Directions to knit your own stockings for the troops:

If you would like to make your own stocking and send it to our troops, follow these instructions and send your stockings to us. We will fill them and send them overseas to the soldiers. The final product will look like the stocking pictured to the right. You can use any color of yarn that you like.

If you don't knit, please still join us. We love crocheted stockings, sewn stockings, and decorated felt stockings. All of these stockings should be about 6 inches high and 4 inches wide.


Lets make some stockings for the soldiers. Here is what you need:

Worsted Weight Yarn.
Size 7 Needles.
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
Rating: Easy.
Cast on 28 stitches Knit 6 rows (garter stitch)
Starting with right side, work 24 rows in Stockinette Stitch (SS)

Work short rows as follows:

  1. Knit 18, turn
  2. Purl 9, turn
  3. Knit 10, turn
  4. Purl 11, turn
  5. Knit 12, turn
  6. Purl 13, turn
  7. Knit 14, turn
  8. Purl 15, turn
  9. Knit 16, turn
  10. Purl 17, turn
  11. Knit 18, turn
  12. Purl 19, turn
  13. Knit 20, turn
  14. Purl 21, turn
  15. Knit 22, turn
  16. Purl 23, turn
  17. Knit 24, turn
  18. Purl 25, turn
  19. Knit 26, turn
  20. Purl 27, turn
  21. Knit 28, turn
  22. Purl one row even
  23. Knit 6 rows even in Stockinette Stitch
  24. Shape Toe
    • Row 1: *Knit 1, Knit 2 together, repeat from * , last stitch Knit 1.
    • Row 2: *Purl 1, Purl 2 together, repeat from * , last stitch purl 1.
    • Row 3: Knit 2 together to end of row, with last stitch knit 1.
    • Row 4: Purl 2 together to end of row, with last stitch purl 1.
  25. Cut yarn about 12 inches and draw through remaining stitches and fasten off.
  26. Sew seam with 12 inches of yarn.

Christmas Stocking For The Troops In Iraq and Afghanistan

This is what we have been sending the troops in the stockings:

  • Lip Balm
  • Shampoo Samples
  • Gum
  • Hand Soaps (sample size)
  • Baby Wipes (individual size)
  • A personal note would be nice too!

From Lt. David Rambin

Here's a list of things that soldiers will like to get in their stockings. In addition to the list that Sue (my mom) put up, these are some things that I liked getting while in Iraq:

  • Hard Candy
  • Beef Jerky
  • Decks of Cards
  • Puzzle Books
  • Small Toiletries
  • Shaving Cream (non-aerosol cans)
  • Toothpaste (sample size)
  • Tooth Brushes
  • Fruit leather
  • Drink Powders
  • Hand and Body Lotion
  • Breath mints
  • Mouthwash
  • Mixed Nuts
  • Dental floss
  • Candy Canes
  • Anything that will last for a while because they will probably be getting more than one care package.

You can also send us a store purchased stocking, stocking stuffers, or help pay for shipping costs. So, even if you can't knit a stocking for the troops, you can still contribute to their Holiday celebration.