How to Crochet a Classic Christmas Stocking

When the season changes and the holidays are just around the corner, one of my favorite activities is unearthing the boxes of Christmas decorations. One thing that has marked our hallways and fireplaces over the years are the handmade Christmas stockings that my grandma crocheted (and still crochets!) for every member of the family. Each one has our name carefully added and a little appliqué to personalize them. Today I wanted to share a simple pattern to help you crochet your own heirloom stockings. The Crunch Stitch Stocking is the perfect classic stocking to add your own memories to the holiday season.

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Before you Begin…

You can find the ad-free PDF version of this pattern in my Ravelry shop or my Etsy shop. For the free version, keep scrolling!

Shop the Brava Worsted yarn from WeCrochet!

You’re also going to need a 5.5mm crochet hook. Check out my favorite hook set from WeCrochet!

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How to Crochet a Stocking

There are several different methods of crocheting a Christmas stocking. The two most commonly seen are…1) to work two flat panels in a stocking shape and seaming them together or 2) to work in rounds from the toe up to the cuff, pausing at the heel to add shaping.

For this pattern, we will be working in rounds beginning at the toe. Once we’ve reached the heel, we will pause briefly to work a few short flat rows and seam the heel. Then from there, we will continue working in rounds to finish.

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About the Pattern

I originally designed this stocking on “accident” while trying to come up with the Rustic Pines Stocking. It wasn’t quite what I was looking for at the time, but I loved it so much that I couldn’t bear to frog it. So I finished it anyway, and it’s probably one of my favorite Christmas stockings to date!

The Crunch Stitch Stocking is a lightly textured Christmas stocking perfect for an adventurous beginner to try something new. This stocking was designed with worsted weight yarn and looks beautiful with both solid or added color changes. The finished stocking measure 17″ long and 6″ wide. The simple nature of the stitch pattern gives you a perfect template to personalize with color or even adding personalization with Letter Appliques.

This stocking pattern features the lovely crunch stitch. It’s a is very simple stitch combination that only requires you to know the half double crochet stitch (hdc) and the slip stitch (sl). (If you aren’t familiar with those, please check out my video tutorial for Basic Crochet Stitches.) When worked in a single color is shows subtle texture, but when worked with color change each row, it presents almost like a houndstooth effect.

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Love it?! Pin it for Later!

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About the Yarn

The Crunch Stitch Stocking uses Brava Worsted yarn from WeCrochet. This is a worsted weight (CYC 4) yarn. I use this yarn a lot for simple projects because it’s budget-friendly and comes in a lot of colors. For my sample project, I used the colorways Hunter and White.

You can absolutely sub out this yarn for any another worsted weight yarn and get a similar result. One fun thing I like to do with Christmas stockings is to experiment with bulky or super bulky yarns (don’t forget to increase the hook size!) and create oversized jumbo stockings!

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Colorwork Option

Another fun feature of the crunch stitch is that when you alternate colors in each row, it has a subtle houndstooth or fair isle-like effect. If you would like to implement this color pattern, simply switch colors each row, leaving the yarn attached as you work the opposite color. 

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You Might Also Like…

Since you’re preparing for the holiday season, you might like some of these other free holiday patterns!

Optional Links to Purchase

Don’t forget, you can find the ad-free, printable PDF version of this pattern in my Ravelry shop or my Etsy shop. I love being able to offer my patterns for free, supported by ads. But if you’d rather avoid the ads, I also sell the PDF version of each pattern. You can click the buttons to purchase the PDF in either of my shops or enjoy the free pattern just below!

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Let’s Get Started…

Materials Needed

2 Skeins of Brava Worsted Yarn (or 225 yds of Worsted Weight yarn)
-Approx 175 yds of Main Color
-Approx. 50 yds of Contrasting Color
Size I  (5.5mm) crochet hook
Measuring Tape
Tapestry needle 
Stitch Marker
Scissors 

Stitches Used

MC – Magic Circle
Ch – Chain 
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
Hdc2tog – Half Double Crochet Two Together
Sl St – Slip Stitch
Inc – Increase
Reverse Sc (Crab Stitch) – Reverse Single Crochet

Skill Level

Intermediate

Gauge

15 stitches x 9 rows Crunch Stitch = 4” square

Finished Measurements:

17”L x 6”W

Notes

• This stocking is worked back and forth in rounds. You will join and turn after each round (except for HEEL and TOE Section). The HEEL is worked flat and turned and the TOE is worked in rounds without turning.
• It is recommended that you use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of the round.
• You can customize the size of your stocking by working more increasing rounds in the TOE section. You will need to add approximately 4 stitches to the HEEL section for each additional size increase.

Special Stitches/Techniques

Crunch Stitch: This stitch is worked by alternating half double crochet stitches with slip stitches. In following rows, half double crochets should be worked into slip stitches from the previous row and slip stitches into half double crochets. Turning after each row will give this stitch a distinct rippling texture.

Increase: Work [hdc, sl st, hdc] in the same stitch. 

Reverse Single Crochet/Crab Stitch: With right side facing out, work single crochets in the opposite direction you would normally work. This will create a subtle twist on the edge of your work. 

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Pattern

TOE

With 5.5mm hook, begin with contrasting color and a magic circle.

Round 1: Hdc 10 in the magic circle. Sl st to first hdc to join. (10)

Round 2: 2 Hdc in each stitch around. Sl st to first hdc to join. (20)

Round 3: *Hdc, 2 hdc in next stitch.* Repeat from * to * around. Sl st to first hdc to join. (30)

Round 4: *Hdc 2, 2 hdc in next stitch.* Repeat from * to * around. Sl st to first hdc to join. (40)

Round 5-7: Hdc in each stitch around. Sl st to first hdc to join. (40)

ARCH

The crunch stitch uses a combination of half double crochets and slip stitches to create a subtle rippling texture on both sides of your work. It is recommended that you use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of your row.

Switch to Main Color.

Round 1: Ch 1. Hdc in first st and place stitch marker, sl st in next st. *Hdc, sl st.* Repeat from * to end of the round. Join with sl st to top of first hdc. (40)

Round 2: Ch 1 and TURN. Hdc in first st and place stitch marker, sl st in next st. *Hdc, sl st.* Repeat from * to end of the round. Join with sl st to top of first hdc. (40)

Round 3-16: Repeat Row 2

HEEL

Attach yarn in Contrasting Color, leaving Main Color attached. Start with a long tail (approx. 12”).

Row 1: Ch 1. Hdc 14. (14)

Row 2: Ch 1 and turn.  Hdc2tog, hdc 10, hdc2tog. (12)

Row 3: Ch 1 and turn.  Hdc2tog, hdc 8, hdc2tog. (10)

Row 4: Ch 1 and turn.  Hdc2tog, hdc 6, hdc2tog. (8)

Row 5: Ch 1 and turn.  Hdc2tog, hdc 4, hdc2tog. (6)

Row 6: Ch 1 and turn. 2 Hdc in first st, hdc 4, 2 hdc in last st. (8)

Row 7: Ch 1 and turn. 2 Hdc in first st, hdc 6, 2 hdc in last st. (10)

Row 8: Ch 1 and turn. 2 Hdc in first st, hdc 8, 2 hdc in last st. (12)

Row 9: Ch 1 and turn. 2 Hdc in first st, hdc 10, 2 hdc in last st. (14)

HEEL ASSEMBLY

Tie off leaving long tail for seaming. Turn whole piece wrong side out and heel facing you, fold top half of heel flap towards you and down over the bottom half. Wrong side of heel should be facing out. Using the starting tail and a tapestry needle, whip stitch one side of the heel closed. Attach yarn and whip stitch the opposite side of the heel closed. Turn piece right side out before continuing.

Insert hook into first stitch of the ARCH section from Row 17 and the first stitch of HEEL section from Row 9, then pull up a loop of the main color left there before the HEEL section. (Note: After completing HEEL section, you will need to work across the top of the heel flap then locate the next stitch from the ARCH to continue working around.)

With Main color.

Row 10: Ch 1. Hdc in first stitch, sl st in next stitch. *Hdc, sl st*. Repeat from * to * across top of heel, then around. Join with sl st to top of first hdc. (40)

BODY

This section will have two increasing rows. Increases will be worked worked at the edges of the heel and completed as [hdc, sl st, hdc] in the same space. 

Continue with main color.

Round 1: Ch 1 and TURN. Inc in first stitch and mark with stitch marker. Sl st in following stitch. *Hdc, sl st*. Repeat from * to * for 23 stitches. Inc in next stitch. Repeat from * to * to end of the row. Join with sl st to top of first hdc. (44)

Round 2: Ch 1 and TURN. Hdc in first stitch and mark with stitch marker. Sl st in following stitch. *Hdc, sl st*. Repeat from * to * to end of the row. Join with sl st to top of first hdc. (44)

Round 3: Ch 1 and TURN. Inc in first stitch and mark with stitch marker. Sl st in following stitch. *Hdc, sl st*. Repeat from * to * for 27 stitches. Inc in next stitch. Repeat from * to * to end of the row. Join with sl st to top of first hdc. (48)

Round 4: Ch 1 and TURN. Hdc in first stitch and mark with stitch marker. Sl st in following stitch. *Hdc, sl st*. Repeat from * to * to end of the row. Join with sl st to top of first hdc. (48)

Round 5-43: Repeat Row 4 (or continue until stocking reaches desired length)

Switch to Contrasting Color.

Round 44: Ch 1 and Turn. Hdc in each stitch around. Join with sl st to top of first hdc. (48)

(Note: For a foldover cuff, repeat Row 44 for a total of 9 rows)

Round 45: Ch 1. Reverse single crochet (crab stitch) in each stitch around. Join with sl st to top of first sc. Fasten off. (48)

FINISHING

1. Lay stocking flat and locate the three stitches at the back edge of the stocking. 
2. Using color of choice, attach yarn and single crochet around the posts of those three stitches. 
3. Chain 1 and turn. Sc in each stitch across. Repeat until strap is long enough to make a hanging loop. 
4. Sl st to post of the stitches to close the loop. Fasten off.

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Final Thoughts

I hope you really enjoyed making these lovely textured stockings. They’re the perfect classic base to add whatever finishes you need. One fun idea that I’ve done in the past was adding some personalization with Letter appliqués for each person. Check out the Free Crochet Alphabet from Moogly if you need some help with letters!

Be sure to tag me in your finished makes! I love to see what you all create from my patterns. You can tag me @craftingforweeks on Facebook or on Instagram. And use the hashtag #crunchstitchstocking for a chance to be featured!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!