DIY CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS

This year I needed to add to our Christmas Stockings.  We have had the same ones now for about 10 years, but I needed to add a new person this year (my daughters boyfriend).  The problem is I  actually have a fireplace that they get hung by every year so I want them to look really nice.  I am picky and those basic red and white faux fur stockings just don't cut it for me.

My first inclination was to find the same ones I already had.  Of course it didn't take long to realize that they don't make them anymore.  I really shouldn't have been surprised....so then I thought maybe something similar?  And again it didn't take long to realize that was also not happening.  Nothing was similar enough...the one 'new' stocking would stand out like a sore thumb (I am picky!).  What to do, what to do.....

Finally I decided I would have to start from scratch and buy all new stockings.  OK, no biggie.  I must be able to find something I like......that is until I saw the prices!  What I actually liked started at about $12.99 each!  Multiply that by the seven (Yes 7!) and well, you get the picture.  This was definitely NOT happening!

What now?  Well, the only idea left to me: make them myself!  This turned out to be the best idea because every stocking is different, yet they all match just enough to look great hanging on the mantle!  I can also make more over the years as our family continues to grow!  Best of all, I can take pride in my accomplishment as I sit on the couch and admire them as they hang by my fireplace this year and every year to come :-)

To make all seven took about 15 hours (that included a lot of breaks!).  It also required a few skills: sewing (by hand or machine), crocheting, and using the computer to create iron on transfers.  

 Check out our video how to or see the written instructions below :-)

Supplies:

• Canvas (4x 12 drop cloth at Harbor Freight is $8.99 and get 20% off!)
• ​100% Cotton Lily Sugar'n Cream Yarn in red, green, and off white (3 skeins can make 3 stocking tops)
• Size 7 (4.5 mm) crochet hook
• scissors
• yarn needle
• sewing machine (or hand stitch using needle)
• off white thread 
• straight pins
• template (made out of paper grocery bag)
• awl (for punching holes into canvas)
• computer connected to printer with color ink
• iron
• Avery Light Fabric Transfer Sheets (affiliate link)

Directions:
The first thing I did was create a stocking template.  I did this by tracing a stocking I already had onto an opened paper grocery bag.  I added a quarter inch extra around the outside for sewing and cut it out.  The finished stockings are approximately 17" long (top to bottom), the foot is 10" wide, and the top is about 7" wide. 

Material is doubled so every trace is one complete stocking.

This shows one cut stocking next to the paper bag template.

I cut out all seven and then used a sewing machine to stitch them together.

The stocking on the right is sewn. Note that the top is NOT sewn or hemmed.

Fold about 3/4" of the top inside and iron flat. Also iron the entire stocking.

I used an awl to punch holes every quarter inch through two layers (it also goes through the layer you folded in and ironed).

It works best if you punch a hole, then single crochet in it, then punch another hole, crochet a stitch, etc.

Single crochet (loosely) completely around.

Crochet rows around until the rim is 5" wide. I used combinations of the following stitches: single crochet, sc front loop, and double crochet cross over.

I finished the edge with the following trim: chain 6, sc, chain 6 repeated all the way around. and then folded the entire brim over the outside of the stocking.

I connected a ten chain stitch crocheted loop to hang the stocking from. It is attached to the heel side of the stocking.

Then I created the names on the computer. I used font type "monotype corsiva" size 350 for the first letter with a green line and red fill. The rest of the name was the same font size 50, without the green line.

The names MUST BE PRINTED BACKWARDS so they iron on in the correct direction. Follow iron on directions carefully! Corners are especially important.

Some of the finished stockings...

Here is a quick slideshow of the seven different crochet tops I made.  Note that you can make the tops any way you want and in any colors or combinations of colors!

Below is a FREE .docx file that you can download, copy, paste, and change as needed depending upon the name (or names) you want to make.  JUST REMEMBER THAT YOU MUST PRINT IT BACKWARDS.  

Heres  how I Printed Backwards:
On my macbook pro I was able to do this in the printer settings by going to "print", then under "copies and pages" choosing "layout" and then checking the box "flip horizontally."  Print a test page first!  Most printers have this option not matter what computer you are using.  Note that some of them call it a mirror image instead :-)

DOWNLOAD MS WORD .docx FILE FOR NAME template THAT YOU CAN EDIT

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