone please share the pattern with me? I really want to make these for my children. My grandma made these for us when we were little.
I simply luv these stockings! I’ve had mine since my great great grandmother had it made for me….god luv her! anyway my mother n law had one done for my husband and 2 kids who are now adults. I would really luv to have one made for my daughters boyfriend. they both are finishing their jr yr in college and he has been part of our family for over 4 yrs now. he lives with us. hes the only one that doesn’t have one. I don’t know how to knit so if anyone knows anyone who will do one for me I would really appreciate and just name your price! its something that we’ll always have and very special to all of us! my name is Kathy and my email address is….kathysean1981@comcast.net I would really like to have it for a surprise this xmas.
I have the pattern for this stocking and another that my grandmother made for us in the 50’s This is the first time I have ever seen another one like it.
How can I get the pattern?
email me at barbawatts@yahoo.com and I will send you the pattern
I love this stocking! Have 3 here in my household. Would love to carry on my grandmothers tradition. I foolishly misplaced the pattern. If you could please email it to me @ ladyguinb@yahoo.com TY TY
I have been making these stockings for my family and friends since 1955. The stockings are getting bigger all the time. I would like to find some yarn that is not acrylic, but cannot seem to find wool, etc in Christmas colors. Can anyone suggest a suitable yarn for these stockings.
I’m 70 yrs young n my mom made all 4 of us kids one when we were born. I have 2 kids n 6 grandkids n I made all of them a stocking when they were born . I have 3 different patterns n believe me I know each one by heart.