Crochet your own beautiful Christmas stockings this year with this free crochet stocking pattern.
The holidays are officially upon us, which means it is time to get crafting! I love to have a special crochet project every holiday season, and this year, I am excited to make these pretty stockings for each member of my family.
This crochet stocking pattern creates a beautiful, heirloom-quality stocking that will be loved for years. The stockings can be worked in one solid color or with a contrasting toe, heel, and cuff – a look that I am pretty partial to. Ready to make your own stockings? Here’s everything you will need:
Supplies needed for this crochet stocking pattern:

- Darice Folklore Yarn (or other size 5 bulky yarn) – You will need about 250 g or 3 skeins per stocking
- Size K (6.50 mm) Hook
- Yarn Needle
- Scissors
Christmas Crochet Stocking Pattern.
This pattern uses American crochet terms and is free for personal use only. This pattern is free for personal use only and may not be redistributed or sold.
The finished stocking is about 7 inches (17.5 cm) wide and 21 inches (53 cm) long.
Forming the Toe
Round 1: Start with Color A and make a magic loop or magic circle. Crochet 7 sc stitches into the magic loop, pull to tighten loop, and slip stitch to first sc to join (7 sc).
Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in same st, 2 sc in each st around (14 sc). Slip stitch to join.
Round 3: Ch 1, sc in same st, 2 sc in next st, *1 sc in nest st, 2 sc in next st, repeat from * around (21 sc). Slip stitch to join.
Round 4: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, *1 sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, repeat from * around (28 sc). Slip stitch to join.
Round 5: Ch 1, sc in same st, 1 sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, *1 sc 3 sts, 2 sc in next st, repeat from * around (35 sc). Slip stitch to join.
Round 6: Ch 1, sc in same st, 1 sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st, *1 sc 4 sts, 2 sc in next st, repeat from * around (42 sc). Slip stitch to join. If changing colors, finish off and weave in ends. For solid color stocking, continue with same yarn.
Round 7: Join Color B (tan) in same stitch. Ch 1, sc in same stitch, *skip 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, skip 2 sts, sc, repeat from * around, sl st to first sc to join (7 5 dc shells).
Round 8: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in same st, sc in center dc of next shell, *5 dc in next sc, sc in center dc of next shell, repeat from * around, work 2 dc in same space as first st, sl st to top ch of the beginning ch 3 to join (7 5 dc shells).
Round 9: Ch 1, sc in same st, *5 dc in next sc, sc in center dc of next shell, repeat from * around, sl st to beginning sc to join (7 5 dc shells).
Rounds 10 – 18: Repeat Rows 8 & 9. Finish off. Weave in ends.
Forming the Heel
Row 1: Join Color A 9 stitches to the right of the seam (see image below). Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in each of next 18 sts (19 sc). Turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 17 stitches (do not sc in last stitch of previous row) (18 sc). Turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 16 stitches (17 sc). Turn.
Row 4: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 15 stitches (16 sc). Turn.
Row 5: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 14 stitches (15 sc). Turn.
Row 6: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 13 stitches (14 sc). Turn.
Row 7: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 12 stitches (13 sc). Turn.
Row 8: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 12 stitches, sc in side of row, sc in st below, slip st to side of row (see image below – the work is curving on the left where I am working stitches into the sides of the previous rows) (15 sc). Turn.
Row 9: (Do not ch) sc in 15 stitches, sc in side of row, sc in st below, slip st to side of row (see image below) (17 sc). Turn.
Row 10: (Do not ch) sc in 17 stitches, sc in side of row, sc in st below, slip st to side of row (see image below) (19 sc). Turn.
Row 11: (Do not ch) sc in 19 stitches, sc in side of row, sc in st below, slip st to side of row (see image below) (21 sc). Turn.
Row 12: (Do not ch) sc in 21 stitches, sc in side of row, sc in st below, slip st to side of row (see image below) (23 sc). Turn.
Row 13: (Do not ch) sc in 23 stitches, sc in side of row, sc in st below, slip st to side of row (see image below) (25 sc). Finish off, weave in ends.
Forming the Leg
Round 1: Join Color B 4 stitches to the right of where the heel joins the foot of the stocking. Ch 1, sc in same stitch, skip 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, sc in center dc of next 5 dc shell, *5 dc in next sc, sc in center dc of next 5 dc shell, repeat from * twice, 5 dc in first sc of heel, skip 2 sts, sc in next st, **skip 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, skip 2 sts, sc, repeat from ** twice, leaving out last sc stitch, sl st to beginning sc to join (8 5 dc shells).
Round 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in same st, sc in center dc of next shell, *5 dc in next sc, sc in center dc of next shell, repeat from * around, work 2 dc in same space as first st, sl st to top ch of the beginning ch 3 to join (8 5 dc shells).
Round 3: Ch 1, sc in same st, *5 dc in next sc, sc in center dc of next shell, repeat from * around, sl st to beginning sc to join (8 5 dc shells).
Rounds 4-15: Repeat Rows 2 & 3. Finish off, weave in ends.
Row 1: Join Color A to stitch along the back edge of leg, Ch 1, sc in same st, ch 18, hdc in 3rd ch from hook, hdc in each remaining ch, sl stitch in next two stitches along stocking edge (16 hdc). Turn.
Row 2: (Don’t chain) Hdc in the back loops only of each hdc of previous row (16 hdc). Turn.
Row 3: Ch 2, working in back loops only, hdc in same st and each stitch across (16 hdc), sl stitch in next 4 sts in edge of stocking. Turn.
Continue in this pattern, alternating two and three slip stitches when joining to the stocking edge, until you go all the way around. Then slip stitch to the chain of the beginning row to sew up the ribbed cuff. Finish off and weave in ends.
Finish off your crochet stocking pattern by adding a little chain loop for hanging. Join yarn to the ribbed cuff, work a single crochet stitch, chain 10 and slip stitch back to your single crochet, and finish off. That’s it!
Your stocking is all finished and ready to be filled with Christmas treats!
Prefer video tutorials? Watch now!
If you enjoyed this crochet stocking pattern, we think you’ll love this simple crochet bow tutorial!
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Alexis Middleton is a lifelong crafter/DIYer and blogger at Persia Lou. She started crafting at a young age. As a girl, she spent summers with her grandmother crocheting baby doll afghans, making coasters out of plastic canvas and yarn, and canning apricot jam. Today, Alexis spends a lot of time dreaming up and working on projects for her family’s home. She loves mixing traditional crafting techniques with a more modern aesthetic.
Hello! I was wondering what the circumference of this stocking is. I would like to make it and use it as a photo prop for my newborn. I wonder if it’s big enough to put her inside of it.
Thank you so much for this pattern! I made 7 (one each for Hubby, 5 kids, and me) using Red Heart Soft Essentials yarn and they turned out so cute! I did light grey with pink toes, heels, and cuffs for the girls, and charcoal with teal for the guys.
If I were to make this stocking could I sell it but credit the pattern to you
I can’t seem to get the cuff to come out like yours. When I do it, it ends up much bigger than yours. I’m following the pattern exactly, with the 2 slip St and 3 so St on every other time…. Any suggestions??
Thank you so much for this pattern, I’m loving the way it looks so far 🙂
I’m just starting on the cuff of the stocking and was hoping you could clarify the third row.
It says to sl stitch in next 4 sts of the edge. But the next line says to alternate “two and three slip stitches when joining to the stocking edge.” Should I be alternating 2 & 4 sl sts or 2 & 3 sl sts when joining the edge of the cuff?
Thanks again!
Can the cuff be made longer so you can fold it over? I kind of like that look. So maybe double the starting chain?
I’ve made 3 of these now, working on my 4th. The last sc in each of the rows for the second half of the heel put in the side of that row. It’s pretty exaggerated but it works, then slip stitch and pull tight to the stitch in the row below. Then to go back to color B you have to only use the sc, you’ll want to add 2 stitches, but don’t.
Was there ever a video of this made and posted. I too am having trouble with the worrisome heel. I got it just fine on one stocking but have been stuck on this other for a week. The curved part doesn’t line up like your picture.
Here is the link to the video:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?t=1279s&v=IBFsy88nxsg
It was very helpful-good luck!
Four attempts and once I get to the shell stich, it’s coming out way too big. Idk what I’m doing wrong. Following to the T. Round 6 & 7 is killing me. I gave up trying.
Did you end up making a video for the heel? Cause this is my third time attempting and it’s turning my brain to goo? LOL
I am stuck on row 8 of forming the heel. Is there a video of this that I can follow along?
I cannot for the life of me get past the heel. I have tried about 15 times and I just cannot get it to work. I have frogged and cut the heel off so many times and am ready to cry.
Have you made a video yet? My daughter is expecting her first child in February and the stockings are going to be her announcement. Please help!
Thank you.
I’m doing pretty well so far but, like Kayleen, I keep ending up with 9 shells when forming the leg, too. Is it that big of a deal to continue on with 9 vs 8?
Thanks for such a great pattern! I’m so excited to make them for my family 🙂
Loving this pattern but I’m also having a few problems with the heel. After three attempts it’s not equal, one side seems longer than the other? Not sure what I’ve done. Is there a video so I can see where I’ve made a mistake? Thanks so much
I cant get the heel to work either !! I wind up with way too many shells????
What are the dimensions of this stocking? Can it be made larger? and how would you go about it?
Thank you for your time,
Lorrie Ann
Finished my stocking and it is perfect! My grandson has something so special from me! Thank you for sharing your pattern
Oh!! I am so glad to hear that! So glad it worked out for you. 🙂
I’m on Row 1 of forming the leg and am getting way more than 8 shell stitches. Do you skip more than two stitches as you are going across the heel?
Hi Rachel – Did you end up with 25 sc on the last row of the heel? If you have more, that could be the problem. You should have 3 whole shells and two half shells (the center of the shells are worked on the edges and will bleed over onto the foot part of the stocking on each end) that go over the heel. Over the rest of the leg you will work 3 whole shells and two half shells. That gives you a total of 8 shells. I’m sorry I’m not sure why you are ending up with more than that.
I’m making one stocking for each person in my family me and my husband and two small for my daugthers. This is the second I’m doing and I just can figured out the heel I don’t know what I’m doing that I always finish with extra stitches lol. Hope you can post a video about it. Thank you son much 🙂
You’re the only person I’ve found on Pinterest who actually reads AND responds to all her comments! I’ve left questions for other people in the past and they never get back to me, and it’s so frustrating when I’m trying to make something but am stuck. You’re the best! I’ve got some size 5 bulky yarn and am going to start on my stockings now. Hopefully I can whip these out for my husband and me before the weekend ends! Xoxo
Hi Sammie! Thank you! I try to keep up with questions, but it can definitely be tough sometimes. 🙂 Good luck with your crocheting this weekend! Hope they turn out great! (Also that sounds like the perfect weekend!!)
I found the answer! I wasn’t SC at all, now wonder ☺
Oh good! Glad you figured it out. 🙂
Hi!! I don’t understand what it means when it says (7 5 Dc shells). I count 7 shells on your picture, but every time I go around skipping 2 stitches and dc 5 in one stitch, I end up with A LOT more shells than I think I should have….just a little confused. Thanks!
It means there will be 7 shells in the circle and each shell has 5 double crochets to create it.
Hi Keyndra, are you getting the sc stitches in there between the 5 dcs? If not, that will give you twice as many shells. You should be doing skip 2, 5 dc, skip 2, sc, and repeat. Sounds to me like that might be the problem. Good luck!
Thank you for sharing your pattern! I’m in love! Silly question, but I’m having a hard time finding a good bulky yarn to use. Everything I’ve found is a wool blend of some sort, and I can’t find anything quite like yours. I looked at the Darice Folklore link you sent, but I wish they offered more colors. Where did you get your yarn? Or can you recommend another brand I could try that I could hopefully pick up in my local craft store?
Thanks!
Hello! I got my Darice Folklore yarn from Consumer Crafts. If you want a different yarn, just check the yarn label and be sure to go with a 5 weight bulky. It may be a little thicker, but it should still work okay. You could also try holding two straights of worsted weight or sport weight yarn together. I hope that helps. Good luck!
I love this but I can’t for the life of me figure out the heel. I’ve tried so many times. I think with a visual I could figure it out but where is says see image below, there isn’t any. Any tips???
Hi Crystal! Sorry you are having trouble with that heel. The image below shows where I have worked the stitch into the side of the previous row. You can see the work is curving a bit on the left side as I work the stitches down the side. You will actually work your stitch into the side of the single crochet stitch from the previous row.
I’m stuck on the heel how do you do the 8 5 DC please help soon
Hi Christina! I’m sorry, but I’m not sure what you mean by 8 5 DC. Do you mean row 8?
Forming the leg. Round 1, you are supposed to get 8 5dc. I keep getting 9, I can’t get past this part.
There was an error in the pattern. I am so sorry! I have updated it. I hope that helps. It should give you 8 now.
I’m having this same issue. I don’t know what I’m missing, but after I do the first set of shells it says I’m suppose to do another set of shells into the first sc of t he heel, I can’t even get to the heel.
I’m stuck on the heel part, do you have a video of this pattern, if I see it I could figure it out ty, love this pattern
Hi Joan! I am working on a video and will add a link when I have it ready, hopefully later this week.
Hi Alexis!
Did you ever make the video? Love this pattern!
Would love to make this for my first grandchild…what is the length and width of the finished stocking? Mine needs to be 17-19 inches in length and if I needed more rows would it be in the cuff or tube of the stocking?
Beautiful! What are the finished dimensions?
Hi, Tara! Sorry I should have included that in the pattern. Just added it in. The finished stocking is about 7 inches wide and 21 inches long (of course this can vary a bit when differences in tension and if you change up the yarn or hook). Good luck! 🙂
Love this pattern! I’m curious what is the finished size? How wide? How tall?
Hello! Sorry I should have included that in the pattern. Just added it in. The finished stocking is about 7 inches wide and 21 inches long (of course this can vary a bit when differences in tension and if you change up the yarn or hook). Good luck! 🙂