This knit advent calendar pattern is a fresh spin on a beloved holiday classic. The knit advent calendar pattern creates 24 individual numbered pockets that you can hang on a wall, drape along a staircase, or string along the mantle as a Christmas garland — fill each pocket with treats, notes, or tiny gifts for the most magical December countdown. We styled ours as a Christmas Tree on the wall, but the options are truly endless.

The knit advent calendar pattern uses simple stockinette stitch with intarsia colorwork for the numbers — that part takes some practice but is so worth the effort. Each pocket has a fluffy white “fur” trim top and bottom using Bernat Pipsqueak, with a colorful Red Heart With Love body and a contrasting white number worked from a chart. It’s an instant heirloom in the making.

Why You’ll Love This Knit Advent Calendar Pattern

✔ 24 individual pockets — the ultimate handmade Christmas project
✔ Intarsia colorwork practice with charted numbers
✔ The knit advent calendar pattern is fully customizable
✔ Hang as Christmas tree wall art, garland, or mantle drape
✔ Fluffy faux-fur trim from Bernat Pipsqueak
✔ Each pocket holds treats, notes, or tiny gifts
✔ Creates an instant family heirloom
✔ Mix any 4-5 Christmas colors to match your decor

Pattern Details

Skill Level

Intermediate. Requires knit, purl, garter stitch, stockinette stitch, intarsia colorwork, and color changes.

Finished Size

Each pocket: approximately 4 inches wide x 6.5 inches tall. Make 24 total.

Gauge

16 sts = 4½” (11 cm); 24 rows = 4″ (10 cm) in garter st with 6mm (US 10) needles.

Pattern Notes

The knit advent calendar pattern uses intarsia to add the white numbers to the pouches. That can take a bit of practice, but it’s worth the effort.

Reading the Number Graph: The number graph shows when to swap colors to create the number. Important: you start at the bottom of the number and work your way up to the top.

Materials You’ll Need

• Red Heart With Love (1 ball of each) in:
  • White
  • Boysenberry (Purple)
  • Peacock (Blue)
  • Holly Berry (Red)
  • Evergreen (Green)
• Bernat Pipsqueak in White (2 balls) — for the fluffy trim. Or substitute any chunky chenille yarn.
• 6.0mm (US 10) knitting needles
• Yarn needle for seaming and weaving in ends
• Scissors
• Twine or yarn for hanging

The knit advent calendar pattern works in any worsted-to-aran weight yarn. Patons Classic Wool DK Superwash or any worsted yarn substitutes well — just match your gauge.

Abbreviations

• K — knit
• P — purl
• St(s) — stitch(es)

The Knit Advent Calendar Pattern

Make 24 pockets total, working one number from the chart into each pocket.

With Bernat Pipsqueak (White), cast on 20 sts.

Rows 1-4: Knit (garter st).

Rows 5-41: Change to With Love (in your chosen color). Continue in stockinette stitch: knit right side, purl wrong side.

Rows 42-49: Work numbers per the chart below, changing to White for the number stitches (intarsia).

Rows 50-65: With your background color only, continue in stockinette stitch.

Rows 66-69: Change to Pipsqueak White, knit every row (garter st trim).

Cast off and weave in loose ends.

Assembly

Fold pocket in half with wrong side facing out, bringing cast-on edge up to meet bind-off edge. Sew side seams. Turn pocket right-side out.

Hanging Your Knit Advent Calendar

So many options! Some ideas:

• Christmas Tree wall: trace a Christmas tree outline on the wall with twine or yarn. Tie each pocket to the line with a simple bow.
• Garland: string the pockets along a single length of twine and drape across a mantle or staircase railing.
• Door frame: hang vertical strings of 6 pockets each along a doorway for a festive entry.
• Window display: hang along a curtain rod or window frame for a sweet seasonal accent.

Number Charts (1-24)

Tips for the Perfect Knit Advent Calendar

• Batch the trim rows: knit all 24 cast-on Pipsqueak trims first, then all the bodies — production-line style saves so much time.
• Rotate colors: use 4 background colors and rotate them across the 24 numbers for a balanced color story.
• Intarsia tip: twist the two yarn strands at every color change to prevent holes in the work.
• Block before assembling: gentle steam-blocking flattens the panels and crisps up the numbers.
• Pipsqueak alternative: any chunky white chenille (Bernat Velvet, Lion Brand Hometown USA Bonus Bundle, or Bernat Blanket) works as faux-fur trim.
• Save for next year: tuck the calendar away in tissue paper after the holidays — it’ll come out fresh every December.
• Tiny gift ideas: wrapped chocolates, handwritten notes, mini ornaments, small toys, gift cards, encouraging quotes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the knit advent calendar pattern take to make? About 1-2 hours per pocket, so 24-48 hours for the full calendar. Start in October or early November to be ready by December 1st.

Can I make this without intarsia? Yes — you can knit the pockets blank and embroider, applique felt, or sew on numbered fabric tags after the fact. The knit advent calendar pattern still works beautifully.

What yarn substitutes for Bernat Pipsqueak? Bernat Velvet, Lion Brand Hometown USA Bonus Bundle, or any chunky chenille yarn in white. The “fluffy” trim is forgiving.

Can I make fewer than 24 pockets? Absolutely — make a 12-pocket “12 Days of Christmas” version, or scale to whatever number suits your countdown.

What goes inside the pockets? Wrapped chocolates, encouraging notes, tiny ornaments, hair clips, small toys, gift cards, dollar bills — anything that fits the ~4″x6.5″ pocket size.

Can I sell finished advent calendars? Yes — small batch sales are allowed for personal income. Please credit SeeLoveShare as the designer.

More Christmas Knit Patterns You’ll Love

If you enjoyed this knit advent calendar pattern, you’ll love these related Christmas projects:

• Browse All Knit Holiday Patterns
• Knit Cable Pumpkin — Free Fall Pattern
• Honeycomb Knit Throw — Chunky Cable
• Rustic Crochet Cable Table Runner

Save This Knit Advent Calendar Pattern

Want to come back to this knit advent calendar pattern later? Save it to Pinterest so you can find it when Christmas crafting season starts — and share it with your knitting friends!