Consider this your permission to set aside the practical knitting for a little while and indulge in something festive. Whether it’s a snowflake-covered sweater, a little ornament, or the perfect Christmas stocking, it’s time to celebrate the season. After all, we knitters know that Christmas comes early when you’re making the gifts! From classic and elegant to whimsical and fun, here are the holiday designs that caught my eye and made my favorites list this year. 

Clicking on the links will take you directly to the pattern. Please note that designers can change the status of their patterns at any time, so a pattern that was free when I found it may later become a paid pattern. 

Elk Icelandic Sweater by Olga Begat

Advent Calendar Bags from HavrebarnaAS

Black Forest Cardigan by Cheryl Mokhtari

Molina by Isabell Kraemer

Kokomo Polo Jacket by Popknit

Christmas Star Mittens by Ann Charlotte Oberg

Christmas Chicken Ornaments by Amy Gaines

This would be darling in red: Pesacador by Contanza Guererro

Candy Cane Throw by Nathalie Bouffard

Little Reindeer Parade by Melanie Rountree

Deer Christmas Hat from Lolo Tricot

Julevanten, a free pattern from Maja Karlsson

Robinia Mittens by Anna Ventzel

Snowfall Beret by LHYarnDesign

Ingo Ski Socks by Liselott Daun

Something I'd love to lounge around in on Christmas morning. Hidimari by Fumiku Sigawa

Amaryllis by louzikzik

Children's Fox Mittens by Halyna Haliatska

Edith Sweater by Le Knit

Merry Minis by VknitB

Five in One Christmas Baubles by Warm and Knitted

Lobster Christmas Ornament by Karla Courtney

Vintage Wool Gingham Drawstring Pouch by Daeri Kim

Nordic Sweater Chunky by Cheryl Mohkatari

Winter Woodland, a free pattern from Drops Design

Gingerbread Sweater by Veera Valimaki

Merry Beard, a free pattern from Drops Design

Hat Bag by Clare Slade

Morning Frost Baby Socks by Olga - LoveKnit

Winter Woods Pillow from Stitcherrelly Knits

Christmas Mini Mittens by Warm and Knitted

The Bow Bag by Natalya Christensen

Snowing Christmas Tree Hat from Lolo Tricot

Santa Bag, a free pattern in Latvian, but I'm thinking you can figure it out.

Snowflake Mitten for toddlers by MacKnitties

McCallister Beanie from Madeby Annjoo

Northern Augustins No. 9 by Anne Sophie Velling

Christmas Bunting, a free pattern from Mrs. Rose Designs

Cable Braid Knit Tree Skirt by See Love Share

Cable Stitch Ornament by See Love Share

Holly Stocking by Asaki Knits

Christmas Cuties by VknitB

Frost, a free pattern from Anna Bauer

Snowman Ornaments by Amy Gaines

Easy Santa Sweater for baby--others sizes available too.

Winter Pines by Renarde Endormie

Snowy Deer by Renarde Edormie

Dancing Joy, a free pattern from Vibeke Munk

Elk Hat by Olga Begak

Woodland Wreath Holly, a free pattern from Frankie Brown

Mini Reindeer by Aunt Charlie

Nordic Tree by Emma Munn

Advent Calendar Bags by Strawberry Colored

Christmas Tree Drawstring Bags by Svetlana Golova

Big 'Ol Bear by Susan B. Anderson

The Advent Star by Anne-Charlott Oberg

Color Me Christmas by Kirsten Michele

Noel Classique Elyse D'Amours

Winterfold Woods by Nicola Diggins

August Cardigan by Ozetta

Fireside Advent by Sachiyo Ishii

Spruce Stocking by Asawki Knits

Christmas Candies from Annette Saksman

Joyful Santas Stocking by Lisa D. Roberts

Santa and His Sack Gift Bags, a free pattern from Marianna Mel

House by Irina Latukhina

Maj Mittens by Veronica Forsberg

Maj Fingerless Mittens by Veronica Forsberg

Christmas Stocking by Natasha Gizamova

Many Christmas Tree Blanket by Knit Make Sew

Easy Finger Puppet, a free pattern by TaffyLass Great gift! Adult and child sizes--boost imagination and small motor skills

And Santa too!  Also free from Taffy Lass.

I hope you enjoyed today's post and found it helpful and entertaining—I’d love to see you back again! I publish about once a week and would be honored if you subscribed to the Knitionary blog. Just click here to join, and new posts will be delivered straight to your inbox.

Subscribe for Weekly Posts

I promise never to sell your email address (I wouldn’t know how to do that even if I wanted to). While most posts are about knitting, I also share my love of gardening, crafting, and entertaining. From time to time, I use affiliate links to help offset the cost of running the blog. If you make a purchase through one, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you and I appreciate your support of my work.

Comments are always welcome—just scroll down to leave one. I reply to every comment right below yours. If you’d rather reach me privately, you can use the contact form on the right near the bottom of the site.