Customer Reviews

Crocheted Christmas Stockings (Leisure Arts #4032)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Decorate your mantel with one of the fifteen lovely Christmas stockings that you can crochet. From traditional to wild and to even one from the garden, one of these patterns is sure to be one to fit your needs.

Each stocking is made from the same basic pattern. Once you have the basic pattern down, the rest is easy. Using buttons, ribbon, bells, crocheted accents, lace, tassels and beads, you can change to look of each. Then you also use variations of the basic pattern to create stockings that look like carrots or a Sherpa's boot.

The skill level needed to create these stockings range from Beginner, to Easy to Intermediate and there is even one for the experienced crocheter. Most are in the Intermediate range. The basic pattern contains only one page of instructions which make it crochet quickly and they are written so it is easy to follow the pattern.

Two pages contain basic stitch instructions and one page shows how to put two pieces of crochet together. There is also a page of crochet definitions, yarn weights, skill level explanations and a conversion chart for hooks. For a 36 pages booklet, it packs a lot of information into those pages.

If you need a Christmas gift or a gift for a new couple (what couple ever has Christmas decorations?) or even a stocking for your own mantel, CROCETED CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS will fulfill your needs.

It's a shame the last reviewer did not read the description of the book (or the first reviewer's comments). The whole point of the book is to show how you can take a single, fairly simple design and get an almost never-ending variety of finished stockings simply through changes in materials and embellishments. And it makes its point very well.

Although the pattern is essentially the same, each of these stockings has its own personality and charm. The pictures on the cover, that apparently "fooled" the last reviewer into thinking each stocking had a different structure, shows their individuality and the author's success in doing what she set out to do.

This is perfect for the person who wants to make unique, personalized Christmas stockings for a number of family members and friends without having to learn a new pattern each time. Highly recommended, as long as you know what the book is about.

Growing up my parents had handmade knit Christmas stockings that each had our names on them and a Christmas character. The lady who made them is no longer in the area and alas, I do not knit. I was thrilled when I got this book as a gift from my mother because I could not find any Christmas stockings I liked to purchase. There is one basic design design in this book that is used to make several different stockings by changing the type of yarn, hook size, and embroidery designs. There are corrections for the basic pattern which can be found at[...]

The reason I gave this 4 stars rather than 5 is because of the confusion this book can cause. The first pattern I decided to make was "Merry Christmas Mrs. Claus," a beautiful cranberry and cream stocking with a special ruffle on the cuff and heel of the stocking. It calls for extra bulky yarn, but a size H hook. It is very hard to crochet with extra bulky yarn with a size H hook, but I eventually got used to it and figured out why the author did it that way. This allows the stitches to be very close together so when you fill the stocking with goodies it doesn't stretch all the way to the floor, something I wish the author would have explained. Also, this pattern calls for a special ruffle yarn, which was harder to find, and requires a special technique to crochet with. The instructions do not detail how to use this yarn very well, and it was more trial and error to get used to it. The instructions also called for 1 ball of the main color, 1 of the contrasting color and 1 of the ruffle yarn. However, I ended up using 3 balls of the main color and I used the exact yarn called for in the pattern. (Which are listed in the back on the book, not in the "materials" section of the pattern). The final thing is that the pattern could be worked in the round rather than in rows that are joined in a circle, this way you have the right side facing out rather than the look you get when something is made with rows. I just think it would give it a more finished look.

Overall this book is great, especially if you like to create your own items from a basic pattern. You can embelish the stockings with basically anything, use any yarn you want, and still come out with a beautiful product.

This pattern book provided clear instructions for someone who knows how to crochet. You don't need to be an expert - the stiches are basic. I decided to replace our families Christmas stockings this year with ones that I made. I let everyone pick out their favorites, accepted requests to vary the look and then committed to the project. Six stockings between Thanksgiving and Christmas - doable.
The variety is good and you can mix and match aspects of the stockings in the book to create your own.
However, the one complaint is one I have with many pattern books. They provide a lovely stocking that is made of numerous colors and has a leg warmer on top [it is the one on the lower right of the cover]. The yarn type is listed as being various scraps. Ok - so I loved the look on the one in the pattern book but there was no way to recreate it because I had no idea what yarns they choose from. I get it - if we bought full skeins to make that exact look it would cost a lot. Let that be the reader's choice - don't rule out the option by not sharing what you used. If you can't recreate a look exactly from the pattern book - don't show it.
I did add about 10 rows to the stocking leg to make them hold more - easy change if you want to. This did not disturb any other aspect of the stocking.

i've tried two of the designs. the yarn suggestions are way off, one called for
3 1.75 oz (116 yds) medium (4 weight) color 1
2 1.75 oz (46 yds) bulky (5 weight) color 2
h needle size.

I bought 10 oz, 512yds and still not enough. it says it is approximately 21" long.
waaayyyyy off. i'm not finished yet and am at 21", still have at least 10 rows to go.

really disappointed.

Order was received quickly and in great condition. was a gift and was loved by recipient. would purchase from seller again

I bought this book after looking at the pictures on the front. I thought that the stockings were very original. But...that is where the goodness ends, and the disappointment begins. The pictures on the front are the best looking ones in the book.

I had thought that the designs would be unique and fun. I wish that I had known that the "design" of each stocking was really one pattern with different purchased add-ons. After crocheting the basic stocking pattern, you just add little silk flowers or ribbon to it. I could have done that on my own. I was looking for something that was more creative and not "store bought".

I would NOT recommend this book to anyone. The only original stocking in the book is the carrot. Unless you are just starting to crochet and are learning the art of socks, there is no need to purchase this book. Even the beginner will tire of the basic shape and add-ons, and soon surpass the designs.

I was very disappointed in this book. It could have been so much more.