This little stocking is a single flat ornament with a soft vintage look. The body is an open sage green lace mesh. Small cream French knots sit where the mesh lines cross, so they look like tiny snowflakes. The toe, heel, scalloped cuff, and hanging loop are all solid cream, which looks crisp against the open lace.
The colors are calm and wintry: muted sage and warm cream, with no glitter or bright red. The ornament suits a rustic mantel, a small tree, or a wrapped gift. The pattern uses US crochet terms throughout.
The finished ornament is 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall without the loop, 2.25 in (5.7 cm) wide across the leg, and about 3.5 in (8.9 cm) from toe tip to heel. The loop adds 1.25 in (3.2 cm).
The stocking is built flat. You work the lace body in rows from the sole up, with the foot wider than the leg, then add a green border around the whole body. Next you make three small cream parts: a half-circle toe sewn edge to edge, a round heel patch sewn on top, and a scalloped cuff sewn over the top of the leg. Embroidered knots and a covered loop finish it.
Finished Size and Construction
- Finished size: 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall x 3.5 in (8.9 cm) across the foot, plus a 1.25 in (3.2 cm) loop
- Skill level: Easy-intermediate
- Terminology: US crochet terms
- Yarn weight: Fingering (4-ply, #1 super fine) cotton
- Hook: 2.25 mm (US B-1)
- Number of pieces: 1 ornament, made from 4 crocheted parts (lace body, toe cap, heel circle, cuff) plus a loop worked in place
- Layout: L-shaped stocking, toe pointing left, heel at lower right
- Body size before border: leg 2 in (5.1 cm) wide, foot 2.4 in (6.1 cm) long, 4.25 in (10.8 cm) tall
- Body size after border: leg 2.25 in (5.7 cm) wide, foot 2.65 in (6.7 cm) long, 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall
- Border depth: 1 round of single crochet, 0.125 in (0.3 cm)
Materials
Choose a smooth mercerized cotton in fingering weight. Cotton holds the lace open and keeps the scallops sharp. Avoid fuzzy or very stretchy yarn, because the mesh will lose its shape.
- Color A, Sage Green: 6 g, about 22 m (lace body and border)
- Color B, Cream: 5 g, about 18 m (toe, heel, cuff, loop, French knots)
These amounts include a margin of about 25 percent, so one ball of each color will make several ornaments.
Tools
- 2.25 mm (US B-1) crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- Sharp embroidery needle
- 1 stitch marker
- Pins and a blocking mat
- Spray bottle
- Small scissors
- Ruler or tape measure
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- sk – skip
- sp(s) – space(s)
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- MR – magic ring
- RS – right side
Special stitch – Scallop: Work 5 dc in the same stitch.
Special stitch – French knot: Bring the needle up, wrap the yarn twice around it, and insert it back down one strand away from where it came up. Keep the wraps snug as you pull through.
Gauge and Checkpoints
Gauge matters here because the toe, heel, and cuff are sized to fit the bordered body exactly.
- Lace gauge: 5 ch-3 sps across a Row A = 2 in (5.1 cm); 8 rows = 2 in (5.1 cm), so each row is 0.25 in (0.6 cm)
- Single crochet gauge: 15 sc = 2 in (5.1 cm)
Test the lace first. Ch 26, work Rows 1–6 below, then measure. This swatch is the foot, so if it matches, keep going straight into the leg.
Checkpoints
- After Row 6: 2.4 in (6.1 cm) wide x 1.5 in (3.8 cm) tall
- After Row 17: leg 2 in (5.1 cm) wide; total height 4.25 in (10.8 cm)
- After the border: 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall; leg 2.25 in (5.7 cm) wide
- Toe cap: straight edge 1.75 in (4.4 cm), depth 0.875 in (2.2 cm)
- Heel circle: 1.3 in (3.3 cm) across
- Cuff: 2.25 in (5.7 cm) wide x 0.75 in (1.9 cm) tall
If your piece is too big, go down to a 2 mm hook. If it is too small, go up to a 2.5 mm hook. Change hooks for every part, not just one, so the parts still fit together.
Lace Body
Use Color A. The mesh alternates two row types. Row A has full ch-3 spaces with a sc at each edge. Row B is offset, with a hdc and a ch-1 half space at each edge.
Foot (6 ch-3 sps wide)
Foundation: Ch 26.
Row 1 (Row A): Sc in 2nd ch from hook, ch 3, sk 3 ch, sc in next ch; rep from * 5 more times. Turn. (7 sc, 6 ch-3 sps)*
Place a marker at the edge where Row 1 began. This is the back (heel) edge.
Row 2 (Row B): Ch 3 (counts as hdc and ch 1), sc in first ch-3 sp, ch 3, sc in next ch-3 sp; rep from * 4 more times, ch 1, hdc in last sc. Turn. (6 sc, 5 ch-3 sps, 2 ch-1 sps, 2 hdc)*
Row 3 (Row A): Ch 1, sc in first hdc, ch 3, sc in next ch-3 sp; rep from * 4 more times, ch 3, sc in 2nd ch of turning ch. Turn. (7 sc, 6 ch-3 sps)*
The ch 3 at each edge reaches over the ch-1 space below. You never work into the ch-1 spaces in the lace rows.
Rows 4–6: Work Row 2, then Row 3, then Row 2. Row 6 ends at the heel edge.
Checkpoint: 2.4 in (6.1 cm) wide x 1.5 in (3.8 cm) tall.
Leg (5 ch-3 sps wide)
Row 7 (Row A): Ch 1, sc in first hdc, ch 3, sc in next ch-3 sp; rep from * 4 more times. Turn, leaving the rest of the row unworked. (6 sc, 5 ch-3 sps)*
The unworked part at the toe end (1 sc, 1 ch-1 sp, and the turning ch) becomes the top of the foot.
Row 8 (Row B): Ch 3, sc in first ch-3 sp, ch 3, sc in next ch-3 sp; rep from * 3 more times, ch 1, hdc in last sc. Turn. (5 sc, 4 ch-3 sps, 2 ch-1 sps, 2 hdc)*
Row 9 (Row A): Ch 1, sc in first hdc, ch 3, sc in next ch-3 sp; rep from * 3 more times, ch 3, sc in 2nd ch of turning ch. Turn. (6 sc, 5 ch-3 sps)*
Rows 10–17: Repeat Rows 8–9 four more times. Row 17 is a Row A. Do not fasten off.
Checkpoint: leg 2 in (5.1 cm) wide; total height 4.25 in (10.8 cm).
Toe Cap
Use Color B. The toe cap is a flat half circle worked in rows.
Row 1: MR, ch 2 (does not count), 6 hdc in ring. Pull the ring closed. Turn. (6 hdc)
Row 2: Ch 2, 2 hdc in each st. Turn. (12 hdc)
Row 3: Ch 2, hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st; rep from * 5 more times. Turn. (18 hdc)*
Row 4: Ch 2, hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st; rep from * 5 more times. Turn. (24 hdc)*
Row 5: Ch 1, sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * 5 more times. (30 sc)*
Fasten off, leaving a 10 in (25.4 cm) tail. Checkpoint: straight edge 1.75 in (4.4 cm), depth 0.875 in (2.2 cm).
Heel Circle
Use Color B. Join each round with a sl st to the first sc.
Rnd 1: MR, ch 1, 6 sc in ring. (6 sc)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st. (12 sc)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; rep from * 5 more times. (18 sc)*
Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * 5 more times. (24 sc)*
Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * 5 more times. (30 sc)*
Fasten off, leaving a 12 in (30.5 cm) tail. Checkpoint: 1.3 in (3.3 cm) across.
Scalloped Cuff
Use Color B. Work the cuff flat as a strip, then sew it on with the scallops hanging down.
Foundation: Ch 18.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (17 sc)
Row 2: Ch 2 (does not count), hdc in each st. Turn. (17 hdc)
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st. Turn. (17 sc)
Row 4 (scallops): Ch 1, sc in first st, sk 1 st, scallop in next st, sk 1 st, sc in next st; rep from * 3 more times. (4 scallops: 5 sc + 20 dc = 25 sts)*
Each repeat uses 4 stitches, so 1 + (4 x 4) = 17 stitches, which is exactly the row.
Top trim: Ch 1, rotate to work along the foundation ch, sl st in each of the 17 ch. (17 sl st) Fasten off, leaving a 14 in (35.6 cm) tail.
Checkpoint: 2.25 in (5.7 cm) wide x 0.75 in (1.9 cm) tall.
Border
Use Color A and continue from Row 17 of the body. The border is one round of sc. Each outer corner gets a ch 1, and these chains are not counted in the side totals.
Border gauge: 15 sc = 2 in (5.1 cm) along the top and sole. Along the side edges, work 2 sc per lace row, which is 8 sc per 1 in (2.5 cm).
Rnd 1: Ch 1, turn.
- Top of leg: 3 sc in each ch-3 sp of Row 17. (15 sc) Ch 1 for the corner.
- Back edge: Work down the heel edge, 2 sc in each row end of Rows 17 to 1. (34 sc) Ch 1.
- Sole: Work along the underside of the foundation ch, making 3 sc around the ch under each ch-3 sp of Row 1. (18 sc) Ch 1.
- Toe end: Work up the toe edge, 2 sc in each row end of Rows 1 to 6. (12 sc) Ch 1.
- Top of foot: 1 sc in 2nd ch of Row 6 turning ch, 2 sc in next ch-1 sp. (3 sc) Do not add a corner chain here, because this is the inside corner.
- Front of leg: Work up the inner leg edge, 2 sc in each row end of Rows 7 to 17. (22 sc) Ch 1, sl st to first sc.
Total: 104 sc and 5 corner ch-1 sps. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Why the math works: Each lace repeat is 0.4 in (1.0 cm) wide. At 15 sc per 2 in, 3 sc also measure 0.4 in (1.0 cm). So 5 repeats take 15 sc (2 in / 5.1 cm), 6 repeats take 18 sc (2.4 in / 6.1 cm), and the 1-repeat ledge takes 3 sc (0.4 in / 1.0 cm). On the sides, each row is 0.25 in (0.6 cm) and holds 2 sc. That means 17 rows take 34 sc for 4.25 in (10.8 cm), 11 rows take 22 sc for 2.75 in (7.0 cm), and 6 rows take 12 sc for 1.5 in (3.8 cm). The border adds 0.125 in (0.3 cm) on every side.
Checkpoint: 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall, leg 2.25 in (5.7 cm) wide, foot 2.65 in (6.7 cm) long.
Assembly
Lay the body RS up with the toe pointing left.
- Toe cap: Hold the toe cap’s straight edge against the toe end of the body. This 1.75 in (4.4 cm) edge matches the bordered toe end (12 sc plus 2 corner chains). Pin the center and both corners, then whipstitch edge to edge through the outer loops. The curve becomes the rounded toe.
- Heel circle: Place the circle over the lower back corner, 0.125 in (0.3 cm) in from both the back edge and the sole. Pin it, then whipstitch around its outer edge through the lace underneath.
- French knots: Use a single strand of Color B and count stitches from the heel edge. Make a knot on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th sc of Rows 2, 6, 10, and 14. Then make a knot on the 2nd, 4th, and 6th sc (where there is one) of Rows 4, 8, and 12. Skip any spot hidden under the heel, and weave in each end on the wrong side.
- Cuff: Place the cuff with the sl st trim at the top, level with the top border of the leg, and the scallops hanging down over the lace. Whipstitch along the top edge and both short sides. Tack the sc between each scallop to the lace so the scallops stay flat.
- Loop: Join Color B with a sl st at the top back corner of the cuff. Ch 24, sl st in the same st. Work 32 sc into the loop, sl st in the same st. Fasten off and weave in ends. Checkpoint: the loop stands 1.25 in (3.2 cm) above the cuff.
Final Blocking
- Lay the ornament RS up on the blocking mat.
- Mist it evenly until it is damp but not soaked.
- Pin the four main points first: top back, top front, toe tip, and heel corner.
- Check that the height is 4.5 in (11.4 cm) and the leg width is 2.25 in (5.7 cm).
- Use a pin to gently open the lace so each ch-3 space forms a clean diamond.
- Pin each scallop point and smooth out the toe and heel curves.
- Lay the loop straight up and pin its tip.
- Let the ornament dry completely, at least 6 hours, before you unpin it.
Final Quality-Control Checklist
- The height is 4.5 in (11.4 cm) without the loop.
- The leg is 2.25 in (5.7 cm) wide, and the foot is about 3.5 in (8.9 cm) long.
- The lace has 17 rows and 5 diamonds across the leg.
- The border has 104 sc and 5 corner chains, with no puckers.
- The toe cap sits flush against the toe end with no gap.
- The heel circle is flat and sewn down evenly.
- The cuff has 4 even scallops lying flat.
- The French knots are tight and evenly spaced.
- The loop is firmly anchored.
- All ends are woven in on the wrong side.
Troubleshooting
The lace looks crowded or curls. Your chains are too tight. Loosen your chain tension or go up a hook size.
The border ruffles. Your sc are looser than gauge. Go down a hook size for the border only and keep the same counts.
The border pulls in at the sides. Make sure you worked 2 sc in every row end, including the turning-chain rows.
The toe cap is wider than the toe end. Work Row 5 of the toe cap in sl sts instead of sc, keeping the same 30-stitch count.
The heel circle cups. Steam it flat before sewing. If it still cups, rework Rnd 5 with looser tension.
The scallops flip up. Tack each sc between the scallops and pin the points firmly when blocking.
Knots pull through. Wrap the yarn twice, not once, and keep the wraps snug against the needle.
Care
Hand wash in cool water with mild soap, roll the ornament in a towel, and dry it flat, reshaping it as you did when blocking. Store it out of direct sun so the sage doesn’t fade.
Final Notes
Each measurement builds on the one before it. The lace body is 2 in (5.1 cm) across the leg and 4.25 in (10.8 cm) tall. The border adds 0.125 in (0.3 cm) all around, bringing it to 2.25 in (5.7 cm) by 4.5 in (11.4 cm). The toe cap’s 1.75 in (4.4 cm) straight edge matches the bordered toe end and adds 0.875 in (2.2 cm), making the foot about 3.5 in (8.9 cm) long. The 1.3 in (3.3 cm) heel sits inside the corner, the 2.25 in (5.7 cm) cuff matches the bordered leg, and the loop adds 1.25 in (3.2 cm) on top.
Happy crocheting!