Twelve Gifts of Handmade Part Two or By hook or by crook
Knotted yarn scraps make up the stripes and single crochet creates the nubbly texture that gives this stocking a very rustic feel. And repurpose is the name of the game, using up all of those little odd balls of yarn rattling around in your stash.
CAVEAT CRAFTOR: This is a hybrid as a result of being a crochet pattern written by a knitter.
Needs:
an assortment of worsted weight, light worsted and aran weight yarn (4-4.5 st/in)
ball of smooth worsted weight yarn
size I (5.5mm) and J (6mm) crochet hooks
darning or tapestry needle
First make a ball of knotty yarn. Cut pieces of yarn, two arm lengths or approximately 70 inches (175 cm). Knot securely by holding the two strands together and tying a single knot.
Leave at least a 1/4 inch (5mm) tail. These tails won't be worked in. After you've fastened together a few strands, begin to wind your ball. I usually make the balls as I go, knotting up a new batch as needed.
For the foundation chain and the first round, use the smooth, worsted weight yarn. Make a slip knot, leaving a 16 inch (40 cm) tail. Using the larger hook, chain (ch) 30. Switch to the I hook and join the round, being careful not to twist. Single crochet (sc) [Double crochet in the British Crocheting parlance.] into the 'V' of each chain. At the end of the round, cut the yarn and attach the knotty yarn. When you get to the knots, crochet around them by hooking the yarn before of after the knot, to ensure that the knot stays on the inside. Continue working sc in rounds until the leg of the stocking measures 10 inches (25cm).
For the heel flap, orient your cast on tail - it will act as a hanger later. Making sure that the stitches are centered on either side of the cast on tail up at the cuff, work 15 sc for the heel flap, ch 1 and turn. Continue to work back and forth in the same way for 8 more rows. Decrease 3 stitches evenly across the next row. Ch 1, turn, sc 6, ch 1.
Now fold the heel in half, with the right side of the work on the inside. Join the top of the heel flap using a slip stitch.
Turn the heel out again and with the right side facing, crochet down along one side of the heel flap, then across the leg of the stocking and then up the other side of the flap. Next round, decrease one stitch at each corner where the heel flap meets the leg.
Alternate a plain sc round with a decrease round until you have 30 stitches again. Work the foot of the stocking in sc rounds until it measures 7.5 inches (20.5 cm) from heel.
Decrease 4 stitches evenly across the round. Alternate a plain sc round with a decrease round for 8 more rounds. Next round, decrease into every stitch, then cut yarn leaving a 6 inch (15cm) tail. Thread the tail with a darning needle and catch the outside leg of each "V" in a running stitch. Cinch and secure with a knot on the inside of the toe.
Go back to the cast on tail and chain, leaving enough yarn to secure it to the cuff. Tack it down with a darning needle and hang by the fire with care.
Comments (21)
LOVE IT. But my favourite part of this whole post is "caveat craftor". Thanks for that.
Posted by Shannon B | December 11, 2007 12:44 AM
Posted on December 11, 2007 00:44
That is so pretty. I need to make more yarn scraps! That's good!
Posted by oldround | December 11, 2007 12:44 AM
Posted on December 11, 2007 00:44
That is funky :)
I'm up to the crochet edging on my camera bag - if I send it to you will you edge it for me? *wink*
Oh well - just a thought *chuckle*
Posted by EnnaVic | December 11, 2007 12:57 AM
Posted on December 11, 2007 00:57
I love your stocking and thank you for spending the time making a tutorial- you're a bit like Santa!
I'm going to have to content myself with admiring yours though as my crochet skills don't extend beyond squares!
Posted by sarah | December 11, 2007 8:22 AM
Posted on December 11, 2007 08:22
What a fab way to use up all those scarps of wool, it looks brilliant and quirky and is bound to become a treasured family decoration.
Posted by carolyn | December 11, 2007 8:36 AM
Posted on December 11, 2007 08:36
Yay, I can finally make that stocking for Toots I've been wanting to make since forever!
Posted by xtina | December 11, 2007 8:41 AM
Posted on December 11, 2007 08:41
fantastic! i love the little fluffy part on the heel.
Posted by risa | December 11, 2007 10:31 AM
Posted on December 11, 2007 10:31
Beautiful sock, Sonya! I want to go get into my bits of wool to do this ASAP. Love crafts that make use of my stash - somehow those projects seem to be the most beautiful when made.
Posted by Katherine | December 11, 2007 11:58 AM
Posted on December 11, 2007 11:58
i love the stripes and the nubby texture! lovely, sonya!
Posted by erin | December 11, 2007 1:34 PM
Posted on December 11, 2007 13:34
That looks great! So fun and cheery and bright--just what is needed this time of year.
I must admit that as I looked at the photos something seemed so wrong... and then I realized you're crocheting backwards! (Well, at least to me.) LOL
Posted by maria | December 11, 2007 2:45 PM
Posted on December 11, 2007 14:45
what a fun project!
Posted by kat | December 11, 2007 5:02 PM
Posted on December 11, 2007 17:02
thanks for the pattern! I'm going to make one...started rolling up a ball of my leftoever yarn. Thanks again!
Posted by Bridgette | December 11, 2007 5:09 PM
Posted on December 11, 2007 17:09
Cute. Really cute.
Posted by shula | December 13, 2007 4:47 AM
Posted on December 13, 2007 04:47
This is really lovely. So effortlessly cute.
Posted by Alex | December 13, 2007 7:04 PM
Posted on December 13, 2007 19:04
I don't crochet, but I had to come over here (from the CRAFT blog) to tell you how gorgeous this sticking is! Great idea.
Posted by jenny ramos | December 14, 2007 7:18 AM
Posted on December 14, 2007 07:18
Ohh. I love it. No, I LOVE IT!!!!
I've always knew you were a genius.
Posted by monica | December 15, 2007 10:05 AM
Posted on December 15, 2007 10:05
OH SONYA!! I love it!! I had huge plans to crochet a stocking for mr. lovee, alas, I don't think I will do it. Or maybe I can?? Maybe I should do that now???? Oh yes yes yes!! I am inspired!! xoxooxox
Posted by A Fanciful Twist | December 18, 2007 2:19 PM
Posted on December 18, 2007 14:19
oh, I love it! I am going to attempt something like this.
Posted by amandajean | December 19, 2007 6:59 PM
Posted on December 19, 2007 18:59
so, so clever my friend. i love it!
Posted by jen b | December 22, 2007 8:37 AM
Posted on December 22, 2007 08:37
i love your work, what a beautiful stocking happy festive season margie
Posted by margie | December 26, 2007 10:02 PM
Posted on December 26, 2007 22:02
This pattern is awesome. It makes me wish I celebrate Christmas. :) I might have to make one anyway.
Posted by futuregirl | December 29, 2007 9:55 PM
Posted on December 29, 2007 21:55