While the holidays may seem a long way off, I look forward all year to hanging my needlepoint stockings from the mantel - each one is such a special, sentimental project. Stitching a full set of needlepoint stockings for my family is an ongoing goal of mine, and I like having a stocking project humming along to work on throughout the year. I created a 12 Days stocking in 2023, my Nutcracker stocking in 2024, and collaborated with Inslee on this Holiday Creature stocking in 2025. I'm currently working on the Holiday Creature stocking for my daughter Natalie and having so much fun with it.
It brings me so much joy to know these are treasured heirlooms in your homes like they are in mine, and I am so excited to continue introducing more to my line! Stockings can feel like a lot, but you're totally capable of stitching your own family treasures. Here are some tips for tackling your stockings:
Break it up
The scale of a stocking project (or projects, if you're working on a set for your whole family!) can be daunting, but breaking your stitching up into smaller sections can help make things more manageable. There's no rule that says you have to only work on one project at a time, and I personally go back and forth between working on my stocking and on smaller projects. I also think it's helpful to swap between working on the background and on the smaller motifs and details to help keep things interesting!
Think about threads
Beyond the scale of the project, stockings can also be intimidating given the number of threads and the cost to kit. You don't need to kit a whole stocking at once - it's okay to take a big project slowly! Shop your stash and use threads from previous projects for small areas of color, or buy your background thread first and add in the additional colors as needed.
Note: For the stockings from my line, I suggest buying 8 or 9 skeins of whatever Silk & Ivory thread color you choose for the background - just remember to consider the dye lot and make sure you have enough! For something of this scale, it's better to get too much thread than to run out, and you can always use the extra on a different project.
On that note, since a stocking project is a significant commitment, make sure you are using threads you love! There are so many beautiful threads to stitch with (see my favorites here) and a stocking is a good opportunity to add some fun details in the form of ribbon, metallic or speciality threads. Your LNS may have some suggestions for unique threads and bringing in different textures, but you can also get ideas from what I used to stitch my 12 Days stocking here.
Switch up your stitches
There is absolutely nothing wrong with stitching an entire stocking in basketweave - in fact, doing so just maximizes the piece's lifelong durability. If that sounds like too much for you, though, there are plenty of ways to incorporate decorative stitches into stockings. Using a stitch like diagonal mosaic can help the background go faster, while something like brick stitch can help differentiate special details. Small areas like clothing or animal fur are also great places to bring in decorative stitches, especially in combination with speciality threads. You can get more ideas from my mini stitch guide for my Nutcracker stocking here.
I am currently stitching the background of my Holiday Creature stocking in Woven Trellis and absolutely love it. It stitches up quickly and looks beautiful, which are two qualities I love for a large project like this one!
Make it personal
A stocking is ultimately your family heirloom, and they should be something that not only brings you joy to stitch, but also to look at every year, so add in your own touches to make it yours. No two stockings have to look exactly the same. Stitch the recipient's name on the cuff in a font they'd love or tweak hair colors, hair textures, and skin tones to reflect you and your family. I also think it's a thoughtful touch when the stitcher includes their own small monogram or name stitched on the canvas or embroidered inside during the finishing process.
The lovely thing about stitching a stocking is that after all that hard work, they can be enjoyed for years and years to come. I promise you don't have to be an expert stitcher to do a stocking and I hope these tips make anyone stitching their first one feel more confident in starting!
