Christmas Stocking Cross Stitch Kit

What this cross stitch stocking kit is

This is a counted cross stitch kit for making a single Christmas stocking. The finished piece measures 17 x 10 in (43 x 25 cm), a classic stocking shape that hangs well on a mantel or a stair rail.

The kit uses cotton canvas and cotton thread. The fabric color is white, which keeps the snowy scenes bright and gives the thread colors a clean background. Everything you need to stitch is in the box: printed canvas, thread colors, 2 needles and a chart.

Stitching time is about 20 hours. That is a few evenings a week for a month, or a steady weekend project. The skill level is some experience, so it suits a stitcher who has already worked a small project and is ready for a larger one.

Sizes and fabric counts

The finished size stays at 17 x 10 in (43 x 25 cm). The fabric count you choose changes how large the stitches look and how the design fills the stocking.

Unprinted fabric means you count the stitches from the chart as you go. Printed fabric has the design marked on the canvas, so you match your thread to the printed areas. Both are counted cross stitch, just a different way of following the pattern.

Designs

There are 19 designs to choose from:

• Christmas window with children
• Victorian house winter scene
• Snowy village with horse sleigh
• Cats in Santa hats
• Snowmen with Christmas tree
• Snowman with woodland animals
• Snowman with rabbit and cat
• Owls in Santa hats
• Santa and snowman
• Deer in snowy forest
• Santa with list and sack
• Santa with snow globe
• Santa and sleeping children
• Reindeer, snowman and bear
• Santa and sleeping boy with teddy
• Deer and raccoon in winter
• Snowman with lantern
• Snowman with cardinal
• Santa and snowman with animals

Each design fills the same 17 x 10 in (43 x 25 cm) stocking shape, so the choice comes down to the scene you want on the mantel. Animal scenes and Santa scenes are the two main groups, with a few village and window scenes mixed in.

How to stitch it

Start by checking your fabric count against the chart. The chart tells you how many strands of thread to use and where each stitch goes. Cut your thread to a comfortable length, separate the strands, and work in rows or blocks rather than jumping across the canvas.

If you chose printed fabric, the design is already on the canvas. Match each thread color to the printed area and stitch over it. If you chose unprinted fabric, count from the chart and mark your progress as you go.

Work the main blocks of color first, then fill in the details and any backstitch lines that define faces, windows and snow. Leave the outline stitching until the end so the edges stay crisp.

When the stitching is done, press the canvas face down on a soft towel, then sew the stocking shape and add a hanging loop if you want one.

Care and storage

Keep the canvas rolled rather than folded once you start stitching, so the creases relax. Wash your hands before each stitching session, since cotton thread picks up oils from your skin.

When the stocking is finished, hand wash it in cool water with a mild soap if needed, then lay it flat to dry. Do not wring or tumble dry. Store the kit and any leftover thread in a dry place away from direct sun, and keep the chart with the project so you can match colors later.