
About
Last year I found the perfect crochet Christmas stocking. So many people have trouble believing that this is a crochet project! It's worked from the toe up using the waistcoat stitch. This is the perfect stitch for a project like this because it creates a thick and sturdy fabric that looks just like the knit stockinette stitch.
With this pattern you're getting the beauty of stockinette stitch and the functionality of a strong fabric. This really is the perfect stocking for Santa to fill up!
If you're new to this stitch, my advice is to work the stitches on the loose side. I know no one like to hear this, but working up a small swatch is likely to save you a bit of grief. When I first started this pattern, I quickly noticed that I was having trouble inserting my hook into the center of the single crochet. This is because I was working my stitches too tightly. Once I loosened up, the work got much easier.
The original pattern is by Carmen Jacob and can be found on Ravelry. You will need a Ravelry account to get the free pattern. But I'm sure most you fine folks already have one!
I stitched the lettering of our names using this alphabet. You'll want to practice the lettering in pencil in the blank rows on the colorwork chart.

Yarn
I recommend using "Cascade 220 Heathers" for this project. This is an affordable quality yarn that is going to improve your finished object. Of course you can make something pretty from value yarn! But you won't make something that will last. If possible, opt for the Cascade because you will produce an heirloom quality stocking.
I used the following colorways:
- Shire 2445
- Antiqued Heather 9600
- Red Wine Heather 9489
- Straw 4010
This yarn can be found at various stores online but my LYS had an entire wall of the stuff! I prefer shopping small and local whenever possible so give your LYS a call and see if they've got this particular yarn in stock.
The waistcoat stitch works up more tightly than normal stitches. For this reason I used an I/5.50 mm hook .

Colorwork Charts
What I'm sharing with you guys are the colorwork charts that I created to make my family's stockings:
Snowy Tree Stocking

Reindeer Stocking

Selburose Stocking

Love these colors and your stitchwork is gorgeous! I am planning on making three of these for a family but I'm not sure how much yarn to buy. How many skeins of each color did you use for the three stockings? Thanks so much!