Handmade stocking are such a sentimental treasure. There are so many options for handmade Christmas stocking tutorials too - every skill level from simple and beginner-friendly to more complicated and complex designs. I've updated the list to include some really cool new modern quilted stocking patterns and tutorials.
Beginner-friendly Handmade Christmas Stocking Tutorial
This Fast and beginner-friendly stocking tutorial is still my most popular post every December.
This simple stockings come together quick. You can easily make multiple stockings in an afternoon. It's a proven winner.
Quilted and Patchwork Christmas Stocking Tutorials
If you are looking for another simple stocking tutorial with a quilted layer and separate cuff, check out this great tutorial (+video and printable template):
Another quilted stocking variation is this quilt-as-you-go Easy Quilted/Lined Stocking - super quick and perfect for using up favorite scraps!
This year I'm having a lot of fun foundation piecing and quilting these more complex quilted stockings using the November 2023 kit and and foundation blocks from Perfectly Pieced.
Here is some more gorgeous quilted stocking inspiration and tutorials for you:
Gorgeous Patchwork and Quilted stocking tutorial from Patchwork and Poodles
Strip-pieced Patchwork Stocking - from Purl Soho
Patchwork stocking with a lined cuff from Cluck Cluck Sew
Half-square triangle Patchwork Stocking tutorial from Sherri of A Quilting Life
Fresh, modern take on a quilted stocking - pattern from Suzy Quilts
Another super cool modern variation - Nicole from Modern Handcraft shows how to make this cool Hexagon quilted stocking using glue-basting and applique techniques.
Joe June and Mae shoes how to piece a stocking using English Paper-pieced Hexagons. I LOVE all of the fussy-cut blocks!
Quilted Patchwork Star Stocking from Sew DIY
Cute little Mini Patchwork Stocking from Jeni Baker - perfect for gift cards or other mini gifts. (Fun for using scraps too.)
ADORABLE Mini stocking garland tutorial from the Polkadot Chair
Gorgeous charm with these Quilted Stockings with scallop edge from Tilda
If you're looking for something a little more modern and check out the Minimalist Stocking Tutorial from Juniperus Thread Works
Repurposed Christmas Stocking Ideas
Make a stocking from Vintage Linens tutorial from Jeni Baker
There's not a pattern for this one, but I love this idea. Tami Gray Voth of Farm Down the Lane made this set of stockings from a vintage cutter quilt.
Did you know you could felt and cut into knitted wool? Here's how to make a stocking from a repurposed or thrifted wool sweater
Handmade Felt and Wool Christmas Stocking Tutorials
I love the elevated, elegant look of felt in these Winter Flower Felt Stockings tutorial from Purl Soho
Sentimental Christmas Stockings at Our House
You may be surprised to know that my family doesn't have quilted stockings! Our family stockings are still handmade though - a knit pattern going on for 5 generations now! You may remember when I shared them a few years ago along with our fireplace mantle redo.
These handmade stockings are probably my most sentimental Christmas tradition and were made by a beloved Aunt when we were growing up. She used the same pattern that my great-grandmother had used for the previous generation - including knitting the stocking my mom still uses.
My mom has continued that tradition, making the same stocking pattern for spouses and grandchildren that joined the family. I love their connection with family traditions past.
After sharing these stockings a few readers mentioned that their family stockings were knit using this same pattern. Turns out the pattern goes back to 1945 - and you can still find the free version of this vintage design on Ravelry!
Do you have any sentimental stocking stories in your house?
Feel like you don't have time to make something new this year? Pin this image so that you can find this list easily for next Christmas!
I've shared lots more Christmas inspiration over the years. Click here for Christmas projects and posts.
Libby in TN
Our stockings are knit, too! My MIL made sure I had one when I married her son, as well as my two boys and all their kids, too. Unfortunately she is no longer with us so I will need to keep up the tradition, or maybe I can talk my knitting DIL to do the job!
Amy
What a treasure to have those stockings she made! I hope you DIL will carry it on!
Kay
That is a gorgeous house block. I sometimes have magazine envy as we can't always get copies in England. The fleet tree is something I would certainly have a go at, working with felt is very forgiving and easy to sit doing in the evening. x
Amy
Good news! QuiltMania (and Simply Modern) are European publications! Here's the European website: https://www.quiltmania.com/index.php
Robin
Amazingly in 1978 + 1980 a friend of my MIL knit each of my sons this exact stocking pattern when they were born. She lived in Wilmington, DE. What a surprise to find the pattern is still being used. 😃
Amy
I love all of these connections to this stocking pattern!
Bree
Our stockings are crochet. my great grandmother made them for my mom, Dad, sister and I when I was very young. She passed when I was 11. About 9 years ago I decided my kids, husband, and sister in law needed matching stockings, so I found the pattern and got to work! having all 8 of the stockings hung up together that Christmas made my mom cry. 🩵
Amy
Aww, that is so special. xo
Mabel
Thank you for sharing!??
Barbara Opett
I hope you continue to feel good throughout the holidays. So happy to hear you accept the fact that you do not have much time for sewing before Christmas. I was getting grumpy and stressed until I just accepted I can’t get everything done I wanted to. Always the new year with new beginnings ?❤️ Have a Merry Christmas and thanks for sharing with all of us makers☺️
pattypiecer
I , too love that house quilt. It's on my list! My daughter was nice enough to give me a subscription to Quiltmania for two years for my birthday!!! So grateful, and happy!... Love reading your blog.
Amy
What an awesome gift!!
Thanks so much for your kind words. xo
Barbara Errickson
My Christmas stockings are knit too. Just finished the seventh one for my great grandson and need to make the eighth for my newest great grandson born November 23,,2020. Also knitted special stockings for my husband and me.
Amy
What a treasure, Barbara! I love sentimental aspects of handmade stockings. I'm sure your family will treasure them!
Robyn
Amy, did you finish the Saltbox House quilt? I would love to see how it turned out. During lockdown here in Australia, I experimented with making 2 different rose blocks and have made a medallion quilt using one. It is a queen size and I am quilting it myself, which is taking a while, but very satisfying.
Your posts are always full of thoughtful inspiration. Thank you and best wishes for a joyful Christmas and positive New Year!
Amy
I *still* haven't finished it. I'm making a goal that this is the year I finally do something! Your lockdown project sounds amazing! Way to go. (I'm grateful that in this year of isolation, I at least have plenty of projects to keep me going!)
Thanks so much for your kind words. Wishing you a joyful Christmas and New Year as well!
Gwyn
This was my year to spend Christmas in NH with our family. Boo hoo!!! We all have stocking our mother's or grandmother's made us, but the best stocking is my dad's foot/ankle cast from 1980. He got hurt sliding into a base at a Forest Service picnic. He ended up with a plaster walking cast. When we were in NH in August for our summer visit to the home place, my dad couldn't take it any longer. He sawed his own cast off so he could go swimming in the lake! My mom was not happy. My aunt surprised him at Christmas by turning it into a Christmas stocking. He used it as his stocking for many years until it was deemed to fragile and now is decor.
Thank you for all your hard work this year!! You have been my favorite quilt blogger this year!
Amy
Hah! That is a great story! My in-laws live in NH - (we missed going this year too!) but I totally get the irresistible desire to jump into one of those NH lakes!
And thank you so much for your kind words. That means a lot! xo
buddhajames777
My family's stockings aren't quilted, either; but, they are homemade. I made a tree skirt and stockings for my family when I married, and each of us had a stocking that included a cross-stitched cuff with the recipient's name. Once my children married, I made a tree skirt and stockings for their new families. And, now that I have eight grandchildren, the stockings include a symbol of Christmas along with their names. For example, Jackie has a cross-stitched dove, bearing an olive branch, beside her name. Palmer has a cross-stitched angel beside her name. In my family, the stockings are the most important of all the decorations.
Amy
Aww, I love it! What special treasures for your family.
Amy
Aww, I love it! What special treasures for your family.
Bear Creek Quilting Company
What a great range of style! Everything from whimsical to elegant, and all very charming.
Amy
Thank you!
Joan A Snyder
Amy - my husband's family has used the very same stocking (and tradition) as yours! I've continued using the knitted stockings for my own family and will be making one for new daughter in law this winter! I was going to dig out the pattern from my files but since you've posted yours, you've saved me from searching thru mounds of files.
I really enjoy your columns/postings. You ALWAYS inspire me to quilt more.
Debra L Reber
All of the stockings we hang up at Christmas are handmade. All are different since they were made over many years!! Some are just cute flannel fabric sewn together, some are patchwork patterns & quilted, some are cross-stitched, some are embroidered!! I love the variety!