Nordic Noel Gnome Stocking: A Cozy, Beginner-Friendly Knitting Pattern

Bring a fresh Scandinavian twist to your holiday mantel this year with the Nordic Noel Gnome Stocking. This chunky, textured stocking is not only a joy to knit but also a stunning piece of rustic decor. Featuring a playful gnome motif and a plush, cozy feel, this project is perfect for both beginners looking for their first garment-style project and seasoned knitters wanting a quick, satisfying weekend make. With its simple stockinette body and classic heel construction, you'll have a beautiful, handmade heirloom ready to hang before the first snowflake falls.

This free pattern guides you through every step, from the rust-red ribbed cuff to the forest green toe, ensuring a flawless finish. Let's dive into the hygge and create a stocking that will be the star of your holiday decorations for years to come.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather your supplies. This project uses worsted weight yarn, which is widely available and perfect for showing off stitch definition.

• Yarn: Worsted weight (Category 4) in three colors:
  • MC (Main Color): Cream (approx. 150g)
  • CC1 (Contrast Color 1): Rust Red (approx. 100g)
  • CC2 (Contrast Color 2): Forest Green (approx. 50g)
• Needles: US 8 (5 mm) 16-inch circular needle for the body, and a set of double-pointed needles (DPNs) in the same size for the toe. (Or the size needed to obtain gauge.)
• Notions: Stitch markers (at least 4), a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and a pair of scissors.

Gauge & Abbreviations

Getting the right gauge ensures your stocking is the perfect size. Take a moment to knit a small swatch.

• Gauge: 18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch (knit every round).

Abbreviations:

• CO: Cast on
• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• K2tog: Knit two stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
• SSK: Slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• St(s): Stitch(es)
• MC: Main Color (cream)
• CC1: Contrast Color 1 (rust red)
• CC2: Contrast Color 2 (forest green)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions to create your Nordic Noel Gnome Stocking. The pattern is worked in the round from the top down.

Part 1: The Cuff

We'll start with the stretchy, chunky ribbed cuff in rust red.

1. Cast On: With CC1 (rust red), CO 60 stitches. Distribute them evenly across your circular needle.
2. Join in the Round: Place a stitch marker on your right-hand needle to mark the beginning of the round. Carefully join the round, ensuring your cast-on edge is not twisted.
3. Ribbing (Rounds 1-8): *K2, P2*; repeat from * to end of round. This creates a classic, stretchy ribbed cuff. Repeat this for a total of 8 rounds.
4. Switch to Main Color: Cut CC1 and join MC (cream).
5. Stockinette (Rounds 9-16): Knit every stitch for 8 rounds. This smooth, stockinette section adds a nice visual break before the main body.

Part 2: The Stocking Body

Now we'll knit the long, cozy leg of the stocking.

6. Continue in Stockinette: With MC, continue to knit every round until the piece measures 8 inches from the cast-on edge. This is the main body of the stocking.

Part 3: The Heel Flap

This section is worked back and forth on only half of your stitches to create the heel. The other half will be held for the top of the foot (instep).

7. Set Up: Knit across the first 30 stitches. These 30 stitches will be for the heel. Slip the remaining 30 stitches onto a stitch holder or a spare piece of yarn to hold them for the instep.
8. Row 1 (Right Side): With MC, *K1, Slip 1 purlwise*; repeat from * across all 30 heel stitches. Turn your work.
9. Row 2 (Wrong Side): Purl all 30 stitches. Turn.
10. Repeat: Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until the heel flap measures 2.5 inches, ending with a Wrong Side row. This creates a durable, slip-stitch heel.

Part 4: Turning the Heel

This classic short-row technique shapes the bottom of the heel.

11. Row 1 (Right Side): K17, SSK, K1, turn. (You will have 11 stitches left unworked on the left needle.)
12. Row 2 (Wrong Side): P7, P2tog, P1, turn. (You will have 11 stitches left unworked.)
13. Row 3: K8, SSK, K1, turn.
14. Row 4: P9, P2tog, P1, turn.
15. Continue: Keep working in this manner, knitting or purling one more stitch before the decrease each time, until all the heel stitches have been worked. You will now have 18 stitches remaining on your needle. This is the bottom of the heel.

Part 5: The Gusset

We will now pick up stitches along the heel flap to rejoin the instep stitches and shape the ankle.

16. Pick Up Stitches: With the Right Side facing you and using MC, pick up and knit 15 stitches along the left side of the heel flap. Place a stitch marker. Knit across the 30 instep stitches from your holder. Place another stitch marker. Pick up and knit 15 stitches along the right side of the heel flap.
17. New Beginning: Knit across the 9 stitches from the center of the heel. This is now your new beginning of the round. You should have a total of 78 stitches (15 + 30 + 15 + 18).
18. Round 1 (Decrease Round): Knit to 2 stitches before the first marker, SSK, slip marker, knit across the 30 instep stitches, slip marker, K2tog, knit to the end of the round.
19. Round 2: Knit all stitches.
20. Repeat: Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until you have decreased back down to 60 stitches total (30 for the instep, 30 for the sole).

Part 6: The Foot

Now we knit the foot of the stocking to your desired length.

21. Knit Even: With MC, knit every round until the foot measures 7 inches from the heel, or about 2 inches less than your desired total foot length. This leaves room for the toe shaping.

Part 7: The Toe Shaping

Time to shape the toe with our forest green yarn (CC2).

22. Switch Yarn: Cut MC and join CC2 (forest green).
23. Decrease Rounds:
    • Round 1: *K13, K2tog*; repeat from * to end of round. (56 stitches)
    • Round 2: Knit all stitches.
    • Round 3: *K12, K2tog*; repeat from * to end. (52 stitches)
    • Round 4: Knit all stitches.
24. Continue Decreasing: Keep decreasing in this manner (every other round), working one fewer stitch before the K2tog each time, until you have 20 stitches remaining.
25. Final Decreases: Now decrease every round: *K2tog*; repeat from * to end until you have 10 stitches left.
26. Finish: Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail (about 8 inches). Thread the tail onto a tapestry needle, slide it through the remaining 10 stitches, and pull tight to close the toe. Secure the yarn on the inside of the stocking.

Part 8: The Gnome Motif (Optional but Recommended)

This charming detail is what makes this stocking truly special. We'll use simple embroidery to bring the gnome to life on the front of the stocking.

27. Position: Find the center of the instep (the front of the stocking). This is where your gnome's face will go.
28. The Nose: With CC1 (rust red), embroider a small triangle for the nose using a satin stitch. Make it about 1 inch tall and 0.75 inches wide at the base.
29. The Beard: With CC2 (forest green), use straight stitches to create a bushy beard below the nose. Work from the bottom of the nose downwards, layering stitches to create a full, textured look.
30. The Eyes: With MC (cream), add two small French knots or simple straight stitches above the nose for the eyes.

Part 9: Finishing Touches

31. Weave in Ends: Using your tapestry needle, carefully weave in all loose yarn ends on the inside of the stocking.
32. Blocking: Lightly block your stocking. You can mist it with water and lay it flat to dry to even out the stitches.
33. Fold the Cuff: Fold the rust-red ribbed cuff over to the outside. This creates the classic stocking look.
34. Add a Hanging Loop: With CC1, crochet a simple chain of 20 stitches. Attach it securely to the top corner of the stocking (on the inside or outside, as you prefer) to create a loop for hanging.

Care Instructions

To keep your handmade stocking looking its best for years to come, hand wash it in cold water with a gentle wool wash. Lay it flat to dry, reshaping it as needed. Avoid wringing or twisting.

Enjoy your beautiful, cozy Nordic Noel Gnome Stocking! It's a perfect project for gifting or for adding a touch of handmade hygge to your own home.