Ready the Lumps of Coal!

We recently had a question about making your own Christmas Stockings. There are so many different options on the internet for every type of craft and skill. I am making knit and crocheted stockings this year. If you have a good understanding of knit, purl, and decreasing than this knit stocking is for you.

I came across it searching Ravelry.  If you do knit or crochet that is the best place to look for patterns. They have a ton of free patterns! I altered the pattern so mine has stripes of colors without the holiday figures. You can take their basic pattern and make your stocking any way you want it.

I am also crocheting one (it has been over a year since I've worked on it, but that still counts, right?) from Crocheted Christmas Stockings by Grace Kaplan.

The book has fifteen different stockings built off of one crocheting pattern. The stockings are BEAUTIFUL. I don't know when I would use a carrot stocking, but it is cute, isn't it. These stockings are difficult. This would not be a project to begin crocheting to- experience is necessary.

And Kelly M's favorite is the Bucilla Christmas Stocking Kits. Using a prepackaged supply of felt, thread, and base stocking you create a beautiful stocking that can be personalized with a name.  Basic sewing knowledge required. 

Each of the above projects takes a good amount of time. You won't be able to finish them the day before Christmas, so start crafting now. If you are in search of a less time consuming craft- try these links:

Better Homes and Gardens Embellishment Felt Stockings

Shanty 2 Chic's Ruffled Stocking

Martha Stewart's Felt Stocking

Or check Craftgossip.com for more ideas.

Happy Holiday Crafting!

Pants, Presents, and Future

Can you BELIEVE it is already November? I was so caught up with Halloween and trying to make a bunch of last minute Frightening crafts that suddenly it is almost Christmas. Poor Thanksgiving. I won't be able to make anything special for Thanksgiving (other than dinner) because I have so many things to finish up for Christmas.

Our latest craft has been flannel pants. Next we are taking on fleece. They are the quickest, easiest thing we've made yet. Handmade Mommy suggests 15 minutes a pair of pants at http://handmademommy.blogspot.com/2009/10/15-minute-jammy-pants.html. Check it out, she has a great tutorial.

We have a ton of presents left to make before Christmas.

• Aprons from A is for Apron by Nathalie Mornu or http://justinandnichole.blogspot.com/2009/02/apron-tutorial.html or http://modestmaven.blogspot.com/2009/10/fully-lined-ruffle-apron-tutorial.html
• Duffle Bags from http://sewing.about.com/od/bagstotespurseproject/ss/dufflebag.htm
• Fabric Books from http://everydaycelebrate.blogspot.com/2010/03/tutorial-color-fabric-book.html
• Fleece Jumpers from http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/2009/11/fleece-jumper.html
• I-SPY Bags
• Napkins from http://www.purlbee.com/linen-thanksgiving-napkins/ or http://www.skiptomylou.org/2009/04/20/make-your-own-cloth-napkins/
• Oven Mitts
• Table Runners
• Tree Skirts from http://sew4home.com/projects/fabric-art-a-accents/390-citrus-holiday-simply-quilted-patchwork-tree-skirt

And the future- you tell us- what do you think we should make post Christmas?