Saturday, December 18, 2010

A Christmas Gift From Me To You-Free Crochet Pattern


Once upon a time, I was creative. I loved anything artistic. Paper, clay, photography, yarn or thread. If I could make something with my own two hands that was useful or beautiful, I was into it. I shared much of what I did freely, and the internet enabled me. As time went by, though, I got discouraged due to the fact that more and more, I found my freely shared 'artistic creations' stolen, and sold for a profit. So I took most of them down. I'm reconsidering that decision now, as I am not getting any younger, and it seems there isn't anyone around here to pass my passion on to.

To make a long story short, I've decided to start with a Christmas gift from me to you. It's a crochet pattern for what I've named a "Tea Bag Stocking". I designed this little stocking as a gift to include with my Christmas cards one year, and made with size 10 crochet thread, it's the perfect size to tuck a couple tea bags or other small notions into. It can also be made with yarn.

Tea Bag Stocking - Version One

Materials:
For Thread Stocking
two colors of size 10 thread, one for the toe, heel wedge and cuff, referred to as Color A, and one color for the main body of the stocking, referred to as Color B. You may also like to add a small amount of metallic thread as an accent for the finishing round/hanging cord.
Size 1 steel hook (2.75 mm) ~OR~ Size 2 steel hook (2.25 mm)

For Yarn Stocking
two colors of ww yarn, one for toe, heel wedge, and cuff, referred to as Color A, and one color for the main body of the stocking, referred to as Color B.
Size E (3.5 mm) crochet hook

**Do not join rounds unless directed to by pattern.**

Abbreviations used:
sc = single crochet

hdc = half double crochet

dc = double crochet

trc = triple crochet

sk = skip

st = stitch
ss = slip stitch
inc = increase (do 2 single crochets in one stitch)
dec = decrease ( insert hook into first stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, insert hook into the next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through the two loops on your hook)



Rnd 1: With color A, ch 2, 8 sc in 2nd ch from hook (8 sc)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in ea st around (16 sc)
Rnd 3: *1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next*, repeat from * to * around (24 sc)
Rnd 4: *1 sc in next 2 st, 2 sc in next*, repeat from * to * around (32 sc) fasten off color A.
Rnd 5: Join color B with a slip stitch in the next stitch, chain 2 (counts as the first hdc, hdc in ea st around (32 hdc)
Rnd 6 through 13: hdc in ea st around. (32 hdc)
use a stitch marker to hold last stitch, then in next stitch, join color A (working the heel now) with a slip stitch, chain 1

Heel wedge

Row 1: Work sc, sc, hdc, hdc, dc, dc, dc, dc, hdc, hdc, sc, sc. Ch 1, turn.
Row 2: Work sc, hdc, hdc, dc, dc, trc, trc, dc, dc, hdc, hdc, sc. Ch 1, turn.
Row 3: Work sc, sc, hdc, hdc, dc, dc, dc, dc, hdc, hdc, sc, sc, fasten off color A.

Body of stocking

Rnd 14: Pick up the loop you saved with the stitch marker, and hdc around placing a hdc in each row of heel for a total of 38 hdc.
Rnd 15 through 28: hdc in each st around. (38 hdc)
Rnd 29: Sc in next st and in each st around.(38 sc) sl st in next st.
Fasten off color B.


Cuff:

Row 30: Working in the front loops only for this round only, join color A with a sl st, ch 1, sc in same st as joining and in each st around. (38 sc) Join with a sl st, ch 2. Turn. (You will be working in both loops from now on)
Row 31: Hdc in each st around (38 hdc) Join with a sl st, ch 2, turn.
Row 32: Hdc in each st around, (38 hdc) Join with a sl st, ch 1, turn
Row 33: sc in first st, *sk one hdc, work 5 dc in next hdc, sk one hdc, sc in next hdc,* repeat from * to * around.Join with a sl st in first sc. (10 sc, 50 dc) Fasten off, leaving a long end to tack cuff down if desired. Tack cuff down.

Finishing Edge with Hanging Loop

Row 34: Fold the stocking flat to locate the back of the stocking. Join color of your choice (I used a small amount of gold metallic thread or a fancy metallic yarn as an accent for this round, but you may want to use color A or even color B) in the blo of the last round of the stocking with a sl st, ch 1, sc in same st, sc in each blo st around (38 sc) Ch 15, join with a sl st to first st, ch 1, DO NOT TURN.
Row 35: sc in each st around. (38 sc) Sc 25 st in the chain, then join with a sl st in the first st. Fasten off. Weave in all ends.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Happy Holidays!

No comments: