Because handmade items always seem to touch a special place in our hearts, you’ll love these DIY Christmas stocking ideas and the tutorial.
This project blends cozy sweaters with holiday charm, the perfect combination for the season.
I hope it inspires you to make a stocking for yourself or create one as a thoughtful gift.
Why I Love this Project
This is a project I have wanted to try for a long time, even though I cannot take credit for the original design. It was inspired by beautiful stockings I have admired in stores for years. You have probably seen plenty of creative variations too.
Christmas stocking ideas are endless. You can find knit styles, patched or pieced versions, and designs made from cozy fabrics, yarn, or even faux fur. They feel personal and often become meaningful keepsakes.
This project would make a wonderful handmade gift for someone special or a keepsake to enjoy with your own family.
It is also a fun activity to make with friends, with your children, or as a whole-family craft night.
This tutorial is not difficult. If you know your way around a sewing machine, you’ll have no problem. The hardest part is finding sweaters!
My girlfriend, Ruth, and I had a major advantage because Ruth’s Mom, Gerry (of Mittens by Mom & Me), has been buying and upcycling wool sweaters for her beautiful handmade mittens for years.
Gerry has a large inventory of old sweaters and was generous enough to let Ruth and I have our pick to try this out.
Let’s get started!
Stocking Pattern
Let’s start with your pattern! You can create your own design or grab my pattern in the free library. Just subscribe to download the pattern or sign in if you are already a subscriber. Or you can print out one of the eight free stocking templates in this post.
After you have decide on the design of your stocking, you’ll need to print it or transfer it to a larger piece of paper. Any kind of paper will work for the pattern. You can use a piece of heavy cardboard or a roll of thin paper. I like using this pattern paper or this option with printed markings is especially handy (affiliate link). The paper is like a commercial sewing pattern paper, so you can see through it easily and store it flat without taking up much space.
We used the thinner paper to determine the overall shape of the stocking, then used rigid cardboard for the individual piecework. The thickness and durability of cardstock made it easier to trace and cut around.
There are three pattern pieces. One for the front, one for the back, and one for the cuff. Make a pattern for each piece if you choose to piece the front in sections. Note: If you are creating a stocking with kids, you can simplify the process by using two full pieces of fabric. One for the front and one for the back, which lets you skip the piecing step on the front.
Remember to add a seam allowance to the edges that will be joined to another piece. You can draw this into the pattern or add it as you cut out the sweater fabric. You won’t need to add a seam allowance around the perimeter of the stocking if you are finishing with a blanket stitch, as we did.
A seam allowance is an area between the raw fabric edge and the stitching line on the pieces of material being sewn together. They can range from 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) wide to several inches. It’s up to you how wide you’d like to make yours. I typically use a 5/8 inch (1.5cm) seam allowance.
Recycled Sweaters
Next you’ll need to find some sweaters! As you collect sweaters for your stockings, first consider the room decor where they will hang. Sweaters come in endless colors and patterns.
You could choose woodsy or cabin-inspired, playful or juvenile, traditional Christmas shades, creams, neutrals, or anything in between. I chose a cream-and-natural theme, as usual. 😉
Mix colors and prints to create a stocking that is uniquely yours or personalized for its recipient.
Weight and strength are just as important as style. The sweater should be sturdy enough to hold the contents of the stocking. Beware, fragile knits or loose weaves do not work well! You can use a sturdy sweater for the back, but a heavier-weight fabric, or we found that old coat material works even better and gives the stocking more stability. (And it’s pretty!) The back is not usually visible, so it is okay to be flexible here.
For cuffs, check the waistband edges of sweaters with nice details or ribbing. Fur trims from old coats also make lovely additions.
If you are lucky, you may have wool sweaters around your house. Thrift stores are another great source. Thrifting requires some intention and open-mindedness, but it is fun, eco-friendly, and a great way to recycle! Take a friend and explore. Look for 100 percent wool fibers, interesting trims, or long coats, which are perfect for stocking backs.
If you do not have a thrift store nearby, ask family and friends if they are cleaning out closets. You may be surprised at the treasures you find.
Embellishing
Trims are the icing on the cake. You may find what you need just by looking around your house.
There are also wonderful selections at fabric and craft stores. Decorative trims, buttons, bells, or pom-poms can be the perfect accents.
Preparation
Whether you bought your sweaters or borrowed them, now is the time to give them a good wash.
I checked with Ruth’s mom, Gerry, who has been making pieced wool mittens for about ten years. She always washes her sweaters in a regular washing machine and recommends placing them in a zippered bag or pillowcase for extra protection. After that, she dries them in the dryer.
Keep an eye on them as they wash and dry. I did have one sweater shrink, but Gerry says this method has worked very well for most of hers.
Materials
Pattern Paper or Cardboard
Free Pattern subscribe or sign in
Sweaters
Fabric or Coat Fabric for the back piece
Cuff Material
Trims Tassels, Buttons, Bells, Pom Poms, etc., optional
Sewing Scissors
Paper Scissors
Pins
Thimble or Finger Protector
Washing Bag or Pillowcase
Yarn or Embroidery Thread
Upholstery Needle
Sewing Machine
Love this Handmade Stocking Project? Leave a comment in the section further down the page. I love hearing from you!
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Instructions
Design
1 Draw your stocking on paper or cardboard.
Decide on which sweaters or fabrics coordinate best. Choose a fabric for the back. The stiffer fabric seems to work best here. Try a sturdy fabric, recycled coats, or felt.
Choose your cuff material. Consider old fur collars or the ribbed waistline of a sweater, or piece together sleeve ends.
Cut and Sew
2 Cut out all the sweater pieces: the front sections, the back of the stocking, and the cuff pieces.
If your fabric has a pattern design, don’t place any markings that you want visible near the very edge of the stocking because it will be slightly covered up with blanket stitches.
3 With the right sides of the fabric together, sew the front pieces together.
4 Attach the cuff to the body of the stocking.
Important: Pin pieces together first to be sure you have them positioned correctly before you stitch. It’s easy to mess this part up. (I’ve done it!)
It is confusing and easy to sew the fabric the wrong side up because the cuff folds over.
If you combine more than one piece of sweater fabric to create the cuff, first, sew the whole cuff strip into one long band.
Next, with the right sides together, fold the cuff in half lengthwise and stitch the end of the band closed with a straight stitch.
Now you should have a complete circle.
Sew the top of the back of the stocking to the cuff. Then, sew the top of the front of the stocking to the cuff.
Flatten and sew the bottom edges of both extended ends horizontally so they are closed on each side. Turn the cuff to the outside.
Good job! If you got that right…that was the hardest part. It’s downhill from here!
Embellish
5 Now, sew on any embellishments, pom poms, trims, tassels, or hanging loops.
Attach a piece of ribbon or leather strip for a hanging loop to the back at of the top of the stocking. Just stitch one end of the ribbon or leather cord along the back edge, where the stocking meets the cuff.
Place it in the seam allowance and on the wrong side of the fabric.
Stitch, then reinforce by backstitching a few times. Thread the bell on your ribbon and then stitch the other end the same way.
Finish
6 Blanket stitch sides together with yarn or embroidery floss. Here’s a great tutorial for how to blanket stitch.
YAY! You are done and ready to hang your stocking.
For more DIY Christmas stocking ideas and inspiration, check out Ruth’s latest creations below. Aren’t they beautiful?
Looking for more craft inspiration? Browse all of the craft project ideas.
DIY Wool Felting
Mini Pouch Free Pattern and Tutorial
No Sew Pillows
Beaded Bracelets
DIY Decorative Frame
Mini DIY Gnome
Christmas Gnomes
DIY Apron Tutorial & Pattern
Please let me know how your handmade stockings turn out in the comment box below. I love to hear from you. Be sure to subscribe or follow me on social media for more inspiration!
Merry Christmas and happy sewing!
xo,
Cindy
Did you try this project?
I would love to hear all about it! Let me know what you thought by leaving a comment below and sharing it on Instagram, Facebook, & Pinterest!
Thank you!
About Bloom
Cindy Munson is a lifelong sewer, pattern designer, and former graphic design studio owner. She shares approachable, stylish sewing projects through her blog, Be Brave and Bloom. Her mission is to help others discover the joy of making and live a more creative life. Cindy works from her sunny sewing studio in Minnesota, where she lives with her husband of over 30 years.
The pattern doesn’t match the stocking in the images in this article.
Hi there! You may have downloaded the wrong one? There are 2 stocking files in the library. Look for the one called “Christmas Stocking Pattern”. Also, don’t forget to enlarge it to your desired size. Enjoy the project! 🙂
I love this idea! My mom made our childhood stockings, complete with beautiful embroidery and details. I wanted to create something similar for my daughter last year and quickly gave up, buying one instead. This looks much more my speed, achievable, and looks great! Thanks for the idea!
That’s awesome Kristy! I hope you try it.☺️ And I love that your Mom made yours.
These are adorable! We need to Black Friday shop at the thrift store!
Thanks, Kim! That’s a fantastic idea!