Crochet Christmas Stocking: Textured Stripe Pattern

A Continuous Stripe Pattern across the Foot

The afterthought heel is the key to the clean color bands. Twenty temporary stitches reserve the heel opening while the foot and leg remain a simple tube. When the waste yarn is removed, forty live loops form a balanced opening for the ivory heel.

Materials You'll Need

• About 390 yd (357 m) total worsted cotton blend (stripes), 60% cotton, 40% acrylic, in Deep cranberry and Forest green and Warm ivory and Muted gold.
• About 3 yd (3 m) waste yarn for heel opening, smooth cotton, in Contrasting waste color.
• 5.0 mm (US H-8) crochet hook.
• Yarn needle.
• Stitch markers.
• Scissors.
• Blocking mat.

Use one yarn line for every color. Differences in fiber or twist can change the stripe width even when the label lists the same weight.

Gauge and Finished Measurements

• Skill level: Intermediate.
• Gauge: 16 sc and 17 rnds = 4 in (10 cm) in the textured stitch pattern.
• Finished size: About 20 in (51 cm) from cuff to toe, 7.5 in (19 cm) across the leg laid flat.
• Working time: About 6 hours 30 minutes.

Measure the tube after Round 14. It should be about 10 in (25.5 cm) around. Adjust hook size rather than changing the 40-stitch count.

Abbreviations and Special Stitches

Instructions use US crochet terms. Count at the end of every numbered row or round before moving on.

• mr: magic ring.
• ch: chain.
• sl st: slip stitch.
• sc: single crochet.
• hdc: half double crochet.
• dc: double crochet.
• inc: 2 stitches in the same stitch.
• dec: invisible single crochet decrease.
• BLO: back loop only.
• FLO: front loop only.
• sk: skip.
• sp: space.
• st(s): stitch(es).
• rnd(s): round(s).

Textured single crochet: Alternate 1 sc and 1 hdc around; on the next round, work sc into each hdc and hdc into each sc.

Pattern Notes

• Work the toe, foot and leg in continuous spirals.
• Maintain 40 stitches from Toe Round 5 through Leg Round 46.
• Use smooth contrasting waste yarn for the heel opening.

Cut yarn at each color change and weave the tail through the same-color stripe. Carrying four colors inside the tube adds bulk and can snag gifts.

How to Crochet a Christmas Stocking Toe-Up

The rounded toe reaches 40 stitches in five rounds. Continue the foot until the waste-yarn round, then maintain 40 stitches to the cuff. Removing the temporary yarn exposes 20 loops above and 20 below; the heel decreases by four stitches every other round to close smoothly.

Opening and Shaping the Afterthought Heel

1. Thread a small needle through every live loop above and below the waste yarn.
2. Remove the waste yarn slowly and place all 40 loops on the hook.
3. Join ivory at one side of the opening and work the heel rounds.
4. Stuff the foot lightly with tissue while closing the final six heel stitches.
5. Sew the ribbed cuff to the leg top and attach the hanging loop at the back seam.

Remove the tissue after the heel cools from blocking. It supports the shape without stretching the foot.

Smooth Color Changes and a Strong Loop

• Change color in the final yarn-over of the previous stitch.
• Place the heel opening at the back half of the foot.
• Join the cuff with stretch left in the seam.
• Sew the loop through the cuff and the stocking leg.

Sizing a Crochet Christmas Stocking Pattern

For a longer leg, repeat any full four-color stripe sequence before adding the cuff. Keep the foot and heel unchanged. To make a smaller decorative stocking, change to DK yarn and a 3.5 mm hook rather than removing heel stitches.

Care and Storage

Hand wash and dry flat. Store folded along the leg, not across the heel or ribbed cuff. Do not hang a heavily filled stocking from a temporary adhesive hook.