Who Made Your Christmas Stockings?
I have Kendra Rafford, long-time Halcyon staffer here blogging for me this week. you’ll be hearing more from her here in the weeks to come!
Oh how I love to pull out the Christmas box and unveil those treasured ornaments and decorations that come out just once a year. And that’s just what I did this past weekend, all be it a little early. I was searching for our Christmas stockings to hang up in the shop at Halcyon Yarn as inspiration for our customers. Oh what great feelings the sight of the hand-knit stockings evoked!
From the time I was a little girl, my all time favorite things to unpack at Christmas time have been the hand-knit stockings. My nana knit my father’s stocking back when he was just a boy. As my mother, my brother and I each joined the family she lovingly did the same for us. There was something magical about seeing them hanging together.
Of course I loved them all, but I must admit I was partial to my own snowman stocking. After all, the snowman was knit with angora – oh so soft! Isn’t there something extra special about a stocking that has angora in it? Usually it’s just Santa’s beard, but imagine, I was fortunate enough to have an entire snowman.
I knew that when I had a family of my own I’d knit Christmas stockings for each of them. I had grand visions of my own children loving their stockings as much as I loved my own. So as I had one, then two, then three little boys, each got his own Christmas stocking lovingly knit by Mom. I chose a Yankee Knitters pattern for the first two. By the time the third came along, I became a bit more bold. I really liked the stocking my nana knit with Santa coming out of the chimney, but couldn’t find an exact pattern. So I chose an Ann Norling pattern to knit the upper part of Santa and then I used knitter’s graph paper to chart my own chimney. Certainly not the same, but still a success I think. And then there was my husband who kept asking where was his hand-knit stocking. Growing up the poor guy had one of those drug store Christmas stockings made in China. It took several years, but I finally knit him one of his own. Since he had been so patient I decided to go the extra mile on his. First I made it a little bigger, I charted my own Christmas tree design, and finally I adorned the tree with hand sewn beads and buttons. At last, my family Christmas stockings were complete.
I must admit I feel pretty good having continued a family tradition. The two collections of stockings are similar yet just a little different. I tried to personalize my boys’ (that includes my husband) stockings by adding a knitted braid at the top , a bell on the toe and I purposely chose to knit each with a Maine wool, Bartlett Yarn. I have to just say, whether it’s a stocking knit 60 some odd years ago for my dad or one knit just a few years back for one of my sons, there is something special about a hand-knit stocking. A store bought Christmas stocking just can’t compete.
Here’s hoping your holidays are filled with handmade things that will create memories that last a lifetime. -Kendra
What’s the story behind your Christmas stockings?
Reading through all these emails, It’s a bit confusing if anyone actually has the pattern for the Kriss Kringle Article 2665 of the Santa coming out of the chimney? We are also trying to make additional stockings for new family members and would love to connect with someone that has the pattern.
I have the pattern, it’s a bit marked up. Looking for a clean set with color/yarn brands. Can anyone help. Columbia-Minerva Santa Claus: Christmas stocking
Hi Rosella,
Love that you’re planning ahead for Christmas already! I don’t think the original Columbia-Minerva Christmas Stocking Pattern is still available, however we do have a few patterns that have a similar feel, including several with Santa variations. Below is a link to some of the classic patterns we sell. These offer great variations for customizing the designs and lettering. All are knit in a worsted weight wool and we recommend using a nice fluffy mohair to add texture to Santa’s beard, angel wings, or just for some fun trim. Although the yarns are worsted weight, you’ll want to knit on slightly smaller needles so they have a nice firm finish – try a US size #6 or #7. Here’s a link to the patterns and yarns we recommend: Christmas Stocking Materials
Please let us know if there’s anything else we can do to help!
– Gretchen
I am knitting stockings like this but I can not find the fuzzy beard yarn. Can someone please help me out?? What is it called and where is it sold? Thank you so much!!
Hi Erika, sorry for the delay in getting back got behind on comments. Great question! Seems that the favorite (somewhat decadent) option in the shop is Angora, which has the best fuzziness:
https://halcyonyarn.com/yarn/197/angora-yarn
Mohair might work too:
https://halcyonyarn.com/yarn/164/victorian-brushed-mohair-yarn
https://halcyonyarn.com/yarn/197/angora-yarn
Another fuzzy one:
https://halcyonyarn.com/yarn/197/angora-yarn
Best of luck and let me know with any other questions!
My Aunt has made the stockings for my entire family and they look so similar to yours, I wish I could send a picture. It looks like the santa coming out of the chimney and he has a fuzzy beard.
I have family stockings which my sister knit for us. She has since passed and I need to find someone to continue making these stockings for my grand kids. I know it’s Kate for this year but if you are interested in making a couple of stockings similar to these in the photos, PKEASE contact me at thevemail I provided.
OMG! A dear friend of mine has these snowman stocking for her family, knit by a dear family friend who has since passed. These stocking have been in her family for 4 generations & the newest one has just blessed this sweet family. And now the newest addition needs a stocking & I have been asked to make it. I was so excited to see the stocking but I’m desperate for the pattern! HELP please!
Hi Shawna,
What a wonderful gift you’ll be giving – a future heirloom! Here are the suggestions we have: Snowman Christmas Stocking Kit, or a pattern with a couple of variations, by Yankee Knitter. I’ve emailed you these directly as well if you’d like to follow up or have other questions. I hope these help you get the stocking underway! Happy Holidays!
– Gretchen
I would love to get the patterns for these knitted Christmas stockings. I made them for my three sons and others and now I have grand children that I want to make them for. Please do you have the patterns????
Thanks for the question. We have a bunch of Christmas Stocking Patterns and Books that are worth checking out. They aren’t exactly the same as the ones Kendra made in this post, but, some are quite similar. Check out the link and let us know if there is anything else we can do to help!
I am looking for the pattern for the angora snowman, if anyone knows where I can buy one, please let me know.
I’m looking for the pattern for the Santa face stocking, green with angora for the beard and fur on the cap. It was originally a kit from Columbia Minerva (article 2690, if that means anything). My mother, who passed away before her last grandsons were born, knitted these for the entire family. I’d love to have the directions so that I can have stockings made for the last two grandsons. Please contact me if you have the pattern and are willing to share or sell it.
I need to find the pattern for the santa coming out of the chimney with the name at the top and angora beard. My mother made them for all the grandchildren. She has passed away and I want to continue the tradition. Can you please find this pattern for me?
If anyone is interested in having christmas stockings knit please feel free to contact me through my website http://www.Laurelscustomknits.com
I knit them year round and taking orders for the 2014 christmas season!
I have directions for the first Santa in the first picture. My husbands grandmother made them for everyone and I am trying to make one for my granddaughter.
My cousin, Donna, knitted my family stockings that are exactly like the two in the middle of your first photo above. My cousin passed away in 2006, so I cannot get her pattern. However, I cannot find the pattern online to knit four more for newcomers to the family. Help!
Do you or anyone sell these stockings to order. I have my husbands (as a child) plus one made for me and our kids. Now my kids are grown and have attachments. I’d love to order some for future additions!!!!!
I have the same story as many of the others, except the Santa Face stocking I have for my daughter is different. Is there someone I can send a photo to that could help me identify the pattern? My mother in law, who knitted the stocking in the late 80’s thinks it was a Family Circle EasyKnitting pattern. She has some of the magazines, but is unable to locate this one. She is interested in making the stocking for her great Grandaughter. Any thoughts appreciated.
I also have the pattern of 1st Stocking with the Santa Face (angora beard). It was printed as part of a kit and the name at the top of the pattern reads “Santa Claus Christmas Stocking” Article No. 2690. My grandmother knit everyone in the family one, right down to great grand children. She bought the kit in the 60s and the pattern came with it. When she died in 2005 at the age of 95 she left us kids the pattern, and we re-charted it in color since the pattern was so old it wouldn’t copy well. We have all made our kids and grandkids one. If someone can direct me to the site (link) where it says that pattern is public domain, I would be happy to email you the re-charted pattern, which is very easy to follow. My email is knittychick2012@hotmail.com
I have the original Columbia Minerva pattern, published twice, the last time in 1976. It was called “Kriss Kringle” and came as a kit. Even though Columbia Minerva owns the copyright (it can’t be transferred), the pattern is now in the public domain. There are those who are selling the pattern on the internet, but you can obtain the pattern for free by contacting me. View the link below to see one I knitted to see if it’s the one you have been looking for. If so, I can be contacted there. I am not sure if you can send me a message there without joining the site (it’s free). The choice is up to you as i do not publicly list my email address:
http://www.knittingparadise.com/t-125124-1.html
If you want it, contact me there.
Hi Ginny,
It appears, a long time ago, you posted that you have the pattern for the santa coming out of the chimney. Like many others, my mother had this knitted for all the grandkids and great grandkids. I’m knitting now and would really appreciate the patter to continue her tradition. Thank you. anne.m.kissinger@gmail.com
Thanks for your interest, Anne. Unfortunately this is an older post and we do not have the chimney pattern available. The Santa stocking currently available can be found here:
Yankee Knitter Christmas Stocking
Christmas Sock Pattern
Perhaps with a little clever charting the Yankee Knitter Santa could be adapted to include a chimney? If we can find the original we’ll certainly put it online too.
Best of luck with your stocking project!
Your story brought a tear to my eye. My Aunt Pete knitted those exact stocking in the 1st picture for me, my sister and brothers, my husband as I wed and for each one of my 5 children as they came into the world. In fact my 5 children have the exact same stocking as yours, the big snowman made with angora. Mine stocking(51 years old now)is the Santa face one. I adore them! They bring me such joy every year when I pull them out and hang them. They mean so much to us. I now have a son who is about to marry and I want to make his soon to be wife one as well and my future grandchildren too. I am looking for that pattern. So if your willing to sell that pattern so I can continue my Aunt Pete’s legacy i would be so grateful. Thanks so much for sharing your story and listening to my story. Michele
My mother knitted the stockings with Santa coming out o the chimney for years. I can’t find her pattern or knitting instructions. Now that I am a grandmother of two I would like to continue the tradition. I would love to have the knitting instruction for the pattern; can anyone help with my quest.
Thanks
JoAnn
Hello, can I place an order for 2 of the santa down the chimney stocking one saying Robby lll, the second saying Tara. My aunts use to make all the children and grandchildren one of these for our/there first christmas. Both aunts have passed on. Mine is actually 54 years old and in fabulous shape. Know one in the family knits. Could someone please contact me about making two for me. I’ll buy all supplies and pay for your service. My phone # 321-501-4130 my name is Cate. Or by email. cycle1230@cfl.rr.com. Would love to hear from an interested party…Thanks Cate…
Hi Cate,
Thanks for the question. We get questions like this with some regularity. Unfortunately, we only sell the patterns and yarn for these stockings. We don’t have anyone who knits custom commissions. My suggestion is to search for “knit christmas stocking” on a site like etsy.com. I just checked and see that there are offerings there. Best of luck! Amos
Hi. We had Christmas at my sisters and my mom brought our Christmas stocking with the Santa coming down the chimney with her to hang up. We only have 3, and each of us has a partner or spouse and now a niece. I’d love knit 4 more as they are so beautiful and certainly nostalgic! If you come across the pattern I would love to know. Thanks so much.
Hi! I’m looking for the Santa pattern for the very first stocking (on your first picture). My siblings and I had those stockings growing up, and the same person who made them just made some for my boys. She is 92, though, so I’m looking to keep the pattern on hand in case we need to make more. Thank you!!
i’d love to get a copy of the santa coming out of the chimney pattern – my kids all have them, and as they get older i’d like to have them for their spouses/children. i thought it was from an old magazine – bhg, family circle or woman’s day. thanks.
I too had the snowman stocking. It had bells on the snowmans tie, where can I find this pattern? I have searched for 5 years and never have located it.
Hi Ann, I think that the pattern you’re looking for is part of the Ann Norling set, found here: http://halcyonyarn.com/products/patterns/40410130.html, is that it? Let me know if not. Best, Amos
hi — i need to get one of these (or make it) for my son! we all had these growing up (some a bit moth-eaten but still in use!) it’s the only one i want for him so i’d love to hear if anyone has a pattern. thanks and merry christmas!!
Do you have the pattern for the santa in the chimney with the brick pattern. My mom made that stocking for my children. She gave me the pattern and I lost it. i would like to make that stocking for my grandchildren
Hi Caren, that is a stocking Kendra made. I can’t find it in our store inventory but I will ask her on Monday where she got hers and let you know!!
My ENTIRE family has those stockings with Santa coming out of the chimney! One of our aunts made them for everyone. I am searching for that same pattern in order to keep the tradition going. They are just too cool.