The Holiday season is upon us, and everyone is scrambling to gather their last minute gifts. Instead of buying a gift, why not make one? Daniel Andres (a senior at LCHS) says, “A handmade gift is better than something bought at a store.” Besides, everyone knows that a gift given from the heart is the best gift given.

Supplies needed:

• One five millimeter crochet hook
•  (This is more commonly known as an “H hook.”)
• One white and one red skein of yarn
•  (Two yarn balls.)
• One yarn needle
•  (Basically a really big sewing needle, these can be bought in any store that sells yarn.)

• Scissors   

 

• Step One: Beginning the stocking.
• (Any scissors will do.)

• Make a chain of twenty one.
• (Chains are used to connect two piece of work, or as a place holder in many projects.) Make a loop with your hand using the yarn. Place your hook in the loop then pull a loop through the loop you made with your hand. (Figure one)

Step Two: Starting the foot of the sock.

• In the second stitch from the hook, make a single crochet is a very common stitch, used in projects requiring shorter stitches. You do it in the second stitch because the stitches shorten.

 

Insert your hook into the loop, wrap yarn over hook this is called Yarning over. Pull through the stitch. You should have two loops on your hook. Next yarn over and pull through one loop on the hook. Lastly yarn over and pull through the last two loops on your hook. You will do this in all of the remaining stitches, there should be twenty.

Step Three: Making the foot of the sock

• At the end of your first row, you will make a chain of one and turn your project over then single crochet in the twenty stitches in your first row.
• The chain adds height so your stitches aren’t too short, you turn so your work does not tangle.
• Repeat step three until you have five rows.

Step Four: The Cuff.

 

• When you have five rows, make a chain of one and then slip stitch into the first three stitches in the row, this is to start making the top part of your sock.
• Make a single crochet into the next 14 stitches, you will not crochet into the last three stitches
• Chain one and crochet into the next 14 stitches, repeat this until you have five rows.
• Step Five: The Fuzz
• Take the hook out of the loop, make a loop with the white yarn.  (Figure two)

• Tighten down the red loop.
• Chain one with the white and single crochet across the 14 stitches, chain one and turn. Repeat until you have five rows.
• At the end of your five rows make a knot and cut the working yarn, this is the yarn that you crochet with. 
• Step one: Fold your work in half
• The sewing portion:
• Thread your needle with white yarn
• Step Three: Holding the two sides together, put your needle into the top two stitches (Figure three)

• Stitch through the end stitches until you reach the bottom of the white
• Step Four: Tie a knot at the end of your sewing.
• Step Six: Starting from where you knotted your white yarn, insert your sewing needle. Pull the yarn through the stitch and sew the stocking together.
• Finishing off:
• Step Five: Change your yarn to the red
• Cut off any hanging strings
• Fold the white part down.

You can stuff your stocking with all kinds of mini toys and various candies. I like to stuff my stockings with Tootsie Rolls and Jolly Ranchers. To make this little stocking a tree ornament, you can thread a string through the top part of your stocking. I hope you have tons of fun with your new skill, stay tuned for more fun little projects. Merry Craftmas!