Refashion a blanket into embroidered Christmas stockings

This is a great way to recycle old woollen blankets, or you can use woollen fabric to make your embroidered Christmas stocking. Upcycle an old cot blanket that’s seen better days into an embroidery Christmas stocking for your little one to use throughout their childhood. You can use tapestry wool for the embroidery, but we used a leftover ball of white double-knit wool.

This design was originally published in Simply Sewing issue 62.

You will need:

• wool blanket
• Dylon hand dye and salt (Optional)
• Wool (White double knitting wool)
• Tapestry needle
• Fabric marker (An erasable fabric pen or pencil)
• Pom pom maker
• Matching thread
• Basic sewing kit
• Stocking templates PDF

How to make an embroidered stocking

Step 1

From the wool blanket cut:

Stocking outer: two using the stocking templates

If you don’t like the colour of your original wool blanket, you can dye it. We cut out our stocking shapes before dyeing them. It is worth noting that when dyeing wool, the colour will be more muted than when dyeing cotton or silk. Following the instructions, mix a dye bath and add the salt. Dye the two stocking pieces. Rinse well and leave them to dry.

Step 2

Transfer the pattern from the template to the stocking using the erasable fabric marker. To draw the snowflakes, simply draw a cross at right angles and then another cross between the first set of right angles.

Step 3

Using a single thread, follow the lines with a chain stitch. When you have done one line, tie off the ends of the thread and, starting from the back, sew a second line. Repeat until all the lines have been covered.

Step 4

Cut a long piece of wool and tie the ends together. Using the double thickness thread, sew lines of running stitches in between the chain stitch lines. 

Add extra detail by sewing scattered French knots all over the stocking.

Step 5

Pin the front and back of the stocking wrong sides together around the outer edge, 1cm (3/8in) from the raw edges. Starting at the top and using a double thickness of wool, sew a blanket stitch around the top of the stocking front and then the back. Using blanket stitch, sew the sides together. 

Step 6

Make a pom pom and then attach a piece of braided wool to the pom and stitch this to the corner of the stocking. 

Braid three strands of wool to make a loop. Sew to the corner of the stocking.

That’s it, you have a lovely new stocking.

Create a cosy festive finish with this embroidered Christmas stocking

Refashioning a blanket into embroidered Christmas stockings is a thoughtful way to reuse old textiles while creating something truly special. Once finished, you’ll have a cosy, characterful stocking that adds a handmade touch to your Christmas decor.

Stitch something festive

Add some shimmer and sparkle to your tree this year with these fun Christmas jumper decs from Christine Leech.

Juliet Bawden

Juliet Bawden is a designer, maker, author and journalist. She has had over 70 craft books published, some exploring and making the things herself, and others writing about designers who are at the top of their field. Her books include ‘The Art and Craft of Papier Mache’, ‘Hearts’ a book of Romantic Gifts, ‘The Hat Book’, ‘Rag Rug’ inspirations, ‘The Art and Craft of Applique’ and more. She also designs, makies and writes for magazines including : Coast, Simply Sewing and Reloved as well as for the web site of both Cath Kidston and Laura Ashley.

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