One of my knitting goals for this year is to knit a little mini stocking advent calendar in time for December 1st. I figured the best way to do that was to commit to knitting at least two mini stockings each month, so that I won’t get to November and be trying to knit 24 stockings like a madwoman. I’m the sort of person who thrives on mini deadlines to keep a project going, so here are my stockings so far:
Colourways from left to right: Seabreeze, Peacock, Midnight, Grape
I’m knitting these from the mini sock yarn skeins from Tanis Fiber Arts in the rainbow colour pack (the mini skeins packs change all the time, so if you see one you like it’s worth snapping it up quickly before they sell out!), with a skein of Knitpicks Stroll in white for the contrast. I held off winding them into balls as long as I could, because it was really such a joy to have all these pretty little skeins together:
Is there anything more fun than a yarn rainbow? Â I’m still trying to decide if I’m going to knit two of each colour (minus the grey), or have some mixed with a few different colours. There’s so many options!
The pattern is a little different, in that that stockings are knit flat and seamed, but I’ve seen some mods where people re-engineered the pattern to be knit in the round instead. I’m fine with knitting flat and seaming, so I’ve been sticking with the original pattern and happy to see how quickly they knit up. Â One of the things I really like about the pattern is that it comes with 8 different chart options to chose for the socks, and of course you could substitute your own.
I’m loving how they look so far. I haven’t blocked them yet, but they are currently about 2.5 inches tall from the bottom of the heel to the top of the stocking. I’ll re-measure when they are all done and blocked, but I’m not anticipating much growth. I’ve worked with Tanis Fiber Arts sock yarn before, and one of the benefits of using yarn you’ve worked with in the past is that you know how it will behave both before and after blocking.
I have a fantasy about this advent calendar. I imagine hanging up the mini stockings every year, and Lila and James being giddy with excitement at each day discovering what’s in the stocking (candy? a little toy?). Even when Lila and James are teenagers and act like they are so over Christmas, I picture them still loving the advent calendar (favourite chocolates, maybe?). I imagine it being something cherished, a tradition so embedded in our family that even as adults, when they come back home to us for Christmas, they will see it and smile at the flood of childhood Christmas memories it brings.
Except knowing my kids, it will play out like that time we took Lila apple picking.
Let’s have another look at that yarn rainbow, shall we? This is my new laptop wallpaper, I just love it so much. I could look at this all day.
Oh they look amazing already. What a great idea. We have a felt pocket calendar that I made when Luke was 2 and he loves it. I had something similar as a child, but not every year. I love developing it into a tradition, gives it longevity.
They looks so cute. I love the rainbow colours, all of them will be amazing. Makes me want to start on a new advent calender right away…
This is almost my favorite post of yours, and I love the photos. Although, the whole post kept getting smaller on my computer, it was a little odd. None of your other posts do that, so my first thought to blame my computer is out. I love those mini stockings. How will you make them into an advent calendar? Keep being awesome!
Good strategy! Pacing oneself always works out. Very adorable, btw. Good use for sock scraps too, I bet.
They look so good! Way to keep the momentum going (and with all those colours, I can see why!)
Love these colorful stockings and I’ve just downloaded the pattern. I made my kids, who are both grown now, fabric advent calendars with little pockets for chocolate and tiny toys. They did love them so much they insisted on having them until they went off to college. And my daughter, just this past Christmas, came and got hers so that her own children could use it. So you just may succeed in your expectations this time!
This is so inspiring! I love everything about it. I have no doubt that Lila and James will cherish this advent calendar their whole lives, your grand-babies will love it too and it will be one of the happiest things you’ve ever made!
ps: That apple picking post is still one of my all time favourites. That photo of you 3 in that cutout gets me every time.
Those are so cute! I’m sure your kids will have a lot of fun with them 🙂
They are so cute, so perfectly miniature. Yeah, I would probably put that yarn rainbow as my wallpaper too, it’s just beautiful and inspiring. Bravo for the year long plan, you will be so pleased when everything is done, and you won’t have the stress of last minute rushing to get everything done. Very smart !
Holiday traditions like this beautiful advent calendar you’re making are catalysts for the feels around that time of year! It will be gorgeous and cherished for sure. That apple post though… thanks for the laughs this morning!
Oh, they are completely darling! And I’m glad to know they’re seamed. I’ve had that pattern in mind for a long time, but I’ve never knit a sock before and it seemed so daunting. This may be a good say to dip my toe in, so to speak!
They’re so cute!! And I would totally be imagining how much the kids would love them throughout the years if I were you too. 🙂
Ha, kids are so unpredictable with their reactions, aren’t they? Hopefully your advent calendar dream will come true because those stockings are completely fun & adorable! No doubt they will definitely take an interest in the little toys or sweets tucked inside 🙂 My son (who is now 10) still recalls the advent calendar I made a few years ago: for each day, I “mailed” him a handwritten & (poorly) illustrated page from our favorite Christmas story along with a treat. On the last day, I assembled the pages into a handbound book which he still takes out every holiday to read.
It’s wonderful that you’ve planned ahead and will take your time knitting these lovely wee stockings for the Christmas season. They are delightful!
Ah this is amazing! 😀 Not gonna lie, I would be the teenager that’s totally over Christmas, but giddy to know what’s in the little stocking that day 😉
I’ve also seen someone (Lone Larch Designs on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVfMdfycLXC4OvyR4z13VHw) doing something similar – instead of the cozy memories blanket, she is knitting all her mini’s into little stockings to turn into a bunting for Christmas! 😀
Its so pretty! I think that when all of the stockings are done, it will be fantastic! Its a good idea to start early.
I have a pattern in my queue for little socks for an advent calendar….and I may eventually make them someday. I figure I’ll have to make two, though; one set for each of the boys. ::sigh:: Someday when I have a hot minute to breathe. Or something. Or maybe I should set some mini-goals like you have. They might get done that way!
Rainbow little socks?! So freaking cute!
Oh Julie! That’s a lovely tradition to start with your little ones and keep as they grow older! And how smart to make just 2 per month. Planning works!
Okay… these are SERIOUSLY CUTE! And I love the yarn rainbow!
I know myself… I’d be the November Madwoman Knitter. So Well Done Julie.
Oh my goodness … they are so darn cute! That will be an excellent advent calendar, for sure.
These are so cute! You’ve reminded me how I wanted to make one but maybe sew since I have 9 socks to knit.
EEEEEE! I have adored and admired this project since first seeing it on the Internet! Good for you for getting a jump on it well ahead of Christmas.
These mini stockings are perfect! Such great planning to do this throughout the year!
What a great idea for an Advent calendar Julie. I really like your way of setting mini deadlines for a few stockings each month.
Seems I’ve missed a few posts and what a pleasure it is to catch up this morning. Thanks for the fun links and the sponsor links. Very temping those… So much to savour here.
A wonderful idea and a great way to spread it out! I love the rainbow 🙂 and I’ve used that same pattern a few times myself, it’s splendid 🙂 jenny xx
Such cheerful mini skeins! Nothing like a rainbow to brighten up the day… I love those mini stockings and the advent calendar idea.. I might just have to steal this idea for L too!
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