Mini Granny Square Stocking

A few weeks ago, my aunt gave me a call asking about patterns for crochet stockings her crochet group could make to donate to a local organization. Easy peasy right? Well...not quite. The organization had specific size requirements for the stocking: around 4" x 8". And most of the stocking patterns we were able to find didn't give a finished size. So me being me, I decided to just pick up my hook and figure out how to make one.

Finished stocking size was important, but I also wanted it to be easy enough that the beginner crocheters in the group could help out or make some too. Thus the granny square. All crocheters learn how to make a granny square, and for many, a granny square dishcloth is their first project. So naturally, incorporating the granny square into this design was a no-brainer for a group of beginners. A granny square stocking is NOT a new concept (just Google it. There are thousands of options out there), but we needed one quick.

Some of the assembly was a little difficult to explain, so I took a bit of time to film myself making a second stocking. I must admit the quality of the video is not that great, but I did the best I could with the current equipment I have. Links to the relevant video sections are included in the pattern below. If you want to skip the written pattern and just go to the videos, here's the link to the full Mini Granny Square Stocking playlist.

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Mini Granny Square Stocking

Pattern Notes:

• When pattern says to repeat around, repeat all stitches listed between the two *’s

• Starting ch3's count as one dc.

• This project can be done with any weight yarn. To get 4" x 8" size stocking, I used worsted weight yarn (Caron Simply Soft) and a 5mm hook.

• I used two colors for this first one, but you can do just one color or as many as you want.

Stitches Used:

• ch - chain

• dc - double crochet

• hdc - half double crochet

• sc - single crochet

• sc3tog - single crochet 3 together

• sl st - slip stich

Granny Squares - Make 4

Link to Granny Square video

To start: Make slip knot and ch 5. Sl st to first ch to make a circle. (Alternatively, you can start with a magic circle)

Rnd 1: ch 3, working into the middle of the circle, do 2dc, ch 2, *3dc, ch2*. Repeat between stars 2 more times. Sl st to top of the chain 3. Should have 4 four groupings of dc and 4 chain spaces.

Rnd 2: Sl st across the next 2 dcs. Sl st into the corner chain space. Ch 3, work 2dc, ch2, 3dc into the corner chain space. Ch 1. Skip to the next corner space. Work *3dc, ch2, 3dc, ch1* into the corner space. Repeat between the stars in the remaining two corners. Sl st to the top of the chain 3.

Rnd 3: Sl st across the next 2 dcs. Sl st into the corner chain space. Ch 3, work 2dc, ch2, 3dc into the corner chain space. Ch 1. Skip to next chain space, do 3dc in chain space, ch1. *Skip to next corner chain space. Work 3dc, ch2, 3dc into corner chain space. Ch1. Skip to next ch space. Do 3dc in chain space. Ch1* Repeat between stars for remaining 2 corners and sides. Sl st to top of the chain 3. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Start toe

Link to video on starting the toe

Take 1 granny square and join yarn with a sl st into one of the corners (doesn't matter which corner)

Row 1: Ch3, dc in each stich and ch sp across one side of the square. dc into the next corner. (13 dcs).

Row 2: Ch3 and turn. Dc in each stich across

Row 3: Repeat row 2

Repeat "Start toe" section with a second granny square.

Assemble the stocking!

Note: This is the part where the pattern description starts getting dicey as I don't yet have progress photos. I did my best to explain exactly what I'm doing, but I apologize in advance for any confusion.

Sew fronts and backs:

Here's the link to the video on sewing and trimming the fronts and backs.

Lay out your four granny squares in a quad (right sides up), placing the two squares with the toe started at the bottom. Rotate the toe squares so the toe piece of one square is facing to the right and the toe piece of the other square is facing to the left (if you don't care about right side or wrong side, then this step doesn't matter, but if you do, it will prevent you from hating yourself later). Sew the toe squares with their corresponding regular squares along the edges that are touching. Sew only one side of each square!

You will now have the front part and back part of the stocking (sort of...). Lay them on top of each other, wrong sides together, to make sure you oriented the toe pieces in the correct directions. If not, fix it now before proceeding to the next step. We are going to crochet 2 rounds around each part first before attaching the front part of the stocking to the back part.

Trim front and back:

On the front piece, join yarn to one of the top corners (where the opening of the stocking would be).

Rnd 1: Ch1, sc into each stitch and ch space to the next corner (on mine this is next to where the toe piece is). To make the curve at the toe, we are going to sc3tog: pull up a loop in the corner on the top square, pull up a loop in the corner on your next square, pull up a loop in the side of first row of dc (3 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all three loops on the hook (Place a marker in this stitch). Sc down the side of your dc rows, making 2 sc in each row. When you reach the end, ch1 and rotate to get ready to work in the top of the stitches. Work the following pattern across the row: 2sc, 2hdc, 5dc, 2hdc, 2sc. Ch1 and rotate your work again to work along the bottom of the stocking. Sc down the side of your dc and in each stitch and ch space across the bottom of your stocking. In the corner, work 2sc and rotate your work. Sc in each stitch and ch space up the long side of the stocking. Sc, ch2, sc in the top corner. Sc in each stitch and ch space across the top. Sl st to beginning sc.

Rnd 2: Repeat rnd 1 one more time around the front part of the stocking. When you get to your marked sc3tog, do a sc3tog using the stitches before immediately before and after the marker.

Do these same 2 rounds for the back part of the stocking.

Final Assembly:

Here's the link to the video on final assembly and adding the finishing touches.

Now for the fun part: we are going to single crochet these pieces together. Lay the front piece and the back piece together, lining up the toe sections. Join your yarn through both piece layers in the corner at the top of your stocking. Do 1sc through both layers in each stitch around the outside of the stocking, ending at the other top corner of your stocking - MAKE SURE YOU DON'T CROCHET THE TOP OF YOUR STOCKING SHUT!

Before you fasten off, check your stocking to make sure it's how you like it. Don't be afraid to tug at it a little bit to sharpen the corners and round out the toe portion a bit. You are welcome to stop here, or you can add the little finishing touches described below.

Finishing Touches

Top trim:

I went for a simple trim on my design and just reverse single crocheted (also called the crab stitch) around the top opening. If you'd prefer a folded over top, you can do a few rounds of double crochets - you'll probably want to increase a few stitches in your first round so the collar is a little larger than the stocking and easier to fold over.

Hang loop:

Join yarn with a slip stitch in the top corner. Ch20. Sl st back into corner of stocking. Ch1. Do 1sc in each chain on the loop. Sl st into corner. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Thank you for sticking with me through this! I hope you were able to decode the instructions and have a stocking you're happy with and ready to hang by the fire (or wherever you hang your stockings!) :)