Resizing a Christmas Stocking

[SweetCaliroy]

I found a Christmas Stocking pattern from Lion Brand that I totally love.  However, I feel that it's a little too big.  Does anyone have any suggestions on how to make it smaller?  I read that I should just cut the stitches in half but not sure if that would actually work.

 

Any suggestions would be appreciated!  Also, please note that I'm crocheting this pattern for myself, not to give out or to sell.  :-)

[magiccrochetfan]

Simplest would be to use much smaller yarn and hook. Link to the pattern for us, maybe we can share other ideas once we see how it is constructed.

[Granny Square]

I'm just going to link the first LB pattern I found searching their site.  there are a bunch more, but they are mostly constructed in a similar manner

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L40341.html?noImages=

 

This one is worked around 36 stitches.  Notice that to work the heel, you stop working in rounds and work in rows for 18 stitches (for a few short rows, then you resume in the round).  This is a normal ratio for real socks as well, the leg and foot are worked over some (same) number of stitches (usually divisible by 4, at least for knitted ones), the heel is worked over half the number of stitches used for leg/foot.

 

In order to custom fit 'real' socks, you subtract a multiple of 4 stitches until you reach the measurement you need.  I suggest that you try this as well.

 

Is the stocking REALLY 2x too big (you mentioned cutting the stitches in half)?  In that case, although the above ratio would work, you might think about using a finer yarn and appropriate hook for that yarn.  Herrschner's has some reasonably priced solid color fingering weight yarn, including red, green, white. 

 

There are other ways to work sock heels - do link the pattern you were thinking of using in case it's made differently.

[SweetCaliroy]

crochetfan and Granny Square -- Thank you for your suggestions!

 

Here's the pattern I was interested in doing: http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L0116AD.html?iP=1

 

I did read that using a thinner yarn and a smaller hook will make it smaller. I was hoping to make this to be about 6 inches high and 3 inches wide (the size doesn't have to be exact). I'm mostly interested in figuring out the heel and toe. I think the rest is straightforward.

 

Again, thanks again for your help. :-)

[magiccrochetfan]

It seems to me that this is made pretty much the way an actual sock would be made, the heel and toe are very detailed.  So it might be easier to find a pattern for a child's sock and just use that, with a fun fur cuff.

 

or you could get a yarn that works to a gauge half as big as this, and with appropriate size hook, follow the pattern as is...that should result in a sock about half the size of the pattern.  

[Granny Square]

Do you want to use worsted weight yarn?  I found these looking for stocking ornaments, maybe one of these would work without you have to re-invent the pattern.  All but 1 are constructed the same way as your pattern, just smaller.   Note, some are a bit 'stubby', you can just add rows to the leg and foot, also easy enough to sub or mix in eyelash/fur yarn for cuff.  These are all free patterns:

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mini-christmas-stockings-9

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/quick-holiday-mini-stocking

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stash-slasher-stocking-garland-countdown

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/christmas-mini-stocking-4

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/little-christmas-socks