Mini Motif Stocking
Here is an easy pattern for an adorable, useful holiday ornament. It is a very basic hexagonal “"granny" motif that is folded in half and crocheted together. I first saw this stocking at my mom's house many years ago. She had learned to make them by copying from a friend at work. Over the years I have made hundreds of mini stockings for the holidays, filling them with candy for my sons' classmates and friends, attaching them to gift packages, hanging them on various Christmas trees. Feel free to use any weight yarn you like. Obviously if you use bulkier than worsted weight your stocking will come out bigger; thinner yarn will produce a smaller one. And don't get stuck with just red/green/white. Somewhere there are a few day-glo, neon colored stockings I made while in a goofy mood!
Skill Level Easy
Size about 4 1/2"tall as shown
Materials
small amounts of worsted weight yarn in three colors The obvious red (A) /green (B) /white (C) for Christmas come to mind, but feel free to use unexpected colors Sample is made with the new Caron Simply Soft Eco; $80\%$ Acrylic, $20\%$ NatureSpun (recycled plastic bottles) SizeJ-10 $(6.00\;\mathsf{m m})$ crochet hook or size appropriate for yarn Yarn markers of scraps of contrasting yarn for markers Yarnneedle
Gauge (not critical)
Hexagonal Motif, before assembly $=4~1/2"$ at widest point
Instructions
Body of stocking is a six-sided granny motif. This is dense motif, that is, it has no chain spaces between the groups of stitches as you'd use in a traditional granny square. I find this leaves fewer smaller holes for the candy to fall out. Motif is crocheted in rounds with RS always facing. Fasten off and change colors after each round (or not). Rnd 1: With A, ch 5, sl st in beg ch to form a ring. Ch 3 (counts as dc), 17 dc in ring, sl st in top of beg ch, fasten off A -- 18 dc Rnd 2: With B, join in any sp between dc, ch 3, 5 dc in same space between dc, [sk next 3 dc, 6 dc in next space between dc] 5 times, sl st in top of beg ch, fasten off B -- 6 6-dc corners Rnd 3: With C, join in any space between 6-dc corners, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, [sk first 3 dc of next corner, 6 dc in next sp between dc, sk rem 3 dc of corner, 3 dc in next sp between dc] 6 times, except omit last 3 dc, instead end with sl st in top of beg ch, fasten off C--54dc Weaveends.
Assembly
This motif ruffles a bit, but that is a good thing. Fold hex in half along the dotted line as shown in diagram, with wrong sides together, matching stitches all around. RS facing, begin at the tip of fold at the toe, with A, join with sl st through the back loop only in the middle (2nd) dc in the 3-dc group. Ch 1, sc in same back loop. Going through the back loop of both thicknesses each time, sc in next 21 st, mark last sc for clarity. To form the top opening, going through the RS of one layer only, make 2 sc through the front loop in each of next 11 dc, ending up at the last of the joining sc (marker), sl st in marked sc. For hanging loop, ch 15, sl st in same sc (marker), fasten off. Weave ends. Cute, EH? How many will you make?
Books by Doris Chan
Amazing Crochet Lace: New Fashions Inspired by Old-Fashioned Lace (Potter Craft, 2006) Everyday Crochet: Wearable Designs Just For You (Potter Craft, 2007) Crochet Lace Innovations: 20 Dazzling Designs in Broomstick, Hairpin, Tunisian and Exploded Lace (Potter Craft, 2010)
Find these Djc Designs hosted exclusively on Designing Vashti.com
DIC:PlayPlaid
Presenting PlayPlaid, a new self-published pattern mini-collection from Doris Chan. Taking one clever stitch pattern using three colors in a specific order, you can crochet plaid fabric to make these five projects in your choice of yarns, colorways and dimensions: --- The Plaidghan --- The MoBigPlaidghan --- The PlayPlaid Scarf --- The PlayPlaid Muffler --- The PlayPlaid Wrap
DIC: Triangular Shawl
Since this little beaded shawl first appeared in the legendary but out of print premier of Interweave's Special Crochet Issue in 2004, I have considered revisiting the design. Featuring new stitch diagrams, expanded sizes and new samples in a variety of yarns and gauges, the Triangular Shawl is better than ever.
Coming soon: DJC Designs, Too!
In response to crocheters who have tried everywhichway to size down or gauge down my adult patterns to fit girls, I plan to bite the bullet. Look for my line DJC Designs, Too!, designs to crochet for the younger set, including cardigans and skirts, tops and dresses with my signature top-down, seamless construction, each sized and proportioned for girls, tweens and teens.
