Handmade Holidays: DIY Sweater Stocking

I'm really excited about this edition of Handmade Holidays. Kirsten is here today with an awesome tutorial for upcycling an old sweater into a sweet new stocking. You can see a lot more of her DIY and decor ideas on her blog, which I think you should check out when you're done here. In the meantime, here's how to make yourself a new stocking!

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Hey guys, I’m Kirsten! You can normally find me over at Through the Front Door, but today I’m so excited to be taking part in Paige’s Handmade Holiday Series. Now I don’t know about you, but I’m a HUGE fan of decorating for the holidays. However, I like to make my home look a little different than the typical holiday house, and what better way to do that than making some of your own decorations!

I have a ridiculously easy tutorial for all of you Little Nostalgia readers, and if you have a glue gun, it’s a DIY you can literally do for free. Just go into your closet and pull out that old sweater you no longer wear, because we’re about to breathe new life into it. Sidenote: I especially love this idea for kids if they had a favorite sweater they grew out of.

Today we’re going to turn your old sweater into a beautiful stocking in just a few easy steps. To start out, you will need:

1. Sweater
2. Glue gun
3. Cardboard
4. Scissors
5. Marker

Step 1:
Trace a stocking shape onto a piece of cardboard and cut it out.

Step 2:
Turn your sweater inside out and lay it flat on the ground

Step 3:
Place your cardboard stencil on the sweater, just above the bottom band. This band will be folded over and create the stocking cuff.

Step 4:
Trace around the stencil. I traced about a ½” outside of the stencil. This way, I can put the cardboard in the stocking when it’s done to give it some stability. Otherwise, you could always iron on some fabric stabilizer to make your stocking a bit more sturdy.

Step 5:
Cut your sweater along the line you just traced.

Step 6:
Flip one of the fabric pieces over so what will be the outside of the stocking is facing right side up.

Step 7:
Using hot glue, trace around the edge of the stocking. I recommend doing this in small sections and placing the other piece on it right away. If you try to trace around the entire stocking, the glue will probably be dry before you get a chance to stick the pieces together.

Step 8:
Once you’ve glued the two pieces together, flip it right-side out.

Step 9:
Put the piece of cardboard inside for stability, and feel free to add some lace, buttons or a broach to spice your stocking up.

Step 10:

Enjoy!

I hope you guys have enjoyed this tutorial! Pop on over to Through the Front Door anytime and say hello! Happy Holidays!