A cross stitch Christmas stocking is a popular holiday project. Beautifully handcrafted stockings hanging on the mantle give your holiday décor a quaint, old-fashioned charm. When given as a gift, a cross stitch stocking will no doubt become a treasured holiday heirloom.

Custom or Kit?
If you want to try your hand at creating a beautiful heirloom cross stitch stocking, you can either choose to use a kit, or you can make one on your own. The advantages of a kit are that you'll have everything you need. The stocking itself is generally precut, and printed with the pattern design. With a kit, all you need to do is cross stitch, sew together and enjoy. Kits are available at craft stores and online. Beginners can find kits with simple designs on just part of the stocking, while more advanced stitchers might prefer some of the more elaborate designs which cover the entire stocking.

If you prefer not to use a kit, you have a little more work before you, but it will be well worth the effort to know that your stocking is truly unique. First, you will need to come up with a design. There are lots of patterns available in cross stitch books or online. You can also design your own pattern, if you wish. If you’re giving the stocking as a gift, adding personalization is a nice touch. 

Getting Started
Once you have settled on a design, you will need to gather up your supplies.

Materials:

• A piece of Aida fabric, larger than you wish your finished stocking to be
• Embroidery floss
• Fabric for the back of the stocking
• Liner fabric
• Needles
• An embroidery hoop

First, stitch your cross stitch design, as you would for any other cross stitch project. Be sure to remove the hoop when you are not actually stitching, to keep the fabric from getting stretched out. Once your design is completed, it’s time to put your stocking together.

Beginning with the cross-stitched front of the stocking, cut out the stocking shape, leaving one inch around the edge. Cut one piece of backing fabric in the same manner, and then cut two pieces from the liner fabric. Cut out an additional strip of backing fabric that is 1 ½ inches wide by 3 inches long.

Fold the fabric strip in thirds, and stitch. Pin the front of the stocking to the back of the stocking, right sides facing in. Pin the fabric strip onto the upper corner of the stocking as a hanging loop, making sure it is on the right side. Stitch all around, leaving the top open. Next, pin the two pieces of liner fabric together, right sides facing in, and sew the same way.

Turn the stocking right side out. Leave the liner wrong side out, and fit it into the stocking. Turn in all the raw edges at the top of the stocking, between the liner and the stocking fabric. Hand stitch around the top.

Depending on the complexity of the design and the amount of space you're covering, this project can take some time to complete. Don't wait until the week before Christmas to get started; it's best to begin a stocking project during the summer months, so that you're not rushing to get everything done.