DIY: Crochet Christmas Stocking fail/success?

I started crocheting in college. A girl in my Greek Mythology class crocheted and peaked my interest. I went to Michaels and purchased a single crochet hook and a bunch of yarn. I sat at my laptop and watched YouTube videos for hours and learned to crochet! :) I started out making scarves. I now have added beanies, dog sweaters, and bunny rabbits to my repertoire.

This year, I am trying to make most of my Christmas decorations. In the spirit of the season I decided to make some Christmas Stockings. Easy enough right? Eh. Wrong. I used/tried to use this pattern:  http://www.redheart.com/files/patterns/pdf/LW2634.pdf

It looked easy: I am familiar with all the stitches and abbreviations. The first part of the pattern was simple... then I came to crocheting the heel. The wording of the pattern did not make sense. I crochet the heel about five different times. I kept telling myself I should take pictures of the disasters, but I just could not bring myself to do so! Sharing your failures is humbling!


Long afternoon shortened: I ended up not following the pattern and doing my own thing. The results aren't terrible as long as you don't look closely. Needless to say, I will not be displaying it anywhere.

Please note the failed section of the stocking located directly above the heel. :/ I ended up sewing that part together. I have not idea where I went wrong. I figured since I have crocheted a few stuffed animals I could handle a large sock! Perhaps it was the patterns fault? Yeah, I just blame it on the pattern. FAIL.