Looking for a fun stocking pattern that’s modern crochet AND easy to make? Try the modern granny square stocking!
Design Story and Inspiration for This Fun Crochet Stocking
It’s that time of year again where I design for my annual Holiday Maker’s Challenge!! This is the 7th year that I have done the challenge, and I’m excited to be doing it again!
I designed this pattern as part of the 2025 Holiday Maker’s Challenge, where we encourage each other to work to our holiday deadline. There are a few criteria for our patterns in the challenge, which are:
1. Uses stash yarn
2. Is easy to intermediate
3. Is small so it doesn’t take a long time to make (we have a lot of gifts to make, okay?)
4. Is well received by gift recipients
This fits the bill by using up less than a skein of yarn! I used up some stash yarn in this project and love the way it turned out.
Yarn Options for This Easy Crochet Stocking
For this pattern, I used Lion Brand Touch of Angora, which is unfortunately a discontinued yarn, but there are plenty of amazing DK weight yarns out there (category #4).
You can use any weight yarn you’d like, but if you want it to be the same size as mine I would go with a DK weight yarn.
Otherwise, feel free to use whatever yarn you want! Have a lot of blanket yarn lying around? Make a large stocking. Got thinner yarn? Make a mini stocking!
Pattern Details for the Modern Square Stocking
This pattern combines 18 small quare motifs that I designed for the Modern Granny Square Tote. It would look equally as amazing in different colors like the tote uses!
Once you crochet and block the squares, you assemble into the stocking shape using a flat joining method. Single crochet the top, add a hanger and it’s ready to gift!
Modern Granny Square Crochet Stocking
What You’ll Need
Yarn: DK weight yarn of your choice
Crochet Hook: US Size F (3.75mm)
Notions: Yarn needle, scissors, leather tag for hanger (optional)
Gauge: Each square measures approximately 2.5″
Finished Size: Approximately 11” tall without hanger
Stitch Abbreviations
Chain (ch)
Slip Stitch (sl st)
Single Crochet (sc)
Double Crochet (dc)
Special Stitches
2 Double Crochet Cluster (2dc-cl): Yarn over, insert hook into st or space indicated, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook, yarn over, insert into same st or space, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over, pull through remaining 3 loops on hook.
3 Double Crochet Cluster (3dc-cl): Yarn over, insert hook into st or space indicated, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook, (yarn over, insert into same st or space, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops) twice, yarn over, pull through remaining 3 loops on hook.
Modern Granny Square Stocking Pattern
Small Crochet Square Motif (Make 18)
Make magic ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 4 (counts as dc, ch 1), (dc, ch 1) 11 times in ring, join with sl st to 3rd ch of ch-4. 12 dc.
Rnd 2: Sl st in first ch-1 sp, ch 2, 2dc-cl in same ch-1 sp, ch 2, (3dc-cl, ch 2) in each ch-1 sp, join with sl st to top of 2ch-cl.
Rnd 3: Ch 1, [sc in ch-2 sp, ch 3, sc in next ch-2 sp, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp (corner made)] four times, join with sl st to first sc.
Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in first sc, [2 sc in ch-3 sp, sc in sc, sc in next 3 dc, (sc, ch 1, sc) in ch-3 of corner, sc in next 3 dc, sc in sc] four times, omitting last sc on last repeat, join with sl st.
Fasten off with invisible join.
Video Tutorial for Square Motif
How to Arrange Your Squares
Use the flat joining method to join the squares. You can find it in the assembly video and here are the written instructions:
Joining Granny Squares: The Invisible Seam Method
This method creates a nearly invisible seam, perfect for connecting your squares neatly.
Step 1: Preparing the Yarn
- Cut a length of yarn using your yarn needle. A comfortable length for working is about 24 inches.
- Pro-Tip: If you want to minimize the number of ends to weave in, cut a piece of yarn that is 6 to 7 inches longer than the final seam you are joining.
Step 2: Positioning the Squares
- Place the first two squares together with the right sides facing each other (the sides you want to see facing inward).
- Thread your yarn needle.
- Starting at the corner chain-space:
- Insert the needle through the back loop of the corner chain on the square closest to you (Square #1).
- Then, insert the needle through the back loop of the corner chain on the opposite square (Square #2). Pull the yarn through to secure the start.
Step 3: Creating the Seam (Working Back and Forth)
The key is to work one stitch on Square #1, then the corresponding stitch on Square #2, and then return to the next stitch on Square #1, creating a zig-zag movement.
- Move to Square #2: Insert your needle through the back loop of the next full stitch on Square #2.
- Move to Square #1: Bring the needle across and insert it through the back loop of the corresponding stitch on Square #1.
- Return to Square #1: Now, insert your needle through the back loop of the next unworked stitch on Square #1.
- Return to Square #2: Bring the needle across and insert it through the back loop of the corresponding next unworked stitch on Square #2.
Step 4: Repeat and Continue
To join more squares: Continue adding squares to the first two, laying them next to the existing work with right sides facing inward. Always begin by securing the corner chains as described in Step 2.
Repeat Step 3 (working the back loop of the next stitch on Square #2, then the back loop of the corresponding stitch on Square #1, and so on) all the way across the edge.
Arrange your squares like this:
Now fold and stitch:
Modern Crochet Stocking Assembly Video
Stocking Top
**Please see assembly video if you need help with the top
Join yarn in space between squares at center back. Single crochet evenly around in each st and space between squares.
Single crochet 3 more rounds. Fasten off.
Crochet a hanger if desired, or use leather hanger as shown in pictures.
Final Thoughts on the Modern Granny Square Stocking
I hope you enjoy this pattern as much as I enjoyed designing it!! I’m really loving finding new ways to use my square design. I am SO happy with how this turned out!
Join me for our seventh annual holiday challenge – but only until December 25!
Happy Crocheting!
Amanda
