Customer Reviews

Christmas Stockings: Holiday Treasures to Knit

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Along with handspinnning and knitted lace, Christmas stockings are right at the top of my list of ~The most wonderful things to knit~. In my opinion, this book is one of the nicest compiliations of Christmas stockings to date.

The first thing that grabbed my attention on all of the patterns was that they weren't "brand yarn
specific". Each pattern lists the type of yarn by weight, ie. 2-ply worsted, bulky, sport, etc. This makes yarn choices very easy for handspinners or knitter's who already have a stash of yarns to chose from. (Note: specific yarns used in each stocking are listed at the end of the book for you to use if desired).

This book is a definite must have and a keeper for any knitter's library!

Sheri
Spin2Knit.com

For years I have knitted Christmas stockings for friends and finally resorted to designing my own patterns because most of the patterns I found were ultimately ugly and clumsy. This book, however, contains unique patterns that will please any taste. I always like to put names on my stockings, so a little pattern editing is necessary, but otherwise the designs are excellent. The yarns range from bulky to fingering weight, and the designs range from nordic-inspired to Victorian to a dog's stocking. Certainly the best Christmas stocking patterns I have found.

Christmas stocking have never been a tradition in my family. Still, when my friend Lynn Gate's stocking was chosen to be the cover sock for this book, I had to check it out. My conclusion - if you're a knitter with a need or a yen for Christmas stockings, this is a very inspirational tome. There's tremendous variety in the stockings presented from a felted, hot colors stocking knit up in Noro to some delicate lace affairs. All of the instructions are for stockings knit from the top down and most of the stockings have traditional gusseted heels. Of course, the best part of knitting these gems is that you only have to knit one - no second sock syndrome.

Bottom line - a good book for intermediate or better knitters who want to knit Christmas stocking with more complexity and pizazz than the free patterns on the internet.

I am working on my forth stocking from this book and it has been a pleasure! Instructions good and clear, great pictures, lots of great ideas.

I bought this book on clearance at a local craft store. So far I have only done the miniatures in the book (a mini-mitten and mini-stocking done on size 2 and 3 double-pointed needles and super thin yarn) which have been rewarding my patience for learning a new skill (double-pointed needles) by knitting up rather quickly (and attractively).

So a word of warning to anyone that's not a super-experienced knitter: most of the stockings in this book utilize advanced techniques, including Fair Isle and Intarsia color methods, cables (both simple and advanced patterns), and almost all of them are knit in the round (which means double-pointed needles are an absolute must). Luckily I can tell you that I have never knitted on double-pointed needles before and the little projects in here are a cute, easy foray into the world of knitting in the round.

All of the designs are adorable, and if they are too difficult (I don't knit in color yet) can be easily adapted to your skill level. The patterns include a variety of national styles, from Celtic to Victorian to Austrian, and are very beautiful. The editor has included some information on "design-your-own" though the instructions are pretty simplistic - but they do cover the gauges. Speaking of which, most of these are knit in worsted-weight (and they do suggest brands but don't fuss at you about substitutions), with at least one bulky-weight stocking and a couple of very lightweight stockings. My favorite is the Gansey stocking, the first in the book, which is knit from a solid color, smooth-ply yarn, and features snowflakes in a purl design - I plan to make these for my mantle someday. Also as I mentioned the little mittens and stockings knit in miniature are adorable and will make great gift tags with a little roll of parchment with the "To/From" written and folded inside.

A great buy! I definitely recommend this book, even if you're not a very advanced knitter. If you're a beginner, though, you're better off with something else.

I just checked this book out of the public library today and as soon as I looked through it, I got on the computer to buy it!!! I am just starting to learn how to knit and these projects are fun and simple enough for me to make. Plus, they will make great gifts for the holidays.

The pictures are beautiful, the patterns clearly written and illustrated. Great ideas many fairly easy. A wide variety of styles in a sweet little book.

I love to knit. My gift to new babies is a Christmas stocking. I think of it as a special blessing of this childs new life. While knitting on it I am thinking about all the love this child is going to have and the hopes for the child's future. This book has so many ideas. Everyone a winner. I can't wait to knit all of the stockings in the book.

I got this book to find a pattern for a stocking for my daughter. I found many of the patterns beautiful, but they are more adult oriented. There is only one that is designed for kids. At the back there are basic patterns for stockings in three yarn weights, so you can design your own. Also, there are patterns for miniature stockings and mittens that are very cute for little gifts. The stocking designed for dogs is very nice, although difficult for a beginner. I am starting a project today, so I can't evaluate the directions yet. I also liked that they just specify a yarn weight, so you can choose (they also have the specific yarn if you desire).

So basically, its a very good book on stockings, but limited in childrens designs.

The stockings shown in this book are just beautiful, HOWEVER, I found the directions on the first stocking I made to be somewhat confusing, especially regarding the total number of rows to be knitted before shaping. I consider myself an experienced knitter, but I had to write the directions on scrap paper to keep them straight. I hope the other stocking directions in this book are a little clearer, as I really look forward to trying another one.