So the World didn't end on Friday and it's only two more sleeps to Christmas!!!!! I can't believe that it's Christmas Eve tomorrow -- this last week has just flown by! Hopefully, I'll have a super duper gaming themed festive pattern for you tomorrow :)
In the meantime, I want to share a pattern for a crochet pattern I've been working on this year.
When me and my sister were kids back in the 70's, my mum was quite nifty at knitting and crochet and she was always making us clothes and toys. One Christmas she made us both a Christmas stocking , which we used for many years. Recently I came across the stocking in a clear out. It had started to see better days (holes, frayed ends etc...) so I decided it would be fun to make a new one.
My mum sadly hadn't kept the pattern, so I would have to use the old stocking as a guide to make the new one. The basic design was straight forward -- 5 granny squares sewn together to make an "L" shape and then sewn to a spine to make it look sock like. A hanging loop is crocheted to the top of the stocking.
I started working on this over the summer and I only just finished it in the last week!!!
I'm really pleased with how this turned out in the end!!!
Here it is also, next to the 1970's original:
My stocking has turned out bigger and it may be that I have used a larger hook than recommended in the original pattern (or I have shit tension). Either way, I think it looks quite spiffy, and I hope to be able to use this too for many years to come.
My brother and his girlfriend have already hinted they would like one for Christmas 2013, so I can see myself being busy making lots of these next year!!!
If you fancy having a go at making your own stocking, I have written down the pattern -- I hope it reads okay as crochet patterns are not something I am good at writing.
Materials:
- DK weight yarn* in - red (A), white (B), green (C)
- 3.5mm (E) hook*
- Yarn needle
Notes*:
- 1x 100g ball of each colour should be sufficient for project
- Hook size is not specific – using smaller or larger hook will give different size to finished item!
Instructions:
(A) Granny Squares (make 10)
Using
“A”- ch6, join ss
- R1: ch3 (counts as first tr), 2tr into ring, ch3, *3tr into ring, 3ch* (*repeat x2), join ss into 3rd of ch3 – F/O “A”
- R2: join “B” in any ch3 sp, ch3 (counts as first tr), [2tr, ch3, 3tr] into same ch sp (corner made), *ch1, [3tr, ch3, 3tr] in next ch3 corner space* (*repeat x2), ch1, join ss into 3rd of ch3 – F/O “B”
- R3: join “C” in any ch3 sp, ch3 (counts as first tr), [2tr, ch3, 3tr] into same ch sp (corner made), *ch1, 3tr into ch1 sp, ch1 **[3tr, ch3, 3tr] into next ch3 sp**, ch1* (repeat around), join ss into 3rd of ch3 – F/O “C”
- R4: join “B” into any ch3 sp, repeat R3 around, join ss into 3rd of ch3 – F/O “B”
- R5: join “A” into any ch3 sp, ch1 (counts as first dc), 3dc into middle ch of ch3 sp, 1dc in ch3 sp, 1dc in each st along, 1dc in ch3 sp, 3dc in middle ch of ch3 sp, 1dc in ch3 sp, 1dc in each st along (repeat around), join ss to ch1 – F/O leaving a long tail for joining squares together
(B) Spine
Using
“A”, ch7
- R1: 1tr in 3rd ch from hook, 1tr in each to end (5)
- R2: ch3, 1tr in each tr to end (5)
Repeat R2 until spine is desired
length
Making
Up:
- If squares are not all same size, block and press squares – it is important that all squares measure the same to prevent lop-sided stocking!!!
- Line up squares in an “L-shape” formation with RS facing upwards. Using the long tails, thread into a yarn needle and then 'whip stitch' the squares together (ensuring that RS is always facing).
- Repeat process for other side, but remember to work squares in reverse formation.
- Take one of the “L-shaped” panels and 'whip-stitch' the spine around the outside length – use dress-making pins to hold spine in place (if this helps).
- Repeat process with the other panel
- Once both panels have been sewn up, ensure all lose ends etc.. are weaved in/trimmed (these can be hidden by the stocking top!
(C) Stocking Top
- R1: join “A” to top of side panels, ch1 (counts as first dc), 1dc in each st around, join ss into ch1 – F/O
- R2: join “B” at any point, ch1 (counts as first dc) 1dc in each dc around, join ss into ch1
- R3: ch1, 1dc in next dc, 1dc in each dc around, join ss into ch1
- R4: repeat R3
- R5: repeat R3 – F/O
- R6: join “C” at back of stocking, ch1 (counts as first dc), 1dc, ch30, 1dc in next dc, work 1 dc in each ch (30), 1dc in next, 1dc in each dc around, join ss into ch1 – F/O – weave in all ends.
Till next time ... keep Kalm and cross-stitch! :) xxx
