How to Make a Christmas Stocking From a Jumper

13th December 2014

This week I learnt how to make a Christmas stocking from a jumper and wanted to share it with you.

I took my son on his very first train journey last weekend (which he LOVED) to attend a crafting day with DryNites.

The BBC2 Great British Sewing Bee finalist Tamara Melvin hosted the event and taught us some Christmas crafts that are designed to bring some grown-up touches to little people’s bedrooms.

I enjoyed making things whilst chatting to other mums about potty training; My son’s at the stage of being interested when others around him are doing it, but also not wanting to go near a potty other times!

He’s a tall boy, so nights are becoming more difficult as we are having a few leaks from nappies, so I was pleased to hear that DryNites are designed to hold more urine than most brands.

DryNites® bedwetting expert Emma Kenny said: ‘The key is to focus on things that are age-appropriate and support them through this stage of their development. That’s why the craft projects Tamara has created will not only transform their bedrooms, but also act as a reminder of just how grown up they are and how much they are achieving throughout their days.’

Tamara, who has two children herself, said of these great craft ideas: ‘Christmas time is the perfect time to get crafty with your little one. The festive craft projects I devised include a personalised Christmas stocking which your little one can leave for Santa at the end of their bed, and a decoration that they can make to hang in their bedroom window to give them an extra confidence boost at bed time.”

My favourite activity we did, was learning how to make a Christmas stocking out of an old jumper, because I love upcycling projects!

It’s been a few years since I attempted sewing (for good reason) but thankfully Tamara was a very good teacher!

My son made the pompom which I was very proud of, and it took pride of place on the stocking of course. 


Here is my son’s stocking and I’ve added instructions on how to make your own one, as these are surprisingly easy and quite gorgeous!

I intend to keep using my son’s one each year so it becomes a tradition he can look back on and maybe even do with his own children.

homemade stocking

How to Make a Christmas Stocking

Materials Needed:

  • An old jumper
  • Felt
  • Embroidery thread
  • Buttons
  • Ribbon
  • Glitter foam sheet
  • Thread
  • Wool
  • Bauble/bell

Equipment required:

  • Sewing machine (optional)
  • Paper and fabric scissors
  • Pins
  • Stocking pattern
  • Snowman/tree template
  • Embroidery needle
  • Printer for initial template

Step 1

Cut your pattern using a homemade stocking template.

If you have an existing stocking, use it to draw around, or use a ruler
and French curve to help to get the shape right.

Tip: “Waffle” craft fabric works well instead of paper as it doesn’t tear and is more like a fabric.

Step 2

Place your pattern piece on your jumper, choosing carefully which part of the jumper you’d like to use.

Cardigans are a nice choice because of the button detail, and men’s jumpers work well as they’re big.

Try to avoid V-Neck jumpers as there’s less fabric to work with.

Pin well as knitted fabric tends to stretch.

Step 3

To create the initial for your stocking, open a word document on your pc/laptop and type your desired letter.

Print it out and make sure it is the size you want to use on your design.

Flip it over and place on your foam.

Be sure to use the reverse side as you are drawing the shape on the back of the foam.

Using a permanent pen, trace around the outline. This should seep through the paper to the foam below.

Carefully cut your letter using small scissors or a scalpel.

Step 4

Make your embellishment using the feltm which could be a tree, candy cane or even a snowman.

You can use two items from your kitchen to make a snowman shape, like an egg cup and a mug.

Be creative and play around with what you have at home. Cut out a little hat and a carrot.

Place your initial and snowman or tree on the front of your stocking.

Step 5

Sew your initial and decoration by hand or with your sewing machine, taking it slow at the corners and curves.

If you’re hand stitching, use embroidery thread and make your stitches even.

You could add buttons for eyes, a hand sewn smile and a ribbon scarf.

Then, placing right sides together, pin and either hand or machine-sew both to create your stocking.

Now you are ready to make your pom-pom decoration.

Step 6

An easy way to make your pom-pom is to use a fork.

Wrap the wool around the “prongs” and then thread wool or ribbon in the central gap and gather the hoops together.

Keep the pom-pom on the fork, snip the ends and fluff it out.

Alternatively you can use a pom-pom maker which is just as quick, but you’ll have the option to make different sizes with this gadget.

You could slide a bauble and bell onto the hanging ribbon or wool.

Make a loop with the hanging ribbon and add the pom-pom and bell/bauble.

Hand or machine stitch this to the inside seam.

Now you’re ready to fill it with lovely things!

I was invited to this craft event by DryNites. No payment was received and all opinions are honest and my own.

3 Comments

  • prwilson

    14th December 2014 at 12:21 am

    Great upcycling.

  • Maya Russell

    15th December 2014 at 8:05 am

    Never thought of making a pompom using a fork. I have some wool and will make one today! Nice stocking too.

  • How To Make A Christmas Star – Single Parent Pessimist

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    […] Tamara Melvin.During the event, my son and I got to make a Christmas Stocking which I have  posted a tutorial about, and we also made a Christmas Star for our […]

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