Crochet Christmas Stocking: An Easy 12-Inch Stocking in Two Pieces
Two flat stocking shapes in single crochet, joined around the edge, with a fluffy white cuff and a hanging loop. Add a name, and it becomes an heirloom.
Pattern at a glance
US terms- Skill level
- Beginner
- Yarn
- Worsted (#4) acrylic: red (180 yd) and white (50 yd)
- Hook
- 5 mm (H-8)
- Time
- About 5 hours
- Finished size
- About 12 in (30 cm) tall, 7 in (18 cm) heel to toe
You'll need
- Worsted weight (#4) acrylic — red, about 180 yd; white, about 50 yd (a fluffy or bulky white is lovely for the cuff)
- 5 mm (H-8) hook
- Tapestry needle, stitch markers
In this post
Most stocking patterns lose beginners at the heel. This one has no heel turn at all: you crochet two flat L-shaped pieces in single crochet, hold them together and single crochet around the edge to join them. The cuff is worked straight onto the opening afterwards.
It's sturdy enough to hold real gifts, and the plain single crochet fabric is perfect for stitching a name across the cuff.
The rest of this post is just below — free, as always.
The pattern
Stocking pieces (make 2, red)
The piece is worked from the bottom of the foot upward. The toe points to the left on one piece; flip the second piece over so they match.
- Row 1: Ch 25. Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and across. Ch 1, turn. (24)
- Row 2: 2 sc in the first st, sc to the last st, 2 sc in the last st. Ch 1, turn. (26)
- Rows 3–8: Sc across. Ch 1, turn. (26)
- Row 9: Dec, sc to the end. Ch 1, turn. (25)
- Row 10: Sc to the last 2 sts, dec. Ch 1, turn. (24)
- Rows 11–12: Repeat Rows 9–10. (22)
- Row 13 (start of leg): Sc in the first 14 sts only, leaving the toe sts unworked. Ch 1, turn. (14)
- Rows 14–40: Sc across. Ch 1, turn. Fasten off after Row 40 on the first piece only. (14)
The rounded toe comes from the decreases in Rows 9–12; the leg rises from the heel end.
Joining
- Step 1: Place the pieces wrong sides together, edges matching.
- Step 2: With the second piece's loop still on the hook, sc through both layers all the way down the side, around the toe and heel and up the other side, working 3 sc at each corner. Leave the top open.
- Step 3: Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Cuff (white)
- Rnd 1: Join white at the back seam. Ch 2, hdc evenly around the opening (about 28–30 sts). Join.
- Rnds 2–6: Ch 2, hdc around. Join.
- Hanging loop: At the back seam, ch 15 and sl st back into the same st. Fasten off.
- Fold: Fold the cuff down over the stocking, or leave it standing up for a name.
Personalising
- Names: use chain-stitch embroidery (surface slip stitch) in red or gold across the white cuff. Sketch the letters with chalk first.
- Stripes: change colour every 4 rows on the leg for a candy-stripe stocking.
- Pom-pom: a white pom-pom on the hanging loop.
- Mini version: our ornament page has a 3-inch stocking for the tree.
Common questions
How long does a crochet stocking take?
About 5 hours: 2 hours per piece, 30 minutes to join and 30 minutes for the cuff.
How do I make the stocking bigger?
Add 4 chains to Row 1 and 4 stitches to the leg for each extra inch of width, and keep going past Row 40 for a taller leg.
Why are my edges wobbly?
You may be skipping or adding a stitch at the ends of rows. Put a stitch marker in the first and last stitch of every row.
Can I use chunky yarn?
Yes. With bulky (#5) yarn and a 6.5 mm hook the same counts make a stocking about 16 inches tall.
Whose name is going on the first one? 🎁
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