Christmas Stocking Decoration

There is something very comforting about a little Christmas stocking hanging on a tree. I’m not sure what it is, but it seems to fill me with a belly full of wonder and some serious Christmas joy. Anything made in a miniature form is always decidedly cute, isn’t it. The fact that they are a mini version of a rather comforting cosy tootsie warmer, is what makes you feel all gooey inside. So I couldn’t resist creating these. They only use 5g of yarn, so perfect to work up quickly. You can use any 4ply yarn that you like. It’s a great way to use up any little bits of yarn you have lying around or would even be nice to make it in your favourite sock yarn. If you aren’t yet a sock crocheter, this is a great introduction into the world of crocheting socks! As it is so small, it will teach you the basics and show you how a crocheted sock is created.

For my little Christmas stockings, I couldn’t resist making them with Abby’s little Christmas bauble yarn. Have you seen them? They are just adorable. My friend and I both decided that they were possibly too adorable to use. But then we figured out, if we use one for a stocking and then put the other on the Christmas tree till Christmas Eve, then you would have the best of both worlds.

One bauble will make two little stockings, so a lovely way to make a pair for someone or even keep one for yourself and give one to a precious other. Maybe someone you can’t spend Christmas with. I know our Christmas is going to be rather different this year, but we will try and make it all the more special for our little family of four.

Anyways, here’s the link to Abby’s Christmas baubles if you would like to make one with them.

https://luxuryyarns.co.uk/product/festive-yarn-baubles/

So in true, let’s get making for Christmas mode, here is the little stocking pattern. It’s ever so easy to make and something that you could add to someone’s gift as a little bit of Christmas cheer. I did think they could be filled with chocolate coins. I know my own children seem to have a serious attachment to chocolate coins! Not sure why. I think it’s the glistening gold wrapper and the marvel and wonder of what it holds inside. When my Dad plays trains with my son, he tends to sneak one or two in the train carriages, knowing that they will be found by a little boy whose eyes will light up & cheeky grin will appear when he finds them. Bless him. We even managed to do a safe train playing session in lockdown once. Where safe distance was kept and outside train track play occurred. Oh my, if you described to someone a year ago, what we do now to cope with a pandemic, they would just think you were bonkers!!! Heyho. One day…

So here is my little Christmas stocking pattern. I really hope you like it.

Just a little thought, if you are super new to crocheting, there are lots of beginner videos on my you tube channel. These will all help you with the basics to crocheting. Just click on the You Tube icon above.

Level – Medium – It has a few tricky parts, but is a great introduction for anyone that would like to crochet socks.

Stitches

Slip stitch (ss) – This is where there is no height to the stitch. It’s usually used to join rounds. Insert the hook into the front of the stitch you are joining to. This is usually the first stitch you made in that round/row. Yarn over hook and pull through that first stitch then also through the loop on your hook.

Chain (ch) – To make a chain, place the yarn over the hook then pull it through the loop on your hook.

Double Crochet (dc) – To make a double crochet, insert hook through your stitch/space, yarn over hook and pull through the stitch. You should have 2 loops on your hook, now yarn over hook and pull through both loops on your hook.

Double Crochet Decrease – (2dctog) – This is where you crochet two stitches together to decrease the amount of stitches in the round. Insert the hook through the front of the first stitch only (the front V) and then insert hook through the front of the second stitch (the front V). Yarn over your hook and pull it back through both stitches. There will now be 2 loops on your hook. Yarn over your hook again and pull through both loops to complete your 2dctog.

Treble (tr) – To make a treble crochet, firstly yarn over your hook, insert through space/stitch, yarn over your hook, pull back through space/stitch. There should now be 3 loops on your hook. Then yarn over hook and pull through the first two loops, yarn over hook and pull through the last two loops.

Half Treble Crochet (htr) – A half treble crochet is basically one less movement than a treble. So yarn over hook, insert through space/stitch, yarn over hook, pull back through space/stitch. There should be 3 loops on your hook. Then yarn over hook and pull through all 3 loops.

Supplies

You will need 5g of any 4ply yarn for the main stocking part and then a little bit of cream/white yarn for the top. (It doesn’t have to be sock yarn!!) You will also need a 3.25mm crochet hook, some scissors, a blunt ended tapestry needle and a bit of yarn to use as a stitch marker.

If you haven’t got any 4ply cream or white yarn for the top, you could use a spot of double knit yarn, it would just look a lovely fluffier or even a different coloured yarn.

PipsTips – You can make your little stocking using Double Knit or Aran yarn too. Just alter your hook size to a 4mm hook for Double Knit and 5mm hook for Aran.

P.S – Don’t forget to use your yarn stitch marker so that you know where your rounds start and finish.

Ok so here we go

Toe

1 – Start by chaining 5.

Then work 1dc into the 2nd chain from the hook and each of the remaining 3 chains. (4) You are now going to be working on the other side of the 5 chain stitches. Miss the first chain, as before and work 1dc into each of the 4 chains. The needle in the photo below, shows where to work your first stitch.

(Don’t forget to use a yarn stitch marker, so you know where the round starts. (8)

2 – Work 2dc in the first stitch. Followed by 1dc in the next. Work 2dc into the next stitch and then 1dc. Now repeat, so 2dc into the next stitch, 1dc, 2dc into the next stitch and then 1dc in the last stitch. (12)

3 – Now work *2dc in the next stitch, 3dc, 2dc in the next stitch, followed by 1dc.* Then repeat ** once more. (16)

4 – Work 1dc in each stitch. (16)

5 – Now work *2dc in the next stitch, 5dc, 2dc in the next stitch, followed by 1dc.* Then repeat ** once more. (20)

6 – Work 1dc in each stitch. (20)

7 – Now work *2dc in the next stitch, 7dc, 2dc in the next stitch, followed by 1dc.* Then repeat ** once more. (24)

8 – 12 (5 rows) Work 1dc in each stitch. (24)

Heel

13 – Work 6dc stitches to work your way into the correct place for the heel. (If you don’t do this, the heel won’t be in line with the toe!!) Place your stitch marker, slip stitch into the next stitch and work 1dc into the same stitch. Then 8dc stitches, followed by 1htr stitch. (10)

14 – Now turn your work and chain 1. Then 1dc in each stitch. (10)

15 – 18 (4 rows) *Turn your work, chain 1 and work 1dc into the first stitch and then work 1dc into each stitch except for the last stitch.* Repeat this ** 3 more times. By the end of these 4 rows, you will only have 6 stitches. (6)

19 – Now turn your work and chain 1, then 1dc in the first stitch. The work 1dc into each stitch in the row. (6)

20 – Turn your work, chain 1 and work 1dc into each stitch in the row. Slip stitch into side of the row below. (This is where the needle is pointing.)

Then work 1dc into the last unworked stitch of the row below. (This is where the needle is pointing.) (8)

21 – *Turn your work, chain 1 and then miss the chain stitch and the next stitch. (The needle is pointing to where you need to start.)

Work 1dc into the rest of the stitches. Now slip stitch into the side of the row below and then work 1dc into the last unworked stitch of the row below.* (Sometimes it’s hard to work out where the slip stitch in the side of the row goes, but it’s basically the side of the row just above the unworked stitch.) (9)

22 – 23 (2 rows) Repeat this ** from row above 2 more times. (11)

24 – In the last row, turn your work, chain 1. Now as before, miss the chain stitch and next stitch. Then work 1dc in each stitch, finally slip stitching in the side of rows. (This is where the needle is pointing.)

Then work 1dc stitch in the first stitch you made for the heel. (This is where the needle is pointing.) (12)

Leg

25 – Now you are back at the beginning again. Turn your work and place your yarn stitch marker.

Chain 1 and work 1dc into the first stitch and the slip stitch, then continue working 1dc in the all of the stitches in the heel. (12) Now slip stitch in the side of the rows, as before. (This is where the needle is pointing.)

Then work 1dc in the last stitch of the heel. (This is where the needle is pointing.)


Now work 1dc in the next 14 stitches. Your first stitch should go where the needle is pointing.

That completes the first round of the leg. (28)

26 – Now work 1dc in each stitch in the round. (The needle shows where to work your first stitch.) (28)

27 – Work 2dctog, then 12dc, then 2dctog, then 12dc. (26)

28- Work 1dc in each stitch. (26)

29 – Then work 2dctog, 11dc, 2dctog, 11dc. (24)

30 – Now work 1dc in each stitch. (24)

31 – Work 2dctog, 10dc, 2dctog, 10dc. (22)

32 – 37 (6 rounds) Work 1dc in each for the 6 rounds. If you want the top of your stocking to be a different colour, then change your yarn in the last stitch in round 37. (22)

38 – Now slip stitch into the next stitch and then chain 3. Then work 1tr in the first stitch and then 1tr in each stitch in the round. (22)

39 – Slip stitch into the first stitch, chain 1, then work 1dc in the first stitch, followed by 1dc in each stitch in the round. (22)

Finally slip stitch in the next stitch and fasten off.

All you need to do now is sew your ends in, block your stocking and add a ribbon to attach your little stocking to your tree. To block your work, you just need to wash it in warm soapy water and set it using your hands and let them dry. (If you are ensure about blocking then click on the video below and how to block your work.)

Another possibility is to make a bundle of these little guys and attach them to some plaited yarn to create a Christmas garland or even use as an advent calendar for someone special.

Well good luck. Really hope you enjoy this little pattern. I seem to be making a rainbow garland of them at the moment. Will share a photo of them when I am done.

Don’t forget to share pictures of your little Christmas stockings. Can’t wait to see any creations you have made!! You can always link it to @pipsrainbow. Any questions, just give me a shout.

Happy hooking everyone.

🌈 Xx

(Free pattern designed and brought to you by PipsRainbow. Thank you for not copying or recreating it. ☺️Xx)

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And were back…

Wow. Nearly half a year of homeschooling and the kids are finally back in school. The year of 2020 has definitely not panned out as planned, has it. I hope you are all well and coping with our ever changing world. I’m sorry I haven’t been on here very much. I think I just haven’t had the head space to know where to begin. I have designed and made many little projects, but haven’t had the time to write the patterns down. I’m sure that I am not the only one. Everyone has had so much to deal with and every family has had their own milestones to overcome. But I do feel that life seems to have melted and moulded into a way of life that seems to be sticking around for a while.

When my daughter went back to school last week, my body and head was not in a great place. It felt like we had been in this little protective bubble for so long and then all of a sudden someone had popped the bubble and we were out in the world, with no protective shield whatsoever. I know that the children have to go back to school and I know that it is the right thing to do, but it doesn’t make it feel any easier!!! Luckily, my daughter was super excited about going back. She was nervous, but ready. She wanted to see her friends, wanted a little bit of routine and was definitely ready to learn. We had tried our best with the homeschooling and kept up with all the lessons that the teachers had sent us, but it wasn’t easy. I think because my son is quite a bit younger, it wasn’t a case of all of us sitting at the table and ploughing through it altogether. It was a juggling act between setting up toys for the youngest, while trying to explain and set work for the eldest. And then hoping that both can get on with each activity, whilst you zoom between the two and also keep the house ticking over and some form of food on the table. You would then have the video calls to contend with and the chats at the front door and through the windows. Bonkers!!! A can safely day there has been a lot of cuppas consumed in lockdown!!

I’m proud to say that we survived it. We existed and we survived!! Woohoo! There was definitely some rather sobering lows, but alternatively there was some mega highs. It felt like you were on a Coronavirus rollercoaster. You’d be winning one day and then the next would just be one of those days where everything goes to pot!! But we coped. I just hope now that the kids can stay in school and all the safety procedures that the wonderful teachers have put in place, keep our little ones safe and well.

I think for me the hardest thing has been to not cuddle and be close to both sets of parents. I’m so used to having a hug with them, so being told you can’t, has just been awful!! So unnatural. I still haven’t been in my parents house yet. Which has definitely been tough. Heyho, it is all worth it to keep them safe and well. I think now that the kids are back too, we really have to step up the distancing again and be that little bit more careful!! Just in case.

I do feel that the time that we have all been given has definitely had its benefits. Both our children seem to have grown and blossomed. Particularly my daughter. She seems to have found herself. She is so much more confident and free spirited. She doesn’t seem to be as worried about things as much and seems to take things in her stride more. It’s like she knows herself more and maybe that she understands who she is and what she likes and wants to be. Amazing. My son also, is a lot more confident and definitely stronger in what he wants to do. His vocabulary in particular has really come on. Guessing its because he has been hanging around with his older sister for so long.

Well, whatever happens now, out lives have changed, our weekends are freer, our trips in the car are minimal and our family time has rocketed. Being together… what else could you want.

I hope that in time I can get through some of my patterns and creations so that I can share them with you. I think I will have a little more time and definitely have some more head space to concentrate on them. Think the words – watch this space are in order here.

One pattern that was important to publish, was my little face mask attachments. They sit at the back of your head, to save your ears from the mask straps. I think I made over 100 so far and are still having request for some more. Hoping they have helped a few sore ears out there.

One thing that I am really chuffed about is the fact that I have managed to teach myself how to knit socks on circular needles. I used a kit that I have bought from the incredible Abby over at Orchidean Luxury Yarns.

It consists of 4ply super soft sock yarn, a simple from the amazing Michelle at The Loveliest Yarn Company and of course the circular needles. It’s a fab little kit if anyone wants to challenge themselves.

Can’t wait to get another pair on my needles. Think I had better start some birthday and Christmas presents though, sure I can make myself another pair soon. They are a great project to take around with you too, as it’s so small. I have been known to be walking around the house with them in my pocket, just on the off chance that I may get a chance to knit a few stitches. Funny!! Does anyone else do this?

My daughter has managed to conquer crocheting and knitting over lockdown. So proud of her. She made a little granny square and a few little things for her dog toy.

And she has just started knitting on some circular needles and is making a snood for herself. How cool is that. Hope she can finish it so that she can wear it when the cooler weather comes. She has quite a way to go though.

Here’s a few little projects that I have been working on. Promise I will share the patterns soon.

A Blossom Shawl for my Mum.

A little rabbit called Hope.

Some wrist warmers for a very important Auntie.

Drop the dog toy. (Especially made for a little puppy called Douglas.)

A little owl called Hoot.

The one and only Coco.

My Seaside Shawl. I wonder when this one will be finished.

Chasing rainbows mandala.

Grannie Square video tutorial.

And finally a little pup called Crumble.

Anyways. Hope to be on here again really soon. (Promise I will get some of these patterns written.)

Stay safe everyone.

Yarny hugs to you all.

🌈Xx

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