Book Review – Knit Christmas Stockings

Hanging Christmas stockings is a long-standing tradition that is enjoyed by many families around the world during the holiday season. The origins of this tradition can be traced back to the story of Saint Nicholas, a kind bishop who lived in the 4th century. According to legend, Saint Nicholas was known for secretly leaving gifts for poor children in their stockings or shoes.

As the story spread, the tradition of leaving gifts in stockings evolved into the practice of hanging them by the fireplace on Christmas Eve for Santa Claus to fill with small gifts and sweets for children. Today, the tradition continues, and many families hang stockings for all members of the household, including adults and pets, as a way to add a festive touch to their home decor.

“Knit Christmas Stockings, 2nd Edition: 19 Patterns for Stockings & Ornaments” by Gwen W. Steege offers 19 simple and fun patterns to help you create your own unique Christmas stockings. With this guide, even first-time knitters can make beautiful stockings for everyone on their list. The book includes a variety of styles and designs, from wacky to whimsical, classic to daintily darling, to suit every taste. It also includes ideas for using smaller skeins and project leftovers to make mini stockings for pets or tree ornaments. With this guide, you can knit yourself a merry little Christmas and make a cherished family tradition.

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The other day I saw a post from Pinterest about trends for summer and it said one of them was “cultivating whimsy.”

Well, I don’t know where Pinterest has been all this time, but we’ve been cultivating whimsy here at Craft Gossip for a long time. I love sharing projects that are a little different, things that make you smile when you see them, and will make you smile when you knit them and wear them or use them.

Such it is with the Tutti Frutti tee knitting pattern from Bea Creative Knits.

This cute little baby tee is worked top down in the round with contiguous shoulder construction to shape the sleeve caps. There are short rows for the neckline and folded hems with picot edging at the hemline, neckline and edges of the sleeves.

All of this would be great on its own, but then there’s the addition of a super cute fruit icon, which is added with duplicate stitch. There are a lot of options, including strawberry, banana, orange, cherries, watermelon, lemon, blueberries, kiwi, peach, dragon fruit, apple and pear, so it’s likely you can add on your favorite fruit.

It is offered in eight sizes, to fit a bust measurement ranging from 28-30 inches (71-76 cm) to 56-58 inches (142-147 cm). The design is meant to be worn with around 6.3 inches/16 cm of negative ease, but you can choose the fit you prefer. There’s also optional bust and waist shaping included in the pattern if you want to make it even curvier.

This is considered an advanced beginner or intermediate project because of all the skills involved, but it’s sure to be a lot of fun even if some of these techniques are new to you.

Grab a copy of the pattern for yourself form Bea Creative Knits on Etsy.

[Photo: Bea Creative Knits]

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