“Hearth & Home” Jumbo Crochet Stocking
One of my favorite parts of Christmas Day has always been the stocking. I’m not sure if it’s because there are always so many little useful and/or delicious treasures stuffed in there (which is why I have designed this jumbo crochet stocking!) or because it’s the first thing we attack when we awake on Christmas morning and the ritual of it signals the beginning of a wonderful family-filled day.
Regardless, as my family grows, the size of my stockings needs to grow with it, hah!
So I started thinking about a jumbo crochet stocking. And something to use up some of the extra yarn I’ve had in my stash for quite a while. I’ll warn you, this project is a yarn-eater to be sure, and if you’re going to make them for every member of the family, be prepared to use a LOT of yarn.
This project, like many of mine, is done using 2 strands of yarn together… but it could easily be adapted to a regular-sized stocking using just 1 strand of yarn, a smaller hook size and still following the pattern.
This is the second project I’ve done using the Alternating Spike Stitch, which is an easy and very quick stitch. It’s simply a single crochet alternating between a normal SC and a spiked SC placed in the top of the stitch from the row below. I like the texture this stitch gives and it’s a sturdy stitch that won’t stretch under the weight of all those treasures you’re filling them with.
For another holiday project, try the Snow Drift Tree Skirt. For for homewares, take a look at the Farmhouse Crochet Basket and the Belle Bobble Basket.
LET’S GET MAKING! Scroll down for the free pattern below OR you can get the Ad-Free, printable version from my Etsy store HERE
SUPPLY LIST | STITCHES / ABBREVIATIONS |
8mm hook and a 9mm hook Any Category 4 WW yarn Yarn Used: Red Heart Super Saver in White Approx yardage: 380 yards/350 metres Scissors Tapestry needle | ST – stitch SL ST – slip stitch CH – chain SC – single crochet SP SC – spike single crochet SC2tog – single crochet 2 together (decrease) SC3tog – single crochet 3 together (decrease) SC BLO – single crochet in back loop only |
SIZES | FINISHED MEASUREMENTS |
N/A | 8” width, 20” length |
GAUGE | DIFFICULTY LEVEL |
N/A | Beginner |
PATTERN AND SIZING NOTES |
– This jumbo crochet stocking is made using 2 strands of yarn held together – This stocking is made using the Alternating Spike Stitch in the round, which is a single crochet stitch but alternating between a SC where you normally put it and a SC in the stitch of the row below – FOR INSTRUCTIONS on the Alternating Spike Stitch, see the last page for a tutorial/explanation – The toe is done in joined rows, the body and top fold are done in a spiral and the heel is done in back/forth rows – but the entire stocking is done in one continuous flow except the handing loop – The CH 2 at the beginning of each toe round does NOT count as a stitch – The toe and heel are done in an 8mm hook, the remainder of the body of the stocking and the cuff are done with a 9mm hook – To wash/care instructions: This jumbo crochet stocking is an acrylic project as I’ve made it, so the suggestion is to wash on gentle setting, then shape and lay flat to dry |
INSTRUCTIONS:
Holding 2 strands of yarn together, CH 4 and SL ST in to the first CH to form a ring
TOE:
** Using 8mm hook
Row 1: CH 2, HDC x 10, SL ST in to top of CH 2 (10)
Row 2: CH 2, HDC x 2 in to each ST across, SL ST in to top of CH 2 (20)
Row 3: CH 2, HDC x 2 in the first ST, 1 in the 2nd ST and alternate 2 and 1 in each ST across EXCEPT the last stitch which will also receive 2 HDC in that stitch, SL ST in to top of CH 2 (31)
LOWER BODY PORTION:
Here is where we begin the spiral rounds working the Alternating Spike Stitch for this jumbo crochet stocking
** Using 9mm hook
Round 1: With your SL ST still in the top of the CH 2 from Row 3, mark this SL ST with a stitch marker as your first ST in the round, SC in each stitch around until you return to the marked SL ST (31)
Round 2: SC in to the marked SL ST and move your marker up to this stitch (continue to use this marker for your first stitch in each round), SP SC in the next stitch and alternate between SC with a SP SC in to the top of the stitch from the row below (see instructions below for details) (31)
Round 3 to 21: Alternate between SC and SP SC for the round (31)
HEEL:
Here is where we begin to work in back and forth rows to create the heels with a decrease
** Using 8mm hook
Row 1: With your hook still in the last ST of Round 21, CH 1 and turn, SC x 15, CH 1 and turn (15)
Row 2: SC2tog, SC x 11, SC2tog, CH 1 and turn (13)
Row 3: SC2tog, SC x 9, SC2tog, CH 1 and turn (11)
Row 4: SC2tog, SC x 7, SC2tog, CH 1 and turn (9)
Row 5: SC2tog, SC x 5, SC2tog, CH 1 and turn (7)
Row 6: SC2tog, SC x 3, SC2tog, CH 1 and turn (5)
Row 7: SC2tog, SC x 1, SC2tog, CH 1 and turn (3)
Row 8: SC3tog (1) – This becomes the first stitch in all remaining rounds, so move your stitch marker here
UPPER BODY PORTION:
Here you move back to working in a spiral for the remainder of the body of the jumbo crochet stocking
** Using 9mm hook
Round 1: (33)
– With the 3tog stitch marked as your 1st ST in the round work 9 x SC down the side of the heel
– From the 10th to the 25th ST, work the alternating spike stitch, starting with a SP ST in that 10th ST
– Work 8 x SC up the side of the heel
Round 2: (33)
– Starting with a SC in the top ST of this round, alternate between SC and SP SC for the round
Round 3 to 26: (33+4 additional ST to move your starting ST again)
– Alternate between SC and SP SC for all rounds except the last round where you will add 4 additional Alt stitches to move your first stitch to the centre back of the stocking (mark this stitch as your new first stitch and where we’ll begin work on the folded cuff)
FOLDED CUFF:
** Using 9mm hook
Round 1 to 5: (33)
– SC in each ST around except the last ST which is a SL ST, CH 1
Round 6 to 12: (33)
Turn the stocking inside out to work the cuff fold, the SL ST acts as your new 1st ST in this portion
– SC BLO in each ST around
Round 13: (33 + additional to move your tie-off to the back center of the stocking if necessary)
– SL ST in each ST around
Tie off and weave in ends
Turn right-side out and fold down the cuff
HANGING LOOP:
** Using 9mm hook
– on the inside of the jumbo crochet stocking, back centre, locate 2 stitches in the centre 2 rows down and tie on your yarn, these are the 2 anchor stitches
– CH 12, SC 1 additional around the 2 anchor stitches you tied on to for secure fastening
– SC x 22 around that CH 12
– SL back in to the bottom of the loop (whether it be the original fastening ST or back around the 2 anchor stitches, your choice – I fastened to the anchor stitches)
– Tie off and weave in ends
CROCHETING THE ALTERNATING SPIKE STITCH IN THE ROUND AS A SPIRAL *** To do the Alt Spike Stitch in the round as a spiral for this jumbo crochet stocking, you require an odd number of stitches. This pattern uses 31 stitches for each round between the toe and the heel and 33 stitches for each remaining round of the project*** |
SIMPLY ALTERNATE BETWEEN A NORMAL SINGLE CROCHET IN THE NORMAL PLACE YOU PUT IT AND A “SPIKED” SINGLE CROCHET PLACED IN THE TOP OF THE STITCH FROM THE PREVIOUS ROW. THIS ELONGATES EVERY SECOND STITCH AND CREATES A STURDY, THICK PROJECT |