With the festive season upon us, I have added this free pattern for you to enjoy making these cute mini stockings…..for decorating your tree, seasonal branches or as a sweet gift tag for adding to presents.
These little Happy balls are perfect and come in lots of great colours, although any DK cotton would work well.
What you will need:
- Small amounts of cotton yarn in various colours.
- Crochet hook size 3.5
- Darning needle
- Ribbon (optional)
Abbreviations:
- ch chain
- st stitch
- sl st slip stitch
- dc double crochet
What to do:
Step 1 ~ Toe
Make a magic ring and jump to Round 1 or;
Base Ring: Ch4 and sl st into 1st ch to form a ring.
Round 1: Ch1, work 8 dc into the ring (8 sts) NB At the end of this round, do not sl st into the final stitch, but continue straight on into next round.
Round 2 (increase round): Next work 2 dc into each st from the previous round. (16 sts) Do not sl st into the final stitch, but continue straight on into next round.
Rounds 3-8: Work 1 dc in each st in continuous rounds (as a spiral) for another 6 rounds, ending with sl st in the final stitch. Do not fasten off.
You will have now made a little cup shape.
Step 2 ~ Heel
Row 1: Ch1, work 1 dc into the base of the Ch-1 and next 8 sts and turn.
Rows 2: Ch1, work 1 dc into the base of the Ch-1 and each st to end of heel row.
Rows 3 & 4: Repeat Row 2 twice more.
You will now have made a little slipper shape.
Fasten off leaving a tail of thread to close and sew up the back of the heel with simple over-stitch. Darn in the end.
Next darn in the end tail, making the original central hole as small and neat as possible. Turn the little slipper inside out, with the right-side facing on the outside, before continuing onto the next step.
Step 3 ~ Stocking
Round 1: Rejoin the yarn with a sl st to the left corner of the heel section.
Ch1 and work 10 dc across the top of the foot to the beginning of the right corner of the heel section. Work 5 dc across the heel section (15 dc in total)
When working the 15 dc across the top and heel of the foot, you will need to space out and miss a a few stitches on the way, so that you do not end up working too many stitches – otherwise your stocking section will be too baggy!
NB at the end of this round, do not sl st into the final stitch, but continue straight on into next round.
Rounds 2-8: Work 1 dc into each st around the stocking in a continuous spiral (without increasing). Complete final round in the middle of the back heel section ending with a sl st. Fasten off.
Step 4 ~ Cuff
Rounds 9-10: Attach new colour with a sl st in the middle of the back heel section.
Ch1, and work 1 dc into each stitch around. Complete final round with a sl st.
When you have completed the stocking cuff, either fasten off (ready to add a ribbon) or finish the round with sl st. Continue with a simple ch-20 to make into a loop.
Darn in ends and either attach a length of ribbon to the finished mini stocking or use your crochet loop ready for hanging.
Merry Christmas….