Mini Christmas Stockings: Free Crochet Pattern

I went to peel an orange for my dog today.  It had a tough outer rind that I couldn't seem to break through with my fingers.  And being too fully absorbed in writing this post I was too preoccupied to go and GET the orange peeler.  So I bite into it with my teeth.  And let me tell you was it ever bitter!!!!

So that thought of bitterness on my tongue caused me to begin wondering why anyone would ever have thought:  "hey, lets rip this round orange ball open!  Bet the inside tastes better than this nasty outer shell!"

And not only that, we use to think they were awesome enough to put at the bottom of a stocking as a gift from St. Nicholas on Christmas morning!!  Perhaps it was to remind the recipient of the true meaning of Christmas and from whence the important things reside.

And that lead me to think, you know what, whoever it was likely was some prehistoric type life philosopher who understood the concept that the best of anything almost invariable lies on the inside.  

I feel like now might be the time to make some kind of life parallel to this odd epiphany but instead, lets just leave it there, let you ponder this strangeness for yourself while we carry on to the pattern and beginning crocheting a Mini Christmas stocking.  

I'll finish this intro blurb with something sounding a little prosaic:  May the items that you put in your Christmas stocking be as profoundly more beneficial than the outer shell we are about to create

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skill level

easy

size

approx. 4.5 inch tall

needles & notions

5 mm crochet hook

tapestry needle

stitch marker, optional - use if desired

stitch holder, optional

yarn

Bernat Premium, evergreen (MC)

Bernat Premium, aran (CC)

gauge

16 sc sts x 14 rows = 4 inch

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special note

the stocking is worked in non-continuous rounds from the toe up.  All rounds end with a slip stitch and begin with a Ch1.  Neither the slip stitch nor the ch1 count as stitches unless otherwise stated.

pattern

with CC yarn, in a magic loop, Ch1 (does not count as a stitch).  place 6 sc sts into loop.  slip stitch to join round (6 sts)

Rnd 1:  Ch1.  2HDC in same st as ch1.  2HDC in each st around.  Sl st to join (12 sts)

Rnd 2:  Ch1.  2HDC in same st as ch1.  HDC in next.  *2 HDC.  HDC in next.  rep from * to end of round.  Sl st to join (18 sts)

bind off CC yarn.  join MC yarn.   hide ends

Rnds 3 - 6:  Ch1.  HDC in same st as ch1.  HDC around.  Sl st to join (18 sts)

bind off MC yarn.  join CC yarn with a slip stitch

heel (worked in short rows)

Row 1:  (worked over a total of 13 sts, including the sl st yarn join).  sc in next st.  HDC in next 2 sts.  DC in next 5 sts.  HDC in next 2 sts.  sc in next st.  sl st into next st.  TURN

Row 2:  skip previous rows sl st.  sc in top of previous rows sc.  HDC in next 2 sts.  DC in next 5 sts.  HDC in next 2sts.   sc in next st.  sl st into next st (where CC was joined).  TURN

Row 3:    skip previous rows sl st.  sc in top of previous rows sc.  HDC in next 2 sts.  DC in next 5 sts.  HDC in next 2sts.   sc in next st.  sl st into next st (same location as ROW 1’s slip stitch).  DO NOT TURN

bind off CC yarn and join MC yarn.   hide ends

return to working in rnds

Rnd 7:  Ch1.  HDC in same st as Ch1.  HDC in each stitch around (including in the stitch at the heel colour joins where the sl sts for the short rows were placed) (18 sts)

Rnds 8 - 11: Ch1.  HDC in same st as Ch1.  HDC in each st around (18 sts)

bind off MC yarn and join CC yarn.   hide ends

Rnds 12 - 13:   Ch1.  HDC in same st.  HDC in each stitch around.  Sl st to join (counts as a st st for next rnd) (18 sts)

Rnd 14:  sl st in next st.  Slip stitch around to center back of stocking.  Ch 5.  Sl st to stitch at the bottom of the chain.  Sl st to end of rnd. 

bind off and weave in any remaining ends

Want to make that Christmas Chicken in the picture with the stocking? Find it HERE

Finished your Mini Christmas Stocking?  Did you make a whole bunch of them?  Share it online and tag @redmittendesigns on Instagram or Facebook!  

Want to follow Red Mitten Designs on social media?  Click on a link below to find me on your favourite social channel!

If you use this pattern for sale items please provide a link back and give credit to the designer:  Red Mitten Designs.  DO NOT claim this pattern as your own and please do not give printed versions of the pattern without permission from the designer. Please consider purchasing copies for friends or family if you liked this pattern and want to give it to others  

All photos copyright Jocelyn Windover and Red Mitten Designs (do not use without permission).  

Once again, thank you for choosing a Red Mitten Designs pattern!

Christmas Chicken: Free Crochet Pattern

A few months ago a friend shared an inspiration photo of a retro kitchen chicken.  You know, the kind that our parents and grandparents had on display in their kitchens when we were kids?  

When I got married, many years after the chicken-craze was in mind you, my mother gifted me with a sewn kitchen chicken that was designed to be an oven mitt.  It didn't work remarkably well for that purpose as it was too thin, but I did keep it hanging on the wall in my kitchen for several years.

These days I'm slightly more minimalistic in my kitchen decor and prioritize only keep the practical items used for food prep close at hand.  But, if you know me in real life, you know that means that the shelf above the fridge still holds my teacup collection and the decor shelf above the counter always has plants and year-round Christmas decorations smattered across it.

So, of course, when I see a cutesy chicken inspo picture, I start creating a cutesy, plump, Christmas accessorized Christmas Chicken!!

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skill level

easy

size

chicken is approx. 4 inches tall without a hat

needles & notions

5 mm crochet hook
6mm safety eyes with fasteners
polyester fiberfil (stuffing)
tapestry/yarn sewing needle
mini pompom maker (optional, for accessories)

yarn 

Craftsmart, white, approx 65 yards
Bernat Premium, rich red, approx 25 yards (extra amount included for accessories)
Loops & Threads Impeccable, pumpkin, 5 yards

Bernat Premium, evergreen, approx 20 yards (optional, for accessories)

Loops and Threads Sweet Snuggles Lite, white, approx. 5 yards (optional, for accessories)

Craftsmart, Cranberries & Ivy, approx 15 yards (optional, for accessories)

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pattern notes

this pattern is worked in continuous rounds without slip stitch joins, in amigurumi style

pattern, chicken body

with white worsted weight yarn, in a magic loop, Ch1 (does not count as a stitch).  place 6 sts into loop

Rnd 1:  *2sc in each st around (12 sts)

Rnd 2:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in the next st.  repeat from * around (18 sts)

Rnd 3:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 2 sts.  repeat from * around (24 sts)

Rnd 4:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 3 sts.  repeat from * around (30 sts)

Rnd 5:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 4 sts.  repeat from * around (36 sts)

Rnd 6:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 5 sts.  repeat from * around (42 sts)

Rnd 7:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 6 sts.  repeat from * around (48 sts)

Rnds 8 - 15:  sc around (48 sts)

Rnd 16:  sc in each of the next 8 sts.  sc2tog 3 times.  sc in each of the next 20 sts.  sc2tog 3 times.  sc in each of the next 8 sts (42 sts)

Rnd 17:  sc around (42 sts)

Rnd 18:  sc in each of the next 6 sts.  sc2tog 3 times.  sc in each of the next 18 sts.  sc2tog 3 times.  sc in each of the next 6 sts (36 sts)

Rnd 19:  sc in each of the next 24 sts.  Ch1 (does not count as a stitch) TURN.  sc in the same st as Ch1.  sc in each of the next 11 sts.  Ch1 (does not count as a stitch)  TURN.  sc in each of the next 24 sts (36 sts)

Rnd 20:  sc in each of the next 6 sts.  sc2tog twice.  sc in each of the next 17 sts.  sc2tog twice.  sc in each of the next 5 sts.   (32 sts)

close the top of the chicken 

sc in next st.  Fold the chicken top flat.  Ch1. and crochet 10 slip stitches through each corresponding front and back stitch to close the chicken’s back.  Leave a total of 12 sts unworked for the comb of the chicken.

attach the safety eyes at the front of the face, below where the comb will be, between rows 18 & 19 with 4 sts between

stuff the body of the chicken plumply

comb of chicken head

join red worsted weight yarn in the next stitch after the slip stitch closure, working through both the front and back stitch in the same manner as the body, close the seam as follows: 

Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch).  sc in the same stitches as Ch1.  sc in each of the next 5 sts, working through each corresponding front and back stitch.  Place 2 more sc into the last stitch  (8 sts)

Cut yarn and weave in any remaining ends

Thread through and tie a small piece of yarn through the top stitch of the point of  the chickens backside to form a tailfeather.   Separate the strands of the yarn for more of a fluffy, feather like look

beak

with pumpkin worsted weight yarn, in a magic loop, Ch1 (does not count as a stitch).  place 4 sts into loop.

Rnd 1.  sc in each stitch around (4 sts)

attach the beak below the eyes at Rnd 17

wings, make two

with white worsted yarn, in a Magic Loop, Ch1.  place 4 sc into loop but DO NOT join to work in the round.  Turn!

Row 1:  Ch1 (does not count as a stitch).  2 sc in each st across.   turn (8 sts)

Row 2:  Ch1.  in same st as ch1 place 2sc.  sc in next st.  *2sc in next st.  sc in next st.  repeat from * to end of row.  Turn (12 sts)

Row 3:  Ch1.  in same st as ch1 place 2 sc.  sc in next 2 sts.  *2sc in next st.  sc in next 2 sts.  repeat from * to end of row.  Do not turn.  Work around the corner and work 7 sc across the flat side of the wing.  Join to starting sc of round with a sl. st.  (23 sts around wing)

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail to sew each wing to the body.

Attach one wing to each side of chicken between rounds 16 & 17 using a whip stitch

. . . accessories . . .

santa hat

with red worsted weight yarn, in a magic loop, Ch1 (does not count as a stitch).  place 3 sts into loop.

Rnd 1:  2sc in each stitch around (6 sts)

Rnd 2 and even until Rnd 8:  sc around

Rnd 3:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in the next st.  repeat from * around (9 sts)

Rnd 5:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 2 st.  repeat from * around (12 sts)

Rnd 7:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 3 st.  repeat from * around (15 sts)

Rnd 9:  *2sc in the next st.  sc in each of the next 4 st.  repeat from * around (18 sts)

Rnd 10 & Rnd 11:  sc around (18 sts)

Rnd 12:  change to white, super bulky sweet snuggles yarn and sc around (18 sts)

Bind off and weave in all ends.  

make a white pompom with white, worsted weight yarn

Place on chickens head

green wreath

with green worsted weight yarn, ch30.  Join to work in the round

Rnd 1:  sc in each stitch around (30 sts)

Rnd 2:  *ch3.  slip stitch in next st.  repeat from * around (30 chain loops)

Bind off and weave in ends.  Place around chickens neck

twisty scarf

with ivy & cranberry worsted weight yarn, ch51

Row 1: in the second ch from the hook, work 3HDC.  in each stitch across row work 3HDC

Bind off, weave in ends.  Loop around chickens neck and tie.

Finished your Christmas Chicken?  Share it online and tag @redmittendesigns on Instagram or Facebook!  

Want to follow Red Mitten Designs on social media?  Click on a link below to find me on your favourite social channel!

If you use this pattern for sale items please provide a link back and give credit to the designer:  Red Mitten Designs.  DO NOT claim this pattern as your own and please do not give printed versions of the pattern without permission from the designer. Please consider purchasing copies for friends or family if you liked this pattern and want to give it to others  

All photos copyright Jocelyn Windover and Red Mitten Designs (do not use without permission).  

Once again, thank you for choosing a Red Mitten Designs pattern!

Santa Baby Boots: Free Crochet Pattern

Christmas is coming - craft faster!!  Is that still a meme?  If not, it's still accurate!  

Have you ever had the feeling as a Christmas Handmaker that you're going to just run out of time?  I have that feeling every single, blasted year!!

Oh well, it'll get done one way or another!  It always does!!  







If you follow me on social media you will likely have seen the lovely photo's of these boots as I was preparing to deliver them to my consignment store, Little Treasures Kids Store in Selwyn, Ontario.

The social media post was a hit and these baby boots turned out to be a very popular item both at the store and with my regular clients who have purchased several pairs!!  I love my clients, they are awesome!!! 💖

So, while I was filling the orders, I figured I'd jot down the pattern and then add some beautiful, festive photo's for all my readers to enjoy!!  Like this one . . . 

Not yet a social follower of Red Mitten Designs?  Check us out & follow along on Facebook, Instagram or *brand new* right here on Blogger!!  Check out the link in the side bar 🠆

Or, check out Red Mitten Designs and tons of other awesome patterns over at allfreecrochet.com!

Now, if you are ready for a quick, festive crochet . . . on to the pattern!!

Faux Fur & Wool Baby Booties: Free Crochet Pattern

* * This post contains affiliate links.  The yarn was provided free of charge from yarncanada.ca in exchange for an independent review of the yarn provided.  Beyond this, I am not currently affiliated with yarncanada.ca and will not receive compensation if you choose to make a purchase from the links provided * *

Earlier this summer YarnCanada.ca contacted me to do a yarn review and give Lion Brands "Go For Faux" yarn a try.  Of course, I said "YES!!"

Who doesn't love the idea of testing out yarn that is described on the Lion Brand official site as follows:

"No animals were harmed in the spinning of this soft, feels like the real thing 

100% Polyester fur yarn. Fur is trending and Go for Faux will be your go to 

yarn for luxurious accessories, home Dec items and trims 

on your favorite fashion items. It is a CYC 6 but lightweight with ample 

yardage: 64 yards per 100 grams. It comes in 4 realistic fur shades and 

two ice pastels. You will want to create something in every color 

of Go for Faux which won’t hurt your wallet or your conscience"

That is a yarn description that I can get behind!! 💕

Sunflowers: Free Crochet Pattern

Sunflowers!!  Upon seeing the pattern I was working on, my mother informed me that sunflowers are "all the rage" this year!  I'm not sure about the legitimacy of this claim, seeing as it comes from a woman who just last year purchased a brand-new 1980's floral print sofa for her shag carpeted living room.  But hey - I agree that sunflowers are gorgeous . . . and they totally should be this years vogue!

Speaking of throwbacks, this pattern was originally inspired by the early 2000's hit TV show "Smallville."  What do sunflowers have to do with a Superman coming of age, adolescent television show? I was watching reruns while finishing up last months custom orders and, have you ever noticed, just how many gorgeous sunflowers Martha Kent had in her kitchen and garden?   They are everywhere!!  And they were beautiful

This post is rather photo-heavy.  I do apologize but I felt it was necessary in order to convey what was happening . . .

skill level
intermediate


size
flower is approximately 5 inches
height (including stem) approx. 9 inches


needles & notions
4 mm crochet hook
tapestry needle
stitch marker

wire snips
jute wrapped wire

suggested yarn

Hayfield Bonus DK, russet, approx. 50 yards
Stylecraft Special DK, Sunshine, approx. 75 yards
Stylecraft Special DK, Green Grass, approx. 75 yards

gauge

22sc sts = 4 inch

note

it is recommended to weave in ends as you go along in order to prevent tangling.  The flower is intricate enough without the added bother

pattern

starting with the back of the sunflower, using "Green Grass" begin as follows:

Rnd 1:  working in a magic loop.  Ch2 (does not count as a stitch).  9DC into loop.  Slip stitch into top of first DC (9)

Rnd 2:  Ch1 (does not count as a stitch).  2sc in same stitch as Ch1.  *2sc in each stitch around.  slip stitch into the top of first sc (18)

Rnd 3:  working in back loops only Ch2 (does not count as a stitch).  2DC in same stitch as Ch2.  DC in next.  *2DC in next.  DC in next.  repeat around.  Slip stitch to first DC (27)

Rnd 4:  working in both loops Ch1 (does not count as a stitch).  2sc in same stitch as Ch1.  sc in each of next 2 sts.  *2sc in next.  sc in each of next 2 stitches.  repeat around.  slip stitch to first sc (36)

Bind off & set aside

front
Now, working on the front of the sunflower, using "Russet" proceed as follows:

Rnd 1:  working in a  magic loop.  Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch).  9DC into loop.  Slip stitch in top of first DC (9)

Rnd 2:  Ch2 (does not coint as a stitch).  2DC in same stitch as Ch2.  *2 DC in each stitch around.  Join with a slip stitch (18)

Rnd 3:  Ch1 (does not count as a stitch).  2sc loop stitch in same stitch as Ch1.  sc loop stitch in next stitch.  *2sc loop stitch in next st.  sc loop stitch in next.  repeat around.  Join with a slip stitch to the top of the first sc loop stitch  (27)

Rnd 4:  Ch1 (does not count as a stitch).  2sc loop stitch in same st as Ch1.  sc loop stitch in each of the next 2 sts.  *2sc loop stitch in next stitch.  sc loop stitch in each of the next 2 stitches.  repeat around.  Join with a slip stitch to the top of the first sc loop stitch (36)

Bind off "Russet" change to "Sunshine" and proceed as follows:

Rnd 5:  Hold the Back & Front pieces together with wrong sides facing in (make sure the loops on the Front are facing out, toward you.  Working in both loops of "Russet" Front and front loops only of "Green Grass" Back work around as follows.  Ch1 (does not count as a stitch).  sc in same stitch as ch1.  sc around.  Slip stitch into top of first sc (36)

Rnd 6:  *Ch2 (counts as first HDC).  in the same stitch as Ch2 work as follows [DC.  2TRDC.  Ch3.  Slip stitch into top of last TRDC.  2TRDC.  DC.  HDC].  Slip stitch in each of the next 4 sts.  repeat from * around to last 3 sts.  Slip stitch in the 3 remaining stitches of the round.  Slip stitch into the top of the first Ch2.  (9 petals total)

Rnd 7:  Ch 4.  Carry the chain around the back of the first petal.  Slip stitch into previous rounds center slip stitch between the petals.  Repeat around.  (9 Ch spaces behind each of the petals)

Rnd 8:  *Slip stitch into the ch4 space.  Ch 2 (counts as the first HDC.  in the chain space, work as follows [2DC.  3TRDC.  Ch3.  Slip stitch into the top of the last TRDC.  3TRDC.  2DC.  HDC].  repeat around (9 larger petals behind the front 9 petals)

Bind off.  Weave in any remaining tails.  Turn over to work the green leaves on the back







green leaves
with the back of the flower facing, using "Green Grass" proceed as follows:

Rnd 1:  Join "Green Grass" to any one of the loops left from joining front and back pieces.  Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch).  sc in same stitch as ch1.  sc in each stitch around (36)

Rnd 2:  *Ch2 (counts as first HDC).  in the same stitch as Ch2 work as follows [DC.  2TRDC.  Ch3.  Slip stitch into top of last TRDC.  2TRDC.  DC.  HDC].  Slip stitch in each of the next 4 sts.  repeat from * around to last 3 sts.  Slip stitch in the 3 remaining stitches of the round.  Slip stitch into the top of the first Ch2.  (9 green leaves total)

stem
working with "Green Grass," proceed as follows:

note: the stem is worked in a continuous spiral without joins

Rnd 1:  in a magic loop, Ch1 (does not count as a stitch).  6 sc into magic loop (6)

Rnd 2:  *2sc in first st.  sc in next st.  repeat around (9)

Rnd 3:  sc around

Repeat round 3 until piece is approximately 6 inches long (or desired length).

top of stem
short rows
Rnd 1:  sc in first st.  HDC in next.  DC in next.  HDC in next.  sc in next.  slip stitch in next.  Turn.

Rnd 2:  sc in top of previous rows sc.  HDC in next.  DC in next.  HDC in next.  sc in next.  slip stitch in next.  turn. 

Rnd 3 & 4:  sc around (9)

Rnd 5:  *2sc in first st.  sc in next 2 sts.  repeat around (12)

Rnd 6:  *2sc in first st.  sc in each of next 3 sts.  repeat around (15)

Rnd 7:  sc around (15)

Rnd 8:  *2 sc in first st.  sc in each of the next 4 sts.  repeat around (18)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Using the jute wrapped wire, cut a length of wire slightly longer than the stem.  Make sure to twist the cut ends of the wire around itself to keep it from poking through the fabric.  I folded the jute wire in half in order to make the stem a little bit stronger and twisted a bow shape in the top of the wire to go up against the flower (I found this helped to hold the sunflower head in a better position).  Add a small amount of stuffing to the top of the stem in order to give it a little more bulk (optional).

Sew the stem to the back of the flower, using the back loop only circle as a location guide for sewing (alternately, slip stitch the stem to the flower).

Weave in any remaining ends.

Voila!!  Done!  Your sunflower is pose-able and will look delightful in a vase, perhaps even mixed in with other crochet flowers or faux-flowers.  ENJOY!!

Want to follow Red Mitten Designs on social media?  Click on a link below to find me on your favourite social channel!

If you use this pattern for sale items please provide a link back and give credit.  It's the nice, morally responsible thing to do! DO NOT claim this pattern as your own. Why not try writing one of your own? You can do it! I know you can!!  

All photos copyright Jocelyn Windover and Red Mitten Designs (do not use without permission).  

Once again, thank you for choosing a Red Mitten Designs pattern!