18 day countdown - Make a recycled stocking

My collection of Christmas stockings is now approaching 150!  Every year I add to that collection with Christmas stockings I create for a photo-shoot or for members of my family.  We hang stockings on the mantle along with the rest of my holiday decorating early in the season. The stockings below are made from sweaters and are a family favorite.

These Nordic style stockings were the result of a shopping trip to a local consignment shop for the "Swedish Christmas" I produced for Good Housekeeping Magazine in 2010.  The sweaters cost between $8.00 and $20.00. Not bad for the beautiful look of a Nordic knitted stocking.

You only need basic sewing skills to make Christmas stockings like these!

1- First draw a stocking pattern on paper, a newspaper or even a brown grocery bag making sure to add the extra 1/2" seam allowance all around the sides.

2- Lay the sweater out flat.  Place your paper pattern on top where you want the  sweater pattern to appear on the stocking. Pin and cut.  Remember you have to cut two sides.

3- Use the sweater patterns to enhance the stocking, The border on the top of the red stocking was the  band at the bottom of the sweater.

4- Pin the Stocking's right side together and sew with the 1/2" seam.

5- Turn right side out!

Hang your Christmas Stockings with care!!!