Crochet Cat Christmas Stocking: Free Pattern Plus What to Put Inside

Your cat is part of the family, so why shouldn't it have its own Christmas stocking? A small crochet stocking with your cat's name on the cuff looks gorgeous hanging beside the rest of the family's, and it's the perfect place to tuck a few cat-safe gifts for Christmas morning.

This pattern is simple enough for a confident beginner. It's made from two flat panels in rows of single crochet, joined together, then finished with a fluffy-looking cuff and a hanging loop. You can have it finished in an evening.

Below you'll find the free pattern, ideas for personalising it, a list of cat-safe stocking stuffers, and the things that should never go in your cat's stocking.

Pattern at a glance

Materials

• Red yarn for the stocking, about 40 g
• White or cream yarn for the cuff, about 10 g
• Green or contrast yarn for embroidering a name (optional)
• 4 mm crochet hook
• Yarn needle
• Stitch markers or clips to hold the panels together while joining
• Scissors

Acrylic yarn works well for a stocking because it's soft, inexpensive and comes in bright Christmas colours. Since this is a decoration rather than a toy, you don't need to use cotton.

Crochet terms: US vs UK and Australian

The pattern

Stocking panels (make 2, in red)

The stocking is made from two identical panels. When you place them together, one is flipped over, so they line up as a mirror pair.

Leg

• Row 1: ch 13. sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch across. (12)
• Rows 2 to 20: ch 1, turn. sc in each stitch across. (12)

Foot

• Row 21: ch 1, turn. sc in each stitch across. (12) Then ch 7 to extend the row for the foot.
• Row 22: turn. sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and in the next 5 ch (6), then sc in each of the 12 stitches of the leg. (18)
• Rows 23 to 28: ch 1, turn. sc in each stitch across. (18)

Toe

• Row 29: ch 1, turn. dec, sc in each stitch to the last 2, dec. (16)
• Row 30: ch 1, turn. dec, sc in each stitch to the last 2, dec. (14)

Fasten off and weave in the ends. Repeat for the second panel.

Join the panels

1. Place the two panels together, flipping one over so the feet point the same way and the edges line up.
2. Clip or pin the edges together.
3. Join red yarn at the top corner of the back of the leg.
4. sc through both layers down the back of the leg, around the heel, along the bottom of the foot, around the toe and up the front of the leg to the top. Work 1 sc in the end of each row, and 2 or 3 sc at each corner so it stays flat.
5. Leave the top open. Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Cuff (white)

1. Join white yarn at the back seam of the top opening.
2. Round 1: ch 1, sc evenly around the top opening, about 24 stitches. Sl st into the first stitch to join.
3. Rounds 2 to 5: ch 1, sc in each stitch around. Sl st into the first stitch to join.

For a fluffier look, work Rounds 4 and 5 in the back loops only, or use a soft, brushed white yarn for the cuff.

Hanging loop

• At the back seam of the cuff, ch 15 and sl st into the same stitch. Work a row of sc back along the chain for a sturdier loop if you like.

Fasten off and weave in all ends securely.

Personalising the stocking

Embroider your cat's name

Use a contrasting yarn, such as green or red, to embroider your cat's name across the white cuff in backstitch. Lightly draw the letters with a fabric marker or chalk first, and keep each letter about 2 cm tall.

Add a paw print

Embroider a simple paw print on the foot: one larger oval for the pad and four small dots for the toes, using satin stitch or French knots.

Make one for every pet

Match each stocking to each pet's personality, with different colours for the cuff, a stripe across the leg, or a small crochet cat head sewn onto the front. Our crochet cat Christmas ornament pattern makes a perfect decoration to sew on.

Add stripes

Change colour every two rows on the leg, alternating red and white, for a candy-cane effect. Carry the unused yarn up the side, where it will be hidden in the seam.

Cat-safe stocking stuffers

Fill your cat's stocking with gifts that are safe and fun:

You'll find patterns for safe toys in our guides to easy crochet cat toys and the crochet Christmas pudding cat toy.

Why silver vine?

A 2017 study by Bol and colleagues in BMC Veterinary Research found that 79% of the 100 cats tested responded to silver vine, while about one in three didn't respond to catnip at all. A little dried silver vine makes a great stocking surprise for cats that ignore catnip.

What never to put in your cat's stocking

Some popular stocking items are dangerous for cats:

• Chocolate, including chocolate coins and candy canes with chocolate. Ontario SPCA warns that chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to cats.
• Ribbon, tinsel and string. RSPCA Tasmania warns these can wrap around the intestines and cause serious, potentially fatal damage.
• Lilies or flowers. All parts of lilies are toxic to cats. See our guide to lilies and cats.
• Small bells, beads or toys with loose parts that could be chewed off and swallowed.
• Human food and leftovers. Many Christmas foods, from ham fat to fruit cake, can make cats sick. Read our guide to Christmas food that's dangerous for cats.
• Toys made for dogs, which may be too large or contain parts that aren't suitable for cats.

Where to hang your cat's stocking

The stocking itself is a decoration, not a toy. The hanging loop and seams could be chewed and swallowed. Hang it:

• Out of reach, on a high mantel, a wall hook or a door with a secure hanger
• Away from the Christmas tree, so it doesn't encourage your cat to climb
• Without heavy stocking holders on the edge of a shelf, where a curious cat could knock one off

On Christmas morning, take the gifts out and give them to your cat under supervision, then hang the empty stocking back up.

A cat-friendly Christmas in Australia

Christmas in Australia comes with summer heat, holidays and visitors. A few reminders:

• Keep your cat cool with shady rooms and plenty of water. See our guide to keeping cats cool in summer.
• Give your cat a quiet room during busy Christmas gatherings.
• Watch the doors so your cat doesn't slip out with guests.
• Book holiday cat care early if you're travelling, since sitters and catteries fill up fast.

Start a family tradition

A cat stocking can become a much-loved part of your family's Christmas. Some ideas:

• Add a charm each year. Sew a small crochet star, heart or snowflake onto the stocking every Christmas, so it builds up over the years.
• Embroider the year your cat joined the family on the toe.
• Take a yearly photo of your cat beside its stocking on Christmas morning.
• Make a matching set for every pet in the house, each in a different colour.
• Donate a filled stocking of new, cat-safe toys to a local shelter or rescue group. Ask first about what they accept.

Caring for and storing your stocking

Your stocking can last for many Christmases with a little care:

1. Hand wash in cool water with a mild wool or delicate wash if it gets dusty or stained.
2. Press out the water gently with a towel. Don't wring it.
3. Dry flat, reshaping the stocking while damp.
4. Store it flat in a sealed bag or box after Christmas, with a sachet of lavender or cedar to deter moths.
5. Keep it away from your cat while it's in storage, since loose stockings and yarn are tempting to chew.

Troubleshooting

My panels don't line up

Check you have the same number of rows and stitches in each panel. Remember to flip one panel over before joining, so the feet point the same way.

The stocking curls at the edges

Single crochet in rows can curl a little. Block the panels before joining by pinning them flat, misting them with water and letting them dry.

The cuff is too tight or too loose

Adjust the number of stitches in Round 1 of the cuff. Aim for a cuff that lies flat around the opening without pulling or ruffling.

Stocking checklist

• [ ] Both panels have 30 rows and match in size.
• [ ] One panel is flipped before joining, so the feet line up.
• [ ] The seam is worked through both layers, with extra stitches at the corners.
• [ ] The cuff lies flat and the hanging loop is secure.
• [ ] All ends are woven in securely.
• [ ] My cat's name is embroidered on the cuff.
• [ ] The stocking hangs out of my cat's reach.
• [ ] It's filled only with cat-safe gifts, with no chocolate, ribbon or loose parts.

Frequently asked questions

Is this crochet stocking pattern good for beginners?

Yes. It uses only chains, single crochet and simple decreases, worked in rows. Joining the panels takes a little patience, but there are no complicated techniques.

How big is the finished stocking?

About 17 to 20 cm tall with worsted or aran weight yarn and a 4 mm hook. For a bigger stocking, use a thicker yarn and a larger hook, or add extra rows to the leg.

What can I put in my cat's Christmas stocking?

Good options include crochet catnip toys, a small cardboard scratcher, a wand toy for supervised play, dried silver vine and a few of your cat's usual treats. Avoid chocolate, ribbon, tinsel and toys with small loose parts.

Can my cat play with the stocking?

No. It's a decoration. The loop and seams could be chewed and swallowed. Hang it out of reach and give your cat the gifts inside under supervision.

Is the pattern in US or UK terms?

US terms. In UK and Australian terms, single crochet (sc) is double crochet (dc). The terms table above shows the conversions.

Can I make the stocking bigger for a dog?

Yes. Add more chains to Row 1 and more rows to the leg and foot, keeping the same shape. Just remember to fill it with gifts made for dogs, not cats.

Related guides

• Crochet Christmas pudding cat toy
• Crochet cat Christmas ornament
• Christmas food that's dangerous for cats

Sources

• RSPCA Tasmania, Make sure your pet has a pawsome Christmas
• Ontario SPCA, 8 foods that are harmful to cats
• Bol S et al., Responsiveness of cats to silver vine, Tatarian honeysuckle, valerian root and catnip, BMC Veterinary Research, 2017

This pattern is an original InfoDogCats design, free for personal use. Safety information is general only and not a substitute for advice from your vet.