Crochet a Christmas Stocking Advent Calendar – Easy DIY Holiday Decor!

Crochet a Christmas Stocking Advent Calendar – Easy DIY Holiday Decor!

Ready to add a personal touch to your holiday season? Let's make a Crochet Christmas Advent Calendar! This festive project is not only a fun way to count down to Christmas, but it’s also a fantastic way to use up those extra bits of yarn you've been collecting. Based on a super easy-to-follow YouTube tutorial by Christa from The Secret Yarnery, this blog post will guide you through creating your own adorable mini stocking advent calendar. Get ready to spread some holiday cheer, one stitch at a time!

Get Ready to Crochet: Materials and Preparation

Before we dive into the crochet magic, let's gather our supplies. Having everything prepped and ready will make the whole process smoother and more enjoyable.

• Yarn: In the tutorial, Christa uses Savor from Ice Yarns, which is a four worsted weight acrylic yarn, or a 10 ply if you're in Australia. You can check out similar yarn options here. The best part? This project is perfect for stash busting! So, feel free to use whatever colors and yarn weight you have on hand. Just make sure you have three different colors to add some variety to your calendar.

• Crochet Hook: Christa uses a 5.5 mm crochet hook. However, remember that the hook size depends on the yarn you choose. If you need a new set, here's a set of crochet hooks on Amazon for your consideration.

• Other Supplies:

  • Scissors
  • Yarn needle for weaving in those pesky ends.
  • Stitch markers – preferably two of one color and one of another. No stitch markers? No problem! Paper clips or even just scraps of yarn work just as well. You can find stitch markers here.

• Pattern Access:

  • The written pattern is available on secretyarnery.com!
  • You can find the free pattern here.
  • The patterns are written in plain English, making them super easy to follow.
  • Plus, the pattern includes cute, printable numbered presents to slide into each stocking! How fun is that?

• Video Subtitles:

  • If English isn't your first language, don't worry! Subtitles are available in multiple languages.
  • Just click the little button underneath the video to access them.

• Time Stamps:

  • Need to jump to a specific part of the tutorial? Here are the timestamps:
    • Round One: 1:50
    • Round Two: 5:59
    • Round Three: 12:06
    • Joining: 19:57
    • Assembly: 24:47

Crochet the Mini Stockings: A Step-by-Step Guide

Remember, we need to make 24 of these adorable little stockings to complete our Crochet Christmas Advent Calendar. This may seem like a lot, but trust me, they work up super fast!

Round One: Creating the Base

This round is all about setting the foundation for our mini stocking. Let's get started!

• Slip Knot and Chain:
  • Make a slip knot any way you normally do.
  • Chain three.
• Forming the Ring:
  • Go into the very first chain you made (right on top of your slip knot).
  • Make a U-shape underneath your hook.
  • Hold it open with your finger and thumb and slip stitch to form a ring.
• First Double Crochet Set:
  • Chain three (this counts as your first double crochet).
  • Make one more double crochet into the center of the ring, still holding it open.
• Creating the Corner Spaces:
  • Chain two.
• Repeating the Pattern:
  • Make two more double crochets into the center of your ring.
  • Chain two.
  • Repeat this pattern (two double crochets, chain two) until you have a total of six pairs of double crochets with a chain two in between each pair.
  • Tip: If you run out of space, slide your first stitches and your last stitches back. This will give you more room around the center of your ring.
  • Remember to crochet over your tail to secure it.
• Joining the Round:
  • Slip stitch into the top of that initial chain three to join.
  • Chain one to secure the round.
• Finishing Round One:
  • Cut your yarn, pull your hook up and your yarn through, and snug it down to secure.

Round Two: Adding Color and Shaping

Time to add a pop of color and start shaping our stocking!

• Joining New Color:
  • Join your new color yarn to any space with a slip stitch.
  • Chain two (this counts as the first double crochet).
  • Add two more double crochets into the same space.
• Creating Treble Crochet Corners:
  • In the next space, work three treble crochets (wrap your yarn twice before inserting your hook).
  • Chain two.
  • Work three more double crochets into that same space.
• Marking the Corners:
  • Grab two stitch markers and pop them into the center of the two corners you just made with treble and double crochets. These will be the top corners of your stocking.
• Creating Regular Corners:
  • In the next three spaces, work three double crochets, chain two, and three double crochets.
• Repeating the Pattern:
  • Continue alternating treble/double crochet corners with regular corners all the way around.
• Joining the Round:
  • Slip stitch into the top of the initial chain three to join.
  • Chain one to secure the round.
• Finishing Round Two:
  • Cut your yarn, pull your hook up and your yarn through, and snug it down to secure.
  • Grab your last stitch marker and mark the center bottom space. This will be the toe of your stocking.

Round Three: Shaping the Stocking

This round is where our stocking really starts to take shape!

• Joining New Color:
  • Attach your new color yarn to the corner space with the first stitch marker using a slip stitch.
  • Chain two (counts as the first double crochet).
  • Add two more double crochets into the same space.
• Creating the First Side:
  • Work four double crochets into the center space between the corners.
• Creating the Special Corner:
  • In the next space with a stitch marker, work three double crochets, chain two, and three treble crochets.
  • Remove the stitch marker.
• Working Along the Side:
  • Work three double crochets into the next space.
• Creating Bends:
  • Work four double crochets into the corner space.
• Creating the Heel/Toe:
  • Work four double crochets into the next few spaces.
  • Work three double crochets into the space along the side.
• Finishing the Round:
  • Slip stitch in to the top of the chain 3 to join.

Finishing off the Stocking

• Weaving in Ends
  • This is where you would sew in the ends of the yarn.
  • Use a sharp tip needle to sew in your tails.

Assembling the Advent Calendar

Alright, you've crocheted all 24 stockings – congratulations! Now, let's put it all together and create our adorable advent calendar.

• Joining the Stocking Halves:
  • Fold the stocking in half, with the top corners (where you did the treble crochets) at the top.
  • Insert your hook into the corner space.
  • Find the loop of yarn at the back and slip stitch to join.
  • Chain one and single crochet into the same space.
  • Chain three – this will be your hanging tag.
  • Single crochet into the same corner space.
• Connecting the Sides:
  • Single crochet into each pair of stitches along the sides, making sure to go through both the front and back layers.
  • When you get to the heel and toe sections (where you did the four double crochets), chain one to help you get around the bend.
• Finishing the Seam:
  • Continue single crocheting along the edges until you reach the end.
  • Chain one to secure the yarn and cut.
  • Weave in the end of the yarn.
• Creating the Hanging Chain:
  • Make a slip knot with a long tail (you'll need this to sew in later).
  • Chain 15 and form a ring by slip stitching into the first chain.
  • Chain six.
  • Single crochet to join the first stocking.
  • Chain six and single crochet to join the next stocking.
  • Repeat until all 24 stockings are joined.
  • Chain six and place a stitch marker.
  • Chain 15 and slip stitch to form a ring.
  • Chain one to secure the yarn and cut.
  • Weave in the end of the yarn.
• Arranging the Stockings:
  • Lay out your advent calendar and arrange the stockings in whatever color pattern you like.
• Adding the Numbers or Treats:
  • Now for the fun part! Place the numbered tags (included in the written pattern) or little treats into each stocking.

Tips for Success

Want to make your Crochet Christmas Advent Calendar even more amazing? Here are a few tips:

• Yarn Choice: Don't be afraid to experiment with different yarn colors and textures! This is your chance to get creative and make a truly unique advent calendar.
• Hook Size: Using the right hook size is essential for achieving the correct gauge. If your stockings are coming out too big or too small, try adjusting your hook size accordingly.
• Stitch Markers: Stitch markers are your best friends! Use them to keep track of important points in the pattern, especially those corners.
• Weaving in Ends: I know, weaving in ends is nobody's favorite part, but it's super important! Make sure you securely weave in all yarn ends to prevent your project from unraveling.
• Customization: Want to add a personal touch? Embellish your stockings with buttons, beads, or embroidery! You could even add little crocheted snowflakes or stars.
• Hanging Options: Think about how you want to display your advent calendar. You could hang it on a mantel, a wall, or even a staircase!

Looking for more crochet patterns to keep your needles busy? Or maybe you want to brush up on some crochet tutorials?

Conclusion

So, what do you think? Ready to crochet your own adorable Crochet Christmas Advent Calendar? Not only is this a great way to bust your stash and create a festive decoration, but it also makes a thoughtful, personalized gift. Dive into this easy crochet pattern for this Christmas project. Don’t forget to show off your finished advent calendars on social media using #SecretYarnery! And be sure to subscribe to The Secret Yarnery's YouTube channel for more crochet tutorials and patterns. Happy crocheting, and happy holidays!

Left Handed?

FAQs

Q: How long does it take to make the Crochet Christmas Advent Calendar?
A: The time required depends on your crochet speed and experience. Each mini stocking works up quickly (30–45 minutes on average), so completing all 24 stockings may take a couple of weeks if you crochet a few each day.

Q: What type of yarn works best for this project?
A: Any 4-worsted weight yarn works well for this pattern. Acrylic yarn is recommended for durability, but feel free to use cotton or any other yarn from your stash. The important part is ensuring color variety for a festive look.

Q: Can I use a different hook size?
A: Yes! Adjust the hook size to match your chosen yarn or to achieve a desired tension. If your stockings turn out too small or too large, experiment with a smaller or larger hook.

Q: Is this a beginner-friendly project?
A: Absolutely! The pattern is written in plain English and supported by a step-by-step video tutorial. Even beginners can successfully make the advent calendar with a bit of practice.

Q: How do I customize the stockings?
A: You can add personal touches with embroidered initials, buttons, beads, or applique designs. Using different color combinations for each stocking also makes it unique.

Q: Do I have to make 24 stockings?
A: Not necessarily! You can crochet fewer stockings for a shorter advent countdown or a smaller display. Adjust the pattern to suit your preferences.

Q: Can I skip the printed number tags?
A: Yes, you can skip the tags altogether or use fabric paint, stickers, or embroidery to add numbers directly to the stockings.

Q: How do I hang the advent calendar?
A: Use the crochet chain provided in the pattern to string the stockings together. Hang it on a mantel, wall, staircase banister, or even a sturdy curtain rod.

Christa Patel, the creative force behind The Secret Yarnery, is a passionate crochet designer, instructor, and YouTube creator. With years of experience and a heart dedicated to inspiring crocheters of all levels, Christa transforms intricate patterns into easy-to-follow tutorials.

Hailing from Kenya, Christa blends her love for bright colors and playful designs into her patterns, making them both functional and fun. Her mission is to make crochet accessible, enjoyable, and stress-free for beginners and seasoned crafters alike.

Through her YouTube channel, she shares the joy of crochet with thousands of subscribers worldwide. Christa focuses on creating unique designs, teaching step-by-step techniques, and encouraging creativity in every project. From cozy blankets and stylish wearables to festive decorations like the Crochet Christmas Advent Calendar, her work continues to inspire crafters around the globe.

Visit The Secret Yarnery website or subscribe to her YouTube channel for more crochet tutorials, patterns, and inspiration!