sweater Christmas stocking tutorial

One of the fun projects I made this week were a couple of sweater Christmas stockings. I've been wanting to make some for a long time and finally decided the time was now.

First I picked out a festive red angora sweater that I'd already felted a couple of times in the washing machine. Then I used a Christmas stocking that I already had as a template to cut out two stockings. I enlarged the toe area from the template because I wanted a roomier stocking. Also, I planned the design of the stocking with the cable detail on the toe. I used the side seam of the sweater as the straight side of the stocking and the bottom hem of the sweater as the top of the stocking.

I cut about an inch and a half wide piece of fluffy white trim to fit around the top of the stocking. I cut the trim to the right length simply by laying it on the stocking top and measuring.

Next I turned the sweater inside out and pinned all along the edge. Then I sewed the toe edge on the sewing machine being sure to leave the top edge open. Be sure to snip a little at the toe and heel for fabric ease.

Then I turned the stocking inside out and smoothed all the edges. I hand stitched the white fur trim along the top of the stocking by turning the rough trim edge under as I sewed. Then I cut a small piece of red sweater, about three quarters inches by three inches for the loop. I sewed this piece into a tub and attached it as a loop to the stocking edge.

Ta da! A pretty finished stocking. Its really as easy as it looks. And there is no end of possible design patterns. So if you've got an old sweater that you love that doesn't fit any more consider giving it new life as a Christmas stocking. Later this week I'll post a tutorial on making your very own Christmas spirit decorations.

Comments

[Karyn]

That's amazing Felicia, very clear instructions too! Where DID you get that perfect white trim?

[Brandy]

So so pretty! You're helping me to not feel so Grinchly--nothing like being in a big city on Black Friday to suck out the Christmas spirit! I love felted sweaters!!

[Mirre]

Looks great!

[laura]

What a great idea and I think that I can even hand sew it (since I just started learning how to sew and broke my machine!). Thanks!

[Bunny]

Great Idea and really pretty too.

[becoming-home]

Totally adorable of course!

[Kitty]

Those Christmas stockings are wonderful! How clever. I often peruse the clothes in charity shops for 'good' fabric, now I shall peruse the sweaters too!

[Katherine]

So festive and cheery! I always scan the thrift shops for items that I can re-make in crafty ways. I'd love to get my hands on such a yummy red sweater...

[Sarah]

I made a few of these when we got married from old beaded sweaters. (And the damn cat ate them! Argggh!)

[Kathleen]

Great idea I'm going to look for some green sweaters I have put away somewhere! Thanks.

[randi]

This is a great tutorial! Last year we found that our stockings had gotten wet and had mildewed so we threw them away. If I have time I will be making these for this year!

[Melissa]

Thank you for posting this! I was on the hunt for new stockings, but instead I think I will do this.

[Shannon]

Great tutorial, and lovely stockings. :)

[Terri Walton]

Awesome!! That looks so soft and fuzzy, great job!

[sadira]

A-DOR-A-BLE!!! And are those the ghosts of Christmas past present and future as well????

[Jen]

Felicia, what a wonderful idea! They look terrific, and just this morning I was wondering what to do with the (accidentally) felted red wool skirt that's been forlornly sitting on the dryer...

[Chara Michele]

Such a pretty stocking & a lovely idea!

[bethany]

This is very cute!!! I was thinking I would probably make it very long...like a Dr. Suess kind of stocking!

Thank you for our little Christmas joy... he is in the middle of the room, watching everyone from our card holder! :)

[Claudia]

Finally something to do with a pilled sweater...very creative!!

[Jennifer]

So cute!

[Angela]

Ooooh -- fun! Now if only everyone in the family (and somehow all of my friends) didn't know that I knit stockings. Hmmnn...

[michelle]

Great tutorial and I bet they hold a lot because they stretch a bit when you stuff them! And thank you for the beautiful christmas card, it made my day!

[Lee]

Brava!
Thanks for the inspiration and clear tutorial!
;o)
- Lee

[jodie]

That is just the kick in the pants I need - I have two sweaters already felted that have been waiting for stocking inspiration - you have made it look like a breeze- great tutorial - thankyou

[Emma]

I really like these stockings - especially the icy look of the white trim!