Free Stitching Patterns for Stockings

You can use Christmas stitching patterns and charts to personalize your family's stockings. You can work Christmas embroidery patterns and cross-stitch charts in several ways. You can stitch them on single-crochet backgrounds or use them for color changes in knitted stockings. Or you can find fabric stockings with Aida inserts where you can place your stitching. To get started on your search for suitable designs, check out these charts I like as stitching patterns for stockings. As an added bonus, you can currently obtain each of these patterns for free.

Confectionary Christmas Stitching Patterns

This miniature gingerbread man measures 26 stitches wide and 29 stitches tall. It's a simple pattern that only requires a few colors of yarn or floss. The row of darker stitching around the outside of the gingerbread man makes a back-stitch outline unnecessary. As a result, you should be able to finish stitching the motif in very little time, compared to other patterns.

I also found a candy cane chart by the same designer. It's 15 wide by 26 high and also includes a row of darker stitches around the outside. You only need two colors (red and white) of yarn or floss. Small stitching patterns for stockings, such as this candy cane, work well as a recurring motif, an embellishment beside a name on the cuff, or a main feature if your Aida insert or plain background is small.

Christmas Embroidery Patterns for the Christmas Story

"Away in a Manger" uses cross-stitch, half cross-stitch, and back stitch to depict Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, and several animals. Minus the words, the stitching measures 35 wide by 30 high. When you visit the page, click the "download" button to open a page for your free chart. Click again to open a PDF of the chart.

"O Little Town of Bethlehem" chart plays off the old Christmas carol of the same name, drawn from biblical stories of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem. It's a simple pattern with few stitches. The border, should you choose to use her squares, would be the most time-consuming part by far.

Stitching Patterns for Stockings: Greenery

This cardinal perches on a sprig of holly. The red and green would probably suit any traditionally colored Christmas stocking. This design looks best when you follow the back-stitching depicted on the pattern, which measures 47 wide by 42 high, including the snow and beads. If you just want to stitch the cardinal, you'll need a space 31 wide by 28 high.

For this small Christmas tree, you'll need a bit of green floss and scraps of brown, yellow, and assorted colors. The design runs 15 wide by 18 high.

This roundish pattern shows a six-petal poinsettia flower on a background of greenery (23 wide by 21 high). As with the nativity scene, you'll need to click "download" and click again on the new page to actually download a PDF version of the pattern.

Other Christmas Stitching Patterns

"Bella Night" depicts a village church, a nativity scene, and two houses, with some surrounding hilly lines and evergreens. You could use the whole scene or certain parts of it. The border also shows a nice snowflake you could use if you need a miniature motif.

This last chart shows a whole page of various Christmas stitching patterns, motifs, and borders. You'll find Santa, light bulbs, gingerbread, teddy bears, a wreath, a candle, stockings, and more. On the main page, click "Cross Stitch Chart" above the picture to download a PDF.

Alphabets to Complete Your Stitching Patterns for Stockings

After you choose a main design, you may want charted letters to personalize your stockings with names or words. Here are two different alphabet styles to get you started: Times Roman and Old English.

Sources:
Sandy Riggs, "Tiny Gingerbread Guy," Bev's Country Cottage, http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/x-stitch/gingerbreadguy.html (accessed 14 October 2009).
---, "Tiny Candy Cane," Bev's Country Cottage, http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/x-stitch/tinycandycane.html (accessed 14 October 2009).
Lisa Reakes, "Away in a Manger," The Chart Shop, http://shopping.originpublishing.com/chart.asp?id=1037&category=5 (accessed 14 October 2009).
Connie G. Thomas, "O Little Town of Bethlehem," About.com: Cross-Stitch, http://crossstitch.about.com/od/patternsfromyourguide/ig/Little-Town-of-Bethlehem/Color-Symbol-Pattern.htm (accessed 14 October 2009).
"Christmas Cardinal," Crossed Wing Collection, http://www.crossedwing.com/free/03free.html (accessed 14 October 2009).
Carrie's Creations, Inc., Free Patterns Online, http://www.freepatternsonline.com/xscharts/page/tiny8.htm (accessed 14 October 2009).
Maria Diaz, "Festive Flower," The Chart Shop, http://shopping.originpublishing.com/chart.asp?id=728&category=5 (accessed 14 October 2009).
Elizabeth Angus, "Bella Night," Kreinik, http://www.kreinik.com/kshop/product.php?productid=1028&cat=159&page=1 (accessed 14 October 2009).
Coats & Clark, Inc., "Mini Christmas P17079," Purple Kitty, http://www.purplekittyyarns.com/cross-stitch-suppliesie.html (accessed 14 October 2009).
"Times Roman Alphabet," Yarn Tree, http://yarntree.com/036alpht.htm (accessed 14 October 2009).
"Old English Alphabet," The Needlework Gazette, http://www.needlework.com/xstitch1pats/html/old_english_alphabet.html (accessed 14 October 2009).