designed by Noreen Crone-Findlay

TECHNIQUE USED: Crochet

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Stocking measures approximately 8"/20 cm wide by 16"/41 cm long

MATERIALS

Caron International's Simply Soft Shadows (100% acrylic; 3 oz/85g, 150 yds/137m ball): 1 ball each

#0004 Autumn (A); #0006 Dark Moss (B); 0001 Pearl Frost (C)

Caron International's Simply Soft (100% acrylic; 6 oz/170 g, 315 yds/288 m skein): 1 skein #9750 Chocolate (D)

Crochet Hook: One size US H-8 (5 mm), or size to obtain gauge

Additional Materials: Yarn needle; five white buttons, 1/2"/1 cm diameter; one small red heart-shaped button (mouth); two black beads, 6mm diameter (eyes)

Optional: Row counter

GAUGE

Gauge is not critical for this project.

In Half double crochet, 15 sts and 11 rows = 4"/10 cm

ABBREVIATION

hdc2tog: [Yarn over, insert hook in next st and pull up a loop] twice, yarn over and draw through 5 loops on hook.

STITCHES USED

Chain (ch)

Half double crochet (hdc)

Slip stitch

NOTES

1. Stocking is worked entirely in hdc, following Chart; each square represents one hdc.
2. Gingerbread Girl is shown on Chart, but is worked separately and is attached to Front of Stocking before assembly.
3. Work ch-2 at beginning of every row; do not count beginning-ch as a st when working from Chart.
4. Shaping is shown on Chart.
5. Work hdc2tog for a one-st decrease.
6. Work 2 hdc in same st for a one-st increase; for multiple-st increases, work number of chains for required sts plus ch-2 for the turning chain. Note: Number of sts to chain are indicated on Stocking Chart.
7. Carry color not in use loosely up the side as follows: Every other row, wrap the yarn not in use over the working yarn before working the beginning ch-2.
8. Leave 10 – 12" tails when fastening off pieces of Gingerbread Boy, to be used for attaching him to Stocking.

STOCKING BACK AND FRONT (both alike)

Using B, chain 17.

Row 1: Hdc in third ch from hook and in each ch across, turn—15 hdc.

Rows 2 – 46: Work from Chart, working 4 rows B, 4 rows A alternately, and work shaping as shown; last 6 rows work using C.

Fasten off.

GINGERBREAD BOY (use D throughout)

Leg 1: Chain 7.

First Row (Row 9 on Chart): Hdc in third ch from hook and in each ch across, turn—5 hdc.

Rows 10 – 19: Work from Chart, shaping as shown.

Fasten off; set Leg 1 aside.

Arm 1: Chain 5.

First Row (Row 24 of Chart): Work as for Leg 1—3 hdc.

Rows 25 – 28: Work from Chart, shaping as shown.

Fasten off; set Arm 1 aside.

Leg 2: Chain 7.

Rows 9 – 19: Work as for Leg 1, turn.

Row 20: Work across Leg 2 from Chart, inc 1 st in last st as shown, work across sts of Leg 1, turn.

Body

Rows 21 – 28: Continue from Chart.

Row 29: Work across Body, inc 1 st in last st, work across sts of Arm 1, turn.

Rows 30 – 32: Continue working from Chart, turn.

Row 33: Begin Arm 2; working arm sts only, complete Arm 2.

Fasten off.

Head: Rejoin yarn to body, skipping 1 st after Arm 2, as shown.

Rows 33 – 41: Continue working from Chart.

Fasten off.

Edging: Using C, work 1 row in slip st around entire edge of Gingerbread Boy, join with a slip st to first st.

Embellishment: Attach beads for eyes, heart button for mouth, and 5 white buttons down the front (see photo).

FINISHING

Attach Gingerbread Boy to Stocking Front.

With WS's together, using C, join yarn with a slip st at upper corner.

Ch 2, working through both layers, work 1 row hdc around Stocking, leaving upper edge open.

Hanging Tab: Using C, join yarn with a slip st at upper corner (see photo).

Row 1: Ch 2, work 3 hdc along side edge of Stocking, turn—3 hdc.

Rows 2 – 10: Ch 2, work even in hdc.

Fasten off; fold tab in half and stitch last row to first row.

Using yarn needle, weave in all ends.