It’s that time of year again! Time to dust off the Christmas tree and start getting ready for the season of giving! One of my favorite parts of the Christmas decor is the stockings. We’ve had store bought stockings for the kids for a long time, but I thought it was about time to have some handmade ones!

I was looking to make a stocking that had a very rustic vibe to them but also was a quick make. Usually, you are making multiple stockings either for family, gifts or to sell; so faster is better. I decided on bulky yarn for the body of this stocking so it would work up quickly and then switching to a DK yarn for the top section, so you get a good full fabric for the ruffle.

I used Lion Brand Thick and Quick for the body of this red version and Lion Brand Coboo for the top. While the ruffle can be great plain, there are also lots of ways to embellish it. I wove a length of the bulky yarn through the stitches around the middle of the ruffle and tied it in a bow. It’s such a simple way to bring the cuteness up a level.

You could also work up this stocking with worsted yarn held double to replace the bulky yarn. I held two strands of Red Heart Super Saver together for this neutral version and two strands of I Love This Yarn for the teal. For the ruffle top I used Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK. I loved the brown one left simple but used ribbon to create bows for the teal.

There are so many ways you can use this free crochet pattern to bring some rustic holiday cheer to your home. Make a set of matching stockings or make each one unique. Whatever you do just don’t forget to leave them out for Santa to fill!

Materials:

• Approximately 100 yds/92 m of bulky weight yarn for the body of the stocking
• Approximately 80 yds/73 m of DK/light weight yarn for the top of the stocking
• M/13/9 mm or size needed to obtain gauge for the body
• H/8/5 mm or size needed to obtain gauge for the top
• Tapestry Needle
• Measuring Tape
• Scissors

Gauge:

With bulky yarn and M Hook: First 3 rounds of stocking body= 4.25″ diameter

With DK yarn and H Hook: dc – 15 sts & 10 rows (worked in the round) = 4″

Gauge is important to your project so your finished piece will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. The hook size for the pattern is based on what I used, but gauge can vary from person to person and be affected by yarn. If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make 4”, try using a smaller size hook; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook. The pattern also provides measurements to obtain for a specific size. Using a combination of matching gauge and measuring, as closely as possible, should get you close to the desired size.

Stitches and Abbreviations (US Terms):

• ch(s) – chain(s)
• dc – double crochet
• hdc – half double crochet
• hdc2tog – half double crochet 2 together, decrease
• RS – right side
• sl st – slip stitch
• st(es) – stitch(es)
• tr – treble stitch
• WS – wrong side

Notes:

• Beginning chains do not count as stitches.
• Joins are worked with a slip stitch in the first stitch of the round. Not the chain.
• Stitches between the [ ] brackets are to be worked the total number of times indicated.
• Bulky yarn can be replaced with worsted by working with two strands of worsted held together.
• Body of stocking is worked in joined rounds, top is worked onto the body of the stocking with DK/light weight yarn and then folded over.
• Finished piece should measure approximately 15″ long and 6″ wide.
• YouTube tutorial available for extra visual help.

Stocking Pattern

With M hook and bulky weight yarn,

Rnd. 1: In a magic circle, dc 8, join to first dc w/ a sl st and pull magic circle closed. (8)

Rnd. 2: Ch 1, 2 dc each st around, join. (16)

Rnd. 3: Ch 1, [dc, 2 dc] 8 times, join. (24)

Rnds. 4-9: Ch 1, dc each st around, join. (24)

**The toe of your stocking should measure approximately 6″ long add or remove rnds. as needed.

**You will now switch to working rows to create the heel of the stocking. Note the change to half double crochet.

Ch 1, sl st next 5 sts.

Heel Row 1 (WS): Ch 1, turn, hdc next 5 sl sts, hdc 5. (10)

Heel Row 2 (RS): Ch 1, turn, hdc2tog, hdc 6, hdc2tog. (8)

Heel Row 3 (WS: Ch 1, turn, hdc2tog, hdc 4, hdc2tog. (6)

Heel Row 4 (RS): Ch 1, turn, hdc2tog, hdc 2, hdc2tog. (4)

Heel Row 5 (WS): Ch 1, turn, 2hdc, hdc 2, 2hdc. (6)

Heel Row 6 (RS): Ch 1, turn, 2hdc, hdc 4, 2hdc. (8)

Heel Row 7 (WS): Ch 1, turn, 2hdc, hdc 6, 2hdc. (10)

Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing.

Fold the heel piece in half with RS together, whip st the edges of the heel rows together on either side. Flip your heel RS out.

Now you’ll reattach and continue working rounds to finish the stocking. With the heel facing you, attach yarn to the 6th stitch of Heel Row 7. Begin counting from body rounds again.

Rnd. 10: Ch 1, dc 5, hdc2tog over the side of the heel sts and the space where the rnds. and rows meet, dc 14, hdc2tog over space where the rnds. and rows meet and the side of the heel row, dc 5, join w/ sl st to first dc. (26)

Rnds. 11-20: Ch 1, dc each st around, join. (26)

**Body of stocking (Rnd. 10-20) should measure approximately 8″ tall at this point, add or remove rnds. as needed.

Rnd. 21: Ch 1, hdc each st around, join. (26)

Fasten off.

You’ll now create the fabric and ruffles that will fold over the top of your stocking.

Switch to DK weight yarn and H Hook (or size used to obtain gauge.)

Attach yarn with WS facing you (or from inside out with your hook) to a stitch at the back of your stocking along the fold.

Rnd. 1 (RS): Ch 1, 2 dc in each st around, join w/ a sl st to first dc. (52)

Rnds. 2-7: Ch 1, turn, dc each st around, join. (52)

Rnd. 8 (RS): Ch 1, DO NOT turn, hdc each st around, join. (52)

Rnd. 9 (RS): Ch 2, working into 3rd loop of hdc, [3 dc, 2 dc] 26 times, join. (130)

Rnd. 10 (WS): Ch 2, turn, dc each st around, join. (130)

Rnd. 11 (RS): Ch 2, turn, tr each st around, join. (130)

Fasten off.

Pull the fabric down over the top of the stocking body.

Tie: Ch 15 with H hook and bulky yarn.

Fasten off.

Loop together and sew inside stocking against back fold.

Weave in all ends.

You now have your very own handmade stocking! I hope you enjoyed this pattern and remember if you ever want to have the ad free pdf that’s yours to access anytime and anywhere, you can purchase this pattern on Ravelry, Etsy, and Love Crafts.

If following along with a video is more your speed you can find the full tutorial on my YouTube channel!