Free Knitting Pattern for a Scandi-Inspired Knitted Advent Calendar, a charming and reusable way to count down to Christmas.
This delightful advent calendar is made up of 25 individual knitted pockets, perfect for holding small treats and surprises. The design features a classic Scandinavian-inspired red and white color scheme, with simple moss stitch and stockinette stitch construction. The pockets are attached to a ribbon, creating a festive garland that can be hung on a mantelpiece, wall, or anywhere you like!
This simple project uses basic skills, and moss and st st patterns.
This pattern is rated as easy to intermediate. The knitting itself is very straightforward, involving only basic stitches (knit, purl, moss stitch, stockinette stitch). The main challenges are the Swiss darning (duplicate stitch) for the numbers, and the assembly of the pockets.
Skill Level: Easy to Intermediate (Basic knitting, Swiss darning/duplicate stitch, seaming)
Materials Used:
- King Cole Merino Blend DK (100% superwash wool, 112m/50g)
- 4 x 50g balls in Cranberry (shade 703)
- 4 x 50g balls in Aran (shade 46) (Note: This refers to the color Aran, not aran weight yarn. It’s a DK weight yarn.)
- 4mm (UK 8, US 6) knitting needles
- Tapestry Needle
Notions:
- 26 buttons (optional)
- 2.5cm woven ribbon x 5m

Pattern Considerations:
- Gauge: The specified gauge is 22 sts and 28 rows to 10cm (4 inches) over stockinette stitch using 4mm needles. While exact gauge isn’t critical for this project, consistent tension is important for the pockets to be a uniform size.
- Yarn Substitution: If substituting yarn, choose a DK weight yarn with a similar fiber content (100% superwash wool) to ensure the pockets have good structure and are machine washable.
- Swiss Darning/Duplicate Stitch: If you’re unfamiliar with Swiss darning, practice on a swatch first. The key is to follow the path of the knitted stitch underneath, creating a duplicate stitch on top.
- Color Changes for Charts: For Pocket one in Cranberry, and Aran on Pocket Two
- Moss Stitch: Remember that moss stitch is worked as follows:
- Row 1: *K1, p1; repeat from * to end.
- Row 2: *P1, k1; repeat from * to end.
- Repeat these two rows.
- Seaming: Use a neat and invisible seaming method, such as mattress stitch, for the pocket side seams.
- Blocking, and Assembly: Lay them out, in uniform sizing, ready for ribbon.
- Ribbon and buttons Measure according to spacing prefrences.