Introduction: Quick, cute, and perfect for gifting
These little stockings are the kind of project you can start with your morning cocoa and hang on the tree by evening. They’re flat, lightweight, and just the right size for a candy cane, a name tag, or a tiny note. The look in your photo—classic red with a fluffy white cuff and a ribbon hanger—comes together with simple stitches and beginner-friendly shaping. We’ll crochet two flat stocking panels, join them neatly, add the cuff, and finish with a ribbon loop and optional buttons or charms.
If you’re brand new to crochet, this tutorial walks slowly through each row with stitch counts so you always know where you are. The pattern is scrap-friendly, easy to batch-make for markets or classroom gifts, and great for relaxing holiday crafting.
Materials & Tools
Yarn (Worsted/Aran #4):
- Red (Main Color, MC): ~20–25 g per stocking. Acrylic or cotton both work; acrylic gives a little stretch and sparkle yarns look festive.
- White (Contrast, CC): ~8–10 g for the cuff. A soft acrylic, cotton, or faux-fur style works; we’ll use standard worsted for the step-by-step.
Hook: 4.0 mm (US G/6) is a good starting size with worsted yarn. If your fabric looks holey, go down to a 3.75 mm (F/5).
Notions:
- Tapestry/yarn needle
- Scissors
- Stitch marker (optional, for counting rows)
- Ribbon: 6–10 mm (¼–⅜ in) wide, cut to 12–14 cm (5–5½ in) for each hanger
- Buttons/charms (optional) for cuff accents
- Measuring tape; pins or clips for placing the cuff/bow
- Steam or blocking tools (optional for crisp edges)
Finished Size: Approximately 10–12 cm (4–4¾ in) tall and 7–8 cm (2¾–3¼ in) wide at the foot, depending on yarn and hook.
Gauge: Not critical for ornaments. Aim for a tidy, dense fabric (no stuffing peeking through).
Abbreviations (US crochet terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dec (sc2tog) – single crochet two stitches together (decrease)
- inc – 2 sc in the same stitch (increase)
- BLO – back loop only
- RS/WS – right side/wrong side
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- FO – fasten off
- ( ) – stitch count at end of row
- [ … ] x N – repeat instructions in brackets N times
We’ll crochet flat in rows for each panel and seam around the edge. The cuff is added afterward.
Pattern Overview
- Make two red stocking panels.
- Join the panels with a tidy single-crochet edge.
- Add the white cuff (two options: quick flat cuff or ribbed cuff for texture).
- Attach ribbon and decorate with buttons.
You can batch the steps assembly-line style for multiple stockings.
1) Red Stocking Panel (make 2 identical)
Work flat in rows. Ch 1 does not count as a stitch unless stated.
Start with the leg rectangle
- Row 1: With MC (red), ch 11, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (10)
- Rows 2–9: ch 1, turn, sc across. (10)
This gives you a neat leg portion about 7–8 cm tall in worsted yarn. If you want a taller stocking, add a couple of extra rows here.
Turn the heel and make the foot
From now on we’ll work only part of each row to grow the foot and create that “L” shape.
- Row 10: ch 1, turn, sc 6, leave remaining 4 sts unworked. (6)
- Rows 11–12: ch 1, turn, sc 6. (6)
- Row 13 (toe increase): ch 1, turn, inc, sc 4, inc. (8)
- Row 14: ch 1, turn, sc 8. (8)
- Row 15 (shape sole): ch 1, turn, dec, sc 4, dec. (6)
- Row 16: ch 1, turn, sc 6. (6)
- Row 17 (taper toe): ch 1, turn, dec, sc 2, dec. (4)
- Row 18: ch 1, turn, sc 4. (4)
FO and weave in the tail on the WS.
Make two identical panels. There’s no need to mirror them; the shapes match when stacked.
Size notes
Want a plumper toe? Repeat Row 14 once more before Row 15. Want a longer foot? Add one extra “sc 6” row between Row 12 and Row 13.
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2) Join the Panels With a Clean Edge
Stack the two panels together with the RS facing outward and the toe pointing the same way. We’ll crochet all around the perimeter to join.
- Attach MC (red) with a sl st at the top right corner of the leg.
- Edging Round: ch 1, work sc evenly around both layers at the same time. Aim for 1 sc per row end along straight edges and 3 sc in the outermost corners (toe and heel corners) to keep the curves smooth.
- When you return to the starting corner, sl st to the first sc. FO and weave in ends.
Your stocking is now a flat, sturdy shape with closed edges—perfect for ornaments and gift toppers.
3) Add the White Cuff (two beginner-friendly options)
Option A — Quick Flat Cuff (looks like the photo; simplest)
This cuff is crocheted horizontally across the top opening in a few rows.
- Row 1: Attach CC (white) to any top stitch, ch 1, sc evenly across the top edge only (do not go down the sides). You should have 10 sc—one per top stitch of Row 9. Turn.
- Rows 2–4: ch 1, sc across. (10)
FO. Weave in ends on the WS. This makes a neat 3-row cuff.
Add texture (optional): For a plush look, make Row 2–4 in BLO or use hdc instead of sc. BLO ribbing gives that cozy cuff effect without extra steps.
Option B — Ribbed Cuff Worked Sideways (stretchy and very “knit-like”)
- Foundation: With CC, ch 6.
- Row 1: hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (5)
- Rows 2–? (BLO rib): ch 1, turn, hdc in BLO of each st across. (5)
Repeat Row 2 until your strip is long enough to wrap around the top of the stocking (measure around the very top edge of your joined panels—usually ~10 sts wide). - Seam the short ends of the ribbed strip together with whipstitch to form a loop.
- Sew the cuff around the very top edge of the stocking with small whipstitches, keeping the seam at the back. FO and weave in ends.
Both cuffs look great; Option B gives the chunky ridges you see in many photos.
4) Ribbon Hanger & Embellishments
- Cut 12–14 cm (5–5½ in) of ribbon. Fold into a loop and stitch the ends to the inside back of the cuff.
- Add a small button, charm, or mini bow to the outer cuff. Sew through the cuff only (not through both layers) so the stitches don’t show on the back.
- If you like, top-stitch a tiny felt snowflake or embroider a star with metallic thread for sparkle.
Optional: Seamless Version (worked in the round)
Prefer no seaming? Try this quick alternative for one piece in rounds:
- Toe & foot: With MC, ch 6. Round 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and next 3, 3 sc in last ch; rotate to work other side of chain, sc 3, 2 sc in first st (12). Round 2: [sc 4, inc 2, sc 4, inc 2] (16). Rounds 3–6: sc around (16).
- Ankle/leg: At the heel side, sc 10, turn (we begin rows for the leg on just part of the oval). Rows 2–9: ch 1, sc 10; turn. FO.
- Edge & cuff: Work a round of sc around the shape to neaten edges, then add Cuff Option A or B.
This version produces a similar silhouette with slightly rounder toes.
Finishing Touches
- Block lightly: Steam or mist with water and press between towels or a book overnight for crisp, flat sides—especially helpful if you plan to gift sets.
- Label or personalize: Stitch initials with duplicate stitch or embroider a first letter on the cuff.
- Hang & enjoy: Loop onto your tree, a garland, or a gift bag handle. The stockings also make sweet advent calendar pockets if you leave the top unsewn (see Variations below).
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Troubleshooting & Beginner Tips
My edges look wavy.
You may be adding too many stitches when edging. Aim for one stitch per row end and add 3 sc only at the outermost corners. If it’s still wavy, steam and gently pat into shape.
Foot too long/short.
Adjust Rows 11–12 (the “sc 6” repeats). Add one row for a longer foot or remove one for a shorter foot.
Cuff too tight.
If you used Option B (ribbed), add one more rib row before seaming. For Option A, simply work with hdc and a looser tension, or add a Row 5.
Ribbon flips forward.
Anchor the loop with two small stitches spaced 5–7 mm apart; this prevents the ribbon from pivoting.
Variations & Styling Ideas
1) Candy-stripe body:
Switch between red and white every 2 rows in the leg section. Carry the unused color neatly along the edge or drop and pick up each time.
2) Open-top mini gift holder:
Work the two panels separately and join only down the sides and along the foot, leaving the top open. Add a ribbed cuff around the opening and a ribbon hanger at the back. Perfect for a candy cane or tiny note.
3) Sparkle & texture:
Use a strand of fine metallic thread held with your red yarn for twinkle, or choose a glitzy acrylic with tinsel spun in. For an even fluffier cuff, swap the white yarn for a faux-fur yarn and work sc slowly to avoid splitting.
4) Different sizes:
- Smaller: Start with ch 9 (Row 1 = 8 sts), and begin the foot on sc 5 instead of 6.
- Larger: Start with ch 13 (Row 1 = 12 sts), add two extra leg rows, and make the foot with sc 7 rows before the toe increases.
5) Personalize the cuff:
Sew on alphabet beads, tiny bells, or themed buttons (gingerbread men, snowflakes). Keep ornaments safe for kids by avoiding detachable beads on pieces gifted to small children; embroider instead.
6) Stocking garland:
Make several stockings, thread them onto a long satin ribbon or jute twine through the ribbon hangers, and drape across a mantle or shelf.
Step-by-Step Recap (quick reference)
- Panels (make 2):
- Row 1: ch 11, sc 10 (10)
- Rows 2–9: sc 10 (10)
- Row 10: sc 6 (6)
- Rows 11–12: sc 6 (6)
- Row 13: inc, sc 4, inc (8)
- Row 14: sc 8 (8)
- Row 15: dec, sc 4, dec (6)
- Row 16: sc 6 (6)
- Row 17: dec, sc 2, dec (4)
- Row 18: sc 4, FO (4)
- Join: sc around both layers with red; 3 sc at outer corners; sl st to join.
- Cuff: Option A (3–4 rows of sc/hdc across top) or Option B (BLO ribbed strip 5 hdc wide, sewn around).
- Ribbon: Stitch folded ribbon loop to back of cuff; add button/embellishment.
